Christ Is Risen! Alleluia!
As I have been reading through the book of Acts in the N.T. I have noticed something life-changing: The early Christians didn't just have a one-day resurrection celebration of Jesus - EASTER. The early Christians lived lives of resurrection every day. They celebrated the resurrection of Jesus and proclaimed it every day of their lives.
It is the resurrection that sets Christianity apart from all other religions on earth. That is why I say that Christianity isn't a religion it is living in and by the TRUTH! I asked myself, "Am I living a resurrection life 24/7/365?" I want to believe that I am, but I have discovered that I fall short. It is hard to live the resurrection life. But by the power of the Holy Spirit working in me and you through the study of God's Word, prayer, and service to our fellow human beings in love we can make great strides in living the resurrection life. Christ is risen, INDEED!! Alleluia!!
Last week I went to Seattle to see my mother in the hospital - it was touch-n-go for a few days and her kidneys were shutting down, but I held my mother and prayed for her healing and God granted that request. She perked-up very quickly and is now rehabbing in a nursing home, Praise to our resurrected Lord Jesus who heals us all.
I am praying for miracle relief of my pain and I know that if and when God wants to heal me He will. The doctors just started another treatment regimine yesterday - I am praying that it works. I thank all of you so much for your prayers and cards. I couldn't keep going without them. I don't know how people without Jesus endure their pain in life.
In Awe of the Resurrected Christ,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Hi Sisters and Brothers in Jesus,
This week my home therapy has added excercises where it takes me 1 hour to complete each cycle and I do this five times per day. This is very tiring and affects my pain level. I have a pedometer now and have been given walking goals to reach each day. I am to progress each day until I am up to a healthy level. Yesterday the doctor manipulated my pallet. This is a VERY PAINFUL!!! procedure. I am feeling the aftermath today. Thursday I will have even more manipulation with my pallet. I do need and seek your prayers - prayer is so powerful and effective. My conversations with Jesus are getting me through my treatments. Thank you.
I pray that all of you are continuing in the "12 Pillars of a Biblically Healthy Church." I pray that you would consider being in a Friends Christ Care Small Group if you are not already. There are WAU Bible studies that can help you become Biblically healthy, as well. May the Lord and Savior of your life and mine, Jesus, guide, bless and protect you each and every day.
Under Jesus Blessings,
Pastor Randy
This week my home therapy has added excercises where it takes me 1 hour to complete each cycle and I do this five times per day. This is very tiring and affects my pain level. I have a pedometer now and have been given walking goals to reach each day. I am to progress each day until I am up to a healthy level. Yesterday the doctor manipulated my pallet. This is a VERY PAINFUL!!! procedure. I am feeling the aftermath today. Thursday I will have even more manipulation with my pallet. I do need and seek your prayers - prayer is so powerful and effective. My conversations with Jesus are getting me through my treatments. Thank you.
I pray that all of you are continuing in the "12 Pillars of a Biblically Healthy Church." I pray that you would consider being in a Friends Christ Care Small Group if you are not already. There are WAU Bible studies that can help you become Biblically healthy, as well. May the Lord and Savior of your life and mine, Jesus, guide, bless and protect you each and every day.
Under Jesus Blessings,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Hello My Fellow Christian Friends,
Well, it's been 3 weeks since I started at this new pain clinic. They have been so thorough I am greatly impressed. I have a request for all of you that you would pray for my mother, Mona, who has had a heart attack and has some clogged cardiac arteries. Her health is so fragile that they cannot do surgery to bypass those arteries so she is on a drug therapy to dissolve some of the blockages. Thank you for your prayers for her she is a sweet Christian woman.
Back to my situation. My first round of drug therapy has failed. My pain was not affected at all by the combination of medications that were tried. I had increased flashbacks and anxiety without any pain relief. So this week I am coming down off of the medications and I will start a different drug therapy next week. If you did not know or if you have forgotten I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is such a sensitive disorder that it is difficult for the doctors to work with. The physical therapists (I have three) have begun manipulating my face and it is extremely painful. They have had to slow the pace of my treatment because of the intense pain. I spend most of my day doing the home therapy exercises and sleeping, a far cry from my work-aholic personality. I struggle with it. Please pray that I am able to sleep better and that the doctors are able to find a drug therapy that will give me some relief from my pain.
