1.28.2009
1.26.2009
Hope.
We've heard alot of talk about hope this last year. We were told to hope for change, hope for the best, hope that tommorow will be better. But lets face it. Sometimes we don't really "hope"
Many times we treat hope just like wish. I wish things would change, I wish things were better. They sound kind of the same.
Here's how dictionary.com defines hope: v. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
As followers of Jesus we have much to hope for. This is way more than a wish. We should have hope that He:
Many times we treat hope just like wish. I wish things would change, I wish things were better. They sound kind of the same.
Here's how dictionary.com defines hope: v. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
As followers of Jesus we have much to hope for. This is way more than a wish. We should have hope that He:
- will return
- rescue us from our sins
- provide for us
- guide us
- comfort us
- prepare a place in His Kingdom for us
- call us to great things
- restore us to Himself
But what makes me do this job more and more is the knowledge that here in our valley there are literally thousands of people who will go to sleep tonight without that hope! That messes with me. The closer I get to Jesus (and I've got a long way to go) the more I hope to have the chance to shout hope to all of them. That's why we do what we do on Sunday. WE shout hope, the hope that only Jesus can bring. I want to shout it louder and to more people than ever.
So my question to you is this. Does it bother you that there are people in our community without hope? Does it bother you that there are people in your life without hope? It bothers me and I am trying to do what I can to let them know that there is hope! Wanna Play?
1.15.2009
Just went live!
Hey,
We got to try something new today. Live Webcasting! So it's not that new but we've never done it before. You can check it out here.
Now, I know that the quality could be better. Here's the facts. We need a better camera! There is one in the budget. BUt we can't spend money we don't have, so we do what we can with what we've got.
Look for more live coming soon!
We got to try something new today. Live Webcasting! So it's not that new but we've never done it before. You can check it out here.
Now, I know that the quality could be better. Here's the facts. We need a better camera! There is one in the budget. BUt we can't spend money we don't have, so we do what we can with what we've got.
Look for more live coming soon!
1.06.2009
You Want In?
Whoa. It's been way too long since my last post.(bad blogger, bad blogger) Anyhoo, I took some time off and actually didn't touch my computer for FIVE DAYS STRAIGHT! It was awesome! I would recommend you try it some time. So I was trying to figure out what I should say since it's been so long. It can be tricky sometimes to come up with things to say.
However, after Bills message on Sunday I thought it might be a good idea to let you guys know about some volunteer opportunities that you might want to check out. Seriously, these are all things that make a huge difference in the life of our church and the lives of people who come to our weekend services. So if anything sparks some interest drop me a line! aaron@fbcpoky.com
All right, I sure hope that you was something that you might want to check out. Here's the deal, I promise that you won't get stuck in something and never be able to get out of it. Give us a test drive. Experience something new. Let me know (aaron@fbcpoky.com) if you want to get in the game!
Now there are many other things that you can do here at FBC, but... these are a lot of fun! (I'm just kidding, other things are fun to)
So whatever you end up doing, do SOMETHING!
However, after Bills message on Sunday I thought it might be a good idea to let you guys know about some volunteer opportunities that you might want to check out. Seriously, these are all things that make a huge difference in the life of our church and the lives of people who come to our weekend services. So if anything sparks some interest drop me a line! aaron@fbcpoky.com
- Sound Engineer - This is an on the job training kind of thing. If you'd like to check it out we can provide you with what you need. Janaye, who leads this area, is awesome (and not just 'cause she's my wife!)
- Multi-Media - These people take care of what you see on the Big Screen during the services. Seriously, if you can push a button you can do this!
- Video - I know we haven't had video announcements in a little while but if YOU helped out we could do it every week with no problem! Video is more than just announcements though. We've go big plans for this team and need people to write, produce, direct, edit, engineer and a bunch of other stuff.
- Musician - Instrumental or vocal. We would love to have you in our band! If you play or sing or play and sing let us know.
- Web - Oh the web! You may have noticed that from time to time our website is out of date. Does it drive you nuts? Do you want to do something about it?
- Design - If you have any graphic design experience you might not know that you can use it to let people know about Jesus. We need designers to build thing for promotions, invites, and many other projects.
