Thank You Christle!

Last night at our monthly board meeting, Christle Brooks accepted a church board appointment.

Because of two vacant board positions, we felt it necessary to appoint a new member.

I usually like to wait for an all church vote, but we felt confident in her appointment because the church membership almost voted her into office at our last annual family business meeting.

I am so thankful for her willingness to serve her church.

I borrowed this beautiful picture of her and Les off of her facebook profile.

Thank You Kathy!

KQ is my new office manager! (this is she and Al's old church directory photo)

With my wifey working so much at Providence Hospital, Holly is now just helping us out as office consultant once in awhile...

Kathy is really doing a good job...I am so thankful for her willingness to serve her church!

Also, I don't know if I've already mentioned it but, Robin Stone is our Office Help Coordinator. If you have some time to donate to the church give Robin or Kathy a holler...

Thank you Jesus for all the wonderful help you send me!

I believe in T.E.A.M...Together...Everyone...Accomplishes...More...

Tamara Henkes / Annual Missions Dinner

I really enjoyed Tamara's message today: GREATER THINGS ARE YET TO COME!
For more information on today's special missionary guest visit:
http://www.henkes.ministryhome.org/ OR www.xanga.com/henkelberry

A BIG THANK YOU to Kathy & Linda & Doris & all the HOSPITALITY TEAM who worked so hard to make our missions dinner PERFECT!

I promised several of our church members today that I would post the recipe for Tamara's Romanian Stew:
Ciorbă de Perişoare (pronounced Chee yorba day Pear ee shworay)
Sour Meatball Soup

5 small carrots diced
2 small onions diced (one for meatball mixture other for soup)
Celery root(ginger root) diced (peeled) Ţelină
1 green pepper diced (or ½ red, yellow, green)
½ kilo of ground meat
1 egg
1 ½ tablespoon of salt
1 cup of rice
1 tsp of pepper
2-3 liter of water
Parsley
Pinch of oregano
½ cup of tomato pastes (sauce)
Sour Cream

1. Mix meat, egg, salt and pepper together
2. mix in one onion and rice into the meat mixture
3. Make meatballs (use water on hand so it won’t stick)
4. When water comes to a boil add meatballs to water. Cook for 40 minutes
5. add, carrots, root, green pepper, parsley, onion to water and let cook for about 20 more minutes
6. add salt, pepper tomato paste to taste.
7. when serving add a teaspoon of sour cream on top of soup in bowl
(I believe Linda Accardo purchased 10x the recipe for our dinner today...)

Happy Birthday Elijah!

Cindy Dara's AMAZING 7-layer dip made me disobey my new diet and exercise program...

Back to School Kids Fair

A BIG THANK YOU TO MRS. SHELLI AND ALL THE WONDEROUS VOLUNTEERS!

Nathaniel had a good time, I promise!

The adults had a fun night too!

What a sweetheart!

Even God decided to join the fun, His artwork is Amazing!

Miss Nelda, Megan and Presley are quite crafty!

Miss Glenda was our GOOD NEWS lady!

We make 'em cute at New Beginnings!

Sawyer is quite the bowler, that rhymed!

See, I told you Nathaniel had fun!

Practicing the Presence of God, Part 1 (sermon notes)

WOW, what a wonderful service we had on Sunday!
The best attendance for Labor Day weekend I've ever seen!
I wish I would have got some photos from the Water Baptisms.
We had the privilege of celebrating with Debbie Nosik and Joel Mesman.
And the Veterans prayed over Josh Spencer as he leaves for boot camp...AND...

