Monday Moment

Sunday was an extra special day at Fairview as it was Missions emphasis. We filled the front of the church with 924 shoeboxes that will make their way to children around the world with the message of the gospel. We also heard from some of our own missionaries David and April McWhite share about their ministry int he Czech Republic and we saw some sweet faces of those who will receive shoeboxes as Justin Broome shared his experiences with the children in the Romanian villages who receive them. 

We were also blessed by my husbands message from Philippians 3:10-11. 

Eddie challenged us by asking if we knew what our purpose is. What is our chief desire? What keeps us awake and what do we wake up thinking about? Some of us don't know and others of us know but are easily sidetracked. We get swept into the tyranny of the urgent, trivial things. For Paul it was to know Jesus. Not just know who He was, but to know Him. 

That should be our chief aim; to know Jesus and make Him known. Maybe He hasn't called us to go across the sea but every single one of us is called to go across the street. 

Eddie asked us another question.  He asked what is going on at Fairview that we can say only the power of God could make happen? He named some things, more than a few things. My question is could there be more things to add to that list? Could there be more salvations? Could their be more healed relationships and more freedom from addictions? I believe there could and should be a lot more. 

It's starts, again my thought, by getting out of the church building and into our neighborhoods, sharing the gospel in the workplace and as we go!! 

Sunday night we had the tremendous opportunity to participate in a special young man's ordination to the ministry. We first knew Hamilton Mathis as a middle schooler playing football. His family wasn't in our church but we quickly became friends with them. Our kids became fast friends and played sports. He and our daughter Jessica were probably best friends. They later joined our church and Hamilton served as an intern. He's just one of our very own. 

After Eddie opened the service, his charge was given by another special young man. Eddie hired Stephen Mcneill when he wasn't much older than Hamilton and he and Morgan were a few months from getting married. He gave a great word about humility and passion and running the race. Stephen learned and grew and became probably our best staff member ever. Eddie values loyalty and staff who catch his vision and help him run with it and not against him and Stephen perfected that art over time. We are so proud of him. He's the only one Eddie has ever hired twice. 

Another great word came from friend and pastor Steve Cloud. He's been around a while and coaches and trains now. He shared the reasons why some don't finish well and statistics tell us many don't. He talked about focus and the dangers of distraction. He talked about keeping our eyes on the prize and not settling for temporary pleasures. He spoke of overcoming discouragement and how to keep from always being unsettled and dissatisfied. It was a great word for those of us in ministry as well as any follower of Christ. 

Sundays are definitely Fundays!

Monday Moment

As Eddie said, his title for messages is set very early in the week so no one needs to read anything into Sunday's title. No matter how you feel about the election or the ballgames saturday, it's not why the message was entitled Joy in Losing :)! Promise! 

It was an amazing message and our pastor was on fire! It was a new word for some and a great reminder for others of us. 

We are in Philippians and Sunday came from 3:1-9. We looked at Paul's resume in the form of a plus and minus column. No matter how good the plus side looks, Paul labeled it rubbish, garbage compared to knowing Christ. We would do well to remember that from the White House to the jail house, whether we are in an exclusive subdivision or a homeless shelter, we all receive salvation the same way, through Jesus and Him alone. 

The question we are left with is what do you trust in to get to Heaven? Your stuff or Jesus? 

Rise happened at 6pm and another one was on fire as he brought the Word! Justin Broome challenged us to sensor what we allow ourself to see and hear as the Enemy seeks to distract us and cause us to lose hope and set our hopes on people rather than God. 

We were reminded as we looked at Babylon from the Old Testament and our modern day Babylon that no one can unify the world. We put our hopes in and place pressure on a president to bring unity but we know that only the blood of Jesus can unify. 

We can choose a predictable wasted life or we can follow Jesus and be pushed out of our comfort zone. Following God isn't normal. 

Rise worship was phenomenal again. These worship leaders have an anointing of the Spirit that is real and powerful. The Spirit moves unhindered and unquenched as young and old worship together in that place. It's a time I find myself longing for each week. 

Monday Moment

It was a super long Sunday but I'm not complaining. It was full of good stuff and good people and centered around a good God so it's a good tired. 

We managed to squeeze in family pics near the house between services and a quick leftovers lunch, wrapped up Entrusted women's bible study before Rise and then dinner before calling it a day. Enough of that and on to the main course. 

We continued through Philippians at all services and saw how to have joy even as a backup in 2:19-30. 

Timothy was Paul's backup and he played the role well. Eddie challenged us with being willing to serve and have Timothy's attitude of anywhere, anything, and to have the willingness to pay the cost.

To be a servant, we must have genuine concern. The reason we don't care is because too often we are wrapped up in our own self. There's not a lot of glory or recognition for working in the nursery or serving behind the scenes therefore like most churches we are lacking help. When some of us are asked to serve, the most common response is "I just don't have time". Everyone makes time for what they care about. The problem is we just don't care. We don't take time to share the gospel with the lost around us. Why? Time? Maybe we just don't genuinely care. God has given us all the ability we need to do what He has called us to do at this church, the issue is availability. 

Why this pic? I don't know. I just really like it!