newsletter august '10

8/9/2019 Newsletter August '10

1/10

a c h u r c h i n p u r s u i t o f G o d , w i t h a p a s s i o n f o r p e o p l e

01... Allen & Judy Nichols03 Levia Striker04... John & Mary Sommer05... Jon Bruce07... Kelly Mahoney10 Jessica Anderson11 Elias James12... Will & Tina McGall17... Katie Cochran17 Tasha Caruthers17 Thomas & Cheryl Clark18... Amy Russ18 Chip & Brenda Sims

20... Judy Nichols23 Blake Moser24... David Geiger27 Dawn Moses27... John Sommer27 Matthew Gideons28 Rachael Ponds28 Rhonda Gideons30 Lennie Moser31 Mike & Sandra Lindsay


2/10

n 1998 as the early group who would become TheVineyard Christian Fellowship were seeking God fordirection, I was introduced to a book entitled The Habitsof Highly Effective Churches by George Barna. Thebook would become a strategic tool to help the early

eadership find their way. Mr. Barna had studied churches fromoast to coast and identified certain characteristics of churcheshat seemed to be excellent at achieving the goals thatcripture revealed to be important in building Gods Kingdom.

IHere are some of the goals that he found many churches feltwere a sign of success: having a sanctuary filled with 1000 or more people at the

weekend service.

raising a million dollars a year or more for the churchs

ministry.

donating half-million dollars or more annually to global

missions.

adding buildings or constructing a new campus with at least

100,000 square feet of ministry facilities.

sending church choirs to sing in other churches, communityevents, and on school campuses throughout the nation or

overseas.

broadcasting the church worship services throughout the city,

region or country.

offering a wide range of Christian education classes and

ministry programs

having high name awareness in the community at large.

adding 100 or more new members a year.

f effective relates to personal commitments and activitieshrough which people become more Christ-like, the situationsust described do not automatically signal church-wide orersonal spiritual health.

Here is what Mr. Barna found to be effective in reachingKingdom goals: intimate worship.

effective evangelism (with true goals for reaching those outsidethe church).

Christian education.

real community among believers (relationship).

holistic stewardship (in every area of life).

serving the needy.

When a church is doing superb work in each of telements of ministry, it is truly being the Church that Cintended us to be. George Barna

In these churches, these are the common results: These are the churches where the people are implemen

Christianity more and more deeply, both on the church-

and the individual levels.

They are people who truly worship God on a regular basis.

They are a people who are consistently introducing

Christians to Christ.

They are learning and applying principles and truths ofChristian faith to their lives.

They are developing significant relationships with o

believers, befriending, encouraging and holding other accountable.

They joyfully contribute their material possessions to minis

and individuals in need, for the glory of God.

And they devote their time and energy to helping disadvant

people.

These behaviors represent the Church in its fumanifestation!

I pray Dear God that weThe Warehouse Church Fabecome the church described above to the fullestand pleDear Godstart with me!Randy

R a n d y G i d e o n s L e a d P a s t o r T h e W a r e h o u s e C h u r c h

PLEASEREADUNDERLINESTUDY THIS ARTICLEAND APPLY IT TO YOUR LIFE.

Check out Randys blog on the Warehouse websitewww.vcfleesburg.com


3/10

Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get ridof those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring yourusbands.

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community.Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someonewho doesn't care much about you.

rving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 inhe church. So ends a friendship that began in their schoolays.

Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items toe recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

Please place your donation in the envelope along with theeceased person you want remembered.

The church will host an evening of fine dining, super

ntertainment and gracious hostility...

Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. Alladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S.s done.

The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregationwould lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfastext Sunday.

Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8PM in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ theKing.

Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.

The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet inhe Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation isnvited to attend this tragedy.

The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaigslogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.

Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonat Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way fAfrica.

This evening at 7 pm there will be a hymn sing in the parkacross from the Church. Bring a blanket and come preparesin.

