Selflessness

God calls us to think less of ourselves and more of Him. ...less of ourselves and more of others.

In second service, Madison said to us that a good way to think of serving Jesus is by using the world JOY.

Jesus first.
Others second.
Yourself last.

Take a moment to read Philippians 2:3&4. This is great advice for our families.

How can you put others before yourself? What can you do to help others, rather than look out for your own wants? Are there times you can put the interests of others before your own interests?

Sometimes this is hard to do, but if we are going to be more like Jesus, we need to work at this. Read Philippians 2:5-9. It tells us about Jesus attitude. Let's pray that we all have attitudes that look to help others rather than focus on our own selfish wants. When our attitudes are more like Christ, it will also affect our actions.

Have a great week serving Jesus!

March Missions Madness!

During this month, we will be giving focus to missions in a fun and exciting way!

Have you ever experienced the energy and passion of the NCAA basketball tournament in March? Some fans spend hundreds of dollars to get to the game, dress up in their team's colors, and support their school. Millions of dollars are spent on television to show the games. People skip work to watch the games. So, they are losing money, instead of earning money during that time. This is all done for a few guys who take a round ball and put it through a hoop. This is all part of "March Madness."

I think basketball is exciting, but there's something even MORE exciting. It involves people who are part of God's team. We have a goal and it's even more important than putting a ball through a hoop! We want to put the gospel into people's hearts! Fact is, our coach (Jesus) wants the message of his great love to spread all around the world.

So, this is what we are doing:

1. This Sunday (March 8), every child that comes to kids church will receive a M&M container. (It's for March Missions!) Children may eat, or share, the M&M's. Then, for the next three Sundays they should try to fill their container with quarters. (No pennies or washers, please.) Every Sunday in March, they may bring back their container to Kids Church when it's full. We will give them ANOTHER new M&M container each time they bring back a full one.

2. On March 15th, we will have special guests -- Africa missionaries, Jeff & Abby Hunt! Years ago, Abby was the assistant children's pastor for Pastor Randy while they lived in Wisconsin. Jeff & Abby are great folks that love kids. They will be sharing in our Kids Church service.

3. On March 15th, we will be giving out awards to the kids that have reached the different giving levels.

4. Each Sunday in March we will be giving out secret chair prizes that relate to our March Missions Madness basketball theme. YOU could be a winner!

5. This Sunday morning, Renee Barnes will have a special B.G.M.C. display in the foyer upstairs. Families and adults are encouraged to pick up a B.G.M.C. box which they may use throughout the year. (These are not for kids who already use Buddy Barrels or the M&M container.)

Thanks for being a part of sharing Jesus with people all around the world. Please be in prayer with us for our missionary friends. Also, please pray with us that more money will come in so that we can help more missionaries.

Pastor Willie George says this, "The gospel is free. But, it takes money to get it out there!" Let's do our best for Jesus.

Time to go search through your couch cushions! There might be some money hiding there that will help others come to know Jesus.

Cowboys and Training

We discussed how cowboys need to train their horses on Sunday.

Did you know that the scripture in Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go..."? The word "train" in hebrew actually refers to the mouth. One of the ideas is that a horse has a bit put in it's mouth, and it's by that that a horse is directed--or "trained." The rider needs to direct the horse. He let's it loose so the horse can run. He pulls back so it slows down. He guides the horse so it goes where it needs to go and does what it needs to do.

Sometimes people are more like "stubborn mules" than they are like trained horses. It's all in one's attitude. God wants us to have soft hearts, not be hard-headed! We need to be teachable and trainable.

Proverbs 12:1 says, "He who hates correction is stupid." Wow. That's a strong word. But people who are unwilling to listen to correction are headed down a wrong path. People who are not teachable will selfishly go where they want and do what they want...and it will lead to trouble eventually.

Proverbs 1:1 advises, "Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance."

Look up Proverbs 1:8 and Proverbs 10:17 & Proverbs 12:15. These are some great verses for you to talk about with your family.

Hide God's Word in your heart, and it will be like a lamp to guide you through your days!

Kidsworld - Focus For 2009

I've attached a short presentation here for all children's ministry workers. There are four key things I believe we need to focus on during 2009. Please take time to watch this presentation (about 12 minutes) and pray about the concepts that are shared. I've featured kids and Kidsworld workers from our church in this presentation.

Thanks for all you do! God wants to do great things in the lives of kids and families, and I believe he is using YOU to do just that in 2009!


Pastor Randy

Where Seldom Is Heard, A Discouraging Word...

Hey Y'all! Yippe yi yo ki yay!

I have no idea what that means, but it sounds cowboy-ish!

We are starting a short series where we are using cowboy stuff to help us learn our lessons! This past Sunday Vic Poverud shared about how families should encourage each other.

Sometimes family members get in a bad habit of discouraging each other, rather than cheering each other on! It's easy to find weaknesses and bad habits and little irritating things in the ones that are closest to us. It is easy to question the decisions of brothers and sisters, even if the decision is just something as simple as picking a color crayon. ("Why did you pick BLUE, instead of PURPLE?!!!)

We need to be careful to use our words to encourage others. We need to have attitudes that support and help our families be happy.

In Ephesians 4:29-32 the apostle Paul shares GREAT advice for each one of us. God wants to help each one of your families to live this out. (Take time to read that verse now.)

Instead of looking at the things that might frustrate you with your family members, take time to list THREE things you like about them. Or list three things that they do well. I encourage you to take time EACH DAY this week, and look for three things (three different things) each day. Then, make sure you tell them at least one of those things. They will be encouraged...and so will you! It'll make everything a little better "Home on the Range."

God Supplies!

This past Sunday morning, a group of men and women from Teen Challenge shared with our families. Numerous testimonies were given about God's help in hard times.

Philippians 4:19 states, "My God shall supply all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

You can trust God, even in the tough times! He know what you need, and He wants to give it to you.

Have you ever started to bake cookies and found out that you were missing an ingredient? You could not complete the recipe. You had to stop and go to the store to get that missing part.

Sometimes in life, people do not realize that they have a missing ingredient until things start going wrong. Then, they start to examine what that missing thing is. Often times, people will then try to fill their hearts and lives with something. The missing item usually is ...a strong relationship with Jesus!

Take care of that first. Have a strong relationship with Jesus. Read your Bible. Pray. Go to church whenever you can. Listen to those in authority.

When you put HIM first, you can know that he will supply all that you need!

Read Matthew 6:25-34 to find out more about what Jesus says about this!

Family Fights!

The Bible is full of examples of real-life people, in real families that have real problems!

Sometimes fights happen because people have different opinions? Ask each one in your family, "What is your favorite ice cream flavor?" Everyone has a different taste. No one is wrong. Just each one likes something different.

The fight comes in when people think only of themselves, and not others. Read James 4:1-3. That kind of explains some of the fights that happen in families, doesn't it?

A guy in the Bible had some BIG family fights with his brothers. You may read about Joseph and that whole problem in Genesis 37:12-36. You can read about how that all ended up in Genesis 41:56,57 and Genesis chapter 42, 43, 44 and 45. (That's a lot of reading, but you could take some time each day and look at a chapter.)

God's plan is for our good. God's plan is for us to love each other.

1 John 4:7,8 says, "Let us love one another, for love comnes from God. Everyone who loves has been bortn of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God..."

Let's show the love of God to every person in our families.

See you soon!