Today, God blessed WBBC w/ a sanctuary full of people, so many visitors, awesome music & another great message! I just can't stress enough how God has really changed our church. VBS has really been on my mind & that fits right in w/ how God has changed our church. I remember just about 10 yrs ago when VBS was a half day event w/ maybe 5 kids. Boy have times changed! Fast forward 10 yrs and now I am looking at the twins last VBS as kids before they take the leap into the youth dept. VBS is so important in a life of a child. VBS might be the only time a kid comes to visit a church. Last yr the boys had a close friend saved at VBS & back in 1st grade they invited a friend to VBS & he has been at church ever since! I will never forget VBS 3 yrs ago. I was due w/ Jack and had to take it easy due to health concerns so I could not work at VBS. I was devastated not to be apart of my favorite week at church. Church softball was also going on so Jami & Joey were there. The twins came home & Judson said you know I think I am ready to be saved. I called Joey at the ball field because I wanted him to talk w/ Judson & make sure he knew what he was asking. About 10:00 that night I sat in my rocker w/ my boys, Jami & Joey all on bended knees, all holding hands, all praying, as my brother lead Judson to salvation! Joshua wasn't ready at that point to be saved & that was fine. I wanted each child to find God on his own and to make such a life changing decision on his own. Joey left. I could tell Joshua just wasn't himself. After about 30 minutes he asked could he please go see Joey, he knew he too was suppose to be saved. Since it was so late & Jami had been called out to work he rushed Joshua to Joey's. I got there a few minutes later & Joey had discussed this decision w/ Joshua. Again, I got to experience another son asking Jesus into his heart. Next to my own salvation......nothing will ever compare to what I witnessed & felt that night. I really feel like VBS had so much to do w/ that night. I know Jesus was taught & worshipped & my children experienced Jesus at VBS. I am so thankful to the different VBS directors we have had over the yrs, all the workers & a church with a heart dedicated to teaching children about Jesus. From a half day VBS w/ 5 kids to a full week, lasting 3 hrs each night w/ many kids I have seen God continually work and bless us! All I can really say is what I have seen and experienced has been amazing! So this yr is bitter sweet for me, as the twins say goodbye to the last VBS as kids, I get to look forward to Jack experiencing Jesus at VBS. I look forward w/ great anticipation the day he is saved and welcomes Jesus into his heart. VBS starts at WBBC July 23 - 27. Each night we will serve the children supper starting at 5:30. VBS will be from 6-8:30. Allison Williams has a great VBS planned & the theme is Jesus Olympics. Please pray that children will have their lives changed that week, pray that a seed is planted in their young hearts & God will just grow in them. Pray for Allison & every worker. Bring you child to VBS. Their life just might be changed that week! Praises to God for what He has done & what He is going to do!
Since I had so much to say about VBS all I will say about the kids this week is that we have a swimming party at both Fortenberry homes. Bring a towel. Girls w/ 2 pieces need to wear a t shirt. We will split up by grades to go to each home & I'll post that before Wed. party will be from 6- 7:30.
I would love to see some posts, comments, memories about your own VBS experiences!!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Straddling the Fence
Sometimes I take my message here from Joey's message on Sunday. Sometimes things he says sticks w/ me.......DON"T TELL HIM THAT! Today's post is simple. R U straddling the fence? When I was a kid we had this field that had old fencing around it, not barbed wire & not like regular chain link fence really old, rusty prob from the 1800's fencing. Depending on what we were getting into I might have to climb the fence. I could always climb up but positioning my body over the fence to climb down was always hard so I would end up straddling the fence trying to decide to go backwards or just go on over. Straddling the fences reminds me of relationships w/ God. The Bible tells us in Revelations 3:15-16 I know your deeds that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spue thee out of my mouth. I think that means God really wants us to be all for Him or not for Him. So are you lukewarm? Are you half way in w/ God? What do your actions show? Do you occasionally go to church? Read your Bible here and there, witness every once in a while, pray only when you need something? I think we have all been in these spots at some point in our lives. The great thing about God is He is right there just waiting on you to get back to Him. If you are lukewarm focus on drawing closer back to God. Take a moment and just pray, ask God to give you the strength to push the worldly problems & desires away so you can focus on getting closer to Him. Make a real effort to read your Bible. Get up and go to church Wed. or Sunday, any church! Focus on God and before you know it you'll be back on fire for the Lord! So let's stop straddling the fence and chose a side! HOT OR COLD?????
