Final Instructions

Have you ever wondered if the disciples looked at each other with a "Now What?!?" expression on their faces during Jesus' Ascension?

These fishermen, who were unlearned and who had recently been confused by all that Jesus was about...these guys who didn't seem to "get it" a lot of the time, especially when Jesus told them three different times of His impending crucifixion, death, and resurrection...

But something happened before Jesus' Ascension that made them finally understand...

That's what my message is going to be about this coming Sunday in our 8:30am Contemporary Service. Join us!

Easter 2008

Easter came much earlier than last year. Last Easter was our very first Contemporary Service at 8:30am, here at Faith Christian Assembly. What an awesome year it has been, and Sunday was such a great day! We invited, and some came, and some didn't, but the MOST IMPORTANT thing, is that we invited. Whether they come or not is up to the Holy Spirit. It's very comforting to know that we can leave it in His very capable hands!

We had a jammin' band for worship. We were very blessed to have awesome and talented musicians including some new one's to join us on bass and drums.

We had several new people join us as well. It was a great day! I'm so thankful for our church!

Psalm 127:1 - "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain..."

Why do You Seek the Living Among the Dead???

It's amazing to me as I read through all of the different Gospel accounts of the Easter story, how the disciple's really didn't anticipate Jesus resurrection. He had told them about His impending crucifixion, death and resurrection on three separate occasions, but still, when the THIRD DAY came, were they standing at the tomb? No! Instead, we find Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, among other women. They weren't anticipating His resurrection either, as they came with burial spices...But as you know, they never got to use them. They were surprised by the angels who asked them a question...

Luke 24:5, "...why do you seek the living among the dead?"

Great question! I think it's a question that needs to be asked in the culture in which we live...so many are seeking a fulfilling life among that which is dead.

This is one of the greatest things about the THIRD DAY! We have access to the Living God, who loved us so much He sent His one and only Son to die for our sins, and on the THIRD DAY was resurrected! GREAT NEWS!

The reason He came, was very clear...

John 10:10 (The Message) - I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

You're invited to celebrate this awesome Easter Sunday with us here at Faith Christian Assembly in our 8:30am Contemporary Service!

Easter is Coming!

A few weeks ago at our Contemporary Service, we all took about 10 invitations to our Easter Service to give to our friends who don't have a church home. MaryAnn took the invitations and started handing them out. She just moved into her neighborhood, so she was out handing out invitations and handed one to a man down the street from where she lives. He told her this was the FIRST invitation to church he has EVER had...INCREDIBLE!!!

If you watched the video of my last post, you discovered that studies show that 82% who are invited to church by someone they already know will say yes.

If you are reading this and don't have a church home...consider this your invitation. If you are reading this and you do have a church home...INVITE SOMEONE to your Easter service. Give them a chance for a brand new life! The statistics are with you...not to mention the Holy Spirit. :-)

1 Peter 1:3-4 (The Message) - Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven - and the future starts now!

82!

Eighty-two is a favorite number of mine, because it was in 1982 that I married Gary! But this video shows a whole new reason to love the number! Check it out!

Romans 10:13-15 - ...for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

GOT FOCUS???

This is London's answer to prevent injury for those who text while walking. They are putting a few pads on lampposts, because believe it or not, there have been several texting-while-walking injuries. I find this HILARIOUS! Actually, what I find very scary is flying down the freeway watching people who text while driving. I don't know what London's answer to that would be...

This Sunday, in our Contemporary 8:30am Service, I'll be speaking about someone else (just like us) who lost focus...Peter. He lost it so badly in fact, that he ended up rebuking Jesus...

Matthew 16:22 - Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"

The interesting thing about this, is that just a few scriptures prior to this rebuking...Peter eloquently declared Jesus as the Messiah.

FUN PEOPLE...GREAT FOOD...LIFE IS GOOD!!!

What fun we had at Buca di Beppo's last Friday night! I wish everybody could have come with us, but we had a great group of 18! The food was delicious...the company was even better. Did I meniton we even had the Pope at our table??? We laughed and just kicked back and enjoyed trading life stories with each other! WOW! I was in heaven!

One thing that hit me, was as we were all leaving, I sat back and watched as everybody couldn't leave without hugging someone else...OH HOW I LOVE GOD'S FAMILY!!!