This week progress reports came out at school. I know this can be an anxious time for parents, as they find out how their children are doing at school. Before report cards come out in a couple of weeks, it is an opportunity to do something about their grades if they are not very good. Cameron got his and I am happy to report he is doing well (in case you were concerned!)
The progress reports got me to thinking about what our progress might look like if our church got one. I think it would look pretty good! We are seeing more and more new faces visit our church. We are ministering to our community on all age levels. We are doing a good job of mission work. We are being faithful with our tithes. We have seen some incredible miracles surrounding our prayer ministry with the healing of some who have been really sick. We are seeing a good number of baptisms. We are even making progress on additional parking and soon the new building. It all looks good.
I imagine several students got great progress reports but that does not mean they get to take a few weeks off. They must continue to press forward to enhance their education. I believe the same must be the case for FBC Grandview. It would be really easy for us to sit back and pat ourselves on the back and say to one another, “You have done a really good job!” I challenge you to press on in your faith . . . be diligent in praying for one another, be faithful in continually asking the Lord if you are being obedient in the area of giving. Seek out new ways to minister and love those around you.
In 1992 following five operations, British runner Derek Redman was hoping to win gold at the Barcelona Olympics. Everything seemed to be going well for the 400 meter race. He had recorded the fastest time in the quarter-final heat. He was pumped up—ready to go. As the gun sounded, he got off to a clean start. But at 150 meters, his right hamstring muscle tore, and he fell to the ground. When he saw the stretcher-bearers rushing toward him, he jumped up and began hobbling toward the finish line. Despite the pain, he continued to move forward. Soon another person joined him on the track. It was his father. Arm in arm . . . hand in hand . . . They moved toward the finish line together. Just before they crossed, Derek’s dad let go of his son, so that Derek could finish the race on his own. The crowd of 65,000 stood to their feet cheering and clapping as Derek finished the race. Heartbreaking? Yes! Encouraging? Yes! Emotional? Yes! We all need to finish the race and finish it well.
God, who began a good work in you, wants you to finish the race. He wants you to endure. He wants you to be successful. He wants you to finish and finish well. God does not leave you to run the race alone!
God is doing amazing things in our midst. I am excited to have been a part of what He has done, but I get even more excited thinking about what He is preparing us to do! I hope you do as well!
Training to finish strong!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
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Sept. 26 Sermon
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Sept. 26 Sermon
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Word of the Week
I am privileged to have the best family in the world! There is absolutely no doubt about it. I mean from the parents God blessed me with to the great wife and kids I have, I am blessed way more than I deserve.
When I think of family, however; I now think of FBC as family. We have been here over 11 years now, and you are all my family! I point this out today because as my family, I say thank you for loving, teaching and living out the love of Christ for my children.
Today is a special day for our family, and I know I speak for many in this church who have seen their children baptized here, when I say, “THANK YOU to those who teach our children about God’s love and being a church family filled with great examples for our children to look up to!”
I hope you have a great week!
When I think of family, however; I now think of FBC as family. We have been here over 11 years now, and you are all my family! I point this out today because as my family, I say thank you for loving, teaching and living out the love of Christ for my children.
Today is a special day for our family, and I know I speak for many in this church who have seen their children baptized here, when I say, “THANK YOU to those who teach our children about God’s love and being a church family filled with great examples for our children to look up to!”
I hope you have a great week!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
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Sept. 19 Sermon
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Sept. 19 Sermon
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Word of the Week
Antique Alley Weekend! During this weekend twice a year, many of us groan at the thought of traffic and the chaos downtown. I have an interesting observation from looking at items people were selling. Many of the things being sold are out of date. That is why they are being sold. They are not useful to the seller anymore.
I thought to myself . . . I am glad my God never goes out of date. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Yet some of us try to handle things on our own and have in a sense put Him on the sale table. I challenge you to take Him back and trust in Him in a new way today and see how relevant He can be in your day to day life!
I hope you have a great week!
I thought to myself . . . I am glad my God never goes out of date. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Yet some of us try to handle things on our own and have in a sense put Him on the sale table. I challenge you to take Him back and trust in Him in a new way today and see how relevant He can be in your day to day life!
I hope you have a great week!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
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Sept. 12 Sermon
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Sept. 12 Sermon
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Word of the Week
God is so good! It is interesting to me how often we pray for something and when God answers the prayer we find ourselves complaining about it! I am guilty of that this week. We have prayed for much needed rain for a couple of months now and this week God provided (Boy, did He provide!)!!!
We were supposed to start work on the first parking lot behind the church and I stated to someone, “Leave it to us to make it rain!” I was reminded by the person to quit complaining, God was answering my prayers!
I want to challenge you as you pray to be sure to give thanks in ALL things and by all means when God answers abundantly, don’t complain!!! HE is faithful!
I hope you have a great week!
We were supposed to start work on the first parking lot behind the church and I stated to someone, “Leave it to us to make it rain!” I was reminded by the person to quit complaining, God was answering my prayers!
I want to challenge you as you pray to be sure to give thanks in ALL things and by all means when God answers abundantly, don’t complain!!! HE is faithful!
