Oh Happy Day

It was a sad day, I was down to my last Easter peep...

But the Lord saw me in my distress...

And he spake unto me. 'Thou supplication hath gone up to me, lift up thine eyes for thou peepest be at hand.' And thou did leep for joy when in yonder box at church didst find 3 new boxes of peepeths!

Tis time to unwrapeth thine peepeths so they geteth staleth.

Oh Happy Day

It was a sad day, I was down to my last Easter peep...

But the Lord saw me in my distress...

And he spake unto me. 'Thou supplication hath gone up to me, lift up thine eyes for thou peepest be at hand.' And thou did leep for joy when in yonder box at church didst find 3 new boxes of peepeths!

Tis time to unwrapeth thine peepeths so they geteth staleth.

Just Wondering

Is it just me, or are some of these "word verifications" on the comments pages tough to decipher? I feel like I'm stupid when I have to punch in the hieroglyphic letters at least 3 times to get my comment to post. I didn't know if that happens to you or not - just wondering.

Just Wondering

Is it just me, or are some of these "word verifications" on the comments pages tough to decipher? I feel like I'm stupid when I have to punch in the hieroglyphic letters at least 3 times to get my comment to post. I didn't know if that happens to you or not - just wondering.

Gunslingers

I've updated the church website with the invitation to our new sermon series that will begin on Mother's Day (May 11). The series is called "Gunslingers". The development of this series began HERE, gained some momentum HERE, and continued to develop HERE and HERE and HERE. Other than the Bible, the research for this series came from John Piper's, "Don't Waste Your Life" and Erwin McManus', "The Barbarian Way". It should be fun talking about fearlessly advancing the Kingdom of God.


Here is the image for this series. Abby Wagner knocks it out of the park for us time after time. By the way don't forget to wear your western gear on May 11, I don't want to be the only person looking like a big goof ball. :-)

Gunslingers

I've updated the church website with the invitation to our new sermon series that will begin on Mother's Day (May 11). The series is called "Gunslingers". The development of this series began HERE, gained some momentum HERE, and continued to develop HERE and HERE and HERE. Other than the Bible, the research for this series came from John Piper's, "Don't Waste Your Life" and Erwin McManus', "The Barbarian Way". It should be fun talking about fearlessly advancing the Kingdom of God.


Here is the image for this series. Abby Wagner knocks it out of the park for us time after time. By the way don't forget to wear your western gear on May 11, I don't want to be the only person looking like a big goof ball. :-)

Coonhunters

As per my last post I'm learning more and more about coon hunters. If you have a coon hunting story or more information please feel free to join in on the conversation... for some reason, every little bit I learn makes me smile a little more. You can check out the conversation HERE.


By the way is "coonhunters" one word or two?

Coonhunters

As per my last post I'm learning more and more about coon hunters. If you have a coon hunting story or more information please feel free to join in on the conversation... for some reason, every little bit I learn makes me smile a little more. You can check out the conversation HERE.


By the way is "coonhunters" one word or two?

The Oddities Of Indiana

On my way to visit one of our Growth Groups in Connersville, I always pass by this building in Wayne County, Indiana... and I always have a good laugh...

Because this is what the sign on front says...

The sign reads, "Wayne Co. Coonhunters". No way! They are evidently a very organized group of individuals. My assumption is that there is a plethora of coons in Wayne County, evidently there are so many raccoons that an organization needed to be established and a large metal building built. Do you suppose they gather first, get a pep talk, grab their riffles and storm out into the woods? Maybe they gather afterwards and share stories of their hunting excursion.

The thing that has me most curious are the barbecues out back????? Ewww.

The Oddities Of Indiana

On my way to visit one of our Growth Groups in Connersville, I always pass by this building in Wayne County, Indiana... and I always have a good laugh...

Because this is what the sign on front says...

The sign reads, "Wayne Co. Coonhunters". No way! They are evidently a very organized group of individuals. My assumption is that there is a plethora of coons in Wayne County, evidently there are so many raccoons that an organization needed to be established and a large metal building built. Do you suppose they gather first, get a pep talk, grab their riffles and storm out into the woods? Maybe they gather afterwards and share stories of their hunting excursion.

The thing that has me most curious are the barbecues out back????? Ewww.

Full Bloom

The dandelions are in full bloom in the church yard...

Full Bloom

The dandelions are in full bloom in the church yard...

It's A Boy

Congratulations to Bryan & Jamie Vickery on the birth of their boy. Rumor has it that there may be pictures of him coming soon on Bryan's blog.