I hope that your personal journey this Lenten season of reflection on the cross of Jesus Christ for your sins and your eternal life is a positive step in your growing loving relationship with Jesus.
I thank all of you for your love in Jesus,
Pastor Randy
Well, it's been 3 weeks since I started at this new pain clinic. They have been so thorough I am greatly impressed. I have a request for all of you that you would pray for my mother, Mona, who has had a heart attack and has some clogged cardiac arteries. Her health is so fragile that they cannot do surgery to bypass those arteries so she is on a drug therapy to dissolve some of the blockages. Thank you for your prayers for her she is a sweet Christian woman.
Back to my situation. My first round of drug therapy has failed. My pain was not affected at all by the combination of medications that were tried. I had increased flashbacks and anxiety without any pain relief. So this week I am coming down off of the medications and I will start a different drug therapy next week. If you did not know or if you have forgotten I have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is such a sensitive disorder that it is difficult for the doctors to work with. The physical therapists (I have three) have begun manipulating my face and it is extremely painful. They have had to slow the pace of my treatment because of the intense pain. I spend most of my day doing the home therapy exercises and sleeping, a far cry from my work-aholic personality. I struggle with it. Please pray that I am able to sleep better and that the doctors are able to find a drug therapy that will give me some relief from my pain.
I hope that your personal journey this Lenten season of reflection on the cross of Jesus Christ for your sins and your eternal life is a positive step in your growing loving relationship with Jesus.
I thank all of you for your love in Jesus,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Hello my Brothers and Sisters in Jesus!!
Many of you have probably heard that I have to go on Medical Disability Leave for at least 3 months. The new pain management clinic that I am being treated by said that I am so run-down that I was not responding to their treatment program. I am completely exhausted and need to rest in-between my treatments. I am receiving physical therapy as well as drug therapy. Some of these drugs are going to make it impossible for me to drive.
They started to manupulate my facial and skull bones yesterday - it is a VERY PAINFUL!! process - and I am suffering greatly today. As a congregation we still have a process of our own that we need to continue to travel down even though I am not able to lead at this time. Do not give up or put anything on hold, because I know that you are all capable of moving down this road. I am praying for all of you that the Holy Spirit would give you the strength and the desire to become a Biblically Healthy congregation.
Please join a Friends Christ Care Small Group for it is a must in traveling down this road to being a Biblically Healthy Church. Contact Bonnie Clark, Alice Hunt, or Bonnie Nelson and they will connect you to a small group. I do thank you for all of your prayers I do need them very much. I will continue to send out my blog as I am able.
In the Strength of the Holy Spirit,
Pastor Randy
Many of you have probably heard that I have to go on Medical Disability Leave for at least 3 months. The new pain management clinic that I am being treated by said that I am so run-down that I was not responding to their treatment program. I am completely exhausted and need to rest in-between my treatments. I am receiving physical therapy as well as drug therapy. Some of these drugs are going to make it impossible for me to drive.
They started to manupulate my facial and skull bones yesterday - it is a VERY PAINFUL!! process - and I am suffering greatly today. As a congregation we still have a process of our own that we need to continue to travel down even though I am not able to lead at this time. Do not give up or put anything on hold, because I know that you are all capable of moving down this road. I am praying for all of you that the Holy Spirit would give you the strength and the desire to become a Biblically Healthy congregation.
Please join a Friends Christ Care Small Group for it is a must in traveling down this road to being a Biblically Healthy Church. Contact Bonnie Clark, Alice Hunt, or Bonnie Nelson and they will connect you to a small group. I do thank you for all of your prayers I do need them very much. I will continue to send out my blog as I am able.
In the Strength of the Holy Spirit,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Blessings to you my Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,
This past weekend we spoke about using our spiritual gifts given by God to be a Biblically Healthy congregation (Pillar 2). We are promised by God that the Holy Spirit has given us at least one spiritual gift to use in His mission. If you are unsure or don't know what your spiritual gift(s) is(are) I can help you discover it(them). As we desire to serve according to our giftedness, if any of you have the gift of teaching and would like to serve children let me know and we can arrange for you to use your gift on Sunday mornings teaching the children.