Today I’m beginning a new sermon series entitled PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD
Have you ever heard of Brother Lawrence?
He is the author of a classic book on Practical Christian Devotion…In it he shared the spiritual secrets of a humble brother who enjoyed closeness with God…
He is probably most known for his pilgrim’s prayer…LORD of all pots and pans and things…Make me a saint by getting meals And washing up the plates!
Brother Lawrence was able to turn even the most commonplace and menial task into a living hymn to the glory of God!
No conceited scholar was Brother Lawrence; theological and doctrinal debates bored him, if he noticed them at all. His one desire was for communion with God…You would find him worshipping more in his kitchen than in his cathedral…

1 day a week we gather together as Christians…Some of us show up 2x and week…and then there are special times when we get together even more in Jesus name…
But what about the rest of the week?
Are we Practicing the Presence of God everyday?
I don’t believe in religion…I believe in a relationship with Jesus, and that’s a 24/7 commitment…

So in this sermon series I plan to give some practical advice in Living everyday with Jesus, Practicing the Presence of God…
Beginning with,
1. for the Love of God

Whatever happens with your days, your moments, your words, actions, priorities…the everyday commitments…
going to your job, mowing your lawn, caring for the kids, etc.
Is it for the Love of God?
Now, I’m not talking about, earning God’s love
Jesus already took care of that on the cross
I’m talking about your motivation?

If I were to tap you on the shoulder, while your standing over that sink of dishes or cleaning that house or filing those papers or playing with your family or visiting the doctor…
If I were to ask you, right now in this activity what is your motivation…those who practice the Presence of God would answer…FOR THE LOVE OF GOD

Obviously when we are reading the word of God or having a time of focused prayer it is practicing His presence, it is for the love of God…but, don’t leave Him there and go do your living…Let Him be with you in the ordinary…

Deuteronomy 6:5 says Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength…
Everything…For the love of God

Deuteronomy 30:20 says and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to Him…For the LORD is your life
Everything…For the love of God

Joshua 23:11 says so be very careful to love the Lord your God
Everything…For the Love of God

Psalm 42:8 says by day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life
Everything…For the Love of God

Hosea 12:6 says But you must return to God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God Always
Everything…for the love of God

Micah 6:8 says what does the Lord require of you? to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God
Everything…for the love of God

Luke 10:27, Jesus summed up all of scripture: Love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself
Everything…for the love of God

I’ve been on a special diet and exercise program working toward a truly healthy lifestyle…God has always whispered for me to make better choices in this area…
Marion Smith, penned these words entitled Special Diet
Our daughter's boyfriend, Trey had been diagnosed with diabetes when he was just 25 years old. After having eaten any way he wanted for his entire life, conforming to a special diet for diabetics was a difficult transition. His carbohydrate and sugar intakes had to be measured and monitored, and food needed to be eaten every so many hours. What he put into his body would make the difference between living healthy and possibly not living at all! I believe our thoughts are our soul's food. The things we think about are the things we feed upon. Are our thoughts self centered, self promoting, self gratifying, self righteous, self-indulgent and self-absorbed? If so, we will live a very shallow and obviously self centered life. God calls us to feed our souls with thoughts of Him. How? By taking the words in the Bible and reading them not only silently, but out loud. We can internalize them much more efficiently when we use both methods of reading. His call to love others and His marvelous promises arein the Word for us to eat and internalize into the depths of our beings so let's hurry to the feast table, and dine on His Special Diet waiting for us.

Can you say amen?
If you said amen, then with God’s help you may need to start making better choices this week…Everything…For the Love of God…

Practicing The Presence of God
1. For the Love of God
2. Without Being Discouraged

Proverbs 24:16 says for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again

I don’t believe you have to count to seven and then give up!
The point is…
Never Give up!
I can guarantee you, that if you make the commitment to Practice the Presence of God…you will drift daily…You will never become perfect…
SO, this is a lifetime achievement
this is preparation for all eternity in His presence!