It's A Boy

Congratulations to Bryan & Jamie Vickery on the birth of their boy. Rumor has it that there may be pictures of him coming soon on Bryan's blog.

Sunday Run Down

You may or may not be interested in my day - if not you can skip this post and wait for tomorrow's which will probably be more interesting. ;-)

Got to church around 7:30 a.m.
Pastor Marggy and I set up my office as a "green room" for our guests (we are really working at being more hospitable.)
Welcomed our first set of guests: Dana Brady and a team of dancers from White's
Welcomed our second guest: Ernie Higheway representing the Gideon's
8:30 service - I was blessed by Ernie's testimony and the dancers from White's
Between services: helped a little in the Higher Ground Coffee shop.
Greeted people, smiled, and chit chatted (chit chat is a weird phrase)
10:30 - Once again I was blessed by both of our special guests
12:10 p.m. service ended (we went a little long. If anyone didn't like it it's OK they will get over it.)
1:30 lunch
2:00 - 3:50 NAP (I used to dread naps, now I think they are a little piece of heaven :-)
4:30 met with some of the Elders at the church and we drove to meet with the Growth Group in Connersville.
5:30-8:30 Connersville group. These guys are a bunch of off the hook, crazy for Jesus, laughing, crying, community of passionate believers. You've got to love these folks who will drive 40 miles one way to get to a church (especially when gas is $3.65/gallon) and then meet later that night to love on each other and their neighbors... Christian community at its finest.
8:30-9:30 traveled back to "P-town"
10:00 Wrestling over which to watch AX Men on the History channel or Deadliest Catch on Discovery. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Sunday Run Down

You may or may not be interested in my day - if not you can skip this post and wait for tomorrow's which will probably be more interesting. ;-)

Got to church around 7:30 a.m.
Pastor Marggy and I set up my office as a "green room" for our guests (we are really working at being more hospitable.)
Welcomed our first set of guests: Dana Brady and a team of dancers from White's
Welcomed our second guest: Ernie Higheway representing the Gideon's
8:30 service - I was blessed by Ernie's testimony and the dancers from White's
Between services: helped a little in the Higher Ground Coffee shop.
Greeted people, smiled, and chit chatted (chit chat is a weird phrase)
10:30 - Once again I was blessed by both of our special guests
12:10 p.m. service ended (we went a little long. If anyone didn't like it it's OK they will get over it.)
1:30 lunch
2:00 - 3:50 NAP (I used to dread naps, now I think they are a little piece of heaven :-)
4:30 met with some of the Elders at the church and we drove to meet with the Growth Group in Connersville.
5:30-8:30 Connersville group. These guys are a bunch of off the hook, crazy for Jesus, laughing, crying, community of passionate believers. You've got to love these folks who will drive 40 miles one way to get to a church (especially when gas is $3.65/gallon) and then meet later that night to love on each other and their neighbors... Christian community at its finest.
8:30-9:30 traveled back to "P-town"
10:00 Wrestling over which to watch AX Men on the History channel or Deadliest Catch on Discovery. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Roll Call

Who are you? And where are you from?

Lots of you have never commented here and I'd love to at least know your name. Even if you've posted here before others may not have seen your comments. Everybody together now....

Roll Call

(update: 4/26 - 8:30 p.m.)
I see you reading this blog and not signing the list of names. You know who you are :-)

Roll Call

Who are you? And where are you from?

Lots of you have never commented here and I'd love to at least know your name. Even if you've posted here before others may not have seen your comments. Everybody together now....

Roll Call

(update: 4/26 - 8:30 p.m.)
I see you reading this blog and not signing the list of names. You know who you are :-)

Chalk Paint

Saturday afternoons are for chalk painting - your face!

Chalk Paint

Saturday afternoons are for chalk painting - your face!

Ping Pong Tourney Family Fun Night

This evening our Children's Pastor, Tonya Pinkerton, hosted a Family Fun Night. One of the events tonight was a ping pong tournament - the stage was set for a Sorensen - Pinkerton showdown.

Here is James giving his predictions...

Here are the results...

Ping Pong Tourney Family Fun Night

This evening our Children's Pastor, Tonya Pinkerton, hosted a Family Fun Night. One of the events tonight was a ping pong tournament - the stage was set for a Sorensen - Pinkerton showdown.

Here is James giving his predictions...

Here are the results...