As was announced in February SCRIP will be available in November and December as the cost of shipping the cards was more than the amount of money we received from the orders after the Christmas season. So keep in mind that you can order gift cards for you family and friends for Christmas.
I went to another pain management clinic yesterday and will be undergoing an extensive evaluation tomorrow. Pray for me as the long winter (that continues) has been very hard on me physically and has drained much of my energy. I pray that all of you are doing well and are looking forward to exploring the Passion of Christ in Matthew each Wednesday evening throughout Lent.
One for which Christ died,
Pastor Randy
This past weekend we spoke about using our spiritual gifts given by God to be a Biblically Healthy congregation (Pillar 2). We are promised by God that the Holy Spirit has given us at least one spiritual gift to use in His mission. If you are unsure or don't know what your spiritual gift(s) is(are) I can help you discover it(them). As we desire to serve according to our giftedness, if any of you have the gift of teaching and would like to serve children let me know and we can arrange for you to use your gift on Sunday mornings teaching the children.
As was announced in February SCRIP will be available in November and December as the cost of shipping the cards was more than the amount of money we received from the orders after the Christmas season. So keep in mind that you can order gift cards for you family and friends for Christmas.
I went to another pain management clinic yesterday and will be undergoing an extensive evaluation tomorrow. Pray for me as the long winter (that continues) has been very hard on me physically and has drained much of my energy. I pray that all of you are doing well and are looking forward to exploring the Passion of Christ in Matthew each Wednesday evening throughout Lent.
One for which Christ died,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Greetings in Christ!!
As we begin to move into the Lenten observances we are reminded of our broken humanity. We are reminded of our rebellous nature against God and His loving ways. In our basist human nature we are so self-centered that we believe that our ideas, our desires, our viewpoint is right and everyone else's is wrong - even in the church. This is dangerous, since our nature clouds our hearts and minds from what God really wants and is all about. This is why Jesus had to come and die in our place for our rebellous nature and the sins that are a result of this nature.
This is why we want to become a Biblically healthy church. We want to be who and what God has called us to be and to do what God has called us to do. Being and doing are not mutually exclusive. When we are who and what God has called us to be then we will do what God has called us to do. This is not a game or a competition. The mission of Jesus is about relationships and not about programs and money. We are to be in a deep relationship with Jesus, our Savior and we are to witness about our relationship, so that others can come into relationship with Jesus also. This is why we are to develop relationships with others, so that we can love them into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
We are called to be disciples (followers) of Jesus by being baptized and being taught the Scriptures. Many of us have the baptized part done, but we are not being taught the Scriptures because we turn away from Bible study and Friends Christ Care Small Groups. How can we make disciples if we are not being disciples?
This year is all about being disciples of Jesus that is why we are calling this year our "Year of Spiritual Renewal." Become renewed and transformed as a disciple (follower) of Jesus, our Savior. Pray for each other and our fulfilling of Jesus' commission to be and make disciples of all people.
A Disciple,
Pastor Randy
As we begin to move into the Lenten observances we are reminded of our broken humanity. We are reminded of our rebellous nature against God and His loving ways. In our basist human nature we are so self-centered that we believe that our ideas, our desires, our viewpoint is right and everyone else's is wrong - even in the church. This is dangerous, since our nature clouds our hearts and minds from what God really wants and is all about. This is why Jesus had to come and die in our place for our rebellous nature and the sins that are a result of this nature.
This is why we want to become a Biblically healthy church. We want to be who and what God has called us to be and to do what God has called us to do. Being and doing are not mutually exclusive. When we are who and what God has called us to be then we will do what God has called us to do. This is not a game or a competition. The mission of Jesus is about relationships and not about programs and money. We are to be in a deep relationship with Jesus, our Savior and we are to witness about our relationship, so that others can come into relationship with Jesus also. This is why we are to develop relationships with others, so that we can love them into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
We are called to be disciples (followers) of Jesus by being baptized and being taught the Scriptures. Many of us have the baptized part done, but we are not being taught the Scriptures because we turn away from Bible study and Friends Christ Care Small Groups. How can we make disciples if we are not being disciples?
