In the Arms of an Angel - American Soldiers Tribute

Memorial Day is almost here...There are not words...but, THANK YOU!

End of School Year PIZZA PARTY

Wayne, Tom, Bob, Tammy, Kim, Ashley, Judy and...work miracles every Wednesday with our kids! And OH MY WORD Wayne and Tammy's PIZZA IS INCREDIBLE!

I am so thankful for these leaders generosity with their time, talent and resources!

Here's some picts from last Wednesday's fun:

I Am STILL Thirsty

My goodness, I've been here for 5 months and I'm only on my second sermon series.
I sure hope they aren't dragging on too long, but I'm just listening to my LORD!
We started with the MAIN THING: LOVE!
Now I believe the Spirit put a word in my heart in response to my prayer for where to go next: THIRST!
So, here's some notes from the last few weeks:

Judges 15 (samson)
Philip Yancey, Disappointment with God
Jerry Sittser, A Grace Disguised: How the soul grows thru loss
Peter Scazzero, The emotionally healthy church
1. Will you keep on trusting Him even in times of loss?
martyrs and evil
2. Are you dwelling in the cleft of the rock?
In the valley I grow
3. Do you expect God to show up?
Living in the tension between trusting anyway and expecting a miracle
I refuse to be discouraged

Isaiah 55
1. Without money and without price (vs. 1)
consider the roll call of God's imperfect heroes
Ray Pritchard, God Prefers Losers
2 Corinthians 4:7
John Barnett, The Confessing Church
I am forgiven: God has removed my debts
I am justified: God has changed my state
I am regenerated: God has transformed my heart
I am reconsciled: God has become my friend
I am adopted: God has changed my family
I am redeemed: God has changed my ownership
I am sanctified: God has changed my behavior
2. Seek Him while He yet may be found (vs. 6)
Will you miss Him?
3. His thoughts and ways are higher (vs. 9)
4. His word shall not return void (vs. 11)
A tribute to the Bible
5. Be led with joy, peace, singing, clapping... (vs. 12)
I AM BLESSED

Matthew 25
1. Parable of teh wise and foolish virgins: Do you know Him? (vs. 12)
If you know Him, you will be ready
GOD IS GOOD
2. Parable of the talents: Is fear crippling your ministry? (vs. 25)
God takes it very seriously when we waste the gifts He has given us
you don't have to be a pro
3. The judgment seat of Christ: When did we see you? (vs. 38 & 44)
the sheep nor the goats knew when they were entertaining Christ on earth
OUR MESSAGE

work day

I was so encouraged by all the souls who showed up to beautify the church last weekend!

This church is AMAZING! I just mention a work day and people actually show up!

I'm the big picture guy...details aren't always my specialty...

It worked! Ya'll showed up with tools and ideas and a GIT ER DONE attitude!

Everybody is a minister! Everybody needs a ministry! There is no small task!

It really is true Together Everyone Accomplishes More: TEAM!

Bob showed up with his nail gun and attacked the ceiling...

Keith showed up with his pressure washer and attacked the black goo trying to cover our brick outside the church...

Sheila and Pat scrubbed everything from walls to bathrooms...

Carie and Gloria helped me move the nursery upstairs (for more room and less noise)...

AND the work day turned into more than just a day...yesterday Keith and Nolan painted the entryway...

WHAT A BLESSING to pastor such awesome servants of Christ!

Now if the weather will ever let us we'll plant some flowers and throw some bark, maybe next month (being from OR I'm used to doing that in March, here ya have to wait till June)...

I should also mention how grateful I am for Brian who selflessly mows the grass, OH AND Gloria who cleans the church, OH AND...

(I wish I would have remembered my camera on Saturday, sorry I don't have some work day picts)

Sunday Evenings

I have been thoroughly ENJOYING Sunday evenings at Cornerstone!

Last night I was AGAIN amazed at how the Lord is directing these special nights.

While leading worship from the piano, I truly could feel Jesus!

And Paulette's testimony led us right into the fellowship hall for Rick's timely word...

and ofcourse John's bread pudding!

Here's a few ideas we've been discussing on Sunday Evenings:

You were planned for God's pleasure.

Worship is far more than music. Worship is not a part of your life; it is your life.

The smile of God is the goal of yourlife.

God smiles when we love Him supremely. God smiles when we obey Him wholeheartedly.

The Heart of worship is surrender.

A.W. Tozer...The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders, and interferring with God's work within us...

God wants to be your best friend.

Constant Conversation, Continual Meditation...We are as close to God as we choose to be!

James 4:8...Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you...

Together Everyone Accomplishes More! Team Night is every Sunday at 6:30pm! We are learning how to TOGETHER BE THE CHURCH! I truly believe Rick Warren has been used greately in helping today's church discover it's purposes. So, this is where we are beginning...

you may want to visit purposedrivenlife.com...

Happy Mommys Day

Why God Made Moms...Answers given by 2nd grade school children:

Why did God make mothers?

she's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is

How did God make mothers?

magic plus super powers and alot of stirring

What ingredients are mothers made of?

God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

God knew she likes me alot more than other people's mom like me

What kind of a little girl was your mom?

I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

Does he make at least $800 a year

Why did your mom marry your dad?

my grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on

Who's the boss at your house?

Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball

What's the difference between moms and dads?

Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you go to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends

What does your momd do in her spare time?

moms don't do spare time

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head

I always like to start my sermons with something funny...This got a strong laugh yesterday...

Thank you for praying and loving the Deaver/McMurtry family thru this difficult time...

(you can click on the image to make it larger for reading)

This family's tragedy has caused all our souls to grow thru loss. I encourage you to read Jerry Sittser's book: A Grace Disguised, How the soul grows thru loss. My sermon on Sunday was a call for the church to "SUFFER WELL." I see LOVE in this town! I see God walking in and out of Judy's door! I see a true Job spirit: THE LORD GIVES AND THE LORD TAKES AWAY, BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!

Tamara Lowe at Christ Fellowship

Conrad and Louise Kinnaman just sent me this via email...just had to share it on my blog!

They also shared this amazing link of Red Skelton on the Pledge of Allegiance...Check it out: http://media.causes.com/604250?p_id=42563578 I've seen this one before...It's SO GOOD...I've even used it in a Sunday morning service...

irreligious reading

Tonight at book club we started an irreligious reading: The Visit by Adrian Plass.
We're doing this one a little different...
It's kinda like story-time at church with Pastor Paul, hee hee

I'm reading a chapter a night, pausing for discussion...

The conversation was ALIVE tonight!

This book really makes you think about what the church does and why!

Everyone is welcome at Pastor Paul's book club, Wednesdays at 7:30pm after the children's ministries...

Remember, you do not have to be an avid reader to attend.

ranger camp out

I am SO THANKFUL for the amazing volunteers at our church!

Our church truly knows that everybody is a minister, everybody needs a ministry!

Bob and John took a group of boys camping last week!

Here's a couple picts from their fun trip:

(Our kids clubs are making an eternal difference every Wednesday Evening and beyond!)