Practice the Presence of God: Without being discouraged...it's a choice!
you fall down then you get up again
you fall down then you get up again
Every day is a new beginning
Every moment is a new beginning
No matter where you’ve been
No matter what you’ve done
You can begin again
IN JESUS NAME

Look at the front of your bulletin
Lamentations 3:21-25…
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.’ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him;”

I received an email this week regarding AG news and info, as I often do, it contained this short article…
At 95, Ellen Blackwell is still involved in full-time ministry. She is senior pastor of Way of Faith Assembly of God in Fairfax, Virginia. She also travels 90 minutes one way every Sunday afternoon to preach at Mount Zion Assembly of God in Charles Town, West Virginia. Blackwell planted Way of Faith AG in 1970. "I went through the school of hard knocks and experience," she says.She says her main focus is training young people for the ministry. Gokul Raaj, 28, has attended Way of Faith AG for two years and considers Blackwell a spiritual role model. "When I see her at this age able to speak up and stand for God, I think how much I can do for God when I am so young," Raaj says. "She has enabled me to see a greater depth and truth in the Word of God." She also has compiled verse-by-verse study manuals for books of the New Testament and is nearing completion on books of the Old Testament. This year the Potomac District recognized Blackwell for 50 years of ministry as an ordained minister. "She is one of the people that I esteem the highest in our district," says Potomac District Superintendent Larry Hickey. Way of Faith AG church has developed a prayer center in Israel in Galilee. Blackwell goes at least annually to lead tour groups. She plans to go in September and December this year. Blackwell, who is single, doesn't have plans to stop working. "I would be miserable to retire," she says.

After reading this article, now I know Pastor and Mrs. Short might just outlast me in full-time ministry…

Practicing the Presence of God
1. For the Love of God
2. Without being Discouraged
3…this one is much easier said than done…To receive equally from His Hand the sweet and bitter

Everyday carries some sweetness and some bitterness...
To Practice His Presence requires such a surrender that you thank Him for both…
Remember what James said?
chapter 1 verse 2
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
I don't know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day.And I don't borrow from the sunshine, 'Cause the skies might turn to gray. And I don't worry about the future, 'Cause I know what Jesus said, And today I'm gonna walk right beside him,'Cause he's the one who knows what is ahead. There are things about tomorrow, That I don't seem to understand, But I know who holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand. And each step is getting brighter, As the golden stairs I climb. And every burden is getting lighter, And all the clouds, their silver line. And, I'll bet the sun it's always shining, And no tears will ever dim the eye, And the ending of the rainbow, Where the mountains, they touch the sky. There are many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand, But I know who holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand. Yes I know who holds my hand.

Congratulations Kat and Dan!

We are so proud of you, Josh!

My nephew, Josh Spencer, is going to boot camp next week!
Please Pray for his safety, and also comfort for his wife and son (Cami and Aiden) as he is away for several months.
Because he will be missing the holidays with the family, we had a big turkey dinner last night in his honor.

Dr. Kindell

What an AMAZING celebration service this morning!

Dr. Kindell is the greatest apologetic I've ever had the privilege of working with!

This former evolutionist is now THE greatest Creationist!

Thank the LORD for the Truth that was spoken this morning, confronting the lies of Evolution!

I encourage you to visit his website: http://kindell.nwcreation.net/

I was so glad to see so many of our church members purchasing his seminar dvds to show their families...

I couldn't even try to scratch the surface of ALL that Dr. Kindell proclaimed this morning in his seminar: Evolution and the UFO Connection...SO PROFOUND, INSIGHTFUL, LIFE-CHANGING...and oh how he makes those brain gears work hard...If I had the intellect found in his little pinky, I'd be happy...

Honor thy father and mother

This command isn't hard for me...My parents are angels!
If I were to sum up all the lessons I've learned from Brian and Vicki West in one word... FAITHFULNESS!

U R Invited

So, I had a bunch of these buttons made...
You can have one to wear everywhere you go...
When somebody says, "What's UR?"
You say, "U R invited to New Beginnings Christian Center!"

See ya Saturday

I sent another postcard today, making sure everybody remembers NOW!
If you don't receive one, that means we need your mailing info.
Just fill out the tear-off on a Sunday AM or shoot me an email...