The concert held in Fellowship Hall was a great success.Special thanks are due to the minister's daughter, who labothe whole evening at the piano, which as usual fell upon he

Next Friday we will be serving hot gods for lunch.

They're back! Those wonderful Church Bulletins! Thank God for church ladies with typewriters. These sentencewith all the BLOOPERS) actually appeared in church bulletins or were announced in church services:


4/10

On Sunday, August 29The Warehouse Church will be meeting at

Main Street Receptionson the corner of

Canal St. and East Main St. in Leesburg.

Parking spaces are available on the site,the street, or in the lot provided

on the corner of Main and Kaolin Streets.Look for the signage.

Our service time will be:10:00am Caf and 10:30am Worship Service

Hope to see you there!

CROSS TRAINING

ack in the day, you could find me in theweight room being a typical gym rat.Every afternoon I would put on my gym

ttire and go to that wonderful place that smelledof.well I wont tell you what it really smelledke. Anyway, for hours on end, I would lift

weights in various ways training for aompetition. I would incorporate Plyometricsnd cardio into the routines so as to cross train

my muscles. You see, I had a purpose. Beforehe weightlifting meet, there would be countlessours specifically training for certain

movements. I was preparing for the battle atand.

B

On Monday through Thursday afternoons itwas not uncommon to find me practicingootball. It would be intensely hot. Back inhose days, hydration was a sign of weakness.

We would practice certain drills over and over

nd over again. We would run certain playsover and over and over again. We had aurpose. We were preparing for the battle atand that would come on Friday night. You see,ractice didnt make perfect; PERFECT

PRACTICE MADE PERFECT!In the next season, I would train for the shot

ut and discus. Hours on end of proper footwork. Hours on end of Plyometrics. Hours on

nd of practicing the proper release from myand. Each skill had to be broken down into themaller parts and perfected. You see, I had aurpose. I was preparing for the battle that waso come.

Most of you can understand what all of thismeans. You must practice what you intend on

oing in the battle/competition. We wouldnthink of showing up for a game on Friday nightaving never practiced running a play. Going to weightlifting meet without proper training andoaching is not an option. Showing up for arack and field meet without knowing how tohrow a discus is ridiculous.

How many of us do things just as ridiculouson a daily basis when it comes to fighting in thepiritual realm? How many of us go through lifend never bend a knee and practice talking to

he Father. Do you practice discussion with the

man that has all of the answers before the turmoil hits? Do you openbook that has the answers before you have the questions? In short, doprepare for the battle that is to come before the enemy is in your house?you practice your offense and defense before your life depends on it? Wwas the last time that you did any cross-training? Are you one of the mthat waits for the battle to ensue before doing anything to prepare fo

Would you wait for a hurricane to demolish your home before preparing foI assure you that the enemy can do more damage in your home thahurricane.

Folks, now is the time to prepare for the battle. If you arent in a bayou will be. If you are in a battle, fight hard because your life depends on you just finished with a battle, thank God for getting you through it and bpreparing for the next. Take some time and work a little cross-trainingyour schedules.


5/10

Diana Crawford ~ I'd be named after OHIO...because itlways says Hi, like me. Besides I was born there!

Robert Bowersox ~ FLORIDA. Why? I'm a little stormy, wildnd adventurous, prone to fun times and my wife says I'm realot.

Sonia Shearer ~ Ohio because I'm round at both ends.

Brenda Petersen ~ DAKOTA, always thought it was a pretty

ame for a girl.

Jeff Light ~ TEXAS, everything is bigger in Texas!

Brenda Sims ~ ALASKA! The last frontier!and Alaska is bigger than Texas, humph little pup!).

Stacey Hairston ~ Louisiana, because it is southern, filled withreat people, and fun!

Sue Myers ~ I would be Utah! It means "people of themountains", and that is where I would like to live, morepecifically the West Virginia Mountains with my grandsons.

