BE A PEOPLE OF FAITH AND NOT OF FEAR

“Then I said to you, ‘Do not be shocked, nor fear them. The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place.’” – Deuteronomy 1:29-32

In recent years, Americans have become engulfed in fear to the point of allowing those fears to override everyday concerns. Think back in recent history:

In December of 1999, it was Y2K. The idea was that because computers were invented in the later part of the 20th century and no computer was designed to go beyond 1999, they were all going to shut down at midnight of 2000. There would be chaos all over the world. Social services would be cut off. It would be a disaster. Nothing happened.In December of 2001 following 9/11, there was a very real fear in American culture over Islamic terrorism. Western civilization has dealt with this fear all the way back to the 7th century AD, and it ebbs and flows all through those centuries. Sadly, we saw that fear come to fruition in a very vivid way after 9/11, a very real fear that continues to this day.In the fall of 2008, leading into the new year of 2009, there was a wide spread fear in American culture over the economic melt down that had occurred on September 1, 2008. First, Leman Brothers went bankrupt, followed by many other brokerage and financial institutions. An economic meltdown occurred on Wall Street and there was wide spread panic throughout the land, with people fearing they had lost all of their investments and their wealth – and many of them did lose everything.Fast forward to 2020 and we’ve already seen global chaos and uncertainty, first from the devastation of Australia’s wildfires and now the global impact of the coronavirus and the ensuing impact on the worldwide economy.Fear, panic, uncertainty… it’s understandable that people are concerned. Sometimes fears are irrational, while other times our fears are warranted. However, as people of faith, Jesus followers are not to let fear overwhelm us. We are called to walk by faith, not fear. This is much easier said than done, so how can we keep fear from consuming our lives – especially when facing very legitimate fear and uncertainties?

Let’s look at the life of  Moses. In Deuteronomy chapter 1, Moses was once again challenging his people to resist their fears and to return to an abiding faith in the God who had continually provided for them. You see, it had been 40 years since their biggest failure as a young nation when rather than trust God to open the door into the Promised Land, the people had caved to fear. So, Moses was reminding them that God was about to give them a second chance to go in and claim what was rightfully theirs. He begged them not to make the same mistake they made 40 years ago, which led them into a forty-year pilgrimage in the wilderness. Moses wanted them to learn from that experience and to be a people of faith, not fear.

These words Moses spoke to the people still apply to all of us today, both as individuals and as the body of Christ. As we move through a year when fear threatens to engulf us all, we are called to be a people of faith and not fear. Isaiah 41:10 tells us, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Do you believe it? I do. Because when all is said and done, it is only through our faith in Jesus Christ that we have a chance to be victorious!