It was awesome again to see a full church yesterday. We had lots of visitors and that is always so exciting for me. In the children's church schedule we have several new parents who have stepped up to teach on Sundays. This is such a blessing! BIG THANK YOU to all of you who do volunteer to teach! I know Allison can still use volunteers for VBS so if you are interested let her know. Also, I wanted to ask for prayer. I know so many church memebers who have been sick lately. I know of several ladies not in my church but family friends who are fighting breast cancer, my mom has been sick too( Just seems like it is always something w/ her now) so please just take a moment and lift them up in prayer. Pray for these peoples families. Pray for my family. Thank you in advance for the prayers and have a blessed, getting closer to God, on fire week!
July 11 Teresa Coley will teach missions
July 18 Swimming party at both Fortenberry homes
July 25 VBS
Aug 1 Organized Mass Chaos
Aug 4 "An Evening in the Park" Canceled
Aug 8 Missions
Aug 10 Movie night " Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"
Aug 15 FOOD FIGHT
It was awesome again to see a full church yesterday. We had lots of visitors and that is always so exciting for me. In the children's church schedule we have several new parents who have stepped up to teach on Sundays. This is such a blessing! BIG THANK YOU to all of you who do volunteer to teach! I know Allison can still use volunteers for VBS so if you are interested let her know. Also, I wanted to ask for prayer. I know so many church memebers who have been sick lately. I know of several ladies not in my church but family friends who are fighting breast cancer, my mom has been sick too( Just seems like it is always something w/ her now) so please just take a moment and lift them up in prayer. Pray for these peoples families. Pray for my family. Thank you in advance for the prayers and have a blessed, getting closer to God, on fire week!
July 11 Teresa Coley will teach missions
July 18 Swimming party at both Fortenberry homes
July 25 VBS
Aug 1 Organized Mass Chaos
Aug 4 "An Evening in the Park" Canceled
Aug 8 Missions
Aug 10 Movie night " Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"
Aug 15 FOOD FIGHT
Monday, July 2, 2012
Lots To Say
I was very moved yesterday at church. Starting the service with Baptism is always a wonderful sight. It was a blessing to see a wonderful, sweet, God loving young woman baptized and very emotional to see Joey baptize one of his closest friends. Lots of people were back who have been out a while & that is always encouraging. During the invitation Joey spoke about how as a society we like to let someone else go 1st then we will follow & that is so true. I remember being a teen and being such a follower, never a leader. Yesterday we had a youth show that he heard God, and responded by being the 1st one out of the pew. He turned his life over to God! It was such a blessing watching his family pray beside him. I remember the joy and excitement I felt the moment my twins were saved & I look forward to the day that Jack makes that glorious decision.
After I left church, Noah's decision to be saved really stuck with me. He set an example for others yesterday. He showed younger kids, youth & adults that when God calls you need to respond. So now I need to talk about setting examples. I hear people say all the time, I want this family member in church, or I want my child reading his Bible more. These are just some examples but how can we expect anyone to follow and do what we pray for if we are not willing to do the same? If you want your spouse or family member in church, shouldn't you set the example & be in church? If you want your child to have a desire to read the bible, shouldn't the child see you read the bible? I mean being really faithful, not just here and there when it is convenient for us. How can I expect my boys to grow up and serve in a church if I don't serve the church? How can I expect them to have a heart for the needy if I don't have that heart? How can I expect them to go out and tell others about God if I don't go out and tell others about God? As usual I fail on this in so many ways and don't set the example! Are you setting the example you need to set for those loved ones in your life? Do you walk the walk or is it all just talk?