Pastor's Confession

This morning I had to follow through on something that I felt the Lord was asking me to do last week. I thought that I could put it off and then God would let me off the hook. Perhaps if I ignored the initial 20 plus promptings He was giving me that He would forget and then I could conveniently forget as well. It didn't work that way.

You need to know that pastors struggle with the same kind of things that everyone else does. I struggle knowing if that is God's voice speaking to me or mine. I struggle with wanting to do the right thing but not always doing it. I struggle with temptation. I struggle with greed. I struggle with selfishness. I struggle with fear. I can be rude. I can be indifferent. I can be filled with an unhealthy pride. I can be disobedient...

It amazes me how the sermons I preach on Sundays are more for me than anyone else. Here is a direct quote that I intended to share this coming Sunday. I wrote these words over 2 weeks ago... "God wants us to see His response to our instant obedience. Maybe that breakthrough we are asking God for is in standby mode. Why? Because we are not obeying something He has asked us to do. God wants us to see His response to our instant obedience."

I'm glad that I eventually obeyed what God asked me to do; however, I'm disappointed that I did not display instant obedience. This is something that I will have to work on.

Fyi: I'm not looking for praise for eventually doing the right thing, the purpose of this post is confession. Matthew 6:1, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

"I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary... I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different." Romans 7:14-25 (Message)

Pastor's Confession

This morning I had to follow through on something that I felt the Lord was asking me to do last week. I thought that I could put it off and then God would let me off the hook. Perhaps if I ignored the initial 20 plus promptings He was giving me that He would forget and then I could conveniently forget as well. It didn't work that way.

You need to know that pastors struggle with the same kind of things that everyone else does. I struggle knowing if that is God's voice speaking to me or mine. I struggle with wanting to do the right thing but not always doing it. I struggle with temptation. I struggle with greed. I struggle with selfishness. I struggle with fear. I can be rude. I can be indifferent. I can be filled with an unhealthy pride. I can be disobedient...

It amazes me how the sermons I preach on Sundays are more for me than anyone else. Here is a direct quote that I intended to share this coming Sunday. I wrote these words over 2 weeks ago... "God wants us to see His response to our instant obedience. Maybe that breakthrough we are asking God for is in standby mode. Why? Because we are not obeying something He has asked us to do. God wants us to see His response to our instant obedience."

I'm glad that I eventually obeyed what God asked me to do; however, I'm disappointed that I did not display instant obedience. This is something that I will have to work on.

Fyi: I'm not looking for praise for eventually doing the right thing, the purpose of this post is confession. Matthew 6:1, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

"I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary... I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different." Romans 7:14-25 (Message)

Seeking The Lost

To what lengths would you go to rescue something/someone that was lost?

From YAHOO News

Walt Disney World seems to have worked its magic on a Massachusetts couple who accidentally threw away three platinum and diamond wedding rings.

While tidying up their villa as they prepared to leave the park late last week, Paul Campanale dumped a cardboard bowl, not knowing the container inside it held his wife Karen's engagement, wedding and five-year-anniversary rings.

Park employees warned the couple from Worcester, Mass., that recovering the jewelry was all but impossible. So on Friday, the Campanales and their two children loaded onto a Magical Express bus and headed to the airport.

Back at the Wilderness Lodge resort, executive housekeeper Drew Weaver realized that trash from the Campanales' villa hadn't reached the industrial-size compactor yet. He and seven other volunteers donned protective clothing, emptied a parking lot bin and waded through bag after bag of rubbish to find the rings. And they did.

Paul Campanale, 37, a chemist, received the good news on his cell phone and Weaver met the family to deliver the rings. Karen Campanale, 35, a teacher, said she was shocked by the find.
"That's not the first time we've gone through trash — oh, no," Weaver said. "We don't always find things. Many times we come up empty. But we didn't this time."


Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Seeking The Lost

To what lengths would you go to rescue something/someone that was lost?

From YAHOO News

Walt Disney World seems to have worked its magic on a Massachusetts couple who accidentally threw away three platinum and diamond wedding rings.

While tidying up their villa as they prepared to leave the park late last week, Paul Campanale dumped a cardboard bowl, not knowing the container inside it held his wife Karen's engagement, wedding and five-year-anniversary rings.

Park employees warned the couple from Worcester, Mass., that recovering the jewelry was all but impossible. So on Friday, the Campanales and their two children loaded onto a Magical Express bus and headed to the airport.