Sandy Lindsay ~ Just call me Manhattan. Oh, wait that's not State! Well it should be. It is an International location wherehe world comes together!

HINDRANCES TO GROWING IN GRACE

In Ephesians 4:31, Paul lists things we must removfrom our lives if we are to grow in the grace of Chri"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, andclamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you,with all malice."

We dare not skip over these issues on Paul's list.The apostle says we absolutely must face thesethings if we are to grow in grace. If you ignore theheart issues Paul mentions here, you will grieve theHoly Spirit. Your growthwill be stunted, and you'll end up a spiritual zombie

The first three items on Paul's listbitterness, wratand angerare self-explanatory. Bitterness is arefusal to let go of an old wound or forgive a pastwrong. Wrath is a stronghold of resentment couplewith a hope to gain revenge. Anger is exasperationeither a quick explosive outburst or a slow burn oindignation toward someone. Evil speaking arewords that tear downit is the opposite of edifyingsomeone or speaking words of edification; evilspeaking is malicious, hurtful.

Clamor is a sudden outburst over nothinganunnecessary hubbub, a loud noise made for nopurpose. We cause a clamor when we make a bigissue out of something insignificant, or cause ascene rather than trying to help or heal.

The final item on Paul's list is malice. Malice is thedesire to see someone else suffer. For manyChristians malice means hoping God will punishsomeone who wounded them. It's a devilish spirit,and it's usually hidden deep within the heart.

When Paul says "Put away all these evils from youhe's not talking about a quick fix. He's describing aprocessa matter of growth that takes time. At

times, we may fail at ridding ourselves of these evilBut if we will quickly repent, and commit to makingthings right with the person, over time these issueswill fade away.

GOOD THOUGHTS

WORTH SHARING!


6/10

Every Sunday ~joes Cafree continental breakfast served from0:00am to 10:20am

Contact: Renee Stoffel @ 253-2465

THEWAREHOUSEBAND

Contacts: Aaron Symonds @ 330-1928Mela Striker @ 365-1006

WAREHOUSENURSERY & PRESCHOOLWe believe in ministering to the needs of even

ur littlest members. Our qualified teachersreate a positive experience that introducesursery and preschool children to the love ofesus early on.

Contact: Jill Porvaznik @ 793-1326

WAREHOUSE KIDSWarehouse Kids is for all boys and girls inKindergarten through 6th grade. We provide aombination of games, interactive characters,nd fun filled songs capture kids attention

while showing them that living for God is theest way to live!

Contact: Ron Sellers @ 787-0385

st & 3rd Sunday @ 5:00pm~

We desire to Tell, Teach and Touch thoseround us. We are ordinary, everydayeople, working out a God-initiated,upernatural salvation, and offering the sameo those we come in contact with.2415 SE 60th Terrace, Belleview

Contact: David Schott 347-9841

nd & 4th Sunday ~

Youth Group @ 1:00pmStature is about experience, connection andnfluence. Teenagers can have an authentic,rst-hand experience with God while theyonnect with others, forming purposefulelationships. As they grow, they learn howo make an impact on the world they live in.

Contact: Neal Hayes 365-1496Next Meeting: Aug 8 & 22

st Wednesday ~ight Home Group @ 6:30pm

Our group is about RELATIONSHIPS;uilding them and maintaining them. We aretudying Romans Chapter 12 and using thexamples given to do Acts of Kindness to theeople that we run into within our ownommunity. This in turn will hopefully build

more relationships to the people that need itmost.

304 CR 245A, Oxford (West)Contact: Jeff Light @ (352) 427-9211

Next Meeting: Aug 4

2nd & 4th Wednesday ~

*S O A K I N G @ 7:00pmThe Lindsay HomeThe Plantations off Hwy 27

24113 Peekskill St. South LeesburgContact: Sandy Lindsay 315-0245Dinner served @ 6:30pmNext Meeting: Aug 11 & 25

* Soaking is simply spending time in GodsPresence rather than striving in prayer. Itsabout resting in His Presence, experiencingHim and choosing to be intimate with Him.