- Communications - There are a lot of things that we want to do with our Communications here and we need you to step up and help make them better. There are some great things coming but they will only work with your help.
All right, I sure hope that you was something that you might want to check out. Here's the deal, I promise that you won't get stuck in something and never be able to get out of it. Give us a test drive. Experience something new. Let me know (aaron@fbcpoky.com) if you want to get in the game!
Now there are many other things that you can do here at FBC, but... these are a lot of fun! (I'm just kidding, other things are fun to)
So whatever you end up doing, do SOMETHING!
12.18.2008
12.16.2008
Crazy Week
Wow. It's been a while since the last post. Sorry about that. I don't know what your week was like but mine was jammed full. It usually happens at least once this time of year but I had something every night for eight days in a row!
However, there was some great stuff going on. On Wednesday I got to sit in on Chris spilling the vision for Student Ministries for the next year. It was awesome! I can definitely see Chris leading our students to do some amazing things for Jesus in our community and around the world. Better hold onto your hat!
Friday night was the Angel Tree party. What a time! We had seven families show up and we got to bless them with a bunch of free stuff, good food, and great conversations. One family was here for almost two hours and another showed up in church on Sunday.
God is doing some amazing things here! So my question is, "Do you want in on it?"
It's not too late to join what God is doing here at FBC... volunteer, get in a connection group, give to the budget, pray for all of us, start something new, invite friends to Christmas Eve... there are tons of things you can do to join in on Gods party!
So what's it gonna be?
Do you want to play?
Are you willing to step out?
Just so you know the financial series coming in January is going to be off the hook!
Do you feel the excitement yet?
Will you trust God to do what He is capable of?
I recommend finding a way to get in on the action while the gettin's good!
However, there was some great stuff going on. On Wednesday I got to sit in on Chris spilling the vision for Student Ministries for the next year. It was awesome! I can definitely see Chris leading our students to do some amazing things for Jesus in our community and around the world. Better hold onto your hat!
Friday night was the Angel Tree party. What a time! We had seven families show up and we got to bless them with a bunch of free stuff, good food, and great conversations. One family was here for almost two hours and another showed up in church on Sunday.
God is doing some amazing things here! So my question is, "Do you want in on it?"
It's not too late to join what God is doing here at FBC... volunteer, get in a connection group, give to the budget, pray for all of us, start something new, invite friends to Christmas Eve... there are tons of things you can do to join in on Gods party!
So what's it gonna be?
Do you want to play?
Are you willing to step out?
Just so you know the financial series coming in January is going to be off the hook!
Do you feel the excitement yet?
Will you trust God to do what He is capable of?
I recommend finding a way to get in on the action while the gettin's good!
12.02.2008
Things I know (and don't know)
Wow, December already! Time has flown by so quickly, I don't really know how it goes so fast. So the real question is "Are you sick of Christmas music yet?" I can take a few days of nonstop carols and classics but that's about it. Sometimes I'm really thankful that I only have a AM radio in my truck.
It looks like it is going to be an interesting season this year. The economy is in a weird place and I know that most of the news for the next few weeks is going to be about how retailers haven't met their Christmas season numbers. I also know that we will continue to hear all about President-elect Obama's transition into the White House (even though it doesn't actually happen for two more months).
Another thing I know is that this season has a different feel about it. It feels like people are much more in the "looking for answers" kind of place than usual.
I was really encouraged by the number of you who caught me on Sunday and told me about what God said to you through the message. Even though is was designed to really speak to people who don't know Jesus yet it seems as if He used it to get to those of us who were trying to hide just as hard. I know that I had to go through some *stuff* in order to be able to say some of those things.
Keep pressing into God this Christmas season. I know that He is waiting for you (and me) to let Him work in our lives and produce the most fruit possible!
It looks like it is going to be an interesting season this year. The economy is in a weird place and I know that most of the news for the next few weeks is going to be about how retailers haven't met their Christmas season numbers. I also know that we will continue to hear all about President-elect Obama's transition into the White House (even though it doesn't actually happen for two more months).
Another thing I know is that this season has a different feel about it. It feels like people are much more in the "looking for answers" kind of place than usual.
