Backpack Giveaway

Royalwood Church's mission is "Reaching. Teaching. Serving." Right now, we have the amazing opportunity to do all three of these things with just one action with our annual Backpack Giveaway.

How Can You Reach, Teach & Serve?

On August 21st, we are hosting our Backpack Giveaway that supplies local children with a backpack filled with all the necessary school supplies they need to start school. Last year, Royalwood handed out 200 backpacks to families who otherwise would not have been able to afford school supplies for their children. This year we want to reach more. We want to giveaway 300 backpacks.

For just $25, you can sponsor a backpack and touch a family. What a great opportunity to reach, those in our local community, teach them about the love of Christ and serve them through our giving! 

Won't you help?  Click here, chose "Backpack Giveaway" under Select a Fund and donate online today. For more information, contact Student Pastor, Chad Parker at cparker@royalwood.cc.

www.royalwood.cc

All My Love Will Remain

How would you define, "love"?  The Bible quoting people may site 1 Corinthians 13.  (Kudos for that).  Those that don't know too much scripture may point to a more personal definition that has been constructed by personal experience or cultural conditions.  Unfortunately, many do not know true love because they have never experienced it.  The love that most people see today is fickle.  Conditional.  Many times someone will tell you that they love you and then the next day be gone.

Royal Tailor released a song recently that I wrote and feel is very significant.  The chorus lyric says: 

The sky could fall

The ground could shake

The stars burn out and seasons change

The time will pass

And beauty fade

But all my love

Will remain

The reason this song is so significant is because of the picture of love has been greatly distorted by imperfect people.  This chorus is a resounding reminder of what true love is really all about.  Love is relentless.  Love is unconditional. True love just doesn't give up; no matter what.  THIS is the picture of love that we as believers must RECEIVE and REFLECT.  If you're reading this today, receive this unquestionable truth, God is love and God loves you.  You are not too broken to be fixed and you are not too far away that he cannot reach you.  Perhaps the only love you've ever known has been a lie, but know this, God's love is true and real.  Once we receive God's love we are called to reflect it in every relationship, in every way possible.  As Fathers and Mothers, Husbands and Wives, Sons and Daughters, family, friends, in fact, even as strangers, we must resolve that no matter what, all my love will remain.

Check out what John 15 has to say about what it means to REMAIN in Christ as Christ REMAINS in you.

John 15: 1-17

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 

 I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.  

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.

Listen to Royal Tailor's song, "Remain" now!

www.royalwood.cc

Tauren Wells is the lead singer of the band, Royal Tailor. He serves as the Creative Director for Royalwood and is also on the youth staff. He loves interacting with students and building relationships.Follow Tauren on Twitter.

Homemade Ice Cream Social & Contest

Homemade Ice Cream Social & Contest 

Sunday, July 14th 

What could be better than fellowship after church? Why only fellowship with ice cream, of course! 

Join us after service this Sunday evening, July 14th for a homemade ice cream contest and social in the Anthem building. Sample some of the best homemade ice cream in town for just $5! All proceeds will go to help our students attend Youth Congress. Hope to see you there!

www.royalwood.cc

Join Us After Service Tonight in the Anthem Building!

Hebrews Coffee Co. is a project of Anthem Student Ministries.

Hours of Operation: Wednesday nights immediately after service. 

www.royalwood.com

Brother Saul

A few weeks ago my wife told me that she and her team were getting prepared to teach their Sunday school class about Saul and his conversion on the road to Damascus.  This is one of my favorite passages of Acts, so I immediately pulled it up on my phone and read the story again.  I have read this passage no less than 100 times, maybe even more than that, for as a bible quizzer I committed the entire book of Acts to memory and that takes a lot of reading.  Yet, as I read it again, I was overwhelmed by something that I had never considered or realized.

Saul was a serious problem for the early church.  Acts chapters 8-9 states he was “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” and that he made “havoc of the church.”  He persecuted them, raided their homes, arrested men and women and put them in prison.  Remember the church that began so powerful and glorious in Acts chapter 2? A few chapters later Saul has scattered that church throughout all Judaea and Samaria.  Only the apostles and a few others remained strong and in Jerusalem,  and many paid a serious price for doing so--the ultimate case being found in Acts chapter 8 where Saul facilitates the stoning of Stephen.  Most of us forget or have never realized that Saul was responsible for Christianity’s first martyr.  Stephen, full of faith and hope, was killed just as his ministry began with Saul looking on.  This seems to add more insult, as Saul never stooped to get his hands dirty, never threw a stone, but was forever behind the scenes igniting the elders, high priests and people to carry out his desires to crush the church.  Where I come from we call this person a snake!   Saul hated the church, what it stood for, and was determined to destroy it.  Soon after Stephen’s death, he travels to Damascus to continue his work against the church where he is struck down by the Lord and chastised for persecuting the church.  Immediately Saul realizes that he is in the presence of God and has committed grievous crimes.  He asks, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”  This fierce and determined man, now physically blinded from his encounter with Jesus, is led by his hand into the city where the Lord has told him he will be instructed further.   