I really can't remember all Joey preached on yesterday but the words that spoke out to me was about us being a people who call on God when things are bad. When things are going good, we are on top of the mountain & we have it all under control but as soon as something goes wrong we are trying to get to God as quick as we can. I have done this many times and need to focus on praising God & thanking Him all the time, staying close to Him all the time, not just in times of need.
I know all of this seems random but sometimes that is just how I am! I told Jami last night it was so great to walk out to the gym & see so many people offering help for VBS to Allison. I know she'll still need more volunteers but it was great to see all ages, new church members, old church members & regular attendees all out there ready to help! Like Allison said" If you have never helped w/ VBS, you have missed a blessing" Pray about it & if you feel lead to help let her know. It is absolutely the best week during the church year. It is exhausting but the most fun! you cam also help by praying for Allison, the workers & the children who will be in our church.
Remember Wed. night July 4th we will not meet. I did have several kids tell me they wish we had church that night & that makes me smile! I love their faithfulness & dedication to the Lord & His church! Sometimes it is kids who set the example!
July 11 Teresa Coley will teach missions
July 18 Swimming party at both Fortenberry homes
July 25 VBS
Aug 1 Organized Mass Chaos
Aug 4 "An Evening in the Park" 6:00-8:00
Aug 8 Missions
Aug 10 Movie night " Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"
Aug 15 FOOD FIGHT
Meeting right after church this coming Sunday if you would like to help w/ "An Evening in the Park". This will be a community outreach for our church. Congratulations to the 7 yr old Allstars for winning the state title!! Way to go Dru & Drew! Pray for our other players still traveling & I believe still winning! One last thing.. the mission center is in need of cookies for summer work w/ kids. I'll be collecting those Sunday & next Wed. Thanks and have a wonderful 4th! Remember the fireworks on earth will never compare to the wonders that await us in heaven! PTL!!
After I left church, Noah's decision to be saved really stuck with me. He set an example for others yesterday. He showed younger kids, youth & adults that when God calls you need to respond. So now I need to talk about setting examples. I hear people say all the time, I want this family member in church, or I want my child reading his Bible more. These are just some examples but how can we expect anyone to follow and do what we pray for if we are not willing to do the same? If you want your spouse or family member in church, shouldn't you set the example & be in church? If you want your child to have a desire to read the bible, shouldn't the child see you read the bible? I mean being really faithful, not just here and there when it is convenient for us. How can I expect my boys to grow up and serve in a church if I don't serve the church? How can I expect them to have a heart for the needy if I don't have that heart? How can I expect them to go out and tell others about God if I don't go out and tell others about God? As usual I fail on this in so many ways and don't set the example! Are you setting the example you need to set for those loved ones in your life? Do you walk the walk or is it all just talk?
I really can't remember all Joey preached on yesterday but the words that spoke out to me was about us being a people who call on God when things are bad. When things are going good, we are on top of the mountain & we have it all under control but as soon as something goes wrong we are trying to get to God as quick as we can. I have done this many times and need to focus on praising God & thanking Him all the time, staying close to Him all the time, not just in times of need.
I know all of this seems random but sometimes that is just how I am! I told Jami last night it was so great to walk out to the gym & see so many people offering help for VBS to Allison. I know she'll still need more volunteers but it was great to see all ages, new church members, old church members & regular attendees all out there ready to help! Like Allison said" If you have never helped w/ VBS, you have missed a blessing" Pray about it & if you feel lead to help let her know. It is absolutely the best week during the church year. It is exhausting but the most fun! you cam also help by praying for Allison, the workers & the children who will be in our church.
Remember Wed. night July 4th we will not meet. I did have several kids tell me they wish we had church that night & that makes me smile! I love their faithfulness & dedication to the Lord & His church! Sometimes it is kids who set the example!
