Sunday Morning 3-29-2009
Russell Allen: Part 2 - Shadows of The Cross
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Word of the Week for March 29, 2009
What a month! Even though it has been a difficult for our church family, it has also been a very rewarding month for me as a pastor. We have probably set a record for the number of funerals within a few weeks for several families in our congregation. (Not something I like by the way.) We have so many who are grieving the loss of loved ones, and as a church family we have some big holes left behind from the loss of friends.
However, through all of the loss, it has been amazing to watch our members rise to the occasion to serve and love on these families. One of the greatest FBC ministries is our Funeral Hospitality Committee (FHC). Not only do these ladies, along with Brad and Wally, work tirelessly and long hours to make sure families are supported through a difficult process, but a large number of individuals assist by providing covered dish items. Many churches today may cater a meal for a family, but I believe it means so much more to have a home cooked lunch prepared by loving hands and prayerful hearts instead.
Perhaps you were unaware of this ministry and would like to get involved. If so, contact FHC chairman, Erma Burnett, or let us know in the office. We will gladly incorporate you into this outreach. In the meantime, a huge THANK YOU goes out to everyone who helps with this ministry . . . you do make a difference!
However, through all of the loss, it has been amazing to watch our members rise to the occasion to serve and love on these families. One of the greatest FBC ministries is our Funeral Hospitality Committee (FHC). Not only do these ladies, along with Brad and Wally, work tirelessly and long hours to make sure families are supported through a difficult process, but a large number of individuals assist by providing covered dish items. Many churches today may cater a meal for a family, but I believe it means so much more to have a home cooked lunch prepared by loving hands and prayerful hearts instead.
Perhaps you were unaware of this ministry and would like to get involved. If so, contact FHC chairman, Erma Burnett, or let us know in the office. We will gladly incorporate you into this outreach. In the meantime, a huge THANK YOU goes out to everyone who helps with this ministry . . . you do make a difference!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Word of the Week for March 22, 2009
We start out this week and journey toward Easter with a sermon series entitled, “The Shadows of the Cross.” This is my favorite time of the year. It is so appropriate that Easter falls in the spring time. With spring comes new life in nature. I love to see the blooms on trees, flowers, and the grass turning green . . . as if death is overtaken with life.
On the first Easter morning that is exactly what happened. When Christ came out of the tomb, death was conquered and life came forth. How amazing it is to stop and think about how one morning changed my life. I hope you will take the time to reflect on how Christ’s resurrection has changed you. Thank God for his sacrifice but ultimately his power in the resurrection!
On the first Easter morning that is exactly what happened. When Christ came out of the tomb, death was conquered and life came forth. How amazing it is to stop and think about how one morning changed my life. I hope you will take the time to reflect on how Christ’s resurrection has changed you. Thank God for his sacrifice but ultimately his power in the resurrection!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Word of the Week for March 15, 2009
As I was reading through the Grandview Tribune this week, one of our teenager’s accomplishments caught my attention. Julie Tull was awarded the title of Best Actress for the Junior High One Act Play competition. What an honor! Julie, we are so proud of you!
While I read the article, I was challenged with the thought of character. Julie played a different character in the play than she plays on a daily basis. I considered our role as Christians. How often do we play a different character on Sunday than who we are during the week? Our Christian character should not be something we pull out of the closet on Sunday morning and put away during the week. We should be living for Christ 24/7!
When we live out our Christianity daily, God is pleased with us . . . just as Julie’s parents are proud of her.
Don’t be a best “actor” for Jesus! Be real!
Have a great week!
While I read the article, I was challenged with the thought of character. Julie played a different character in the play than she plays on a daily basis. I considered our role as Christians. How often do we play a different character on Sunday than who we are during the week? Our Christian character should not be something we pull out of the closet on Sunday morning and put away during the week. We should be living for Christ 24/7!
When we live out our Christianity daily, God is pleased with us . . . just as Julie’s parents are proud of her.
Don’t be a best “actor” for Jesus! Be real!
Have a great week!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Word of the Week, March 8
Today is an extraordinary day in the life of our church. Anytime we gather together to partake in the Lord’s Supper, it should be a special time for us each individually as well as the body of Christ.
This is a time of looking back at the sacrifice Christ made for us, looking into our hearts and looking forward to Christ’s return.
I pray we will all take a long look inside our hearts and make sure we are properly prepared to come to the table with lives worthy of breaking the bread and drinking the cup. Our Savior has made such a great sacrifice on our behalf that we should desire to leave this place with a passion to go and serve Him.
May today be a blessing to start your week!
This is a time of looking back at the sacrifice Christ made for us, looking into our hearts and looking forward to Christ’s return.
I pray we will all take a long look inside our hearts and make sure we are properly prepared to come to the table with lives worthy of breaking the bread and drinking the cup. Our Savior has made such a great sacrifice on our behalf that we should desire to leave this place with a passion to go and serve Him.