Work Anniversary’s for January and February

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MONTESANO, JOHN A
North Service Tech02/21/199624 years, 5 days
JARVIS JR, GEORGE RNorth Parts Countermen02/23/199822 years, 3 days
COKER, JEFF ANorth Tow Truck Driver02/12/200119 years, 14 days
GREENHOW, MICHAEL BHonda Sales Personnel02/06/200614 years, 20 days
PEARSON, TAMMY LAdministrative Support Staff02/04/200911 years, 22 days
THEODORSON, BARBARA AChevrolet Parts Other02/09/20128 years, 17 days
ACEVEDO PEREZ, LIBORIOSouth Side Detail Tech02/15/20128 years, 11 days
FELICE, CATHY MController02/01/20137 years, 25 days
ORTIZ, EDMUNDOSouth Side Pre Owned Sales 02/18/20137 years, 8 days
DMOHOWSKI, HARRYChevrolet Parts Other02/03/20146 years, 23 days
HORN, STEVENKia Service Tech02/01/20164 years, 25 days
LONG, RICHARD AChevrolet Service Tech02/08/20164 years, 18 days
DIFILLIPO, SAMUELHonda Sales Personnel02/07/20182 years, 19 days
ANDERSON, KYLE JKia Service Tech02/12/20182 years, 14 days
SUND, CALVIN MNorth Service Other02/19/20182 years, 7 days
TYER, COBIE CNorth Service Tech02/26/20182 years
DAWSON, TYLER RChevrolet Service Hourly Tech02/04/20191 year, 22 days
BOSWELL, MICHAEL RGMC Sales Personnel02/05/20191 year, 21 days
GADDY, CHASE MChevrolet Service Hourly Tech02/14/20191 year, 12 days
DUNN, LARRYChevrolet Other02/25/20191 year, 1 day
VARGAS, SULAMIE IInternet North Sales02/25/20191 year, 1 day
FOLDS, RACHAEL MKia Parts Countermen01/26/20155 years, 1 month
ROBERTS, JEFF WNorth Side Pre Owned Other01/25/20164 years, 1 month, 1 day
SOUTHERN, ALAINA MAdministrative Support Staff01/25/20164 years, 1 month, 1 day
DARBY, FREDERICK EWholesale Buyer01/09/20173 years, 1 month, 17 days
KIRKPATRICK, BENChevrolet Sales Manager01/15/20182 years, 1 month, 11 days
ROUSSOS, PETENorth Finance Closer01/15/20182 years, 1 month, 11 days
BELL, MATTHonda Sales Manager01/16/20182 years, 1 month, 10 days
DIAZ, ANGEL MNorth Parts Other01/22/20182 years, 1 month, 4 days
ORTIZ, BENNYNorth Service Tech01/22/20182 years, 1 month, 4 days
HAMMETT, STEVEN TSouth Side Detail01/29/20182 years, 28 days
MERCADO, AMY North Service Admin01/23/20128 years, 1 month, 3 days
CLOS, AUSTIN SSouth Finance Closer01/08/20191 year, 1 month, 18 days
PORTER, JESSICA MBDC Receptionists01/28/20191 year, 29 days