I was really encouraged by the number of you who caught me on Sunday and told me about what God said to you through the message. Even though is was designed to really speak to people who don't know Jesus yet it seems as if He used it to get to those of us who were trying to hide just as hard. I know that I had to go through some *stuff* in order to be able to say some of those things.
Keep pressing into God this Christmas season. I know that He is waiting for you (and me) to let Him work in our lives and produce the most fruit possible!
11.24.2008
Exited!
I am really excited about Sunday. I know that many of you will be out of town but a lot of us are going to have relatives here also. What a great chance to invite someone to church. Now before you get all weird about it Sunday is going to be awesome. The gospel is going to be preached like no other, you will definitely learn something and I think that God wants to use this opportunity to speak profoundly into our lives.
It is going to be different but what else is new. Make sure you bring someone with you.
It is going to be different but what else is new. Make sure you bring someone with you.
11.17.2008
Back from Seattle
Hey all,
Well we're back. It was a great trip, although I am still completely drained. Late nights followed by early mornings will do that. The concerts were awesome. Lincoln didn't even get on stage until 11 p.m. One of the highlights was during the concert Saturday night. One portion was called "Songwriters in the Round." They brought couches out on stage and had a group of songwriters just take turns sharing their songs. We got to hear: Andy Park - In the Secret, Kelly Carpenter - Draw Me Close to You, - Katherin Scott, Hungry - Brian Doerksen, Come, Now is the Time to Worship, - Brenton Brown, Everlasting God - and Karen Lafferty, Seek Ye First. It was amazing to see and hear these worshipers sing the songs that we use and have used for so long.
They closed the session with video of Roby Duke, who passed away last Christmas. He is by far one of the most creative and emotive people I have ever seen. It was quite and experience to see him on the screens and not see him on the stage. Even though the recording is two years old and Roby has been with Jesus for almost a year it was still a powerful moment of worship.
This is Roby at his best, passionately pursuing Jesus. I hope you feel the presence of God as much as I do when I watch this.
That's enough for now. I will tell you more about what we saw and learned later.
Well we're back. It was a great trip, although I am still completely drained. Late nights followed by early mornings will do that. The concerts were awesome. Lincoln didn't even get on stage until 11 p.m. One of the highlights was during the concert Saturday night. One portion was called "Songwriters in the Round." They brought couches out on stage and had a group of songwriters just take turns sharing their songs. We got to hear: Andy Park - In the Secret, Kelly Carpenter - Draw Me Close to You, - Katherin Scott, Hungry - Brian Doerksen, Come, Now is the Time to Worship, - Brenton Brown, Everlasting God - and Karen Lafferty, Seek Ye First. It was amazing to see and hear these worshipers sing the songs that we use and have used for so long.
They closed the session with video of Roby Duke, who passed away last Christmas. He is by far one of the most creative and emotive people I have ever seen. It was quite and experience to see him on the screens and not see him on the stage. Even though the recording is two years old and Roby has been with Jesus for almost a year it was still a powerful moment of worship.
This is Roby at his best, passionately pursuing Jesus. I hope you feel the presence of God as much as I do when I watch this.
That's enough for now. I will tell you more about what we saw and learned later.
11.13.2008
11.05.2008
11.04.2008
Election Day
Tremble before him, all the earth!
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"
1 Chronicles 16:30-31
This Spoke to me today as I was thinking about the election. A lot of times we focused on ourselves and kind of forget that there is a bigger picture in place.
Despite how we feel sometimes the world is not going to come to an end just because someone does or doesn't get elected. Look at the first verse there. "the world is firmly established; it cannot be moved."
But what really gets me is the last part. Why are the heavens rejoicing and why is the earth glad? Because "the Lord Reigns!" Not because we are pursuing green technology, not because one party gained more than another, not because of anything that we can do. It is because the LORD REIGNS!
I have to remind myself of that a lot. I can find myself in places where it doesn't look like I'm going to get out. It's in those places that I have to remember that THE LORD REIGNS.
So as we move forward into whatever the future holds we must remember that Jesus is in control and has the final say on everything.
10.31.2008
Creativity on a Friday morning!
So its been a while since we've had some creativity here. I found one for you though...