I hope you have a great week!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
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Sept. 5 Sermon
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Sept. 5 Sermon
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Saturday, September 4, 2010
Word of the Week
After much struggle and many hours of hard work by our Building Task Force Committee, I believe we have finally cleared the last hurdle to begin work on our new parking lots and missions building!!! Praise the Lord!
Along with that bit of good news, I need you to be aware of how in the coming weeks we will be slightly inconvenienced as far as parking is concerned. Hopefully this week we will begin to see dirt moved from the parking lot directly behind the west end of the building and see a concrete parking lot within a couple of weeks. I ask that you utilize the grass lot across the street for parking during this time of construction.
The plan is that once we have parking taken care of on this side of the street, we will begin construction on the other side of the street. Please pray for the safety of the workers and that all goes as planned!!!!
I hope you have a great week!
Along with that bit of good news, I need you to be aware of how in the coming weeks we will be slightly inconvenienced as far as parking is concerned. Hopefully this week we will begin to see dirt moved from the parking lot directly behind the west end of the building and see a concrete parking lot within a couple of weeks. I ask that you utilize the grass lot across the street for parking during this time of construction.
The plan is that once we have parking taken care of on this side of the street, we will begin construction on the other side of the street. Please pray for the safety of the workers and that all goes as planned!!!!
I hope you have a great week!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I AM NOT GOING TO STAY HERE!
August 23rd is a day that will be significant at the Allen household forever. It was the first time both of our boys had their backpacks in tow and headed out the door to school together! What an exciting day this would be, right? WRONG!
Cameron was fired up and ready to go . . . Easton on the other hand had no idea his life was about to change forever. As we walked into his classroom, he proceeded to march around the room twice with a frown on his face and then return to me with arms folded and said, “I AM NOT GOING TO STAY HERE!” After a whisper in his ear that said, “Yes, you are,” and a hug, I walked out the door. He had a good first day of school and even went back the next day!
As I thought about Easton’s announcement to the world that he was “not going to stay here,” I got to thinking about our relationship with Christ. I know those are the words our Heavenly Father wants to hear from us. He does not desire for us to stay in one place spiritually for very long. He wants us to have an attitude of moving forward in our relationship with Him. I am afraid too many Christians have gotten to a point in their spiritual walk where they have “stayed here” too long. Easton’s statement was a subtle reminder to me concerning my spiritual journey and maybe it will be a nudge to you in yours.
What a great Sunday we had on August 22nd! We baptized nine new believers. We had great crowds come to worship in both services. We saw another family become a part of our church family. God was so good! We continue to see new faces in our midst on a weekly basis and it is our job to make them feel welcome.
I want to challenge you in another area. I realize we are all busy and our schedules are hectic, but there are people amongst us who simply need a phone call, card or some other form of touch to let them know they are important to what is going on at FBC. When you notice someone is missing, will you make an effort to let them know you missed them? It only takes a few minutes and you will never know what a difference it can make!
School is back in session, so that means all of our Wednesday night activities are back in full swing for all ages. Perhaps you and your family have been involved in the past, or perhaps you have not. I want to encourage you to come on Wednesday night and see what all is going on. There is a meal at 5:30 and the activities will kickoff at 6:30. If you are not there, you are missing out!
Finally, I want to encourage you to remember to keep our students and school staff in your prayers as they get the school year started. Pray for wisdom in decision making and for opportunities to share their faith. We are blessed with a great school district, and I am convinced it is because of our prayers!
In Him,
Cameron was fired up and ready to go . . . Easton on the other hand had no idea his life was about to change forever. As we walked into his classroom, he proceeded to march around the room twice with a frown on his face and then return to me with arms folded and said, “I AM NOT GOING TO STAY HERE!” After a whisper in his ear that said, “Yes, you are,” and a hug, I walked out the door. He had a good first day of school and even went back the next day!
As I thought about Easton’s announcement to the world that he was “not going to stay here,” I got to thinking about our relationship with Christ. I know those are the words our Heavenly Father wants to hear from us. He does not desire for us to stay in one place spiritually for very long. He wants us to have an attitude of moving forward in our relationship with Him. I am afraid too many Christians have gotten to a point in their spiritual walk where they have “stayed here” too long. Easton’s statement was a subtle reminder to me concerning my spiritual journey and maybe it will be a nudge to you in yours.
What a great Sunday we had on August 22nd! We baptized nine new believers. We had great crowds come to worship in both services. We saw another family become a part of our church family. God was so good! We continue to see new faces in our midst on a weekly basis and it is our job to make them feel welcome.
I want to challenge you in another area. I realize we are all busy and our schedules are hectic, but there are people amongst us who simply need a phone call, card or some other form of touch to let them know they are important to what is going on at FBC. When you notice someone is missing, will you make an effort to let them know you missed them? It only takes a few minutes and you will never know what a difference it can make!
School is back in session, so that means all of our Wednesday night activities are back in full swing for all ages. Perhaps you and your family have been involved in the past, or perhaps you have not. I want to encourage you to come on Wednesday night and see what all is going on. There is a meal at 5:30 and the activities will kickoff at 6:30. If you are not there, you are missing out!
Finally, I want to encourage you to remember to keep our students and school staff in your prayers as they get the school year started. Pray for wisdom in decision making and for opportunities to share their faith. We are blessed with a great school district, and I am convinced it is because of our prayers!
In Him,
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