This year is all about being disciples of Jesus that is why we are calling this year our "Year of Spiritual Renewal." Become renewed and transformed as a disciple (follower) of Jesus, our Savior. Pray for each other and our fulfilling of Jesus' commission to be and make disciples of all people.
A Disciple,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Greetings Sisters and Brothers in Jesus!
As the words of the song go, "...it's been a long, cold, lonely winter." It has been a long and cold winter. Whether it's been lonely for you or not I do not know. I am thankful for my wife and children, as well as, all of you for making this winter far from a lonely one. But there are some of you that may not feel that way. You may be feeling like you are all alone, even if there are people in your life. This is not a trivial thing. You need some closeness.
In the early Christian church they found closeness in meeting together in each other's homes - studying the Word of God, praying for each other, supporting one another, and doing the mission of Jesus together. This is what Friends Christ Care Small Groups are all about. In a Friends Christ Care Small Group you will meet in each other's homes - studying the Word of God, praying for each other, supporting one another, and doing the mission of Jesus together. This is how we combat loneliness, by living our lives out together in Jesus. So I pray that you would join a Friends Christ Care Small Group as we move toward a Biblically healthy congregation.
As far as the cold winter, it has taken its toll on me to this point. I do need lots of prayers and understanding. I have always strived to do more than I am able and it is catching up with me. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and encouragement, it has been and continues to be of great help to me.
In Jesus Care,
Pastor Randy
As the words of the song go, "...it's been a long, cold, lonely winter." It has been a long and cold winter. Whether it's been lonely for you or not I do not know. I am thankful for my wife and children, as well as, all of you for making this winter far from a lonely one. But there are some of you that may not feel that way. You may be feeling like you are all alone, even if there are people in your life. This is not a trivial thing. You need some closeness.
In the early Christian church they found closeness in meeting together in each other's homes - studying the Word of God, praying for each other, supporting one another, and doing the mission of Jesus together. This is what Friends Christ Care Small Groups are all about. In a Friends Christ Care Small Group you will meet in each other's homes - studying the Word of God, praying for each other, supporting one another, and doing the mission of Jesus together. This is how we combat loneliness, by living our lives out together in Jesus. So I pray that you would join a Friends Christ Care Small Group as we move toward a Biblically healthy congregation.
As far as the cold winter, it has taken its toll on me to this point. I do need lots of prayers and understanding. I have always strived to do more than I am able and it is catching up with me. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and encouragement, it has been and continues to be of great help to me.
In Jesus Care,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Good News Brothers and Sisters in Jesus!
Jesus died on the cross for our sins and on the third day He rose again and He gives us His Holy Spirit that we may believe in Jesus as our Savior by the Spirit's power. Through our faith we have the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with Jesus. This is truly "GOOD NEWS". This is where we all start. We hear the good news, we realize our sin, we repent by the power of the Holy Spirit Who convicts us, and we put our faith in Jesus as Savior.
But it doesn't end there. It begins there. Now we are to respond out of gratitude for what Jesus has done for us. "How are we to respond?" one might ask. Well, Jesus doesn't leave that to our best guesses. He tells us to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing and teaching them everything I have commanded you." We are to "Seek and save that which is lost." We are to feed the hungry, house the homeless, stand up for the oppressed, clothe the naked, and love the people around us just as Jesus loves us - unconditionally.
This is what being a Biblically healthy congregation is all about - doing the mission Jesus has given us. It is His mission we are only joining in it out of response to our salvation in Jesus. As followers of Jesus, Who is the way, the truth, and the life, we are willing to sacrifice our lives - as Jesus has done - so that many more sinners like us can know Jesus and what He has done for them. Then they too, by the power of the Holy Spirit, can turn to Jesus in repentance and believe in Him as their Savior and join us in the mission of Jesus to save lost people. We will begin our study of the "12 Pillars of a Biblically Healthy Church" beginning the weekend of March 05-06, 2011. Joining a Friends Christ Care Small Group is the only way that we are going to be able to be molded by God to become a Biblically healthy church. Friends Christ Care Small Group sign-up is this weekend and the new groups will begin meeting next week. Join a group this weekend it will transform your life!
