INTERRUPTIONS

I announced last Sunday that the church offices would be closed Thursday and Friday (August 20 and 21). So I planned my weekly schedule accordingly. Early in the week Judie, our church administrator, said that might not happen because of rain. Well, even without the rain the concrete workers didn't get their job done so the electricians could do theirs. So we are in the office and I suppose we will be shut down a couple of days next week. At first, I was not pleased and then I reminded myself about how I have had to learn about life's interruptions. "Bill," I said to myself, "it is better to relax and let people do the necessary work so the project can be completed." Most of us deal with life's interruptions. The Gospel accounts of our Lord's daily life can be helpful. It was often when Jesus was interrupted on his way to somewhere that some amazing ministry happened. Still true today, isn't it? So my goal is to fret less and look for God's work in the interruptions. Sort of.

Pastor Cox

Leadership Summit Next Step

If you attended the Leadership Summit last week here is a link to the next step for many of the speakers you heard: http://www.willowcreek.com/nextsteps/
Tomorrow is a Q & A with Tim Keller on the Prodigal God.

Blessings,
Steve

financial peace

I just saw on our blog page under our picture a section for 'wisdom from scripture' and a verse from Proverbs 14:8 is listed. What really caught my eye was the heading of 'reduce your debt over 60%'. Agencies like the one listed there only take care of the surface issue-the debt. The real problem is how we deal with money.

Financial Peace University is a great class that is starting up again next Sunday night at FBC. Lisa and I took the class last year and both of us gained a lot out of the class. We were at different places in terms of how we viewed money and at different ends of the spectrum. Through the class we were able to come closer together in our views on money and communicate more effectively about our financial issues.

I really think this could be considered a marriage enhancement class. I have heard that financial issues are the number one reason for divorce. I would encourage any and all members to take the class. It is based on biblical principles and can provide a new marriage with a great foundation to build on and an ongoing marriage a great opportunity on how to change some things for a healthier financial future.

Blessings,
Steve

Cat Confessions

Kim Ray told me Sunday that she was glad that I used a comment about cats in my sermon Sunday because I had not done that in awhile and she was afraid that I was not normal. In case you missed it, I surmised the fish that swallowed Jonah was probably a "cat" fish because cats are naturally evil. I do have a confession to make-- we have an outdoor cat by the name of "TT." (Our daughter, Bonnie Paquin, had a cat named Tangy and Marie thinks this cat resembles Tangy so she named it Tangy Two, TT. Cheesy huy?) Here is the confession. I had not been very encouraging, nice, etc. to TT because well, she is a cat. But besides that she always makes this whiny "meow" when I feed her. It is pathetic and I have told her to quit it. And then I read this quote that appeared in LIVESCIENCE: "For the first time scientists have proven that house cats make a different sound when they are hungry-- one that imitates the cry of a human baby. This particular cry only seems to happen when there is a one-to-one relationship between the cat and its owner." Man, I have a relationship with TT. I apologized and have tried to be a better owner to the whiny feline.

Pastor Cox

Grattitude

I need to make a grattitude list today. It has been a while since I have made one. I used to make them all the time. I was told that was a good way to help me get out of feeling sorry for myself or get out of the 'blues'.

Today I have a much deeper appreciation for what I am grateful for. It used to be that my list consisted only of those things in my life that brought me joy, happiness, security, etc. Today I still have those things on my list. But I have something on my list today that I didn't used to have on it.

I also have on my grattitude list today the hard times, the tough situations, the struggles in life that have helped me grow. A scripture verse I really like is James 1:2-4 "Dear brothers and sisters,when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

Why don't you try making a grattitude list today for yourself. Maybe #1 could be the gift of grace that God has given us!

Blessings,

Steve

"Mr. C's" Baptism

This coming Sunday I will be baptizing our oldest grandson, Colson Fisher. I baptized all of our children-- Buffie Mock, Bonnie Paquin, Amanda Fisher, and Jamin Cox. However, I have really encouraged lay people to baptize other people. A father has recently baptized his son. A person baptized a friend whom he had invited to church. I think it is a good idea-- very "Baptist" by the way because we have never believed, unlike some churches, that sacerdotal powers are invested only in the ordained. We believe in the "priesthood of the believer." I think it is special when people in our church family baptize others. I encourage all persons to consider it! However, I have to admit I was pleased when Colson chose me. It will be a special moment.

Pastor Cox

Story

Today I will be giving my 'testimony' to our Celebrate Recovery group. This is the 3rd time I have done this and I always look forward to sharing my story of how God has worked in my life. I can honestly say that I have not always felt comfortable in sharing my story with others. My pride and fear would get in the way of me sharing the 'real' Steve with others.

We can paint a picture for others when we tell our story. We can leave some things out to make us look better, or we can add some things to the picture to make us look better. The bottom line is we want to look better in front of other people. That is our pride at work!

The journey to accepting ourselves as God has made us can be a tough one. Can we let others see us as we really are and as God sees us. Lisa and I are reading a really good book titled "When People are Big and God is Small". It is a challenging look at how we can value what others think before what God thinks.

I am finding so much freedom in caring less about what others think of me and focusing on what God wants of me. I would love to hear from anyone who has thoughts on this topic.

Blessings,
Steve

Are You Uncomfortable?

Are you uncomfortable? Kind of a strange question to ask right? Especially in a culture which values being comfortable with our air conditioners, easily accessible water sources, and technology at every turn. I guess the question really is...Are we ever uncomfortable? One of the biggest things I took away from our CIY experience this past week was that I’m too comfortable. I’ve grown too accustomed to my TV, my clothes, my car, and I haven’t felt uncomfortable in a long time. As CIY called us to be kingdom workers, that will take getting uncomfortable to grow the kingdom of Christ. That doesn’t mean that we all must commit to an overseas mission trip next summer or entering the full time ministry when we graduate, but it does mean we need to start doing some things to further God’s kingdom that get us outside our box. We need to start inviting friends to youth group/church and talking about Jesus with our football or softball team. We need to start praying over our choirs, our clubs and our schools. We need to give up those things we’ve deemed so important and reorder our priorities so they reflect God’s glory in us. We need to become uncomfortable so that God becomes greater and we become less. Are you uncomfortable yet?

*This is my article for the youth group newsletter (August edition). However, as I read I thought maybe it applied or our adults as well. I look forward to your comments!*

-Erin