Every Friday ~Warehouse VolleyballLeesburg Rec Center1851 Griffin Rd., Leesburg

from 7-7:30 until you drop.Cost is $2 per night until you reach $20,then you are covered for the rest of the year.These are pickup games open to the public.Contact: Derek Striker 551-9535

1st Friday ~

READERSBook Group@ 6:30pmThis group is for the discussion of bookspertaining to the Christian Faith.Barnes & Noble @ Lake Sumter LandingBook to read for the summer:The Great House of God by Max LucadoContact: Brenda Sims (352) 787-5266

Next Meeting: Sept 3

2nd & 4th Friday ~Harp & Bowl- Worship & IntercessionCochran Home3233 Indian Trail, Eustis, 32726Snacks at 6:30; Harp & Bowl at 7:00

Harp & Bowl is based on Rev. 5:8-10... one had a harp and they were holding goldenbowls full of incense, which are the prayers of thesaints...Our goal is to worship God and to pray the heart ofJesus in every situation that God leads us to.The format is simple--worship and pray--which

works out very free flowing, with sensitivity to theSpirit expected. We worship and minister in manyvarious ways, along with focused/pointedintercession. Everyone is expected to participate,encouraging everyone that theyhave the freedom to fail--just go for it! When wefeel like God's done with us we stop. Everyone isencouraged to slip out earlier if they need to.Our worship is led primarily by Ernest & RitaMachamer and Jamie & Cliff Cochran. Ernest, aformer church worship leader, plays the keyboardbeautifully, while Rita sings beautifully and

prophetically. Weve got three guitars, a piano, andanother keyboard just waiting for those who can

play them.

Contact: Cliff Cochran @ 483-3140

Next Meeting: Aug 13 & 27

4th Friday ~OlderGents@ 11:30amOlder Gents is an opportunity for men ov50 to meet for lunch and enjoy great

conversation over a variety of topics thataffect all of us.Golden Coral, West LeesburgContact: Randy Gideons 793-9270Next Meeting: Aug 27

elevationYoung Adults of 18 to 29 years old gathefellowship and different activities. ContacVance Harbaugh (941) 720-3912

CREATIVEARTSDrama! Dance! Pantomime! Sign languaFlags! Children's ballet! These are just a venues that have been incorporated into Creative Arts Ministry at the WarehouseChurch. The message of salvation througJesus Christ and the ministry of worship key factors in the foundation of our CreatArts Ministry. Many people are blessedthrough the visual arts and this is why thiministry exists. Look for future opportunitthat will allow community oriented theatedance.Contact: Barbara Smith @ 315-1400

Tuesday, 8/17 @ 6:30pm

Lead Team Meetingat the Warehouse

All Team Leadersare asked to attend.


7/10

Find the Cross!

Hidden somewhere in the newsletter is a cross similar tothe one below and possibly a different color.

If you find it and youre the first to call the church office@ 365-2594 or email to [email protected],

youll win a treat! Happy Hunting!

Last newsletter the cross was in the lawn mowergraphic on Jeffs World.

No one found the cross last month!

PROTECTYOURSELFFROM SCAMS

Granny Scam-someone calls claiming to be a relative of the senior. Personays he/she is in another country and needs money. Scammer asks the senioro wire money.

Supplemental Medicare policies-salesmen illegally claim to represent theederal government and say they are selling supplemental Medicare insurance.

nvestment Scam-person selling the investment promises profits or returns thatre too good to be true.

Make money at home-advertisement/ phone solicitation promises profitableome-based work but requires you pay in advance for training or materials.

dentity theft-scammer-obtains bank-account/ credit card numbers via email,alsified change of address forms or from person directly.

Lottery/prize scam-person can only claim winnings by sending money indvance to pay taxes/fees.