July 11 Teresa Coley will teach missions
July 18 Swimming party at both Fortenberry homes
July 25 VBS
Aug 1 Organized Mass Chaos
Aug 4 "An Evening in the Park" 6:00-8:00
Aug 8 Missions
Aug 10 Movie night " Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"
Aug 15 FOOD FIGHT
Meeting right after church this coming Sunday if you would like to help w/ "An Evening in the Park". This will be a community outreach for our church. Congratulations to the 7 yr old Allstars for winning the state title!! Way to go Dru & Drew! Pray for our other players still traveling & I believe still winning! One last thing.. the mission center is in need of cookies for summer work w/ kids. I'll be collecting those Sunday & next Wed. Thanks and have a wonderful 4th! Remember the fireworks on earth will never compare to the wonders that await us in heaven! PTL!!
Monday, June 25, 2012
BLESSING
All I have to say today is another lesson learned. Did something I didn't want to do because it was the right thing to do and God turned it into a blessing! We serve an AWESOME GOD!!!
Missing all our softball & baseball players & their families! Good luck on all your games! Get back to church as soon as you can!
This coming Wed. night: Popsicles, playing & devotion.
Remember VBS will be coming up July 23-27. Our theme is the Olympics! Allison Williams does a great job at putting this together but I know she will need lots of support. Start praying about how you can help.
Missing all our softball & baseball players & their families! Good luck on all your games! Get back to church as soon as you can!
This coming Wed. night: Popsicles, playing & devotion.
Remember VBS will be coming up July 23-27. Our theme is the Olympics! Allison Williams does a great job at putting this together but I know she will need lots of support. Start praying about how you can help.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Hear Instruction and Be Wise..... Not Like Me
Still funny how God plans messages & lessons. After last week realizing I need to get out of my comfort zone & share Jesus with those I prob would not approach, God sends me the message again! I know He is telling me something because here was my Sunday school Bible verse: Hear instruction, and be wise, and not refuse it Proverbs 8:33. This applies to my whole life! LOL I don't not follow instruction well. My parents will attest to that! If my Daddy told me one thing you can bet I was going to do the other. Save my money, I'd spend every dime, guy no good, at that moment perfect in my eyes ( husband excluding because my daddy loves Jami), study and get an education, I flee Auburn after one night, Gadsden State, JSU no degree, drive carefully, nope 3 wrecks in one month. At 39 my Daddy still tries to tell me what to do and I still roll my eyes and ignore him. I am not forsure Joey and I are really related. I can't remember one time in my life he was ever in trouble. He followed instruction! So my lesson in ss was about the parable of the sower. There is 4 types of people in this parable. The person who hears God's message but does not understand it.. not me I understand it fine. The person who hears & accepts God's message but does not cause it to become lasting. Still not me. The person who hears the message but allows the worries of the world to choke it out of his life. Ugh, sometimes I kinda fall in this category. The person who hears the message & uses it in his life, goes out and tells others about Jesus. The one I want to be all the time! I feel like God gave me some instruction last week about stepping out of my comfort zone, I struggled hard with that..was not effective at all because I let several opportunities pass by. So here it is, God gives me this verse telling me to follow instruction because He sees I did not listen the previous week to His promptings. He is used to me not following instructions! Thankfully my earthly Father & my heavenly Father give me numerous chances!! LOL God knows I need them! Just going to try again this week and see if I can do better at following His instruction. I did step out yesterday in preaching & move from the 3rd pew all the way to the very last one. I didn't like it.
Great night this past Friday at the Trussville Playstation with some fabulous church kids. I wanted to stomp them in laser tag but I was the absolute last person in points! Figures! Doughnuts with Dad turned out well too. We are so blessed at WBBC to have such great male role models for the kids. Friday night is a community family movie night. "Yogi Bear" starts @ 7, free concessions from 6:30- 6:55. Invite someone because I want to see the gym packed!!! Have a great week and I hope to see a bunch of kids Wed. night. Looking forward to the WBBC mens softball starting up tomorrow night.
