My Wednesday

I just want to say it is good to have Les and Bernice Rishel back from Panama. If you didn't already know, they spent a month in Panama helping the YWAM base that we support there. It was great hearing their stories last night of what they got to do down there. Bernice shared a quote that was funny and at the same time, if you have ever been on a missions trip, the truth. She said, "The only thing you can be sure of is that you can't be sure of anything." They shared how they would receive word of what was going to happen the next day and then when the next day came they would receive word that things had changed. They were able to do wonderful things for the YWAM base but it's wonderful to have them back with us.

Also, I got to see the Bodies Exhibit at the Cargenie Science Center in Pittsburgh. What an exhibit. It was a little scwemish for me but to see what God created was incredible. I got a laugh at how some of the cards explaining things would say, "Through the evolutionary process." I don't know how you could talk about evolution when you see the intricacies of the human body and how it all works. There is no way that billions of years ago we just exploded onto this earth. There is just so much that goes into how a body functions and you get to see it all. One interesting fact that I found out is, your eyes are as big as they will ever be from birth till death. They change very little as time goes on. Amazing. As I stare into Chloe's face, it seems that her eyes are so small. But they are as big as they will ever be.

My Meeting with the Mayor

I didn't get a chance last week to share how my meeting with Mayor Mantini went. So I thought I would take time today to let you all know. It went well. I was able to listen to him and encourage him in all that he goes through as a mayor. As he spoke, I couldn't help but think how he faced many of the same challenges that a pastor does and this because we both are dealing with people. I asked him my main question for the day, "What we could do to help him in building and blessing our community." His answer wasn't what I expected but one that I through prayer we all can accomplish. "We all" referring to everyone that makes up the NLC and the whole body of Christ in this county. He told me whatever ideas I could come up with to aid the community he would try and support. So there you have it. What do you think we can do to help build and bless this community for Jesus? If you have any ideas, leave a comment. I look forward to what God will speak to us as we seek Him. This community needs you to let God work through you. Amen.

On another note, I gave him a brochure for our Buy-A Biosand Filter to help bring clean water to the people of Africa. I am praying that this is something that the community can back to bless the nations. Pray with me that we see money come in to bring clean drinking water to Africa. I know we face a lot of price increases with oil going up, but we must always be faithful to bring the tithe and offerings into the storehouse. Remember, God is in control of oil not OPEC or any other company. Jesus will take care of you as you keep first things first.

Be Praying

I have a meeting with Mayor Mantini this Thursday. Pray that I can encourage him as mayor of Ford City and let him know that we are here to serve this community. I want to see what we might be able to do to reach this community. And pray also for favor. That a relationship might be built.

The Victory Report

I wanted to share the Victory Report from Thursday night, our annual Easter Egg Hunt. We had 42 kids show up with numerous parents in attendance as well. There were only like 5-10 kids that actually come here in attendance, the rest were from the community. We showed a movie and Tara Stevens gave an altar call. Nine kids came forward to ask Jesus into their heart. Praise the Lord. We were able to give them all Bibles and even gave a couple of Bibles away to some other kids who needed one. It was a great evening. A BIG THANK YOU goes to Tara Stevens for all that she does with Kingdom Bound Kids and Children's Church on Sunday. To Patty Stivason for all of her help. To Al Harriger for all the time that he put into getting stuff ready. To the ladies of our church who stuffed easter eggs. To those who donated candy and eggs. You are all a blessing and I pray that God blesses you all for your kindness in wanting to reach out to this community. Ford City is never going to be the same because of all of you.

I also wanted to say it was wonderful seeing all of the people in church yesterday for Easter. What a blessed time that we had together. Another BIG THANK YOU goes to Tina Cholak, Curt Sirwell, Mark Trimarchi, and Gary Baum as they have shared their testimonies. What a powerful time hearing what Christ has done in each of their lives. To Stan Heffner for a great special. You got to love the God given ability and creativity.

Here is the video that I showed yesterday for those who might want to see it again.

Turning Point

Last night, something was said and it stirred in my spirit. I had to take time to confess and repent this morning to the Lord for not being faithful in prayer. You see, in our bulletin is a list of prayer requests each week. I have gone up and down with remembering to pray and then forgetting to pray for those requests months at a time. Last night I was stirred in my spirit because that is a simple task that I can do as a brother in Christ that could open the doors to greater possibilities. I have been a hypocrite for wanting us to all pray and then not praying myself. I confess this and ask for your forgiveness.

I believe that today is a turning point for me in this. I really felt the love of God explode into my heart this morning as I repented for my laziness and hypocrisy. When I took time to pray for the list today, I just felt great zeal as I went through the list. It was a wonderful time.

I had been seeking the Lord because I felt like something wasn't right in my life. He showed me that priorities had gotten all out of whack. Today, He is leading me in reestablishing what is important in life, family, and church family. It's always Jesus first, others second, and me third.

Another thought that came out of last night was that there are so many things that the Bible mentions for Christians to do to be more like Jesus, that if we were busying our selves in doing them, we wouldn't have time to hate, gossip, slander, etc. Powerful thought.

Happy 2nd Birthday

I just wanted to say that my son, Isaiah, turns 2 today. What an exciting age. I know about the "Terrible Two's" and we are experiencing some of those things. But he is just trying to spread his wings. Mom and Dad are trying, best we can, to keep those wings clipped to a point. We do not want to hinder him from flying, we just want him to learn how to obey the rules of flying in this world. That it's all about Jesus!

Observations

Since Bethany had the baby, I thought I would share some thoughts from the process. We were believing that the birth of this baby was prophetic for the church as we enter a new season. As I began to think through this, the Lord gave me some thoughts. One was that though we were ready, we were not really ready. I guess you could say we were ready to a point but there was still things to be done when she woke me up at 2:30 Monday morning telling me we needed to get ready to go. I was not prepared for her to say that to me at 2:30 in the morning. I was in a deep sleep and was startled by the announcement. But never the less, I jumped into action to get ready to leave. So as a church, we can be ready, but we will never be completely ready for what God wants to do. Try and try as we might, when He decides to move, we will only be able to react with what we have prepared and then we'll just have to move forward.

Another thing was that when it was time to have the baby, it only took an hour. This, to me, symbolized that when God is ready, it will happen and it will be quick.

Let's not diminish the small beginnings but embrace every step of the way as God prepares us to give birth to new ministry in this area. I don't believe there will be enough time to blog all of the things God will do here in the NLC and the community. Let's continue to seek Him and if there are any thoughts that God gives you as we continue to look toward Him in giving birth to spiritual things, send me a message. I want to hear from you.