It is snowing out today, but last week was God's way of letting us know that Spring is near. All of you who struggle with the changing temperatures are in my prayers and I thank you for your faithful prayers.
In Jesus Mission,
Pastor Randy
Jesus died on the cross for our sins and on the third day He rose again and He gives us His Holy Spirit that we may believe in Jesus as our Savior by the Spirit's power. Through our faith we have the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with Jesus. This is truly "GOOD NEWS". This is where we all start. We hear the good news, we realize our sin, we repent by the power of the Holy Spirit Who convicts us, and we put our faith in Jesus as Savior.
But it doesn't end there. It begins there. Now we are to respond out of gratitude for what Jesus has done for us. "How are we to respond?" one might ask. Well, Jesus doesn't leave that to our best guesses. He tells us to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing and teaching them everything I have commanded you." We are to "Seek and save that which is lost." We are to feed the hungry, house the homeless, stand up for the oppressed, clothe the naked, and love the people around us just as Jesus loves us - unconditionally.
This is what being a Biblically healthy congregation is all about - doing the mission Jesus has given us. It is His mission we are only joining in it out of response to our salvation in Jesus. As followers of Jesus, Who is the way, the truth, and the life, we are willing to sacrifice our lives - as Jesus has done - so that many more sinners like us can know Jesus and what He has done for them. Then they too, by the power of the Holy Spirit, can turn to Jesus in repentance and believe in Him as their Savior and join us in the mission of Jesus to save lost people. We will begin our study of the "12 Pillars of a Biblically Healthy Church" beginning the weekend of March 05-06, 2011. Joining a Friends Christ Care Small Group is the only way that we are going to be able to be molded by God to become a Biblically healthy church. Friends Christ Care Small Group sign-up is this weekend and the new groups will begin meeting next week. Join a group this weekend it will transform your life!
It is snowing out today, but last week was God's way of letting us know that Spring is near. All of you who struggle with the changing temperatures are in my prayers and I thank you for your faithful prayers.
In Jesus Mission,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Sisters and Brothers in Jesus!
As we discovered last weekend we are not to "lay up treasures on earth" but we are to "lay up treasures in heaven". The earthly treasures have no lasting value - they are worth something today, but worth nothing tomorrow. Only the heavenly treasures have lasting value - eternal value. Earthly treasures cannot buy us forgiveness and eternal life no matter how much we have. In fact, the price for sin is death - physical and spiritual. We cannot pay this price, only Jesus can and did pay this price with his blood, innocent suffering and death on a cross. Only by faith in Jesus can we "lay up treasures in heaven". The heavenly treasures are laid up only through faith in Jesus, because it is only through his righteousness that he gives to us that anything we do can be called good and considered a heavenly treasure. We (after we believe in Jesus) are encouraged by Paul in 1 Timothy 6:18, "They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share." We have to ask ourselves whether we are rich in good works, whether we are generous, and whether we are ready to share.
God has given us many blessings and he gives these blessings to us in order for us to be generous and ready to share with those who are in need. What we are to realize is that everyone is in need of Jesus as Savior. This blessing of faith in Jesus is the greatest blessing that we can share. I pray that we are all generous, rich in good works, and ready to share.
I have had an up and down week when it comes to dealing with my condition. I do thank you for all of your prayers that help me, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to accomplish each day what God has placed before me to do.
By the Holy Spirit's Power,
Pastor Randy
As we discovered last weekend we are not to "lay up treasures on earth" but we are to "lay up treasures in heaven". The earthly treasures have no lasting value - they are worth something today, but worth nothing tomorrow. Only the heavenly treasures have lasting value - eternal value. Earthly treasures cannot buy us forgiveness and eternal life no matter how much we have. In fact, the price for sin is death - physical and spiritual. We cannot pay this price, only Jesus can and did pay this price with his blood, innocent suffering and death on a cross. Only by faith in Jesus can we "lay up treasures in heaven". The heavenly treasures are laid up only through faith in Jesus, because it is only through his righteousness that he gives to us that anything we do can be called good and considered a heavenly treasure. We (after we believe in Jesus) are encouraged by Paul in 1 Timothy 6:18, "They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share." We have to ask ourselves whether we are rich in good works, whether we are generous, and whether we are ready to share.
