New Years Resolutions (2013)

1. Learn Gentleness - strength under control. Do I explode or not even care? Need to be in the middle of those and be gentle. Like breaking a horse.

2. For evangelism to be in my life more, throughout my day. I want to look for opportunities to be intentionally bold in all my relationships, not just when I log onto GMO or go to the mall, but in all walks of life.

3. Pray daily. I want to be more disciplined in my praying.

Deacon Meeting - September 2012

We had our first deacon's meeting in some time. It was led by the new Chairman of Deacons, Rick Davison. The senior pastor, Erik Christensen, started things off and gave us a good challenge.

Erik's Words

For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
(1 Timothy 3:13 ESV)

We were reminded that the work of a deacon allows the pastoral staff can have time in the Word. Deacons come alongside pastors and elders in a three fold way.

1. PRAY - Prayer with pastor / elders for the ministry and individuals ministries
2. CARE - Care of people and families in that ministry
3. HELP - Helping with specific needs of that ministry

The church is currently wanting to make sure all of the ministries in the church are discipleship based and are leading to discipleship (K-Groups and D-Groups). In the future, will focus on leadership training to more shepherd the Body. 

Goal is to move to people involved in ministry versus that pastoral staff involved in ministry. Pastor's need to shepherd the flock. Ministry is for everyone. 

Rick's Words

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

(Colossians 2:6-7 ESV)

His message that no matter what is going on in your life, no matter how circumstances change, we are to "continue to walk." Don't give up. We will be tempted. We will be tested. Sickness may come our way. Death may hit our families. But, we need to "continue to walk." 

My current daily prayer...

It's taken me a while to pray this prayer. I guess its pride and my desire to solve my own problems my way. But in the process, I have not truly loved. And therefore, often, I really don't know God because I don't love the way He intended. As 1 John 4:10 speaks,

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

I keep trying on my own to just give my family my version of love. True love comes from God.

Lord, I can't do it. I can't love my children nor my wife the way I need to nor the way I want to. I can't go and work all day and then come home and not have a short fuse. Lord, I'm impatient. I don't have the self-control to respond correctly. I love myself too much. I'm not kind. I'm not good. I'm not gentle.

So Lord, I commit my weaknesses to You. I am not Your child because of deeds I have done, but I'm Yours because of the sacrifice of Your Son. I now yield to You. I turn over every fiber, every grain. Work through me as You promised You would do. Lord, I look forward to witnessing Your love through me. In advance, thank You.

It's in the sacrifice of Jesus and in His name I pray.

Amen.