Back at the Wilderness Lodge resort, executive housekeeper Drew Weaver realized that trash from the Campanales' villa hadn't reached the industrial-size compactor yet. He and seven other volunteers donned protective clothing, emptied a parking lot bin and waded through bag after bag of rubbish to find the rings. And they did.

Paul Campanale, 37, a chemist, received the good news on his cell phone and Weaver met the family to deliver the rings. Karen Campanale, 35, a teacher, said she was shocked by the find.
"That's not the first time we've gone through trash — oh, no," Weaver said. "We don't always find things. Many times we come up empty. But we didn't this time."


Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Random Thoughts

• I've been feeling a little under the weather physically... not a huge deal unless you are a hypochondriac like me.
• I've hit a "bloggers slump" (I think I just made a new word up) - I'll get out of it. Perhaps you're thinking... "this blog has always stunk".
• I'm going on vacation in a week. I plan on putting up posts in advance and twittering often.
• Blogger is about to have a scheduled outage in about 10 minutes so I'm trying to get this post in before then.
• My technorati ranking is 1,245,176 - it would be higher if the people who blog from FFC new how to attach links in their blog posts back to my site (hint, hint). Perhaps we will have to have a short little class :-) Let's see if we can move this website past the million mark.
• I would feel bad about my ranking if someone else I know very well wasn't at 10,280,644!
• I may blog later tonight - if inspiration strikes me.

Random Thoughts

• I've been feeling a little under the weather physically... not a huge deal unless you are a hypochondriac like me.
• I've hit a "bloggers slump" (I think I just made a new word up) - I'll get out of it. Perhaps you're thinking... "this blog has always stunk".
• I'm going on vacation in a week. I plan on putting up posts in advance and twittering often.
• Blogger is about to have a scheduled outage in about 10 minutes so I'm trying to get this post in before then.
• My technorati ranking is 1,245,176 - it would be higher if the people who blog from FFC new how to attach links in their blog posts back to my site (hint, hint). Perhaps we will have to have a short little class :-) Let's see if we can move this website past the million mark.
• I would feel bad about my ranking if someone else I know very well wasn't at 10,280,644!
• I may blog later tonight - if inspiration strikes me.

Just Wondering

Do you ever buy something from the Schwan's man because you feel sorry for him? Or maybe because you feel guilty because you haven't bought anything for three weeks and your wife shuts off all the lights and pretends to hide when he rings the door bell? Just wondering.

Just Wondering

Do you ever buy something from the Schwan's man because you feel sorry for him? Or maybe because you feel guilty because you haven't bought anything for three weeks and your wife shuts off all the lights and pretends to hide when he rings the door bell? Just wondering.

Do U Twitter?

Does anyone else Twitter? I would like to "follow you" on my Twitter page. Leave me a note in the comment page or just begin following me and I will add you in my follow list.

Do U Twitter?

Does anyone else Twitter? I would like to "follow you" on my Twitter page. Leave me a note in the comment page or just begin following me and I will add you in my follow list.

White's Residential & Family Services

I took most of our pastoral staff on a field trip this morning. I always enjoy getting the staff out of the office and in different environments where we can bond and learn together.

This morning we headed up north to visit White's Residential & Family Services. This is one of the ministries that we support through our church. White's is doing a fantastic job of intervening in the lives of children and their families at crucial moments and giving them hope, healing, and love. We were given a great tour and met several of the students that have been impacted by the ministry of White's.

This Sunday we will have a dance team from White's performing in both of our services. I have a feeling once again we are going to be very blessed as we worship the Lord together. There is just something about interpretive dance that blesses me as I watch it.

White's Residential & Family Services

I took most of our pastoral staff on a field trip this morning. I always enjoy getting the staff out of the office and in different environments where we can bond and learn together.

This morning we headed up north to visit White's Residential & Family Services. This is one of the ministries that we support through our church. White's is doing a fantastic job of intervening in the lives of children and their families at crucial moments and giving them hope, healing, and love. We were given a great tour and met several of the students that have been impacted by the ministry of White's.

This Sunday we will have a dance team from White's performing in both of our services. I have a feeling once again we are going to be very blessed as we worship the Lord together. There is just something about interpretive dance that blesses me as I watch it.

Civilized Christians

Don't you just get tired of being a "civilized" Christian sometimes?

Here is a quote I enjoy from Erwin McManus' book "The Barbarian Way",

"Somewhere along the way the movement of Jesus Christ became civilized. We created a religion using the name of Jesus Christ and convinced ourselves that God’s optimal desire for our lives was to insulate us in a spiritual bubble where we risk nothing, sacrifice nothing, lose nothing, worry about nothing. Jesus came to liberate us so that we could die up front and then live."

