Freedom Assembly

Press On

Sunday I preached about pressing on and moving forward in our pursuit of God. It is such an important aspect of our christian walk. In our fast pace world where 50% of marriages end in divorce and kids don't think anyone cares, we really need to get this. The funny thing is the stats are not much different between the christians and the world. We need to know that no matter what at the end of the day we are still in a relationship with the Lord. It is literrally like being married to Christ....in sickness and health...richer or poorer....and on and on! This idea of pressing on is what made this great nation!!! It's what makes great communities, great churches, great schools, great friends, great famalies, great marriages, and great people. So keep on pressing through! 

Crazy Day

The craziness started with no baby sitter....so we thought Morgan could do it....she got called into work...how about Grandma?? She was at the Doctors office....Diane and I both had appointments....grandma made it about 11...what a life saver....I ended up getting some stuff done...made it to the bank by noon to do deposits then worked on paperwork at the office....now home where a monsoon is blowing in....wow! Look out Tuesday here we come!!!!

Office Time

Today I am covering the office all by myself. That means I can't leave till one  today. I feel so trapped. I can't imagine haveing to be in my ofice all day everyday. I love one of the sayings from Church Planting school....get out of the office their are no unsaved people in there.  Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough in the community. I'm not building relationships with sinners. I'm not meeting new people...not helping anyone get to know Jesus by knowing me. I know there has been a shift as the church has grown. I'm more involved with church and church people because my job requires that. At  the same time we are having visitors which helps me with meeting new people. So when its all said and done God stretches me in some areas(office work) and blesses me in other areas(new people). Office time!!! 

Attitude

It is so amazing to see how people react to a situation. Two different people have something similiar happen to them and their attitudes are radically different. Some take the positive side and some the negative. Negative people just seem so depressed to be around...like something is always wrong or could be better or different. They just don't seem happy about anything. Positive people just are great to be around they always see the light at  the end of the tunnel....quick to say it could be worse even in a bad situation. They lift you up whrn your down...they help you get through whatever you are going through...they are needed in all of our lives. I love one of my Dad's sayings..."Every day is like Christmas and evry night is like New Year's Eve"   It helps you focus on the good. If you have been slipping towards negative side....start thinking about things you are thankful for ....maybe even make a list. I think it will bring fresh prospective back to your life.

Reality

Yesterday I talked about how great church has been and that so many people are getting saved. Reality is that not everyone that comes to our church is happy....or likes the church. This past week a 11 year old boy was waiting at the church for me to show up because he wanted to get saved. So we prayed together and I'm on cloud nine. Most of the time on Sunday morning I walk around and try to talk to people as they are getting seated. That's when reality happened.....a person just let me have it! I didn't have to ask what they thought about our church...they let me know and it wasn't good.....ha ha but I was saved by a guy who walked over and started talking to this person on purpose. Thank you Lord for people who got my back! So I made my way to the front and service began and God moved on people and 4 got baptized and 7 got saved....I wonder what the person who let me have it thought. Reality is the lead person has to know why they are doing what they are doing and be 100% sold on it or you will be proned to try to please people. I want to please people but at the same time I know what God has called me to do.....and I'm going to try to please Him no matter what.....even if some people don't like it. Reality is no matter what you do not everyone is going to be happy.....so you better try your best to please God!!!!

Church =)

Church has been going great. Our numbers have been climbing. We are averaging around 250 per week. People getting baptized...getting saved ...getting healed....recommitting their life to the Lord....worship is awesome...spirit of joy is contangious....wow wow and wow....One thing I want to make sure of is what Moses told the Isrealites before they entered the Promiseland.......Don't forget God!!! So let me tell you God has done this great work in AZ City....He is the one who has brought so many people together to make a big impact....He is the who has met our needs and keeps right on going. The Lord has supplied miracle after miracle and the coolest thing is He is not done yet.....Thank you Lord for everything You have done!!!!!!! 

Rick Warren

Rick Warren pastors one of the largest churches in America. He has some awesome quotes. Here's one I really like. "God doesn't owe you an expanation or reason for everything he asks you to do. Understanding can wait, but obedience can't. Instant obedience will teach you more about God than a lifetime of Bible discussion. In fact, you will never understand some commands until you obey them first. Obedience unlocks understanding." This is such a true statement! As I talk with people about issues they are going trough a lot of the time it is because they are living in disobedience. They have not done what God has asked them to do and it is coming out in ugly ways in their life. And for the most part they know exactly what it is but are unwilling to step into obedience. So they just suffer through life...still saved....still going to church....still miserable...still stressed....but never going back to the problem. If we don't obey Gods grace is always there. But we can't use that as an excuse to never walk in obedience. I agree 100% that some scripture cannot be understood until we practice it. So go do something you know God has told you to do and see what happens!!!

Storms

Well we have rain and dirt the last two nights. The dirt is terrible but the rains are awesome. Hoping for rain without the dirt tonight. My grass actually got real water instead of from a hose and looks better already. Someday pretty soon I may have to cut it. The kids love playing on the grass! I think I'm crazy for putting it down then watering it and having to take care of it. More storms are suppose to be on the way so be careful!

15

That's the number of kids headed to camp today. It is the best week of their year. Please pray for them. This year I have 3 of my own going....Landan as a camper...Morgan as a counselor and Logan is volunteer camp staff. That really seems weird. I have been to few kids camps and they are a blast. There will be several kids who get saved and some will get called onto the ministry. Camp is a great ministry tool of the Assemblies of God. This is the biggest group we have ever sent! We will have to do a fundraiser after the get back to help pay for 4 kids we took for free! We took every kid who wanted to go...=)  God will supply the need!!!!