While I don’t consider myself a rebel, I do not like being told what to do . . . or what to think! There is something innate in us that comes out when this button is pushed. I’ve even watched my son tell his older sister that she can’t boss him around. We all have our own stories of how the rebel fist has been raised within us as some external force has sought compliance. We walk on the grass, wear jeans to church, step outside the boundaries, and color outside the lines. There is something to being able to think for oneself.

In chapter 11 of Deep and Wide, Andy shares his secrets to effectively delivering sermons to both regular churchgoers and those who rarely attend. You may be wondering what does delivering sermons have to do with me as an attendee of Gwinnett Church? Well, these principles that Andy uses from the stage can be applied to many of the conversations we have as we build relationships with each other.

One principle in particular deals with this “rebel” nature. Consider what this one idea could do for the conversations you have about your faith. What if you regularly gave the people you spoke to permission – up front and out loud – to not believe what you are discussing about God, Jesus, or the Bible? As adults, we want to make up our own minds. Or, at the very least, we don’t want to be told what to do, what is true, or what to believe. Why should we expect it to be different with our faith? This is such a key point that is the very first amendment to the Constitution. You cannot establish it for me or impede my freedom to express it. I’ll believe what I believe, when I want to believe it. Simply stated, we’d like to have a say. You’ll often hear Andy give permission to the audience to not believe or follow what he’s saying. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t have an opinion. He just knows that telling us what to believe isn’t the best way of getting us to consider things.

Next time you’re in a conversation with someone regarding your faith, consider giving them the permission to not agree with what you are saying. You can let them know that you believe it, but that they should make up their own minds.

1)    What are some situations where you find yourself not wanting to play by the rules?

2)    How has someone influenced you in a positive way by giving you the freedom to make up your own mind?

3)    How could this change the influence that you have with others?

WOW! WOW! WOW! Once again Gwinnett Church, you were a HUGE part of showing our community that we are FOR Gwinnett. A few weeks ago, we received an email from our friend Maureen Kornowa, the Executive Director of  North Gwinnett Co-op letting us know their food supply was very low. We wanted to be an immediate source of help and so on very short notice, we asked you to participate in our Food Drive this past Sunday. Not only was it a success, it was a HUGE success. We collected 1.5 TONS of food that we were able to deliver on Monday.

We were a part of making sure that families in our area who need help can get it by supporting the efforts of everyone at North Gwinnett Co-op. Thank you for being a church that cares about being a light in our community for people that may never walk through our doors.  Here are a few pictures of the Food Drive volunteers that helped make it happen!

Hey Gwinnett Church, get ready for tonight! Chris Cauley and our Gwinnett Church band will lead us in a new song called “God Is for Us.” This song is off our new North Point student album, “No One Higher.” Check it out here and come ready to sing LOUD tonight at 6:00 p.m.!

Need a little zing in your marriage? How about taking a swing at the latest Great Date Experience?

This fun-filled date sports a golf theme to jump-start the conversation that will help tighten up your marriage game. With a blanket and green space for a picnic as the backdrop, you will be set up for an experience that will not disappoint. You can go to our Guest Services desk to pick one up or try the online version! You can also comment below and we will send you one in the mail!

My wonderful wife, also mother to our four children, deserves a beautiful expression of love and thanks for who she is and all she does. Each year, Mother’s Day provides that opportunity for many of us. As much as we’d like to believe that this sentiment is taking place all throughout the year, our culture has set aside this day for special recognition. Because it’s special, I tend to be more concerned with HOW the kids and I will celebrate Amy’s role as mother. This is where the tension rises for most men.

For some men, this tension (or challenge) is not only a welcomed opportunity to celebrate your wife, but a thrilling chance to use your God given talents and creative genius’ to better (year after year) this celebration. For others, like myself, it’s a season that can bring frustration. Not because we’re not willing to embrace this same opportunity or desire it for our wives, but because we might not be as creative in saying what we’ve felt all year long. We either cheat the mother of our kids, by not meeting the challenge in a creative way or we try and keep up with those that can (and do such a great job of it). For me, I’m reminded, once again, that this expression should never be limited to Mother’s Day.

Men- How about it, what group are you in… I’m sure there are others?  And how do you embrace Mother’s Day for your wife, the mother of your child/children?

Women- There are many aspects of “Mother’s Day” that we can neglect to consider… please read the following poem by Amy Young and reply with your thoughts.

The Wide Spectrum of Mothering

To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you


To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you


To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you


To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you


To those who walk the hard path of infertility – we walk with you.

To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you


To those who have disappointment, heartache, and distance with your children – we sit with you


To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you


To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience


To those who are single and long to be married and mothering your own children – we mourn that life has not turned out the way you longed for it to be


To those who step-parent – we walk with you on these complex paths



To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you

And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you
This Mother’s Day, we walk with you.

Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.

From all of us on staff at Gwinnett Church, we say… Happy Mother’s Day!

Bryson Davis

Men’s & Married Groups Director