Great night this past Friday at the Trussville Playstation with some fabulous church kids. I wanted to stomp them in laser tag but I was the absolute last person in points! Figures! Doughnuts with Dad turned out well too. We are so blessed at WBBC to have such great male role models for the kids. Friday night is a community family movie night. "Yogi Bear" starts @ 7, free concessions from 6:30- 6:55. Invite someone because I want to see the gym packed!!! Have a great week and I hope to see a bunch of kids Wed. night. Looking forward to the WBBC mens softball starting up tomorrow night.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
So funny how God lines conversations. preaching & opportunities up. After the youth went to Six Flags on Wed. Arlo was telling me about the scavenger hunt & how the youth were challenged to go up talk, get a pic with people that they might normally shy away from. Examples were someone w/ lots of tattoos & piercings. Then Joey spoke about how we do the same ole things because we are creatures of habit, sit in the same ole pew, teach the same way in Sunday school & expect church to always start at 11:00. These topics made me start thinking. I always sit in the same pew. I might get to know others in the church better if I moved around some or I might have a different perspective on how the service was sitting in the back verses the front. I might be a more effective teacher if I mix Sunday school up a little. You all know by now that I am shy & struggle with this so definitely walking up to a person who looks different than my normal friends would be hard for me to do. I am always in my comfort zone. I pretty much don't travel outside of RBC during the week, I talk to the same people & visit the same stores. If I was a dog, I'd be a good dog because I stay close to home. So last night we decided to venture all the way across town to Alabama City & pick up Little Caesars pizza. I was waiting in the car for Jami to come out & there it was.....God showed me what I needed to see. This extremely dirty young guy walked in front of my car. He was slouched over like the entire weight of this world was on his shoulders. He was the picture of down & out, pitiful looking! The Christian inside of me should have gotten out of my car & went up & talked to that young guy but the devil won & shyness along with other fears took over. The only thing I even said was to Jami when he got back in the car & that was did you see that poor looking guy???FAILURE, DEFEAT, DEVIL PREVAILED! But did the devil really win? I tossed and turned all night, praying sometimes specific, sometimes random thoughts. I woke up early with clear vision that I need to step out of my comfort zone or I am not going to be a very effective Christian. What does this mean for me? I don't know yet but I think this week I am going to purposely shop on the other side of town & let God place someone in my path I can talk too. I know I will be in a different pew Sunday. Who knows... I might be sitting beside you!
Lots going on with the kids this week so here is the list!
Wednesday night June 13. 5th grade boys go to Sonic. Bring money for whatever you chose to eat. Be back at 7. The rest of the kids will be doing missions with Teresa Coley & Mollie Williams.
Friday night June 15th . Leave church 6 pm for Trussville Playstation. Cost is $25.00. Should arrive back by 10. Need to know who all is going so I can plan on transportation.
Sunday June 17th Doughnuts with Dad. 8:30 in the fellowship hall. For kids to bring the special men in their lives to church for a lite breakfast. Will need some moms to volunteer to help with this.
Friday June 22 Family movie night in the gym featuring " Yogi Bear". Free popcorn & drinks. Step out of your comfort zone & INVITE SOMEONE!!
Lots going on with the kids this week so here is the list!
Wednesday night June 13. 5th grade boys go to Sonic. Bring money for whatever you chose to eat. Be back at 7. The rest of the kids will be doing missions with Teresa Coley & Mollie Williams.
Friday night June 15th . Leave church 6 pm for Trussville Playstation. Cost is $25.00. Should arrive back by 10. Need to know who all is going so I can plan on transportation.
Sunday June 17th Doughnuts with Dad. 8:30 in the fellowship hall. For kids to bring the special men in their lives to church for a lite breakfast. Will need some moms to volunteer to help with this.
Friday June 22 Family movie night in the gym featuring " Yogi Bear". Free popcorn & drinks. Step out of your comfort zone & INVITE SOMEONE!!
