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    Come, Follow Me
    Come, Follow Me
    Come, Follow Me
    Ebook100 pages1 hour

    Come, Follow Me

    By Gary Harding

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Come Follow Me, asks pastors, leaders and Christians everywhere to re-think their ministry priorities. Too often we spend most if not all our resources and time on ourselves. We tend to forget that the mission of Jesus was to save the lost and bring them back into relationship with God. The ancient church in the first century felt the work Jesus did was so important that it was to be carried on. The author wants to get that message back on Christian’s radar. This book starts by discussing the importance and priority of the gospel message. Gary ends the book with teaching that encourages us to again start praying and asking God how we can partner with him in the Priority of Redemption.
    Topics covered include; The Kingdom of Darkness, God’s Purpose for the Gospel and Reconnecting Spiritually with God. The last half of the book discusses becoming a partner with God in what he is doing. The incarnation, the Baptism of Jesus and the Temptation of Jesus actually teach us how to become partners with God and allow him to work through us as he still seeks those that Jesus died for.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGary Harding
    Release dateDec 18, 2012
    ISBN9781301230129
    Come, Follow Me
    Author

    Gary Harding

    Gary started his pastoral ministry in 1979. He has done ministry in the USA including Hawaii, Trinidad and Haiti. He has always focused on meeting people were they are and helping them to walk toward God’s purpose for their lives. Gary has seen God grow his ministry efforts as a Sr. Pastor, Youth Pastor, Family Pastor and Transitional Housing Director. He lives with his wife Barb in the Minneapolis area. Gary does consulting in the Christian ministry arena. Leadership training, discipleship strategies, ministry startup and Christian life coaching head the list of his activities. You can contact Gary at redemptionsheart@gmail.com

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      Book preview

      Come, Follow Me - Gary Harding

      Come, Follow Me!

      Rediscovering God’s Priority of Redemption

      Gary Harding

      .

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright 2012 Gary Harding

      RedemptionsHeart.com

      License Notes: This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

      Table of Contents

      Introduction: Gary’s Story

      Section 1: What in the World Is Going on?

      Chapter 1: So, What Happened to Me? The Gospel Truth!

      Chapter 2: What in the World Is Going On?

      Chapter 3: Reality Check—There Is a Kingdom of Darkness

      Chapter 4: God’s Purpose Revealed in the Scripture

      Chapter 5: Partnering With God

      Chapter 6: A Snipit of Church History

      Section 2: Jesus, Our Example

      Chapter 7: The Incarnation

      Chapter 8: The Baptism of Jesus

      Chapter 9: The Temptation of Jesus

      Chapter 10: Come, Follow Me

      Chapter 11: What Will Our Legacy Be?

      Epilogue: Creating a Culture of Outreach and Discipleship

      Preface

      I admit it. After being in pastoral ministry in one form or another for almost 30 years, I thought I knew how to shepherd people. However, the last two years have totally changed my view of what pastors and leaders are called to do. This change has been very hard. I’ve had to let go of some paradigms that weren’t bringing fruit into the kingdom of God. As you read this, your world may be challenged also. New or rediscovered truth can change our thinking, and that can be difficult. Changing our actions, especially in front of those we lead, can be humbling and painful. But isn’t that what we have been called to do? To conform no longer to religious culture that’s from man, not God? If the Holy Spirit leads us to change, He will do what needs to be done in us as well.

      When I wrote this book, my initial audience was Christian pastors and leaders. Having been one myself, I wanted to approach the spiritual leaders first. However, as I asked certain saints who were not pastors or leaders to read the manuscript and give me their feedback, I discovered that most everyone will receive something from reading this book. My concern is this: It is possible that the saints reading this book are being led by spiritual leaders who may not share my view. It is not my desire to cause division. Rather, it is my prayer that not only spiritual leaders, but also the saints they lead, will grow together as God directs.

      Gary Harding

      Acknowledgements

      First and foremost, I am very grateful for my wife, Barb, who is all about me doing the work of the ministry. You are a wonderful encourager and my dearest friend. In the dark hours, you always bring light. Only eternity will show how much fruit we have together!

      I want to thank my pastor and fellow laborer in God’s kingdom, Brian Lother. I have listened to and watched Brian in the good times and the challenging ones. He is a servant with a heart for God and his saints. He is also a man of integrity. When I asked him to read and comment on my manuscript, I knew I would get God’s truth in return. Brian, the suggestions you made were invaluable.

      Finally, I give thanks and appreciation to the lady of grace and my this is the right way to do it editor, Sarah Quale. Sarah took a manuscript that barely had a rhythm and made it rock! Sarah is a redeemed child of God, a wife, and a mother of three and somewhere finds the time to be a professional writer and editor. Sarah leads the charge at Hope Community Church to bring to light what truly happens not only to the pre-born, but also to the men and women who suffer from abortion. God bless your work.

      A Note From the Author

      When I believed the gospel and accepted the love and forgiveness God had for me, my life changed radically. I had never wanted children because I knew my life was just too messed up. My wife, who also came to the Lord around the same time, had felt the same way. But within a year, we had a baby girl. God changed our hearts. We went on to have three more daughters, and they were and are a great joy to me. I was given a purpose to live. Sensing God wanted me to pastor others who had traveled the road I did, I entered a seminary for more training. After graduation, God led me to start new churches in Minnesota and Hawaii. He guided me in being a lead pastor, on a team of pastors that planted new churches, and on church staffs or leadership teams working to develop new ministries. God has led me to be an overseer of a Christian transitional home for troubled young men who were born again on the streets, in prison, and in drug treatment programs. I have preached and led hundreds of people to Jesus in other countries as well. Miraculously, all of this came from a strung-out hippie freak that most people thought would die young and alone. But one day 40 years ago, someone told me the truth. God is so good!!!

      Gary is an ordained pastor and a proven leader, teacher, coach, and consultant. His ministry activities include guest speaking, leadership mentoring, developing discipleship strategies, mentoring ministry start-up, and mentoring and life-coaching individuals in God’s kingdom.

      You can contact Gary by visiting his website: www.redemptionsheart.com or sending an email to redemptionsheart@gmail.com.

      Introduction: Gary’s Story

      I grew up a fairly normal kid in suburban Minnesota. Normal compared to all the other families on our block. The oldest of three, I had to forge the way for my younger sister and brother.

      I played baseball, joined Cub Scouts, and loved summer. I was an average student in high school, was shy around the girls, and even played guitar in a band. I had no spiritual training from my father or mother and never went to church. Mama tried, but it never took. In ninth grade, I attended a confirmation class, but I didn’t understand what they were confirming. So, when the pastor asked me to join the church, I said, No thanks. He didn’t like that and told my mother so. I remember him asking me, Do you have any feelings at all? That was pretty much the sum total of my spiritual upbringing.

      In my senior year, I discovered drugs, added that to my drinking, and was off and running.

      I didn’t realize I was running in the wrong direction. I had discovered girls prior to my senior year, so my tool belt of debauchery was well-equipped. My graduation from high school followed, along with Uncle Sam’s invitation to the draft. Did I mention the war in Vietnam was going hot and heavy? Long story short, I continued destroying myself from within and without after being honorably discharged from the Navy—though I’m still not sure what the honorable part was all about. By the time I was 24, I had become immovably entrenched in a life of sin and degradation. And, truth be told, I was pretty proud of myself! I figured I had it all. I had a good job. I

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