Tips to avoid scams: make sure you're in control of any situation when you maye giving money to someone you don't know.

Be wary of responding to phone come-ons. Never reveal your bank informationo someone who calls you. Never give out personal information.

f someone comes to your door and asks to come in to use your phone, don't lethem in; tell them you'll make the call for them. They could be trying to rob yourome or scope it out for a later robbery.

Brenda Petersen

Be wary of work at home offers. You'll beasked to pay in advance for materials anare unlikely to make money.

Don't respond if you receive an unsoliciteemail that asks to confirm personalinformation such as a bank account/credcard number. Never give out personalinformation.

Never sign blank forms.

Make sure to investigate unfamiliarcompanies before investing with them.Contact your local police department orsenior service agency and ask whether thave any classes or seminars specificallabout seniors and crime.


8/10

Full name: Aimee Rebecca AndersonNicknames: Monk (from Daddy), Monkey, Aimee Loo, PunkinBorn where & when: Waterman Hospital, July 7, 1988Family stats: Daughter, Sister, mean Aunt Aimee ; )Pets: I have Honey a Chocolate Lab, Shorty A Basset Hound/Beagle, three goatsamed Billy, Mama, and Lulu, Bella the rabbit, and a bunch of chickens and aurkey.

Last movie seen: In theaters: Iron Man II. At home: Sleepless in SeattleFirst job: The Yalaha Country Bakery. Gained 5 pounds just walking in the doorveryday.

Worst job: My worst job was probably Sears. The people I worked with were likenother family to me, but the job itself was not fun.Worst subject in school: I loved everything, except Chemistry and Grammar.Grammar wasnt that fun, and Chemistry was like a foreign language to me!Your favorite sport/game to play: I really like to jog, and I like kickball. I likeolleyball, but Im pretty sure that Im horrible at it.

What are your hobbies: I love to read, jog, find new music, cook, and take care ofmy animals. I like sitting on the porch with Daddy, watching our animals and the lake.Best way to make you laugh: I like witty-ness and a good joke or story.Most annoying habit: I pop my gum a lot. It really annoys my dad. Really bad. Ha!f you had to pick another profession, what would it be: Well I dont really have arofession yet, but Im going to school to be an RN, so if I had to choose somethingther than nursing, I would definitely choose education. I love teaching/tutoring.

Word or phrase you overuse: Cool beans. My bad. Sorry. People tell me that I

pologize too much and I say Sorr-- . . . Im not sorry. Ha!Worst trouble you got into as a child: Talking too much and running outsidearefoot.

Hidden talent: Sneezing. If sneezing could be a talent, Id be the best at it becausevery time I sneeze, I sneeze about 7 times. I guess cooking could be my hiddenalent, though its not all that juicy. I like to think I have a way with explaining things asar as teaching goes, but who knows?

Most unusual thing in your fridge right now: Probably some silver ointment frommy brothers road rash fiasco.Most embarrassing moment: Which one? Im really good at embarrassingmoments. Too good. Can that be my hidden talent? Ive embarrassed myself somany times that I learned to just be quiet . . . usually.Best advice you've ever been given: My family, Mama especially, instilled in me thealue of trusting God completely with His will for my life. Its the best thing anyone

ouldve ever done for me. Its the best decision anyone could make.How many speeding tickets: ZipWhen you see God, what do you hope He'll say?Its good to have you home,aby.