Happy March, February and January Birthday

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BROWN, DANIEL JKia Parts Other3/2
AVISO, CRISFinance Director3/3
CASANOVA, JOSE MBody Shop Other3/4
MURPHY, SHANE JNorth Side Pre Owned Sales Personnel3/4
SMITH, AUSTIN CAcura Other3/6
EVANS, DOUGLAS ENorth Service Tech3/6
CHOATE, NATHAN ANorth Service Hourly Tech3/7
JEAN, SAMUELSouth Side Detail Tech3/7
RENDON-HILARIO, JUANBody Shop Tech3/8
CRAIG, SUSIENorth Service Other3/8
BURGOS, LUIS EChevrolet Parts Other3/9
SANTIAGO, RAMON CSouth Side Detail3/9
ORTIZ, BENNYNorth Service Tech3/11
LOPEZ, ORLANDOKia Sales Personnel3/11
BADCOCK, TIFFANY DNorth Side Detail Tech3/12
VAZQUEZ, MIGUEL ANorth Service Tech3/14
CARDONA, CHRISTIAN DChevrolet Service Tech3/15
DAILEY, TIM PART TIMEKia Service Tech3/15
TALBOT, KRISTEN RInternet South Sales3/15
LEMASTER, CHRISTINA EAdministrative Support Staff3/16
BROCK, TRAVIS JNorth Side Detail Manager3/16
RIVERA JR, ALBERT RSouth Finance Closer3/16
SHAW, RYAN JHonda Sales Personnel3/18
MIRANDA-LANDIN, FRANCISCOChevrolet Other3/19
OTERO, ALEXISNorth Service Tech3/19
GUNTER, TREVER LNorth Side Detail3/20
ANTLE, LOGAN TIMOTHYKia Sales Personnel3/20
FELICE, CATHYController3/20
MAY, STANSouth Finance Closer3/21
AMADOR, IRVINNorth Side Detail3/22
CARROLL, TREVOR JSouth Side Detail3/23
HENRY, JAMES ENorth Finance Closer3/23
HARTMAN, CHRISSYNorth Service Other3/23
VANELLA, JOHN MNorth Side Pre Owned Sales Manager3/25
DARBY, FREDWholesale Buyer3/27
STEFFES, TRACEY JSouth Side Pre Owned Sales Personnel3/29
VINSON, JEANNESouth Side Detail Manager3/31
VILLANUEVA, CARLOS ANorth Service Other2/1
MATHEWS, MELISSA LBDC Receptionists2/1
BASEN, MEAGAN LInternet South Manager2/3
MCCLOUD, ANGELA MNorth Side Detail Tech2/4
FOLDS, JAMES CNorth Parts Countermen2/6
HUGHES, MIKEGMC Sales Manager2/6
CHICOINE, LEO FKia Parts Countermen2/10
MCQUESTION, CHRISNorth Side Pre Owned Sales Personnel2/11
OSBORNE, MISTY NBody Shop Admin2/13
MATOS, ANGEL BNorth Service Tech2/17
BENITEZ GERENA, DASHIRAKia Service Admin2/20
COOPER, GARRETT LChevrolet Other2/23
SEIBERT, JORDAN SNorth Parts Countermen2/26
BENITEZ CASANOVA, JORGE ABody Shop Tech2/26
GELPI, SHAYNA MBDC Receptionists2/27
KLEE, RACHEL BInternet Southside1/2
RONE, MD RASHEDULHonda Sales1/2
BOX, CHRISKia Sales1/3
CAVANAUGH, TYLER MNorth Detail1/4
FOLDS, RACHAEL MKia Parts1/4
KIRKPATRICK, BENChevrolet Sales1/4
VAN KAMPEN, BOB WNorth Service1/5
MENDEZ, ANGELO LChevrolet Service1/7
TATE, JOSHUA RChevrolet Service1/9
BARSKE, MIKE CNorth Service1/11
FELICIANO, HECTORChevrolet Detail1/11
GELPI, NIKOFinance Southside1/12
FARRIS, THOMAS CFinance Northside1/12
WILLIS, CRAIG A.Body Shop1/13
HOWELL, CHRISTIAN ANorth Detail1/14
SHAFFER, BRIAN KChevrolet Service1/16
TORRES, JESSICAChevrolet Service1/17
DUMOULIN, JASONKia Service1/17
HERNANDEZ, JOSCAR YKia Service1/18
SOUTHERN, ALAINA MAdministrative Staff1/18
TYER, COBIE CNorth Service1/21
GADDIS, RICKNorth Side Pre Owned1/23
SMITH, LEAH NChevrolet Sales1/24
ORTEGA, MISAELChevrolet Sales1/24
JOLY, ELIEChevrolet Detail1/24
ROE, DIANAChevrolet Service1/24
RIVERA, HECTOR AChevrolet Detail1/25
SOLOJ, JEFFKia Service1/25
LIEU, PAULChevrolet Service1/25
KITZMILLER, MATTBody Shop1/25
AVILES RETAMAR, ALEXIS RKia Service1/27
MILLER,  SHAWNNorth Service1/27
SLATER, CASSIDY RAdministrative Staff1/29
WHEELER, MARGARET AAdministrative Staff1/29
COOPER, FELECIA LInternet Southside1/29
ALLEN, ERIC JFinance Northside1/29