God has given us many blessings and he gives these blessings to us in order for us to be generous and ready to share with those who are in need. What we are to realize is that everyone is in need of Jesus as Savior. This blessing of faith in Jesus is the greatest blessing that we can share. I pray that we are all generous, rich in good works, and ready to share.
I have had an up and down week when it comes to dealing with my condition. I do thank you for all of your prayers that help me, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to accomplish each day what God has placed before me to do.
By the Holy Spirit's Power,
Pastor Randy
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Hello Brothers and Sisters,
It has been an interesting week. I was privileged to participate in the Dale and Tanya Shannon memorial last Sunday afternoon at Turtle's Tap restaurant. It was an opportune time to let our community know that we cared about Dale and Shannon and that we care about their four girls with a tough life ahead of them. If you would like to help the children out you can make donations at Turtle's Tap any time.
I am so excited to begin this journey toward being a Biblically healthy church. I have been preparing the materials for Sunday messages and Friends Christ Care Small Group studies. Please make plans to join a Friends Christ Care Small Group, so that we are all able to become more Biblically healthy together.
The "Catch the Vision of Christ" task force is being formed and will begin meeting when we begin the "12 Pillars to a Biblically Healthy Church" together. This is the journey of our lifetime and we do not want to miss it.
The frigid air is not my friend and I am struggling with it. I do thank you for all of your prayers and I pray for those of you who suffer in the cold, as well.
Safe In Jesus,
Pastor Randy
It has been an interesting week. I was privileged to participate in the Dale and Tanya Shannon memorial last Sunday afternoon at Turtle's Tap restaurant. It was an opportune time to let our community know that we cared about Dale and Shannon and that we care about their four girls with a tough life ahead of them. If you would like to help the children out you can make donations at Turtle's Tap any time.
I am so excited to begin this journey toward being a Biblically healthy church. I have been preparing the materials for Sunday messages and Friends Christ Care Small Group studies. Please make plans to join a Friends Christ Care Small Group, so that we are all able to become more Biblically healthy together.
The "Catch the Vision of Christ" task force is being formed and will begin meeting when we begin the "12 Pillars to a Biblically Healthy Church" together. This is the journey of our lifetime and we do not want to miss it.
The frigid air is not my friend and I am struggling with it. I do thank you for all of your prayers and I pray for those of you who suffer in the cold, as well.
Safe In Jesus,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Hi Brothers and Sisters in Jesus!
A huge storm is coming our way. Everything is being cancelled and closed down. I pray that all of you will be safe and warm. We have been given prior warning of this storm that is coming into our lives. With today's technology we can predict better when a storm is coming our way, so that we can be better prepared for it when it happens.
The storms that come into our lives are not as predictable and are much harder to be prepared to deal with. But, there is hope. Through a Friends Christ Care small group we can be prepared to meet the storms of our lives through Bible Study, prayer, close relationships, and service to others who are experiencing storms in their lives. We will be learning more about Friends Christ Care small groups over the next few weeks. I pray that you will decide to attend a group and begin the greatest journey of your Christian life so far. You will be prepared for the storms in life, especially the storm of death (the door to eternal life).
Stay safe in Jesus,
Pastor Randy
A huge storm is coming our way. Everything is being cancelled and closed down. I pray that all of you will be safe and warm. We have been given prior warning of this storm that is coming into our lives. With today's technology we can predict better when a storm is coming our way, so that we can be better prepared for it when it happens.
The storms that come into our lives are not as predictable and are much harder to be prepared to deal with. But, there is hope. Through a Friends Christ Care small group we can be prepared to meet the storms of our lives through Bible Study, prayer, close relationships, and service to others who are experiencing storms in their lives. We will be learning more about Friends Christ Care small groups over the next few weeks. I pray that you will decide to attend a group and begin the greatest journey of your Christian life so far. You will be prepared for the storms in life, especially the storm of death (the door to eternal life).