God is Bigger than your Worry (sermon notes)

Today we are continuing a sermon series entitled: God is Bigger
This is where we have been so far:
God is bigger than your disappointment
Psalm 77
God is bigger than your fear
Psalm 46
God is Bigger than your hurt
Psalm 55
God is Bigger than your confusion
Psalm 71
God is Bigger than your need
Psalm 34

When you are experiencing emotions, go to the Psalms. The Psalms give Christians permission to be human. They are poems that tell about life as it really is…
and today’s emphasis: God is bigger than your Worry
Psalm 91

This Psalm delivers us from worry…for there are amazing promises for the person who Abides in the Presence of God!
1. Safety in His Presence
2. Deliverance in His Presence
3. Love in His Presence
I chose three words from this psalm…But man’s vocabulary cannot contain all to be found In His Presence!

Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6…verses 25 thru 34
If only we could truly LIVE Christ words found here…
What a difference it would make in our everday lives!

Worry is truly linked to our own feelings of safety, of security…Until a person truly makes Christ His all in all, puts God First…Self worth, safety, security, peace: will always be out of reach…
No matter the circumstances of our lives…True Safety comes from Christ, from within…
Whether it be a jew in a nazi camp, someone on their death bed, or an American upset because of a dry bank account…

Listen to what God says…
This is God. Today, as with every day, I will be handling all your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If the Devil happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it all in the SFJTD box (Something for Jesus to do). It will be addressed in MY time. . .not yours. . .please be patient.Once the matter is placed in the box, do not hold onto it. Do not become impatient and take it back out to see if you can find a solution. Holding on or removal will delay the resolution of your problem.
You must surrender the problem to me for proper resolution. If a situation that you think you can handle arises, please consult me in prayer. Together we will come up with the proper resolution. If you do not receive what you anticipate as proper response from Me, Remember. . .some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.Because I do not sleep, there is no need for you to lose any sleep. Rest My Child. . .if you need me, I am but a prayer away.

Jacob says in Genesis 49:18 while blessing His sons…
I look for your deliverance OH LORD
While he is blessing not cursing, speaking life not death, choosing faith not fear, hoping not despairing…he simply looks for the Lord’s deliverance!
Everyday faithfully blessing and not just wishing for the Lord’s deliverance in my circumstances, but expecting, looking, living as if he’s already delivered!
I think too often we treat prayer as throwing a penny into a wishing well…stop wishing and start practicing faith, expecting Miracles!

I’ve said it before…if you know how to worry, you know how to meditate…Change that worry into a confident meditation looking for the Lord’s deliverance!

1Corinthians 13 (the Message)
If you spent your days trying to practice 1 Cor. 13, that’s living In His Presence…and you would have no time to worry…
This scripture says we don’t see clearly now, but one day soon we will…that worry that’s plaguing you, is definitely contributing to that foggy mist…
Turn that worry, that fog into prayer…And remember THIS TOO SHALL PASS
What happens to fog? it eventually dissipates, you can count on it...the sun will shine again!

You know, we never have to leave holy ground...that day when the veil was ripped allowing access to the holy of holies...that day is today, everday!
Don’t waste so many moments ignoring His presence...You’re not always gonna feel the googlies
But don’t live according to your feeling...practice your faith!
For we are always In His Presence: Christians never escape safety, deliverance, love!