Up to this point, as I read on my phone, this was an all too familiar passage.  However, in the next few scriptures God really talked to my heart.  For three days Saul is in the city; he is blind, neither eating or drinking, and awaiting instruction.   The Lord appears to Ananias, a disciple in that same city, and tells him, “Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Taursus: for, behold he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man names Ananias coming in, and putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”  Ananias immediately objected: “I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem,” or as we might say today, “Do you know realize who this is? Do you know what he has done” or “Do you know this guy’s reputation?”  Ananias wanted no part of it. However, the Lord makes it clear that Paul is chosen “to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings and the children of Israel.”  Before Kings?  It is clear that Saul is not just chosen but special.

Ananias leaves and goes straight to where Saul is, puts his hands on him, and says two words that literally jumped off the page and punched me in the heart…..”Brother Saul.”  I could continue on and tell you of how Saul received his sight, was filled with the Holy Ghost, baptized and immediately began to preach Christ in Damascus, but I realized that all of that began with two words.  “Brother Saul.”

It’s important that we consider that Saul had been three days blind, not eating or drinking.  Three days realizing that he was responsible for persecuting not just the church, but God himself.  How many times did he replay in his mind the scene where he held the coats of the men that threw stones at Stephen until he was dead?  How many times did the faces of men and women that he put in prison play before him?  In those three days he had come to the stark realization that he was an instigator, a punisher of the innocent and a murderer.  Yet in those three days, God also showed him a vision of a man coming in and laying hands on him, a vision of his sight being restored.  While Saul was reliving his terrible past, God was simultaneously giving him vision for his future.  And it began with a man.  A little known disciple named Ananias who called him brother.  It stands to reason that Saul may have even been on his way to arrest Ananias himself.  He had in his possession letters from the high priest to arrest Christians in Damascus.  Ananias, fearful and wary of Saul because of his reputation, walked in and called him brother.  Had he just said Saul, it would have announced “I know who you are and what you have done.”  However, he added one word… “Brother,” and made it perfectly clear that it didn’t matter who Saul was or what he had done.  Ananias immediately created a bridge for Saul to pass over from the place of his mistakes and regret into the purpose that God had chosen him for.  “Brother” did not just state that how Ananias felt about Saul but how Saul could feel about Ananias.  “Brother” said that his mistakes, his past did not matter to Ananias, only Saul’s future.  Thus, Ananias offers a powerful lesson for you and I.  Our past failures do not separate us--they join us together. We are brothers; I am yours and you are mine.  You can trust in me. My hands will heal you. My hands will help you regain your sight. My hands will help you discover your purpose.

As I reflected on this encounter between Saul and Ananias, my mind was flooded with the names and faces of many people--brothers, sisters, friends, and family.  All of them had made mistakes, failed and stumbled...as we all do.  God has long since forgiven them.  Yet, the nature, severity and sometimes broad publication of their failures have exiled them from our forgiveness.   I wonder if they are feeling blind, alone, and guilty.  Are they trapped in an irrevocable existence of reliving their mistakes and failures while hungrily nurturing a tiny dream of restoration?  Is God whispering to them that He still has a purpose for them?  Are they waiting on the hands of a brother? 

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.  (Galatians 6:1)

                                                                                                 

www.royalwood.cc 

PJ Dial is a husband, father and servant of Christ. He grew up in Royalwood and is involved in several aspects of ministry including Praise & Worship, Anthem Student Ministries and currently serves on Royalwood's Board.

Register Now For Kidz Music Camp

All hands on deck for an unforgettable journey full of adventure, humor, and inspiration at Royalwood Church's Kidz Music Camp as we perform "Captain Noah & The One & Only Zoo Cruise For Twos!"

This children's musical retells the Biblical story of Noah and, with heartwarming emotion, appeals to everyone! You won't want to miss this exciting event!