Color: Purple! I love purple, but since its not the most practical color, my second favorites green.TV show: Friends, Alias, Greys Anatomy, Dancing with the Stars, and So You ThinkYou Can DanceDessert: Rice crispy treats and banana cream cheesecakeBible Verse: Romans 8:28, Romans 12:2, 2 Timothy 1:7, Romans 2:4, and Psalm 25

Food: My family says that my favorite food gis condiments. Everything is better with (Hunketchup, or mayo, or sour cream, or creamcheese, or butter. But as far as real food goelove potatoes, tomatoes, cheese and banana(not together, of course). I love chicken andsteak, but I hate seafood. I know what yourethinking, and no, not even lobster, shrimp, orcrab. I dont like chocolate either. Im a freak nature.Words: Selah. I love the word Selah. I love

no one knows exactly what it means. Some tits a direction in music such as interlude. Sinthe word appears is Habakkuk also, most dothink its a musical term. Most think it is sort olike amen or so be it or meditate on this.Vacation spot: The beach! I love the beach.cant get enough of it. I like Florida nature ingeneral; Florida is a regular paradise to me.Song: Prepare yourselfI like too many sonname one favorite. Dont Wait, or anything bDashboard Confessional, Black River by AmLee, Please Forgive Me and Fugitive by DaGray, Grace by Kate Havnevik, King WithouCrown by Matisyahu, Cello Song by Nick DColorful by Rocco DeLuca, Fast Car by Tra

Chapman, Gravity by Sara Bareilles, and mmore.Perfume: Heaven by Gap, Moon Sparkle byEscada, and Clinique Happy Heart.CD: Probably The Places You Have Come toFear the Most, Dusk and Summer or ShadPoison Trees by Dashboard Confessional.Movie: I have too many favorites. Gladiator iprobably my #1, but I also like Pride & PrejudEnough, Catch and Release, The Notebook, I Love You, Dan in Real Life, Tristan & IsoldeDoc Hollywood, The Time Travelers Wife anbunch more.Book: My favorite book would probably be TTime Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

I also love Phillpa Gregorys collection of ThOther Boleyn Girl books, and White Oleandby Janet Fitch.Restaurant: Chilis, Mimis Caf, and PaneraBread.Spiritual song/Hymn: Worthy of All My Praby Selah, There is a Fountain, Fail Us Not 1000 Generations, and Shadowfeet by BrooFraser.Toothpaste: ColgateFlowers/Plant: Tulips, Peonies, and Live Oatrees.

AIMEE ANDERSON

That sweet voice you hear on Sunday mornings is Aimee! Aimee is an old soul

rapped in a young womans body! Her maturity and love of God is refreshing tosee in a young adult. We lover her!

A FEW OF YOURFAVORITE THINGS


9/10

s It What You Expected?

ow many times have you

prayed for something and thenthe world seems to fall apart?

Then you think, what kind of an answerwas that God? Most likely he will not

nswer that prayer in a neat littleackage and hand it to you and say,OK, here is your answer. I have found

over my years of experience that He justoesnt work that way. I have beenraying for my family to be saved forears. Gradually, one by one that isappening and Im really thanking God

or his grace and mercy in their lives.

H

I still have some relatives that arentuite convinced that selling out to God ishe way to go. My prayers for them haventensified and so has the pressure inheir lives. Without going into a lot ofetail, it seems everything that could go

wrong has. They have experiencedverything from separations of marriageo arrest of children to tumors the size ofggs in one of their heads. Soundswful doesnt it?

So I now have a choice, do I

continue praying for God to bless themand bring them to their knees so they willsell out, because that is what Ive beenpraying, or do I say, Stop God, theycant handle anymore. The mom/auntinside of me wants to say STOP, whatare you doing to my family? Dont yousee they are hurting and going throughagony? But the spirit inside of me says,Im answering your prayer, I know whatIm doing, trust me with this.

My favorite scriptures in the wholeBible is Romans 8:28, And we know that

in all things God works for the good ofthose who love him and have beencalled according to his purpose. (NIV)Ive lived long enough to know that thisscripture is true. Many years ago Godtook me as low as I needed to go so Icould learn that he really did love me.Sometimes we need to get to that place.Im not happy about all the things myfamily is going through but I trust myawesome, all knowing, all loving God to

by Sonia Shearer

do what is right in their lives. Im

saying God caused all of these thinghappen but he has certainly allothem. He takes what is meant forand turns it into good.