10.29.2008
Heads Up
Hey,
Just wanted to remind you guys that Daylight Savings ends Saturday night. Don't forget to chang your clocks otherwise you'll end up watching our warm-up for the first service. (It's ok if you want to come and watch!) So enjoy an extra hour of sleep this weekend and get pumped up for what God wants to do on Sunday. It's gonna be awesome!
Just wanted to remind you guys that Daylight Savings ends Saturday night. Don't forget to chang your clocks otherwise you'll end up watching our warm-up for the first service. (It's ok if you want to come and watch!) So enjoy an extra hour of sleep this weekend and get pumped up for what God wants to do on Sunday. It's gonna be awesome!
10.27.2008
Crazy Weekend Rewind
Hey all,
OK, so the last time I posted I said that I was back and then it's taken me a week to post again. Oh well. A lot of things happen in a week. This last Friday and Saturday the staff spent in Boise at the Intermountain Area Convention. Bill talked a little bit about it on Sunday. It was a great time. We got up early on Fri. and spent the morning in the car, the afternoon at the mall and the church and the hotel. Saturday was the main part of the convention. John Jackson is a great speaker.
Some cool things happened and I wanted to tell you guys about two of them. After the first session we were talking with John and invited him to have lunch with us. As we sat down at the table to eat he started asking questions about Pocatello and our church to get a feel for where we were at. He asked about some of the things that we are doing as a church and we got to brag about you guys a bit! Kathy told him about the FriendZone and how it made enough of an impact that the State asked us to be in charge of the kid activities at Recovery Fest this year. John loved the story of what God did through you so much that he asked if he could tell it when he talks to other churches. (Kathy said yes) So I wanted to give you all some props for letting God use you to make His name famous in places we will probably not get to.
Second, we were talking about the I Saw The Lord campaign that we are going through. We shared how since the campaign started we have gone from 14 to 20 small groups and have close to 200 people participating! Now, a moment of honesty, I have heard those numbers many times over the last two weeks, but when John heard about your commitment to God it sent him reeling. He leaned back in his chair, threw his hands up and said WOW! We can get so close to what God is doing that we sometimes don't see it. That's where I was. When I saw John's reaction I almost lost it right there at the table. Tears were welling up and it was all I could do not to breakdown right there.
The bottom line is that God is doing some amazing things here. Things that we might not even see for what they are yet. It's not because of the staff. It's because we as a church family have taken the call of God to see Him seriously and He is starting to reveal Himself.
I have to tell you that it is going to get crazy around here. As we chase after what God has for us we are going to find ourselves in places we didn't think were possible.
So keep on keepin' on!
OK, so the last time I posted I said that I was back and then it's taken me a week to post again. Oh well. A lot of things happen in a week. This last Friday and Saturday the staff spent in Boise at the Intermountain Area Convention. Bill talked a little bit about it on Sunday. It was a great time. We got up early on Fri. and spent the morning in the car, the afternoon at the mall and the church and the hotel. Saturday was the main part of the convention. John Jackson is a great speaker.
Some cool things happened and I wanted to tell you guys about two of them. After the first session we were talking with John and invited him to have lunch with us. As we sat down at the table to eat he started asking questions about Pocatello and our church to get a feel for where we were at. He asked about some of the things that we are doing as a church and we got to brag about you guys a bit! Kathy told him about the FriendZone and how it made enough of an impact that the State asked us to be in charge of the kid activities at Recovery Fest this year. John loved the story of what God did through you so much that he asked if he could tell it when he talks to other churches. (Kathy said yes) So I wanted to give you all some props for letting God use you to make His name famous in places we will probably not get to.
Second, we were talking about the I Saw The Lord campaign that we are going through. We shared how since the campaign started we have gone from 14 to 20 small groups and have close to 200 people participating! Now, a moment of honesty, I have heard those numbers many times over the last two weeks, but when John heard about your commitment to God it sent him reeling. He leaned back in his chair, threw his hands up and said WOW! We can get so close to what God is doing that we sometimes don't see it. That's where I was. When I saw John's reaction I almost lost it right there at the table. Tears were welling up and it was all I could do not to breakdown right there.