Monday, June 4, 2012
JUNE: A Packed Month
I am going to try & not ramble to much but get straight to all the KID STUFF for the month of June. It is a month packed full of activities. I want to remind you that even though we are out of school, vacationing & in general moving at a slower pace we should not take that approach with God. If anything, with the extra time we have, we should use it to pull closer to Him. Of course, I am one to talk! LOL I always pack my bible when I am going on a trip but I realized almost at the end of my vacation last week that I did not pack it. That is right... I said at the end of my trip. I went almost a whole week without even thinking about reading my bible. I felt horrible when I realized that I had really put EVERYTHING ELSE in front of God. So this is the 1st Monday morning that we are home on summer vacation and I am making plans to get closer to God. I hope you do too! He wants us and I NEED Him! Here is a kids list for June.
"Operation Ben Clough" last day to turn in boys clothing or shoes is June 6. I have not given alot of details on this but I would love to see this become an annual event in memory of Ben so I will definitely have bigger plans next year!
Wed. night kids June 6: Water Wednesday Playing water games so have your kids wear clothing & shoes that will not matter if they get wet. Bring a towel
Wed. night kids June 13: Katie Smith & Mollie Williams will teach on missions. 5th graders will go to sonic. Load van 5:45 be back @7:00. Bring money for whatever you chose to eat.
Friday night June 15 Kids go to Trussville Playstation. Ticket is $25.00 but that includes 3 go kart rides, 3 laser tag games, mini golf & skating, pizza & drink. Leave church @ 6 pm
Saturday June 16 Brotherhood swim party for young guys. At Tom & Teresa Coley's home. They need some men to volunteer to chaperone & I believe time is 2-5. Bring a towel!
Sunday June 17 (Father's Day) Doughnuts with Dad. 8:30 in the fellowship hall. This is a 1st for us but I wanted to celebrate the terrific Father's we have in our church. The kids & their Father's, Grandfather's, Uncles, a male who is important in our children's lives are invited for doughnuts and a time to relax together before Sunday school. I will need a few mom's to volunteer to set up and help serve.
Friday June 22 Family movie night in the gym, featuring "Yogi Bear". This is for the community so invite some folks. Bring a chair or blanket. Free popcorn & drinks. 6:30 - 6:55 concessions & movie will start @ 7. Will need volunteers to help w/ concessions.
If you have any questions please email, text or call me. Have a GREAT 1st week of summer!
"Operation Ben Clough" last day to turn in boys clothing or shoes is June 6. I have not given alot of details on this but I would love to see this become an annual event in memory of Ben so I will definitely have bigger plans next year!
Wed. night kids June 6: Water Wednesday Playing water games so have your kids wear clothing & shoes that will not matter if they get wet. Bring a towel
Wed. night kids June 13: Katie Smith & Mollie Williams will teach on missions. 5th graders will go to sonic. Load van 5:45 be back @7:00. Bring money for whatever you chose to eat.
Friday night June 15 Kids go to Trussville Playstation. Ticket is $25.00 but that includes 3 go kart rides, 3 laser tag games, mini golf & skating, pizza & drink. Leave church @ 6 pm
Saturday June 16 Brotherhood swim party for young guys. At Tom & Teresa Coley's home. They need some men to volunteer to chaperone & I believe time is 2-5. Bring a towel!
Sunday June 17 (Father's Day) Doughnuts with Dad. 8:30 in the fellowship hall. This is a 1st for us but I wanted to celebrate the terrific Father's we have in our church. The kids & their Father's, Grandfather's, Uncles, a male who is important in our children's lives are invited for doughnuts and a time to relax together before Sunday school. I will need a few mom's to volunteer to set up and help serve.
Friday June 22 Family movie night in the gym, featuring "Yogi Bear". This is for the community so invite some folks. Bring a chair or blanket. Free popcorn & drinks. 6:30 - 6:55 concessions & movie will start @ 7. Will need volunteers to help w/ concessions.
If you have any questions please email, text or call me. Have a GREAT 1st week of summer!
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