My encouragement to you is when you pray and all hell breaks lothat is a sign that God has just staworking. He loves the people in youmore than you do so let him do whaneeds to do in their lives to bring twhere they need to be.

WAREHOUSE SPORTS

It's all fun and games til...the doors are locked!

Volleyball is every Friday night at 1851 GriffinRd., Leesburg from 7:00pm until you drop.

Cost is $2 per night until you reach $20, then you

are covered for the rest of the year.The Leesburg Rec Center is state of the art

with air conditioning!!!!These are pickup games open to the public.

Hope to see you all there!

Mark You Calendar!Softball registration begins 1st week in Sept.

The actual games will begin on Oct 25th


10/10

GIFTOF CRITICISM

n the early 80s, our family was a part of the Spirit

and Word community where the Spirit of Godmoved in ways one reads about happening innother part of the country. We were all so hungry for

more of God and eager to learn. People came from allver to witness the love of Jesus and the manifestationf the gifts. I remembered one time in particular a

meeting where catchers fell with the person beingrayed with. I was standing behind the catchersuiding people in the prayer line when I turned around

o help an elder, his catcher was slain in the Spirit andwhile I was trying to direct his fall, I was slain. It wasrazy!

I

Many were touched and healed. A good numberf people today are serving the Lord because of whathey experienced at some of our meetings, prayers

were answered, lives were changed. I assure you I hado idea what was going on, but I knew God was doingomething good. On occasions things happened thatid not seem of God but I was so carried away and

mmature spiritually I misused my gifts as others did.here were those that were a part of the Word andaith movement, some who felt if we read the rightook or got the right speaker, the right method, formula,r the new revelation, we could get on track to live aeeper walk and those who were just very skepticalbout the whole Charismatic movement.

As time went by the meetings became closed toveryone except the members of the Spirit and the

Word Community. We had Sunday afternoon outreachervices at the Neuman Center but more and more the

eadership pulled in the reins on who could pray forwhom, how they were to pray with a person and whenhey could be prayed with. (There needs to be Biblicaluidelines and authority.) In addition, ministries of

ndividuals were highlighted and flaunted all in theame of Jesus. All this seemed to be well and good at

he time. The leadership was sure they were keepinghe move of God pure, on course and of God. We didot want strange (fire) happenings in our midst. Itame to a point where fewer people were beingouched and gradually they became discontent. Slowlyegalism crept into the camp leaven. This all camebout because of our attitude. A critical spirit edge ino gentle and it looked so Godly. We in the Spirit andhe Word gradually lost our freedom (a free life in God)nd in its place came into a spirit of disapproval andontrol, giving up our free life in the Holy Spirit foreligious rules and regulations. I was taken up in thispirit and yet there was this "thought-feeling" which I

gnored. Now when I look back, I see that God wasevealing his gifts in me.

It was the book of Galatians all over again. Paulays to the Galatians, I cant believe your fickleness ow easily you have turned traitor to Him who calledou by grace of Christ by embracing a variant

message, a no-message, a lie about God. Those whore provoking this agitation among you are turning the

Message of Christ on its head. Let me be blunt: If onef us even if an angel from heaven! were to preach

omething other than what we preached originally, let

him be cursed. I said it once; Ill say it again: If anyone,regardless of reputation or credentials, preachessomething other than what you received originally, lethim be cursed.(Galatians 1:6-9, Message) We werebuilding community rather than the kingdom of God.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, The person who lovestheir dream of community will destroy community [evenif their intentions are ever so earnest], but the personwho loves those around them will create community.

Steve Brown wrote in his book What Was IThinking?, We can be so enamored with the Biblestruth that we forget that the truth is to be lived andused, not just acquired and memorized. Because weknew some biblical truths we thought too highly of ourself; self-righteousness.