Kidz Music Camp Details:

When: 

Monday, July 29th  - Sunday, August 4: 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Who:

For children ages: 5 years - 12 years

Cost: 

Early Registration (June 2 - July 21)

$30.00  for 1 child
$20.00 for each additional child (not to exceed $70.00 / family)

Regular Registration (July 22 - July 29)

$35.00 per child

Snacks and t-shirts are provided with registration.  For more information, contact Tanna Dial or Click Here to register!

Trust Your Instruments

One common definition of spatial disorientation is “the inability of a pilot or other air crew member to determine spatial attitude in relation to the surface of the earth; it occurs in conditions of restricted vision, and results from vestibular illusions.” The Federal Aviation Administration uses a slightly different and more simplistic definition. It states, “When a pilot does not know in-flight where his or her body is in relation to the surface of the Earth, the pilot has spatial disorientation.”

There are several types of spatial disorientation. The basic three types are recognized, unrecognized, and incapacitating. Without going into too much detail, one you know you have and are trying to fix it, one you don’t know you have, and the last is one that you know you have but feel completely helpless or don’t even know where to start fixing it.

Regardless of which definition is used or which type of spatial disorientation a pilot has, they all have two major attributes:

1. Inability to distinguish what is true versus what is false (i.e. confusion).
2. The relationship to a common reference point (i.e. the Earth) is in question.

I have personally experienced spatial disorientation numerous times. It is not fun. Take a little bad weather and mix in a glance down at a checklist or an instrument approach procedure and you have the recipe for an interesting day. If there is a latent sinus issue, cold, or seasonal allergy, you could really be in for a serious case of vertigo as well. Thankfully for passengers and those on the ground as well, pilots are trained for these situations and instruction usually kicks in. When it does, disaster is averted. When it doesn’t...lives are usually lost.

In combating spatial disorientation, a “seat of the pants” feeling combined with flight control inputs can sometimes alleviate or assuage the symptoms. This is only marginally effective. Some folks try to shake their head rapidly to “reset the gyros” in their skull! This, however, can often make matters worse. Bottom line, there are a lot of techniques out there. Some may help. Others may hurt. The most effective way to combat spatial disorientation, however, is accomplished by simply “trusting your instruments.”

While going through pilot training at any level, but especially instrument and bad weather flying, the instructors constantly emphasize (practically brainwash) you with the phrase “trust your instruments.” Although instruments and gauges fail, it is rare for several of them to fail at the same time. Therefore, developing a good crosscheck of all available sensors and gadgets alleviates most cases of spatial disorientation fairly quickly. This includes, but is not limited to looking at and comparing the all control and performance instruments and ensuring that they are all in concert. Only then can the pilot begin to redevelop “truth” in his mind and save himself and his aircraft.

To some, I am sure that the plethora of spiritual parallels evident here are fairly obvious. Take a glance around and you can see all three types of spatial disorientation. Some folks are confused and know it and are trying to make their way back home. Others don’t realize that they are confused. Finally, some folks know that they are being drug away from truth but cannot find a way to escape and return to truth. Regardless of the type of disorientation, the two major attributes remain.

We live in a world where it is becoming increasingly more difficult to distinguish what is true versus what is false. Disorientation abounds. Matthew 24:24 states, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” The church is not immune to the deceptive forces in the world. In fact, the church is the prime target. If the enemy is able to shake the faith and the foundation of the church, to whom will the wanderers of this world look to for an example of the righteousness, hope, and blessings of an Almighty God?

That takes us to the second attribute. The church’s common reference point is the Word of God! There are no substitutes. Isaiah 40:8 states that, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand for ever.” The traditions of man are always temporary, but the Word of God is eternal. The faith that is developed over time by getting rooted and grounded on the principles of God’s Word is essential to overcoming disorientation. This faith is quite simply built over time in prayer, regular church attendance, and reading the Bible. Eventually, it will create in the heart of a Christian, a “common reference point” that is dependable and immovable.

If you know someone that seems to be a little disoriented in life, share with them this thought…Proverbs 3:5-6…”Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

We serve a God that is ready, willing, and able to come to our rescue in times of disorientation. He can clear up our confusion and help us find the straight and narrow way. All we really need to do is “trust our instruments.”

Rev Lance Wilkins grew up in Royalwood Church under Pastor Macey. He is currently a member of First Pentecostal Church of Panama City pastored by Rev Allen Crabtree. Lt Col Wilkins is a Squadron Commander and USAF combat veteran with over 300 combat hours. He has flown over 20 different types of aircraft including almost 2000 hours in the F-15 Eagle. His wife Cinnamon and children Rhett and Hannah are involved in several areas of ministry.