be-attitudes. be-attitudes be- attitudes be-attitudes november 5, 2006 dear women of new life...

Abnormally

NormalAbnormally

NormalBe-

AttitudesAbnormally

Normal

PBC Sermon

Series

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

BE- ATTITUDES

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

November 5, 2006

Dear Women of New Life Church,

I am so sorry for the circumstances that have led me to write this letter to you today. I know your hearts are broken; mine is as well.

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

Yet my hope rests steadfastly in the Lord who is forever faithful.

What I want you to know is that I love my husband, Ted Haggard, with all my heart. I am committed to him until death “do us part.” We started this journey

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

together and with the grace of God, we will finish together.

If I were standing before you today, I would not change one iota of what I have been teaching the women of our church.

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

For those of you who have been concerned that my marriage was so perfect I could not possibly relate to the women who are facing great difficulties, know that this will never again be the case. My test has begun; watch me. I will try to prove myself faithful.

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

I love you all so much, especially you young women—you were my delight.

To all the church family of new Life Church—Ted and I are so proud of you. You are all we hoped you would be. In our minds, there is no greater church.

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

As you try to make sense of these past few days, know that Ted believes with all his heart and soul everything he has ever taught you, those things you are putting into practice. He is now the visible and public evidence that every man (woman and child) needs a Savior.

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

We are grateful for your prayers for our family.

I hold you forever in my heart,

Gayle Haggard

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

When we are different, Jesus says we’re

blessed ... happy ... to be envied

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

Matthew 5:1-5

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

Matthew 5:1-2

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

THE CHRISTIAN’S MANIFESTO

Jesus is simply saying, “IF YOU ARE MY FOLLOWERS, you will start to be different, and when you find that this is your experience, don’t get discouraged, because you’re actually blessed ... happy ... to be envied!”

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT

for theirs is the Kingdom of God

[Contemporary English Version: God blesses those people who rely only on him.]

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

Philippians 3:4-8

I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin,

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

IF YOU’VE NEVER EXPERIENCED POVERTY OF SPIRIT, YOU

CANNOT BE A CHRIST-FOLLOWER

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN

for they will be comforted.

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

I disrespect myself for being one of those lukewarm Christians who come to church occasionally because they show nothing more than an interest in the sermons and the desire for their children to have at least some spiritual input.

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

It seems to me that I still lack all the energy and passion which in the past have drawn me to God. … I wish I could change, be more straightforward, more mature, committed... and different!

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

CHRISTIANITY BEGINS WITH A SENSE OF INADEQUACY BEFORE GOD …

POVERTY OF SPIRIT …

AND MOURNING BECAUSE OF IT

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN

for they will be comforted.

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

for they will inherit the earth.

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

“Revival exposes us to what normal looks like from God’s

perspective.”

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes

Abnormally

NormalBe-

Attitudes