What A Day!

These are the days I go home and think, "Wow! God called me to be a part of HIS story!" And my very next thought is, "I'm SOOOOOO not worthy!"

We had an incredible day of God moving, stirring, calling, shaping, loving and so much more there just isn't room to share it all. So here's the highlights from my perspective.

• Our time of preparation with the worship team and our speaker was moving, to say the least. God prepared our hearts so we could be in a place of leading and following in the service.
• The congregation, especially in second service, responded to what GOD was doing and how He was shaping us to worship Him.
• I had the privilege of sharing a real life 'loaves and fishes' moment from our own church. God showed up in HUGE ways last week - His way of reminding us that if we focus on the right things of God, He'll provide the way for us to be a blessing and be blessed! For more on this read the previous post about empty shelves still giving.
• Paul (Austin) absolutely brought it today. Speaking about evangelism and why we've messed it up for so long in the churches and how we can do it more effectively today...he nailed it. He'll continue part 2 next Sunday so make plans to be there!
• We have many people now stepping up and accepting the call that God is putting on their lives, whether to lead or follow. We have some amazing people who are stepping into new territory and they are EXCITED!
• God CONTINUES to provide the resources we need to keep moving forward. Not just financially, but with people, physical things, their time - all being offered to God to make a difference in the Portneuf Valley and beyond.

We have, as I said above, one more week with Paul on Evangelism. Then comes Mothers Day, and I am really getting fired up over that one.

But I am really excited, fired up, giddy - pick a word - about the Vision series that will start May 16th. We'll run for 3 weeks as we get ready to gear up for Friend Zone and then the 4th of July parade reach out event.

FBC, hear me clearly - GOD IS MOVING! GOD IS AT WORK! GOD IS IN CONTROL! He is doing abundantly more than we could EVER have imagined, especially in a transition like the one we're in. If you haven't heard, get back to your group and get caught up. Then jump on board for an amazing ride that only He can take us on.

LOVE FBC and what God is doing...see ya in church.

Empty Pantry STILL Giving???

I don't know how God does it. I shot out the previous post this morning about the need to help those in our community and to basically stock up the food pantry with food and other items. What I didn't say was that we have seen a decrease in those asking for help because word was out that we were low or out of food.

Then this afternoon happened...and still is as I write this.

We have been SLAMMED with families of 3 and 4 in need of food assistance. If you read the previous article you'll notice what we DON'T have - the basic necessities. BUT, we have sauerkraut and dressing!

And here goes Stacy, Office Administrator extraordinaire, with bags of usable food for these folks. Her words - I don't know where it's coming from. No one is coming in with food and yet there is food going out! It's a miracle that we have what we have.
She just put together some bags for this family of four - how????

God is in control and wants us to be a blessing. HE IS TRUSTING us with those in need. Will we rise up to the call? God is moving...let's not miss it!

Helping Those In Need - Pt. 2

Last June I posted about our food pantry and the need we had. Shelves were bare, freezer was close to empty, and still the need for help continued to flow into the office every day.

Fast forward from June of 2009 to April 2010. Same situation, only a little more empty on the shelves and in the freezer. And still they come. As of today, we're down to sauerkraut and olives and dressing. Oh, and there are some beans.

We understand that many of our own folks are either out of work, facing cut backs or layoffs, or have lost a portion of their support for one reason or another. If you fit into ANY of these categories, unless you hear God tell you to, don't give to this right now. Let us, instead, be a blessing to you!

For the rest of us, here's how you can help:
1. We are in need of canned meats, vegetables (NOT sauerkraut), fruit, fruit and more fruit, soups, cereals, oatmeal and juice drinks (boxes of individual servings work better than bottles).
2. We are in need of toiletry items such as razors, shampoo, laundry detergent, dish soap, etc.
3. We are in need of gift cards to Ridley's or Winco so folks can purchase perishables such as dairy products, meat, baby items, etc. We have found that cards in $15-20 increments work fine.
4. We have seen an increase in some families who are home-bound and need someone to deliver food to them. We have a list of folks from last year who said they would make deliveries to folks. If you can and want to do that, let us know either on the communication card or shoot me an email at karl@fbcpoky.com.

It's not hard. It takes little time and effort.

• Pick up half a dozen extra cans of food or a case and bring it with you on Sunday.
• Let it be an offering of thanks for all that God has and is providing for you.
• Use this as a teaching tool for your kids.
• Community Groups - throw out a challenge to another group and try to outdo each other.

We are called to be a blessing. Please ask God to show you what your part is.

Thanks in advance for what He will do through all of us!

Mother's Day Sermon Prep

It never fails that each week someone has an 'idea' on what we need to preach about. It's all intended to be helpful, just not always practical. But I appreciate the input and the feedback. I take that as people are listening and desiring to grow in their walk with Christ.

For Mother's Day, I'd like your help in preparing the sermon. I'll be speaking about mothers - I know, how original - but I also want to include your thoughts on this special day. Here's how:

Write a one paragraph letter to God expressing your appreciation for HOW you saw God impact your mom's life, which in turn (hopefully) impacted yours. What did you love about mom's relationship with God that has stuck with you so far? What was special about the relationship that she had with her Savior? Can you write it down?

I'd like to collect a variety of letters that can be shared anonymously during the message. I have a couple of ideas on the delivery, but that's not the point of this post. I have a good idea of the traits that will be shared, but I would rather share from our church family the reality and the impact it had.

So, if you would take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts on how you saw God impacting your mom's life - how she made decisions, her prayer life, how she handled situations, how she showed her love for others, how she showed her love for God, what made her stand out above the other mom's - things like that. Then send them to my email, karl@fbcpoky.com, or you can post them here if you don't mind everyone seeing it.