God disrupted our self-righteousness. God is inthe business of spoiling all of our expectations andrequirements by changing our plans and using misfits(his friends) who we would not choose (take me for anexample). God always calls some weird people intoour lives, which do not fit in our framework ofacceptance. In fact, God chooses and gifts people thatdrive you and me up the wall. I cannot love and servethem without God given grace.

Oh, we in the Spirit and the Word talked a goodwalk but a sure test is how well one serves those otherpeople (you know the kind). We talk about serving yetwe didnt have a servants heart. Sinful people servesinful people. Only those who dont deserve it can beserved and loved, and only those who have been lovedcan love. One cannot love perfect people. Love inresponse to goodness, perfection and obedience isntlove; its a duty. If it werent for sin, I never would havediscovered Grace. If it werent for Grace, I never wouldhave discovered the joy of serving. If it werent forserving, I would never have discovered love fulfilled.

Eventually the elders realized we had gone thewrong direction but we could not keep the ship fromsinking (Titanic). My friend it was tragic, by this timemany were hurt. In fact, it took years before there wasreconciliation among the brethren. The anointing(empowerment of the Holy Spirit) was still with manybut together it was powerful but separate it was atrickle.

Betty and I decided as many did that we were notgoing to lie down or roll over but continue crying out toGod for guidance and opportunities for reconciliationand ministry.

There is no question that God wants Christians to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thare our tools to make use of as we co-labor with His more God doing as we stumble along) channels of Gods grace, blessing and glory. gifts are to be part of our everyday lives; first, plife, secondly, family, thirdly, in the work placfinally, in church. Most Christians start in churcskip the rest of the areas. We skip the first threeof discipleship because it is plain difficult; this Christian Navy Seals training. There is no netravel to North Island at Coronado, California it is island right where you live, he trains and retraicalled.

Fran Lance with JoAnne Sekowsky authYou Can Minister in the Spiritual Gifts, What aSpiritual Gifts? Chapter three states, FirstCorinthian 12, 13, and 14 are the chapters that hlot to tell us about spiritual gifts. Bible authoritiesthere are three major groups of spiritual giftmotivational gifts, the ministry gifts andmanifestation gifts. The motivational gifts are foRomans 12:4-8, prophecy, service, ministry, teaencouragement, contributing to others, leadershshowing mercy. They reveal offices or ministrieschurch. The ministry gifts in Ephesians 4:11-1apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and tea

They reveal the authority of Jesus and they prGods people for works of service, so the body of (kingdom) may be built up. The manifestationgiven in First Corinthians 12:7-11, are tointerpretation of tongues, prophecy, word of wiword of knowledge, discerning of spirits, faith, heand miracles. They reveal the power of Jesusmanifestation gifts in turn can be divided into groups: the vocal gifts (power to speak) toninterpretation of tongues and prophecy, revelatio(the power to know) word of wisdom, woknowledge and discerning of spirits and power gifpower to do) faith, healings and miracles.

The questions you must keep foremost inspirit, is it up lifting? Does it edify Jesus? D

encourage the brethren? Does it scare other seaway? The word criticism is not found in any ofgroups because it is an act of division, faultfindinappropriate judging while Biblical gifts are usbuild kingdom.

Amazing Grace was written late in 1772 byNewton, Amazing Grace! How sweet the soundsaved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but nofound was blind, but now I see. Twas grace that my heart to fear, and grace my fear relievedprecious did that grace appear the hour I first belThru many dangers, toils and snares, I have acome; tis grace that brot me safe thus far, and will lead me home. When weve been therthousand years, bright shining as the sun, we

less days to sing Gods praise than when webegun.

Check out Leos blog on the Warehouse website. www.vcfleesburg.com

God always calls some weird people

into our lives, which do not fit in our

framework of acceptance.

In fact, God chooses and gifts people

that drive you and me up the wall.I cannot love and serve them

without God given grace.

newsletter august '10

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