Joni Ames : Do not fear...
I've cried to God as I've beheld, The world wrapped up in fear
Of lack and death and war that looms, To snatch lives held so dear.
I said, "My God! - Have you not heard, The newsmen on TV?
Do you not know the shape we're in? Do you not care for me?"
"I'm scared, Dear Jesus! - Help us! - Please! There's news of fear and war
And I'm afraid, Lord - I admit! - Of what might be in store."
"Peace, be still, My child," He said, "And hear now what I say
For I have seen and heard the cries, Of those who, to Me, pray."
Keep your eyes upon ME now, Not what you hear or see
And, as you do, you'll keep My peace - IF your mind stays on ME!"
"It matters not what one man says, Or even many more
For I am God, and I decide, Each day what lies in store."
"I've told you there would be such times, When, of these things, You'd hear
I told you so you'd be PREPARED, And FULL OF PEACE, not fear."
"For all these things MUST be fulfilled, Yet MY WORD fails not
For I AM still your Hiding Place, As all the fires rage hot."
"You're hid beneath MY shadow now, And you can rest in Me
Yes you can trust My Words of LOVE, To last eternally."
"For I'm your Father, Counselor, Friend, Your Alpha and your End
And if this was the world's last day, Be sure, for you, I'd send."
"I've promised I'd save you a place, If you would stay in Me
Stay pure and faithful, eyes on Me, And, victory, you'll see."
"I can't tell you if it's 'the end' - NO human man can know
But I CAN tell you, it IS close, So be prepared to go."
"Each day I give you, reach in love, To save another soul
For snatching them from Me for Hell, Is truly Satan's goal."
"Occupy until I come, Live each day FULL in ME
Just keep your eyes upon MY face, And know that I DO see."
"I see the world, I see YOUR LIFE, And I DO care for YOU
And know, no matter WHAT occurs, My love for you stands TRUE."
"I'm Alpha and Omega - God - I'm King and Lord of ALL
I'll be right near to care for you, As, on My name, you call."
"For I can change the hearts of Kings, And I, their hearts, do try
And I'M the one who formed this world, And says when it shall die."
"So, USE this time to SEEK THE LOST, And tell them of My Love
That they, too, may be saved and live, With Me, again, above."
"Don't listen to fear's voice - hear MINE! Then STAND on what you've heard
Don't fear yours or the world's fate - It's destined by MY WORD."
"Keep your eyes on ME, My Child, And let Me wipe each tear
For I am God and IN CONTROL - So live in peace, not fear."

I'm getting old

Thanks Luv (my wifey) for making me feel special on my birthday!

Holly stuffed some friends and family in our little house and made me my favorite: chocolate chip cookies...her cookies are WAY better than cake...(Rusty agrees)

(I only ate 2 though, cause my healthy lifestyle quest is going very well: already lost 11pds!)

And many more thanks to ALL who showed kindness to their pastor!

I've been rotating with this planet now for 32 years!

Does this mean I need to graduate from using 1 Timothy 4:12 as my Mission Statement to using Proverbs 16:31 instead?!

(well I don't have many gray hairs yet, so I guess I can wait a few more years)

God is bigger than your need

We dismiss the kids to children's church every Sunday morning as part of our celebration service. This Sunday I followed them into their new big room with my camera.

This was their first kids church in their new space! Mrs. Shelli worked so hard creating it!

They have a new puppet ministry that truly captured the kids attention!

Wish I could have stuck around and captured that on film.

BUT, I had to go back to the sanctuary to preach this sermon.

Here's some notes:

PSALM 34

Amazing Promises!

Wouldn't you agree that if you're facing need Psalm 34 would be a good visit?

Philippians 4:19 doesn't hurt either!

Americans have lots of challenges. It's been said, "we buy things we don't need with money we don't have in order to impress people we don't like."

Godly steps in addressing financial need:

1. Listen to what God says

2. Lean on Biblical Principles that still work

3. Pray for a financial miracle

Dueteronomy 5:32-33

Proverbs 3:5&6 (the message)

Matthew 6:19-24

Return to God His Tithe

Proverbs 11:24

Malachi 3:10-11

The only antidote to materialism is GIVING, because it is the exact opposite of GREED!

Kenneth Keyes - "Do your giving while you're living, then you're knowing where it's going."

Establish a Christian Budget

1Timothy 6:8

List NEEDS then desires.

Zig Ziglar - "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time."

Christians should make friends with delayed gratification.

Proverbs 21:5, 22:7, 28:13

A local pastor recently said, "if you're going to preach like Jesus, every other sermon will be on stewardship...if you're going to preach like the apostle Paul, every 6 sermons..."

God knows how stubborn we are with our wallets...SO, I have to talk about the checkbook and the calendar! Is God first in your life?