Welcome New Hires

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IGLESIAS, ORLANDO PAdministrative Staff01/02/2020
MASTERMAN, DENNIS GKia Sales01/02/2020
BARTLE, MALLORY DANIELLEKia Sales01/06/2020
STREETER, TIMOTHYGMC Sales01/06/2020
COOPER, GARRETT LChevrolet Sales01/20/2020
DONEGAN, ROBERT STEPHENHonda Sales01/20/2020
BASS, JEFFREY ALLENSouth Side Pre Owned01/22/2020
ANTLE, LOGAN TIMOTHYKia Sales01/27/2020
KILLINGSWORTH, MEGAN NOELNorth Service01/27/2020
MINX, RUSSELL DAVIDBody Shop01/27/2020
WEATHERHOLTZ III, RICHARD WARRENNorth Detail01/27/2020
GILLESPIE, ANDREW PETERSouth Side Pre Owned02/01/2020
DIAZ, KENETHKia Service02/03/2020
RIVERA, DEBBIEChevrolet Sales02/03/2020
WILKINS, SHERON TYREEHonda Sales02/03/2020
CRAIG, DORTHEA SUENorth Service02/10/2020
ENGLISH, HANNAH SNorth Service02/10/2020
GELPI, SHAYNA MAdministrative Staff02/10/2020
MACKAY, MATTHEW SChevrolet Sales02/10/2020
RICKETTS, NICHOLAS JFinance Northside02/10/2020
WILLIS, CRAIG A.Body Shop02/10/2020
CINTRON, YADIELNorth Side Pre Owned02/12/2020
EXUM, BRANDON TChevrolet Sales02/12/2020
GILES, FRANKLIN BURLAcura Sales02/17/2020
HERNANDEZ, PEDRO SEBASTIANNorth Service02/17/2020
FISHER, CLAYTON THOMASHonda Sales02/24/2020
MARSHALL, HAYDEN CKia Sales02/24/2020

SHAME CRUSHES THE HEART

“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” – John 20:19

Have you ever felt ashamed?  I realize that’s kind of a dumb question to ask because shame is a feeling that all of us are familiar with in some form or fashion.  Think back to that time when you did something you know you never should have done.  Or maybe you said something that you realized too late, you never should have said.  Suddenly, you learn that your words or actions have hurt someone – perhaps someone that you love. That’s when shame creeps in.  For others, perhaps you haven’t lived up to expectations or you feel like you’ve been a disappointment in the choices you’ve made in life. Believe me, I know the feeling of shame that can just overwhelm every aspect of our lives.

Shame is an incredibly powerful motivator.  Shame can get people to do things that we want them to do.  But this is the problem. Shame can move us to do something, but it will never capture our hearts.  In fact, shame crushes our hearts. I would call it the Master Manipulating Motivator.  And it’s a feeling that we want to avoid at all costs.  We want to do what we can to get away from shame. And let’s be honest – sad as it is to say, the reason a lot of people stay away from church or want to keep their distance from God is because of the shame that they have felt at the hands of religious people!

Someone sees something you’ve done. They call you out, but they do it in a mean way. They belittle you and point the finger at you, making you feel so unworthy and small. Frankly, it’s the reason a lot of people really want to keep their distance from God and the church. They’ve experienced shame at the hands of religious people, and all in the name of Jesus.

Thankfully, there’s good news for those of us in the midst of our shame.  Jesus did not come to shame us –but to set us free from our sin and our shame. Jesus gave His life at the cross so that we could be set free with the gift of His forgiveness and grace. Shame can lead us to mistakenly believe that God is withholding His love from us because of our actions. The good news of the Gospel, however, is that God’s love is not about what we have done for Him; God’s love for us is grounded in what He had done for us!

The problem with a performance driven faith is that it seeks to make our good performance outweigh our shame. But our performance will always fall short in one area or another. We can never do enough good to cover our shame ourselves. But the Gospel tells us that the gift of Jesus Christ covers our shame in His mercy and grace. We are far more loved that we ever thought possible.

Jesus did not come to shame us in our sin. Jesus came to save us from our sin. He offers us exactly what we need in the midst of our fear and shame. Through His perfect life and sacrificial death. Jesus invites us to trust in what He has done to set us free!

The invitation of Jesus Christ is to rest in the grace of God and to live in the freedom of His forgiveness and love. Will you believe Him at His word? Will you accept the invitation to trust Him as your Savior? Look to Jesus and see the end of shame!