Where are all of the risk taking, sacrificing, warriors of God? I must confess I too easily get lulled into comfort and selfishness that I get spiritually lazy and "civilized". God hasn't called us to be domesticated but to be warriors advancing the cause of our King and His Kingdom.

Civilized Christians

Don't you just get tired of being a "civilized" Christian sometimes?

Here is a quote I enjoy from Erwin McManus' book "The Barbarian Way",

"Somewhere along the way the movement of Jesus Christ became civilized. We created a religion using the name of Jesus Christ and convinced ourselves that God’s optimal desire for our lives was to insulate us in a spiritual bubble where we risk nothing, sacrifice nothing, lose nothing, worry about nothing. Jesus came to liberate us so that we could die up front and then live."

Where are all of the risk taking, sacrificing, warriors of God? I must confess I too easily get lulled into comfort and selfishness that I get spiritually lazy and "civilized". God hasn't called us to be domesticated but to be warriors advancing the cause of our King and His Kingdom.

Will You Sponsor Me

My 5 year old has a nack for making me cry (not hard these days) - You can check it out HERE.

Will You Sponsor Me

My 5 year old has a nack for making me cry (not hard these days) - You can check it out HERE.

FFC Bloggers

You know what I find interesting? Counting myself, our mid-sized rural Indiana church has 20 bloggers! We would probably have even more if others in our church actually had internet service :-)

To my 20 blogging peeps out there - I love the little community we have created on the web - keep up the good work.

FFC Bloggers

You know what I find interesting? Counting myself, our mid-sized rural Indiana church has 20 bloggers! We would probably have even more if others in our church actually had internet service :-)

To my 20 blogging peeps out there - I love the little community we have created on the web - keep up the good work.

Compassion Sunday Follow Up

This afternoon I got a very encouraging email from one of the young ladies in our church, Kate Canady. I asked Kate if I could share this very encouraging note with you. Kate writes,

"I haven't been able to get yesterday's service off of my mind since yesterday morning. I had been somewhat familiar with Compassion before, but had never sponsored a child for various reasons. I have to confess that when it came time for the packets to be passed out at the end of the service, I was nervous. I was uneasy, because Nate and I had briefly talked about sponsoring a child before Sunday, and had pretty much decided that it wasn't 'good timing' for us, financially. By the end of Shaun's message, I had a burning desire in my heart that I needed to be a part of Compassion, but wasn't sure if Nate felt the same way. When Shaun began to sing the last song and we were asked to raise our hands if we wanted to pray about sponsoring a child, Nate raised his hand - my heart leaped. As soon as Marggy handed us Henni's information, Nate and I could not hold back our tears and desire to help this little girl. Even now, I get emotional as I think of her. Never before have I felt such a strong leading by God, but it was amazing to experience such a sure message from God. Not only did I feel God's leading, but Nate did as well - we didn' t even have to discuss whether we should sponsor her or not, we just knew we had to. I am excited to begin our relationship with her, and to improve my walk with the Lord, so that I might be able to feel his close presence and undeniable urging again. I felt as though I needed to share this with you, and it sounds like many other families had similar experiences. Thanks, Kate Canady"

Compassion Sunday Follow Up

This afternoon I got a very encouraging email from one of the young ladies in our church, Kate Canady. I asked Kate if I could share this very encouraging note with you. Kate writes,

"I haven't been able to get yesterday's service off of my mind since yesterday morning. I had been somewhat familiar with Compassion before, but had never sponsored a child for various reasons. I have to confess that when it came time for the packets to be passed out at the end of the service, I was nervous. I was uneasy, because Nate and I had briefly talked about sponsoring a child before Sunday, and had pretty much decided that it wasn't 'good timing' for us, financially. By the end of Shaun's message, I had a burning desire in my heart that I needed to be a part of Compassion, but wasn't sure if Nate felt the same way. When Shaun began to sing the last song and we were asked to raise our hands if we wanted to pray about sponsoring a child, Nate raised his hand - my heart leaped. As soon as Marggy handed us Henni's information, Nate and I could not hold back our tears and desire to help this little girl. Even now, I get emotional as I think of her. Never before have I felt such a strong leading by God, but it was amazing to experience such a sure message from God. Not only did I feel God's leading, but Nate did as well - we didn' t even have to discuss whether we should sponsor her or not, we just knew we had to. I am excited to begin our relationship with her, and to improve my walk with the Lord, so that I might be able to feel his close presence and undeniable urging again. I felt as though I needed to share this with you, and it sounds like many other families had similar experiences. Thanks, Kate Canady"

Compassion Sunday Follow Up

Tammy got a great picture of Shaun and Shelby Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of Qdoba. You can see it, and read Shaun's comments regarding our Compassion Sunday HERE.