I need these NO LATER THAN MAY 2nd.

Thank you in advance for taking the time. And for those of us who had a mom who modeled the way for us, thank God for them today as well!

See ya in church...

Don't Hold Back!

I know this is a weird time of transition for us here at FBC, Pocatello. Our senior pastor of 14 years has been called to another church. We are in the midst of beginning the search for the next senior pastor. We are also in the process of obtaining an interim pastor to assist with teaching and some transition pieces. It's all kind of weird and uncomfortable.

BUT - that doesn't change the fact that this is still God's church and He's put you here for a very specific purpose. Now is not the time to 'hole up' somewhere and wait it out. If anything, you need to step it up and step into what God has for you!

I've shared this before but need to remind EVERYONE that we don't have to worry about tomorrow or beyond. Matt. 6:33, "Do NOT worry about tomorrow...it has enough trouble of it's own." Worrying and not doing is being idle, being stubborn and being scared. NONE of the traits of a follower of and doer for Christ.

I want to challenge all of you - don't hold back in your service, commitment, devotion and giving to God. Not now. Not ever! And don't 'not invite' people to church because we're 'in flux' with a senior pastor. That's just stupid - and a convenient excuse. Remember the words of both Bill and Patty (Duckworth) in many of the churches that have gone through transitions: some people were called to full-time ministry, people gave their lives to Christ, new ministries erupted...and the list goes on.

This is NOT man's church - never has been, never will be.
This is GOD's church and His people will ALWAYS have a job, a ministry to do.

So what's holding you back? What fear is keeping you from stepping up and being involved, from stepping out and inviting someone to come with you?

If you are already one of those who has stepped up, let me say THANK YOU! Because of many of you, there are new things under way, which you'll hear about this Sunday. Because of many of you, there are plans in the works for new things in and outside the church to share the gospel to a lost world.

GOD IS GOOD, and all the rest really are the details...see ya in church.

Sunday Revisited

WOW! What a day! I never know what to expect when we preach on stewardship, no matter who's on the stage. God was working and moving!
A couple of highlights and challenges from the day:

• God wants us to give Him ALL of us, not just our money. He doesn't NEED our money and His church is NOT broke!
• The tithe STARTS with 10%, it's not a goal! We have taught that you can 'work your way to it' and that will be okay with God. WRONG! If we TRUST Him, we will OBEY Him.
• Our giving SHOULD cost us something - the question is does it?
• God want us to position ourselves so we can be a blessing at a moments notice. Debt holds us back from being able to be used effectively for God's Kingdom work. What needs to change NOW in your life so you can position yourself for Him?
• God wants us to give everything - time, talent and treasure - not because He needs it. He desires our devotion and wants to bless us 'abundantly more' than we will ever know.

I had a great conversation with someone after church who is struggling with the teaching today. Fear of being able to make it, fear of trusting and fear of letting go. That's what's holding her back. But she is willing to step out IN FAITH and TRUST God in this area starting today.

AWESOME! God is going to be glorified in her life!

How about you...where are you with this issue? Are you struggling to trust God with the full tithe? Why? What's holding you back?

Email me at karl@fbcpoky.com with your response. I want to encourage you and pray for you.

We serve an AWESOME GOD! See ya in church...

One of the 30!

If you were one of the 30 plus people from the Easter weekend who re-committed to putting God first in their lives, here's what I need in order to help you move to the next level in your walk:

1. What specific area do you feel you need the most encouragement in?
2. Where is your biggest struggle in your relationship with Christ?

Two key things we want to do to help you in this phase of your journey:

1. Point you in the right direction with the right resources, coaching.
2. Partner you with someone who has felt the call to mentor/encourage others in their walk.

So...in order for us to help you, please shoot me an email at karl@fbcpoky.com and we'll get you moving in the right direction.

IN ADDITION, if you are NOT in a Community Group yet, you need to contact Stacy Rude at the office or via email, stacy@fbcpoky.com . She'll connect you with some viable options for that part of your ministry journey.

Can't wait to see what God does in your life!

Easter God's Way!

Every year we try to put together the service that we feel God wants to use to impact the right people with the message of hope and forgiveness. And every year we struggle to know what to expect - 'cause we're not God! So we pray, asking Him to be real to those who come, to meet needs in just the right time, to allow hardened hearts and sour hearts to be open to whatever it is that He wants to say. Well, turns out God did Easter His way and touched lives.

• I challenged those who already knew Christ as Lord to step up and recommit their lives to His call, His purpose and His direction for their lives. 30 + people said YES to surrendering their lives back to God. Pray for them and for us as we help get them 'reconnected' to the vine.
• The spirit of worship in the body was intoxicating at all the services. You could sense people ready to celebrate Easter and desiring to truly want to move closer to God.
  
• We prayed that God would speak to our hearts in the area of our giving to the point that we give with the right heart attitude and with a cheerful heart. God showed up! Our attendance was down 23% to last year but the giving was up over 112% to last year! Praise God!
  
• Personally, had a great encounter with God at 3 a.m. on Sunday morning (until about 4:30) that moved my enthusiasm to a new level for the Sunday services. I am humbled every time He does that and grateful for what I learn through it.

To all who served in the worship services, in children's ministry and in the family room - THANK YOU! Your servant hearts led to a welcoming atmosphere. Your willing hearts loved people enough that the pain and hurt they carried in was lifted so they could hear the Gospel. Your sacrificial service made it possible to see 30+ people follow God's call to put Him first in their lives for His Kingdom work.
Because of people like you, I can't wait to get back up and see what He's going to do next week through all of us!

God Bless!