May today be a blessing to start your week!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
What is Your Foundation?
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This past month we had the foundation of the Sanctuary jacked up to fix a crack in the back wall. I am amazed to see how the workers do a leveling job. I must admit it is fascinating. Years of movement from the good ol’ Texas dirt is repaired in a matter of hours. As the guys were working, I was hit with the question: What is your foundation?
It is a good question for us all to ask. As a church we have spent the first two months working on our foundations in the area of prayer and family. Through the Foundations of Faith seminars we have looked at prayer and journaling and marriage. In the month of March we will continue our seminar series by looking at parenting. In April and May we will be having a ladies and men’s conferences. If you are not taking advantage of the seminars, I believe you are missing out. Let me point out that if you come to a marriage or parenting conference, it does not mean you have a bad marriage or you are a bad parent. I think that is a common misconception people make. It simply means you want to be better. Don’t we all want our foundation to be stronger? I hope so.
On another note, God has been doing some incredible things in our midst over the past several months. We are seeing new families come to be a part of FBC, and we are broadening our foundation of ministry as a church family. I believe God is blessing what we are doing and as a result I believe He is calling us to do more. I want to ask you to be praying about what it is that God might be calling you to do for ministry in the days to come. We have many opportunities on the horizon from feeding the homeless monthly, to attending a camp as a sponsor, to being involved in mission projects and trips we are doing as a church. But I believe there is still more beyond that. As a church we must ask ourselves what we need to be doing to show our community the love of Christ in a very practical way.
We all have cracks in our foundation. We all need to be daily powerjacked by our Father to continually lift us up to be who we need to be for Him. If you are not spending time in the Word and prayerfully seeking after His will for your life, then chances are your foundation is sinking a bit. I love the song “Higher Ground”. The words say, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” May we all stand on Christ the rock!
Jacked up for Jesus!
This past month we had the foundation of the Sanctuary jacked up to fix a crack in the back wall. I am amazed to see how the workers do a leveling job. I must admit it is fascinating. Years of movement from the good ol’ Texas dirt is repaired in a matter of hours. As the guys were working, I was hit with the question: What is your foundation?
It is a good question for us all to ask. As a church we have spent the first two months working on our foundations in the area of prayer and family. Through the Foundations of Faith seminars we have looked at prayer and journaling and marriage. In the month of March we will continue our seminar series by looking at parenting. In April and May we will be having a ladies and men’s conferences. If you are not taking advantage of the seminars, I believe you are missing out. Let me point out that if you come to a marriage or parenting conference, it does not mean you have a bad marriage or you are a bad parent. I think that is a common misconception people make. It simply means you want to be better. Don’t we all want our foundation to be stronger? I hope so.
On another note, God has been doing some incredible things in our midst over the past several months. We are seeing new families come to be a part of FBC, and we are broadening our foundation of ministry as a church family. I believe God is blessing what we are doing and as a result I believe He is calling us to do more. I want to ask you to be praying about what it is that God might be calling you to do for ministry in the days to come. We have many opportunities on the horizon from feeding the homeless monthly, to attending a camp as a sponsor, to being involved in mission projects and trips we are doing as a church. But I believe there is still more beyond that. As a church we must ask ourselves what we need to be doing to show our community the love of Christ in a very practical way.
We all have cracks in our foundation. We all need to be daily powerjacked by our Father to continually lift us up to be who we need to be for Him. If you are not spending time in the Word and prayerfully seeking after His will for your life, then chances are your foundation is sinking a bit. I love the song “Higher Ground”. The words say, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” May we all stand on Christ the rock!
Jacked up for Jesus!
Word of the Week for March 1, 2009
What a week this has been around the Allen house! It has been insane to say the least, and I am not talking about my mental state! Both Cameron and Easton have been sick. Easton had the flu for a week and was so sick he lost seven pounds in a matter of days. There is nothing worse than seeing your little ones literally lying around limp and lifeless. Easton was in that state.
On Thursday, however, Easton returned to form. He woke up and I knew he was better. He had that twinkle in his eye again. He and I spent the day together strolling around town and enjoying the beautiful day and playing around the house. It has been said that the hard or difficult days make you appreciate the good days even more. I am ready to appreciate some good days!
I am glad our God has a plan and purpose for all of us and even though that plan will include some difficult days. With Him as a part of our lives the good days will be even better, and the bad days will be a bit easier!
Hope you have a great week!
On Thursday, however, Easton returned to form. He woke up and I knew he was better. He had that twinkle in his eye again. He and I spent the day together strolling around town and enjoying the beautiful day and playing around the house. It has been said that the hard or difficult days make you appreciate the good days even more. I am ready to appreciate some good days!
I am glad our God has a plan and purpose for all of us and even though that plan will include some difficult days. With Him as a part of our lives the good days will be even better, and the bad days will be a bit easier!
Hope you have a great week!
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