Compassion Sunday Follow Up

Tammy got a great picture of Shaun and Shelby Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of Qdoba. You can see it, and read Shaun's comments regarding our Compassion Sunday HERE.

Compassion Sunday

Today was fantastic; FFC you blew me away! You all helped release 71 kids from poverty! That number continues to grow as we hear from others that went home and logged onto the Compassion website and found children to sponsor. Others are still on the fence and contemplating the decision. I'm so proud of our church. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for making a difference and advancing the Kingdom.

This month 71 needy children will be introduced to 71 families from rural Indiana through one on one correspondence. This month 71 children will know that they are loved by folks they have never personally met. This month 71 children will be adequately fed, clothed, educated, and cared for. This month 71 families had their hearts expanded and made room for 71 needy children.

A big thank you to Tammy Chalfant for organizing our Compassion Sunday - she did a great job.

Compassion Sunday

Today was fantastic; FFC you blew me away! You all helped release 71 kids from poverty! That number continues to grow as we hear from others that went home and logged onto the Compassion website and found children to sponsor. Others are still on the fence and contemplating the decision. I'm so proud of our church. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for making a difference and advancing the Kingdom.

This month 71 needy children will be introduced to 71 families from rural Indiana through one on one correspondence. This month 71 children will know that they are loved by folks they have never personally met. This month 71 children will be adequately fed, clothed, educated, and cared for. This month 71 families had their hearts expanded and made room for 71 needy children.

A big thank you to Tammy Chalfant for organizing our Compassion Sunday - she did a great job.

Compassion Sunday - Shaun Groves

I'll tell you what, that Shaun Groves is a cool cat. :-) I don't know that I've ever met anyone who could sing and speak as well as he did today. I think everyone who heard him today learned that Shaun's heart is as big as his mission.

Compassion Sunday - Shaun Groves

I'll tell you what, that Shaun Groves is a cool cat. :-) I don't know that I've ever met anyone who could sing and speak as well as he did today. I think everyone who heard him today learned that Shaun's heart is as big as his mission.

Compassion International

Did you know?

Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.

Compassion was founded by the Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training.

Today, Compassion helps more than 1 million children in 24 countries.

Compassion's work is one-to-one child sponsorship. A sponsor is someone who has made the decision to personally invest in the life of a child in need.

Facts from the Compassion International website.

Compassion International

Did you know?

Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.

Compassion was founded by the Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, education and health care, as well as Christian training.

Today, Compassion helps more than 1 million children in 24 countries.

Compassion's work is one-to-one child sponsorship. A sponsor is someone who has made the decision to personally invest in the life of a child in need.

Facts from the Compassion International website.

Shaun Groves - FFC April 20th

Tomorrow is the big day for us. Our first ever Compassion Sunday! Our special guest will be Shaun Groves. You don't want to miss this Sunday. If you want a good seat I would encourage you to come to the 8:30 AM service. I have a feeling seats will be extremely limited in the 10:30 service. There will be an overflow room... but you don't want that - you want the vibe of the main sanctuary. So get here early!

I would ask those of you that normally attend FFC and have no problem walking - please park out in the "boonies" and allow guests at our church to have the best parking spots. Thanks - I will be sure to practice what I preach; you will find my car about a quarter mile from the church. See you tomorrow!

Shaun Groves - FFC April 20th

Tomorrow is the big day for us. Our first ever Compassion Sunday! Our special guest will be Shaun Groves. You don't want to miss this Sunday. If you want a good seat I would encourage you to come to the 8:30 AM service. I have a feeling seats will be extremely limited in the 10:30 service. There will be an overflow room... but you don't want that - you want the vibe of the main sanctuary. So get here early!

I would ask those of you that normally attend FFC and have no problem walking - please park out in the "boonies" and allow guests at our church to have the best parking spots. Thanks - I will be sure to practice what I preach; you will find my car about a quarter mile from the church. See you tomorrow!

The Earthquake of 2008

Where were you when the earthquake hit? If you were in bed, did you wake up?