Regular Giving and Regular church attendance can never become passe'

Christian Stewarship still works!

I just made up these invite cards for the youth...

The teens wanted something to help invite their friends to youth group.
I hope they like it...I guess I'll find out tonight!

Some EXCITING things coming up on the calendar...

NOW, Dr. Kindell, Kid's Fair, New Women's Group and Missions Cultural Dinner...SO EXCITED!

Oh, and I don't think I've mentioned yet on my blog: the African Children's Choir is coming to our church November 6th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did some obsessing over the bulletin...hope it looks ok...

(Remember, you can click on the image to make it easier to read)

God is bigger than your confusion (sermon notes)

(Tarascos is a popular place to visit after church for alot of our church members)

Continuing a new sermon series: God is Bigger
God is bigger than your disappointment
Psalm 77
God is bigger than your fear
Psalm 46
God is bigger than your hurt
Psalm 55

My pastor, Brent Sorlien, gave me some advice: when experiencing emotions, go to the Psalms. The Psalms are the favorite of many (for 3,000 years) simply because they express emotions. They give permission to be human.
Today's emphasis: God is bigger than your confusion
Psalm 71

The experienced saint in this psalm looks up and finds a "north star" - 4 things he can count on, 4 things that will help chart the course...
1. In confusion...remember what is true!
What do you know to be true about God?
2. In confusion...speak what is true!
Who can you tell what God has done for you?
3. In confusion...remember God's faithfulness to you!
How has God been faithful over the years?
4. In confusion...remember your hope!
How sure is your hope?

According to Vine's Expository Dictionary, "DECLARE" is a word that emphasizes three different things...A person who has witnessed something and tells others about it...A person reports about a matter of life-and-death importance...A person explains something to someone who lacks knowledge of it...

John 9:24-25
Psalm 139:13-16
Titus 2:11-14

One of my rabbit trails while passionately preaching this morning: Most of my piers separate the generations. I'm still fighting to keep them together (whether or not I win this battle I pledge to not give up). I had the privilege of sitting at my grandparents feet while they were in their 90s. Today's young and old almost seem segregated. I desperately want to do something about this. If you're younger, seek out the wisdom of the older. If you're older, seek out the younger. Moses taught Joshua, Elijah impacted Elisha, Naomi taught Ruth about God, Elizabeth mentored Mary, Barnabas believed in Mark, Paul poured into Timothy and Titus...The young have alot to learn from the old AND the old can learn from the young! If you are still here, God isn't finished with you yet! He has something important for you to do! Everyone is a minister! Everyone needs a ministry!

Today's TEAM mtg. was again well attended and full of great discussion, planning, and blessing! I have been encouraged almost daily by our members willingness to jump in and volunteer! (1st Sunday of every month, 3pm...unless circumstances again make it the 2nd Sunday...study your bulletin)

I think we have a new tradition

Yesterday's outside service and potluck picnic was a Success!

We'll have to make it a regular part of the church calendar!

We also had the privilege of dedicating Sawyer William Badley to Jesus in yesterday's outdoor service.

Here's a few thoughts from yesterday's sermon:

Continuing sermon series: GOD IS BIGGER...than your hurt!

Psalm 55

How can I handle my hurt? 2 things to do:

1. Bring your hurt to God

2. Forgive the person that hurt you

The main reason we get so hurt is because we expect other people to meet needs only God can meet!

We can cooperate with God for our healing through...Prayer, Worship, Relationships, and Ministry!

Why should we forgive?

1. We've been forgiven by God

2. Resentment makes us miserable

3. We're going to need forgiveness in the future

Forgiveness does not mean...

...that what they did to hurt you was ok.

...that the relationship goes back to how it was.

...that they won't pay any consequences for what they did.

Even after forgiveness and healing, you're going to have scars.

You have a choice: every time you look at the scar you can either remember the hurt or remember your Healer...

Jeanne Robertson "Don't send a man to the grocery store!"

The Vallos emailed this to me...
SO FUNNY
I could see myself making that mistake...