I thank God for all that he’s done in 2008. He’s blessed us beyond our greatest dreams. 2009 we pray will be a year of greater service for his glory. We’re so happy that God gave us the opportunity to pastor such a great church. We love you all.
Archive for December, 2008
31
Dec
Happy New Year
11
Dec
One Way Youth Update
As many of you know Matt Gallant will be leaving us. This weekend will be his last as he moves to Georgia to be married and start a new chapter in his life. He has been with us, serving faithfully and with distinction for 2 years. We will miss him greatly.
Thankfully, God has sent us a capable replacement. Dave Jacob, our current worship leader, will be filling this spot for now. One Way Youth will have a new leader, and a new night. Starting in January the youth will meet on Wednesdays at 7 PM. Their service will coincide with PrimeTime for kids, and our mid-week worship time. I believe it’s going to all come together for a powerful weekly night of ministry. So, keep Dave in your prayers as he takes on this added role. I know he’ll do a great job!
02
Dec
Things I'm Thankful For
Life can beat you down and rob you of your joy, strength, and hope. There are so many personal, local, national, and global problems that surround us. If we’re not careful we can easily slip into a slimy pit of depression, roll over and wave the white flag of surrender, and pray for Jesus to come fast.
Giving thanks is a powerful act that drives back the gloomy clouds that can gather around even the most optimistic soul. Giving thanks to God reminds us of all that God has done and brought us through. It fills us with courage. After a moment of giving thanks internally we say, “If God did it back then, I know he can and will do it again!”
So I want to practice what I preach. I want to give you 10 things I’m thankful for.
1. I’m thankful that my sins are forgiven, and that I have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
2. I’m thankful for my beautiful wife Wendy, who is a constant companion, source of strength, and friendship.
3. I’m thankful for my four healthy little girls – Moriah 8, Emily 7, Carlie 3, and Reagan 2. They give me a lot of needed attention.
4. I’m thankful that I get to pastor a wonderful church that wants to grow in the Lord and reach the lost.
5. I’m thankful that I have the privilege of preaching God’s Word each week.
6. I’m thankful that physically I’m healthy.
7. I’m thankful that God has always provided for our every financial need, and blessed us in our most needy moments.
8. I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue my seminary education at Fuller Theological Seminary, working toward my Doctorate of Ministry.
9. I’m thankful for a Godly heritage, having both grandfathers and my father giving their lives to pastoral church planting ministry.
10. An finally, I’m thankful for the close friendship I have with my father, whom I’m named after, my two brothers, Josh and Charlie, and my brother-in-law, Frank. Thank God for friends you can just be yourself around!
Now you try it! Write down what you’re thankful for and offer thanks to God. It will fill you with new strength and hope!
1 Chronicles 16:8 – Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
Date Rape
Here is an account of a rape in the Bible. Dinah was the only daughter of Jacob. Her mother was Leah, the unloved, overlooked wife of Jacob. He loved her younger sister Rachel much more. The lack of interest in Leah trickled down to his feelings for her kids. It looks like Jacob was not very interested in Dinah. He sure didn’t spend any quality time with her. His fatherly neglect put Dinah in real danger. She decided to go out on her own. She met an attractive well to do prince named Shechem who showed her a little attention. One thing led to another and in the heat of the moment Shechem took her by force, raped her, and humiliated her.
Did you know date rape happens all the time in our day and age? Date rape is when there is forced sex on a date between friends, friends of friends, or general acquaintances. Everyone was just out for a good time.
Date Rape is the most common form of rape (78%) with 1 in 4 girls expected to fall victim to rape or attempted rape before they reach 25, and 3 out of 5 rapes occurring before a woman reaches age 18. (http://teenadvice.about.com/od/factsheetsforteens/a/10thingsdrape.htm)
Drugs are out there to help. Have you heard? GHB, ActiveSeX, Roofies, Ruffies, Roche, R-2, Rib and Rope are all names of date rape drugs. These drugs are odorless and tasteless. They’re simply dropped in a drink or placed in food. The young lady given these drugs responds but can’t remember anything after. (http://teenadvice.about.com/library/weekly/aa062502a.htm)
It’s important that we teach our sons how to treat the young ladies they are attracted to. In a rush of passion and young guy, with his hormones running wild can tell himself, “If I can just get her to be physical with me, then she’ll be mine. She’ll be nuts about me.” What she really needs though is a brother, a friend to talk to.
It’s so important that we teach our little girls to be walls instead of doors. Some girls are doors. Anyone knocks. “Come on in. The door’s open.” Some other guy knocks, “Come on in.” A wall is always closed. “Can we just kiss?” “No.” “Can we go parking and snuggle?” “No.” “Will you come over to my house to watch a movie on my couch?” “No.” “Can I email you?” “No.” “Can I text message you?” “No. No. No. No!” A brick wall. What a great thing for a young girl to be a wall instead of a door. The best way to defend yourself from date rape is to say “no” like you mean it.
It’s so important that dads give their girls the proper time, love and affection they need. Dinah didn’t have that. Hugs and kisses from dad are huge. Dates with dad are a must. Our daughters will then grow up knowing what its like to have a healthy relationship with a man that truly cares for her.