I was in our bed, asleep - Tammy was already up (5:37 AM... she's loco). I felt the bed shake, heard the door rattle and thought, "Tammy is remodeling the stinkin' house". I convinced myself it was a dream and went back to sleep telling myself (here's where I'm a little loco) - "why don't you see if you can dream that again." Unfortunately, I couldn't re-manufacture "the dream". When I got up (at a normal hour) Tammy told me all about the BIG 5.2 earthquake... My second earthquake experienced here in Indiana. Crazy.

So where were you when the earthquake of 2008 hit?

The Earthquake of 2008

Where were you when the earthquake hit? If you were in bed, did you wake up?

I was in our bed, asleep - Tammy was already up (5:37 AM... she's loco). I felt the bed shake, heard the door rattle and thought, "Tammy is remodeling the stinkin' house". I convinced myself it was a dream and went back to sleep telling myself (here's where I'm a little loco) - "why don't you see if you can dream that again." Unfortunately, I couldn't re-manufacture "the dream". When I got up (at a normal hour) Tammy told me all about the BIG 5.2 earthquake... My second earthquake experienced here in Indiana. Crazy.

So where were you when the earthquake of 2008 hit?

And Now For Something Insane

And now for something a little insane...

I found this site via Carlos' blog - Ragamuffin Soul

I knew you would dig it in a cool cat kinda way...

The link that will blow your mind - Got Milk?

And Now For Something Insane

And now for something a little insane...

I found this site via Carlos' blog - Ragamuffin Soul

I knew you would dig it in a cool cat kinda way...

The link that will blow your mind - Got Milk?

What Did You Want To Be

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

At one point in my life I wanted to work for Interpol ... I know, kinda random. I probably would have just ended up kicking in doors while people were making illegal copies of DVD's ;-)

However what I would really like to do is punch these people in the throat!

What Did You Want To Be

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

At one point in my life I wanted to work for Interpol ... I know, kinda random. I probably would have just ended up kicking in doors while people were making illegal copies of DVD's ;-)

However what I would really like to do is punch these people in the throat!

The Amish Assassin

James and I were playing ping pong the other day (back when I could actually beat James in Ping Pong) and while we were playing one of the men from the Amish crew working on our new building came in and completely destroyed me. If you ever have the opportunity to play an Amish dude in ping pong - pass it up, because he will humiliate you.

The Amish Assassin

James and I were playing ping pong the other day (back when I could actually beat James in Ping Pong) and while we were playing one of the men from the Amish crew working on our new building came in and completely destroyed me. If you ever have the opportunity to play an Amish dude in ping pong - pass it up, because he will humiliate you.

Ping Pong

James and I got in a little ping pong again today. Derek Chalfant came in and caught some video of us playing and posted it on his blog. You can check it out HERE.

By the way I got worked again today by James. Stay tuned - later this evening I will post my own video of James and I playing ping pong...

Ping Pong

James and I got in a little ping pong again today. Derek Chalfant came in and caught some video of us playing and posted it on his blog. You can check it out HERE.

By the way I got worked again today by James. Stay tuned - later this evening I will post my own video of James and I playing ping pong...

You Saw It Here First

The concrete is being poured this morning in the gym/fellowship hall.

You Saw It Here First

The concrete is being poured this morning in the gym/fellowship hall.

Tour Of The Outreach Center

Sorry for the audio quality... but you will get the idea; and you will enjoy Shelby trying to be the center of attention.

Simplywait.com

Posts will continue to go up the rest of this week over at http://www.simplywait.com/

Tour Of The Outreach Center

Sorry for the audio quality... but you will get the idea; and you will enjoy Shelby trying to be the center of attention.

Simplywait.com

Posts will continue to go up the rest of this week over at http://www.simplywait.com/

Dreams

What are your dreams? What goals do you have? What would you like to accomplish?

I'm just curious - what are your dreams?

Dreams

What are your dreams? What goals do you have? What would you like to accomplish?

I'm just curious - what are your dreams?

My Deliverance

I have a cousin in Iowa that had been far from God for many years. Recently he turned his life over to Christ and is experiencing the kind of freedom that only God can provide. Last Sunday in church I read a letter that he had written called "My Deliverance" - his letter struck a chord with a number of people and I wanted to post it here for you...

My Deliverance

My deliverance was a miracle, a battle I myself tried fighting most of my life. Addiction had a hold of me since I was a teen. From dirty language, to dirty thoughts of perversion, cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamines, pornography, anger, hatred, to ungodly music. Some I would rather not mention, or remember.