The bottom line is that God is doing some amazing things here. Things that we might not even see for what they are yet. It's not because of the staff. It's because we as a church family have taken the call of God to see Him seriously and He is starting to reveal Himself.
I have to tell you that it is going to get crazy around here. As we chase after what God has for us we are going to find ourselves in places we didn't think were possible.
So keep on keepin' on!
10.16.2008
I'm Back
WOW. It's been way to long since my last post. I've been trying decide what to post about over the last couple of days and have not been able to think of anything. If fact, my whole week has kind of been like that. It feels like I have just been wandering around in a fog. Anyone else ever felt like that?
It's really hard to figure out why that is. I think I get into these positions when I am spending too much time trying to be profound, or successful, or something. Yesterday I listened to a sermon by by Matthew Barnett, pastor of The Dream Center in Los Angeles. At one point he told a story about how God showed him that he was more committed to his dream of success than he was to the dream that God had given him.
It's kind of funny (funny hmmm, not funny HAHA) that when we unplug from God we can't really connect to anything else. I find that I can be disconnected from God even when I am doing all of the things that I am supposed to be doing as a Christian.
I don't think that it is an accident that this weeks study in I Saw the Lord is called Wake Up! I know that I need to do that. I have been sleeping the last week and it has influenced everything I haven't gotten done this week. I think that the first part of waking up is realizing you're asleep.
So as I wake up today I would ask that you pray for me and I will pray for you. We all need to wake up from something, so lets let God wake us up.
I promise that I will get back to regular posting in the next couple of days!
It's really hard to figure out why that is. I think I get into these positions when I am spending too much time trying to be profound, or successful, or something. Yesterday I listened to a sermon by by Matthew Barnett, pastor of The Dream Center in Los Angeles. At one point he told a story about how God showed him that he was more committed to his dream of success than he was to the dream that God had given him.
It's kind of funny (funny hmmm, not funny HAHA) that when we unplug from God we can't really connect to anything else. I find that I can be disconnected from God even when I am doing all of the things that I am supposed to be doing as a Christian.
I don't think that it is an accident that this weeks study in I Saw the Lord is called Wake Up! I know that I need to do that. I have been sleeping the last week and it has influenced everything I haven't gotten done this week. I think that the first part of waking up is realizing you're asleep.
So as I wake up today I would ask that you pray for me and I will pray for you. We all need to wake up from something, so lets let God wake us up.
I promise that I will get back to regular posting in the next couple of days!
9.30.2008
Liveblogging the Ministers Retreat
Time for the last session.
David Putman: Breaking the Discipleship Code
What does it look like to be a missional follower of Jesus Christ?
Generally we don't really want to go "deeper" or have more "meat."
"I love technology!"
Rev. 3:20: it Jesus' church why isn't he inside?
Is it Jesus knocking on the door of my heart?
What does it mean to break the code? We must loose our religion and rediscover the centrality of Jesus and the simplicity of His ways!!!
If we can get back to Jesus and His purpose for our lives that is the answer to the problems in the world.
Follower= live like Jesus, love like Jesus, leave what Jesus left behind (people who live like him and love like him)
We are going to become like Jesus!
Apostle Paul: "Come follow me as I follow HIM!"
David Putman: Breaking the Discipleship Code
What does it look like to be a missional follower of Jesus Christ?
Generally we don't really want to go "deeper" or have more "meat."
"I love technology!"
Rev. 3:20: it Jesus' church why isn't he inside?
Is it Jesus knocking on the door of my heart?
What does it mean to break the code? We must loose our religion and rediscover the centrality of Jesus and the simplicity of His ways!!!
If we can get back to Jesus and His purpose for our lives that is the answer to the problems in the world.
Follower= live like Jesus, love like Jesus, leave what Jesus left behind (people who live like him and love like him)
- LIVE LIKE JESUS
- LOVE LIKE JESUS LOVED
- LEAVE WHAT JESUS LEFT BEHIND
We are going to become like Jesus!
Apostle Paul: "Come follow me as I follow HIM!"
9.29.2008
Live Blogging the Ministers Retreat Pt. 2
Clay Ford Pt. 2
Will the next ten years be a decade of destiny or a decade of defeat?