Stay safe in Jesus,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,
I am very excited as we begin moving to become a Biblically healthy congregation. Planning is going on now and the selection of the "Catch the Vision of Christ" task force. Our beginning date will be announced soon - so begin praying now if you haven't already. We will need lots of prayers and participation as we move.
In our Gospel of Luke Bible study we have been listening to Jesus talk about what it means to be Christian. It is work, patience, compassion and love all tied into one. The power of the Holy Spirit is the only way we are able to be what God wants us to be. I invite everyone - children to great-grandparents - to join us on Sunday mornings at 8:45am at the Turtle Tap restaurant.
I have been working through the pain that comes with the cold weather. God has given me the strength to carry on each day to be what God has called me to be. All of your prayers have been a great help to me, thank you.
With Jesus' Compassion,
Pastor Randy
I am very excited as we begin moving to become a Biblically healthy congregation. Planning is going on now and the selection of the "Catch the Vision of Christ" task force. Our beginning date will be announced soon - so begin praying now if you haven't already. We will need lots of prayers and participation as we move.
In our Gospel of Luke Bible study we have been listening to Jesus talk about what it means to be Christian. It is work, patience, compassion and love all tied into one. The power of the Holy Spirit is the only way we are able to be what God wants us to be. I invite everyone - children to great-grandparents - to join us on Sunday mornings at 8:45am at the Turtle Tap restaurant.
I have been working through the pain that comes with the cold weather. God has given me the strength to carry on each day to be what God has called me to be. All of your prayers have been a great help to me, thank you.
With Jesus' Compassion,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Blessed New Year Sisters and Brothers!
I pray that your celebration of our Savior"s birth has been uplifting for you. As we look to a new year - 2011 can you believe it?- we have the traditional opportunity to make New Year's resolutions. But New Year's resolutions do not have to be exclusively for ourselves, they can be group resolutions. My prayer is that we would collectively make a resolution to pray for and with each other more than last year, study God's Word more than last year, join a Friends Christ Care small group this year, and do Jesus' mission in our everyday lives more than last year.
A few of us were able to be educated on the process that we need to begin this year to help us regain our focus on doing the mission of Jesus Christ in our community. We attended a seminar by the LCMS's congregational refocusing expert. His name is Rev. Dr. Waldo Werning (yes he has heard every "Where's Waldo?" joke there is). Dr. Werning is a 90 year-old pastor of the LCMS. He was ordained in 1945 and continues to be as active as myself. He is utterly amazing. The process will be laid out in more detail in person. This is not the communication avenue to present it. Everyone will know when and where this presentation will take place.
I am feeling refreshed and ready to tackle this next phase of Friends In Christ moving closer to Jesus, each other, and our community.
God's Continued Blessings,
Pastor Randy
I pray that your celebration of our Savior"s birth has been uplifting for you. As we look to a new year - 2011 can you believe it?- we have the traditional opportunity to make New Year's resolutions. But New Year's resolutions do not have to be exclusively for ourselves, they can be group resolutions. My prayer is that we would collectively make a resolution to pray for and with each other more than last year, study God's Word more than last year, join a Friends Christ Care small group this year, and do Jesus' mission in our everyday lives more than last year.
A few of us were able to be educated on the process that we need to begin this year to help us regain our focus on doing the mission of Jesus Christ in our community. We attended a seminar by the LCMS's congregational refocusing expert. His name is Rev. Dr. Waldo Werning (yes he has heard every "Where's Waldo?" joke there is). Dr. Werning is a 90 year-old pastor of the LCMS. He was ordained in 1945 and continues to be as active as myself. He is utterly amazing. The process will be laid out in more detail in person. This is not the communication avenue to present it. Everyone will know when and where this presentation will take place.
I am feeling refreshed and ready to tackle this next phase of Friends In Christ moving closer to Jesus, each other, and our community.
God's Continued Blessings,
Pastor Randy
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