Finally, with the help of Christ Jesus Himself, and Him never giving up on me. We conquered the demons who sought to destroy me.

I owe God Almighty my life, and my life I shall give. I dedicate my life to winning souls over to the Lord. Jesus has set me free and it feels GREAT!!! I owe Him all the honor and glory. I am now being sanctified and recreated in His image as we speak. Shaped and molded in the Lords hands. He will workout all my imperfections in time so I can do His work, His will correctly, and divinely. I tell you, if I can do this in Jesus, SO CAN YOU!!!! What he says you can do, you can do in His Name, in whatsoever you chose to do. Put your faith in the Lord. God has greater power than the Devil or demons. Jesus came to set you free!!! In Jesus Name you will be free!!! He is not willing that any should perish.

Each day is a gift. How we spend each day is how we show our love for Him.

“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who REPENTS than ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7, 10

1 Peter 5:8

Romans 6:23

My Deliverance

I have a cousin in Iowa that had been far from God for many years. Recently he turned his life over to Christ and is experiencing the kind of freedom that only God can provide. Last Sunday in church I read a letter that he had written called "My Deliverance" - his letter struck a chord with a number of people and I wanted to post it here for you...

My Deliverance

My deliverance was a miracle, a battle I myself tried fighting most of my life. Addiction had a hold of me since I was a teen. From dirty language, to dirty thoughts of perversion, cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamines, pornography, anger, hatred, to ungodly music. Some I would rather not mention, or remember.

Finally, with the help of Christ Jesus Himself, and Him never giving up on me. We conquered the demons who sought to destroy me.

I owe God Almighty my life, and my life I shall give. I dedicate my life to winning souls over to the Lord. Jesus has set me free and it feels GREAT!!! I owe Him all the honor and glory. I am now being sanctified and recreated in His image as we speak. Shaped and molded in the Lords hands. He will workout all my imperfections in time so I can do His work, His will correctly, and divinely. I tell you, if I can do this in Jesus, SO CAN YOU!!!! What he says you can do, you can do in His Name, in whatsoever you chose to do. Put your faith in the Lord. God has greater power than the Devil or demons. Jesus came to set you free!!! In Jesus Name you will be free!!! He is not willing that any should perish.

Each day is a gift. How we spend each day is how we show our love for Him.

“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who REPENTS than ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7, 10

1 Peter 5:8

Romans 6:23

New Post Over On Simplywait.com

Be sure to swing by http://www.simplywait.com/ as this will be the last week of posts. A new post was added just a few moments ago.

New Post Over On Simplywait.com

Be sure to swing by http://www.simplywait.com/ as this will be the last week of posts. A new post was added just a few moments ago.

Wow

Wow! That's all I can say following today's service at church. I know that "feelings" are fickle and they come and go - but this is one of those days where you could just "feel" the presence of God in the service. Words couldn't do justice to what I experienced today at church so I'm not really even going to try to describe it to you - it was indescribable.

God was definitely speaking to people today. Following the service a woman who came to the church for the first time today gave her life to Christ following the service! She told me, "God has been after me the last couple of months." Today was the day she stopped running from Him, turned around, and allowed Him to embrace her.

This is one of those moments in the life of the church where we are seeing God do amazing things in the lives of individuals. Changed lives is why we do what we do, and we are seeing lives changed every week.

Wow

Wow! That's all I can say following today's service at church. I know that "feelings" are fickle and they come and go - but this is one of those days where you could just "feel" the presence of God in the service. Words couldn't do justice to what I experienced today at church so I'm not really even going to try to describe it to you - it was indescribable.

God was definitely speaking to people today. Following the service a woman who came to the church for the first time today gave her life to Christ following the service! She told me, "God has been after me the last couple of months." Today was the day she stopped running from Him, turned around, and allowed Him to embrace her.

This is one of those moments in the life of the church where we are seeing God do amazing things in the lives of individuals. Changed lives is why we do what we do, and we are seeing lives changed every week.

Second Saturday Serve

We had a great turn out today for Second Saturday Serve. Thanks to everyone who showed up and served. I stuck around with the crew that was demolishing part of the Family Life Center. Fortunately, we were able to donate the "town" to a local church who will use it for their children's ministry...

Second Saturday Serve

We had a great turn out today for Second Saturday Serve. Thanks to everyone who showed up and served. I stuck around with the crew that was demolishing part of the Family Life Center. Fortunately, we were able to donate the "town" to a local church who will use it for their children's ministry...