Jesus is more interested in His people reflecting Him in hard times that He is in us being happy, affluent and comfortable.
We can't jump ship just because it hurts.
When we know who we are in Christ we are not under the circumstances but are above them.
Because we are seated with Christ we have full rights and privileges as sons and daughters of the the living God.
Will the next ten years be a decade of destiny or a decade of defeat?
Jesus is more interested in His people reflecting Him in hard times that He is in us being happy, affluent and comfortable.
We can't jump ship just because it hurts.
When we know who we are in Christ we are not under the circumstances but are above them.
Because we are seated with Christ we have full rights and privileges as sons and daughters of the the living God.
Live Blogging the Ministers Retreat
Hey all,
I thought that I might try something new...
So here is the first session from Clay Ford
You can't fight the prayers of a Mother!
If Jesus really is who he said he is, and if he died for your sins, would you want to know it?
If we only have enough of the Holy Spirit to work with middle-class youth we need MORE!
Don't you think that God wants His church to be escalating in the presence of the Holy Spirit?
Baptism of the Holy Spirit = Gifts of the Holy Spirit = Promise of the Father
When we receive Jesus...
Born Again
Fruit of the Spirit
Spiritual Gifts
Praise and Worship
Fellowship
Guidance/Revelation/Intercession
Power
All the gifts are nothing without Jesus!
If we don't venture out in Faith we are abdicating the place God has for us.
We don't want something fake! We want to step out and see God move.
We need a momentous break-through!
More To Come!
I thought that I might try something new...
So here is the first session from Clay Ford
You can't fight the prayers of a Mother!
If Jesus really is who he said he is, and if he died for your sins, would you want to know it?
If we only have enough of the Holy Spirit to work with middle-class youth we need MORE!
Don't you think that God wants His church to be escalating in the presence of the Holy Spirit?
Baptism of the Holy Spirit = Gifts of the Holy Spirit = Promise of the Father
When we receive Jesus...
Born Again
Fruit of the Spirit
Spiritual Gifts
Praise and Worship
Fellowship
Guidance/Revelation/Intercession
Power
All the gifts are nothing without Jesus!
If we don't venture out in Faith we are abdicating the place God has for us.
We don't want something fake! We want to step out and see God move.
We need a momentous break-through!
More To Come!
9.22.2008
Three Questions (Part 1)
I just got done listening to Perry Noble (Newspring Church) talk about three questions that we need to ask ourselves. It was really good. So I thought that I would put it out there for us to think about and hopefully to do. Most of this is Perry's, I'm not this smart, but I have sort of paraphrased.
Question 1.
This can happen to us (me) and it does often. We get caught so caught up in doing the work that we don't stop to ask if this is what God wants us to be doing.
There are two things that we need to do in order to answer this question.
Now, we may be tempted to think that this is a job for the church leadership, and it is. However, God is not going to keep His vision for our church a secret, only to be revealed to those with special privilege. We all need to pursue TIME and EFFORT. This is a group thing. No one can do it on their own. So I would encourage you to find a way to get some passionate, uninterrupted time with God and ask, "What is it you want to do in our church?" And then start making an effort to see it get done.
If God tells you something and you want to share it, please email me or write a comment. Find me or one of the other staff members, or drop Pastor Bill a line.
I'll post the other two questions later, but take some time to work on this one, I know I will.
Question 1.
- What is it that God wants to do in our church?
This can happen to us (me) and it does often. We get caught so caught up in doing the work that we don't stop to ask if this is what God wants us to be doing.
There are two things that we need to do in order to answer this question.
- Time.
- Effort.
Now, we may be tempted to think that this is a job for the church leadership, and it is. However, God is not going to keep His vision for our church a secret, only to be revealed to those with special privilege. We all need to pursue TIME and EFFORT. This is a group thing. No one can do it on their own. So I would encourage you to find a way to get some passionate, uninterrupted time with God and ask, "What is it you want to do in our church?" And then start making an effort to see it get done.
If God tells you something and you want to share it, please email me or write a comment. Find me or one of the other staff members, or drop Pastor Bill a line.
I'll post the other two questions later, but take some time to work on this one, I know I will.
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