Ambassador Presbyterian Church

Well, Ambassador Presbyterian Church is not actually going to Hollywood, but one of our own has already been there and is going back. 

As many of you know Link Neal, along with his friend Rhett McLaughlin, have been making waves on the internet with their videos, podcasts, and funny songs.   Their talent and humor has caught the eye of those in the entertainment industry, and they are going to be hosting a new national TV series on CW Network called “Online Nation” which debuts this Sunday, September 23^rd at 7:00 pm.   I’m writing this for two reasons. 

First, I’m sure Link would want you to know about the “preview party” this Sunday at 6:00 pm in Garner, open to all fans.  There will BBQ, music and of course watching the preview together.  You can get info and RSVP to that at their website at www.rhettandlink.com.  If you haven’t been there, you can check out some of their creative work as well.  

The second reason I’m writing is to reflect for a minute on this opportunity from a biblical perspective.  As I’ve been studying 1^st Corinthians for our Sunday morning series, two themes which are prominent in that letter are the idea of calling and gifting.   God calls us into a relationship with himself through the grace of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross (1 Cor. 1:9).  God also gifts us with all kinds of gifts to be used for his glory (1 Cor. 1:7).  Then, interestingly enough, God brings those two things together in our lives by “calling us” into various vocations and circumstances where our calling and gifts can be used to magnify the glory and greatness of God (1 Cor. 10:31).  

Link and Rhett have been given an opportunity to work in what some believers might consider “the lions den” that is Hollywood and the entertainment industry.  But appropriately, it was God who called (literally sent) Daniel, a young Jewish man, into the service of a pagan king in a very pagan culture.   Daniel, by God’s grace and power and through the use of his gifts, rose to prominence and had a profound impact for God’s kingdom, despite the temptations and trials that literally had him facing lions. 

Having spoken with Link and Christy about these amazing developments in their life, I know they see these opportunities before him as a chance to glorify God by doing what he does well and by being in a strategic place where his work and their life together may open doors for the gospel.  We need to be praying for the Neals to have Daniel-like faith and courage and Christ-like grace and truth, as God opens those doors. 

At the same time, it is a good reminder that God has called and gifted each and everyone of us with similar opportunities wherever He has placed us, in the workplace, in our homes, in different roles in our lives.  May we be praying for each other to “do all that we do” for His glory, wherever that may be.  For God who has called you is faithful.     

Well, Ambassador Presbyterian Church is not actually going to Hollywood, but one of our own has already been there and is going back. 

As many of you know Link Neal, along with his friend Rhett McLaughlin, have been making waves on the internet with their videos, podcasts, and funny songs.   Their talent and humor has caught the eye of those in the entertainment industry, and they are going to be hosting a new national TV series on CW Network called “Online Nation” which debuts this Sunday, September 23^rd at 7:00 pm.   I’m writing this for two reasons. 

First, I’m sure Link would want you to know about the “preview party” this Sunday at 6:00 pm in Garner, open to all fans.  There will BBQ, music and of course watching the preview together.  You can get info and RSVP to that at their website at www.rhettandlink.com.  If you haven’t been there, you can check out some of their creative work as well.  

The second reason I’m writing is to reflect for a minute on this opportunity from a biblical perspective.  As I’ve been studying 1^st Corinthians for our Sunday morning series, two themes which are prominent in that letter are the idea of calling and gifting.   God calls us into a relationship with himself through the grace of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross (1 Cor. 1:9).  God also gifts us with all kinds of gifts to be used for his glory (1 Cor. 1:7).  Then, interestingly enough, God brings those two things together in our lives by “calling us” into various vocations and circumstances where our calling and gifts can be used to magnify the glory and greatness of God (1 Cor. 10:31).  

Link and Rhett have been given an opportunity to work in what some believers might consider “the lions den” that is Hollywood and the entertainment industry.  But appropriately, it was God who called (literally sent) Daniel, a young Jewish man, into the service of a pagan king in a very pagan culture.   Daniel, by God’s grace and power and through the use of his gifts, rose to prominence and had a profound impact for God’s kingdom, despite the temptations and trials that literally had him facing lions. 

Having spoken with Link and Christy about these amazing developments in their life, I know they see these opportunities before him as a chance to glorify God by doing what he does well and by being in a strategic place where his work and their life together may open doors for the gospel.  We need to be praying for the Neals to have Daniel-like faith and courage and Christ-like grace and truth, as God opens those doors. 

At the same time, it is a good reminder that God has called and gifted each and everyone of us with similar opportunities wherever He has placed us, in the workplace, in our homes, in different roles in our lives.  May we be praying for each other to “do all that we do” for His glory, wherever that may be.  For God who has called you is faithful.