There is NO Praise Community Fellowship Service this evening! We will resume next Sunday same time same channel. Have a blessed Holiday.
Love, pastor kent
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
That's Ridiculous!
Imagine the following ridiculous scenario:
Yo are single and you hear about a beautiful (man or woman) that you would like to get to know. You do some detective work and find someone who knows them. You then approach this person and begin an inquiry. "How well do you know this (man or woman)?" "What can you tell me about him/her?" "Are they dating anyone?" "Do you think he/she would be interested in me?" and on and on the questions continue until which time you are ready for a formal introduction. Alas, you hit it off, you begin dating and eventually decide to get married. Ah but marriage is such a huge commitment. What if this, and that… and what if he/she doesn't like my …. or my….. Would I be willing to compromise? What if …… or ….. and I have to change this or that? Oh I'm not sure about such a commitment. I mean I really like who this person is and we really enjoy each others company but marriage, man that's another thing.
Maybe I'll ask my friend to move in with him/her and they can then just tell me about what its like to be in a close relationship with him/her. So once a week from that moment on for about an hour you meet the friend who is living with the one you really liked and get the stories and the details about the relationship. Many times you come away from the weekly meeting smiling and imagining how wonderful that relationship must be. But you continue to have this emptiness and longing on the inside. You say to yourself over and over, "I wish I could experience the joy that my friend speaks about each week. But committing your life to that special person just seems like too much.
Eventually you stop meeting with your friend once a week. Your meetings become less and less frequent and the stories of the wonderful life of being in a committed relationship become less and less interesting. You remain empty and keep wondering why? You think to yourself, "If marriage is so wonderful, how come it never fulfills me?" " I really don't understand all these married people, what is so special about that?"
Welcome to CHURCH if you aren't willing to get up-close and personal and in a committed relationship with Jesus. The pastor is your safe go-between. You learn about the joys and challenges of commitment without ever committing. Wonder why so many people have chosen to take church off their commitment calendar?
We are surrounded by our circumstances of life. Our circumstances become our main focus. The trouble is, all of our circumstances whether good or bad are all temporary. None of them will last past this lifetime. There are only a couple of things that will continue after this life and committed relationship with Jesus is one of them.
We will continue our series on Prayer on September 7th! There is no service this next Sunday due to the Labor Day weekend.
A "church" person will think that it is awful of me calling off church for a holiday. A person who knows and loves Jesus will celebrate the holiday with me in full confidence that Jesus understands and approves of our time together as friends and family. It ain't about church!!!!! It's about a committed relationship with the living Savior. He's patiently for you.
Love all of you. See you soon. Love, pastor kent
Yo are single and you hear about a beautiful (man or woman) that you would like to get to know. You do some detective work and find someone who knows them. You then approach this person and begin an inquiry. "How well do you know this (man or woman)?" "What can you tell me about him/her?" "Are they dating anyone?" "Do you think he/she would be interested in me?" and on and on the questions continue until which time you are ready for a formal introduction. Alas, you hit it off, you begin dating and eventually decide to get married. Ah but marriage is such a huge commitment. What if this, and that… and what if he/she doesn't like my …. or my….. Would I be willing to compromise? What if …… or ….. and I have to change this or that? Oh I'm not sure about such a commitment. I mean I really like who this person is and we really enjoy each others company but marriage, man that's another thing.
Maybe I'll ask my friend to move in with him/her and they can then just tell me about what its like to be in a close relationship with him/her. So once a week from that moment on for about an hour you meet the friend who is living with the one you really liked and get the stories and the details about the relationship. Many times you come away from the weekly meeting smiling and imagining how wonderful that relationship must be. But you continue to have this emptiness and longing on the inside. You say to yourself over and over, "I wish I could experience the joy that my friend speaks about each week. But committing your life to that special person just seems like too much.
Eventually you stop meeting with your friend once a week. Your meetings become less and less frequent and the stories of the wonderful life of being in a committed relationship become less and less interesting. You remain empty and keep wondering why? You think to yourself, "If marriage is so wonderful, how come it never fulfills me?" " I really don't understand all these married people, what is so special about that?"
Welcome to CHURCH if you aren't willing to get up-close and personal and in a committed relationship with Jesus. The pastor is your safe go-between. You learn about the joys and challenges of commitment without ever committing. Wonder why so many people have chosen to take church off their commitment calendar?
We are surrounded by our circumstances of life. Our circumstances become our main focus. The trouble is, all of our circumstances whether good or bad are all temporary. None of them will last past this lifetime. There are only a couple of things that will continue after this life and committed relationship with Jesus is one of them.
We will continue our series on Prayer on September 7th! There is no service this next Sunday due to the Labor Day weekend.
A "church" person will think that it is awful of me calling off church for a holiday. A person who knows and loves Jesus will celebrate the holiday with me in full confidence that Jesus understands and approves of our time together as friends and family. It ain't about church!!!!! It's about a committed relationship with the living Savior. He's patiently for you.
Love all of you. See you soon. Love, pastor kent
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
News
Attention PCF Youth:
Due to the conflict of schedules, the first youth group meeting for Wednesday August 27th is CANCELED.
SAVE THE DATE:
Next youth group meeting - Thursday September 18th. More information will be announce before the next meeting.
If you have not done so, PLEASE send your email contact to rburian1974@hotmail.com
Thank you,
Sheryl Burian
Monday, August 25, 2014
The Walk to Hear God Talk
As I have told you before one of my favorite things in the whole world to do is to take what I a call a "prayer walk." I focus on God, ask questions, and then try to listen. I say try because my brain seems to always be busy.
Try to imagine yourself taking a person to person prayer walk with Jesus. What do you think He would tell you? When you come up with an answer thank Him, because you probably just heard from Him!
Good News I had a short vista with Butch Peterson today at his home and he is doing much, much better than when I saw him in the hospital. He is looking forward to coming back to church, he said he is planning on being there the next time we meet on September 7th. That's right we are NOT meeting next week due to the Labor day weekend. Butch asked for continued prayer for full recovery.
We are studying prayer and one way to learn more about prayer is to make a special effort to double down on your prayer time. I believe when we finish this series you are going to be hearing God like you never have before!
See you soon. Love, Pastor kent
Try to imagine yourself taking a person to person prayer walk with Jesus. What do you think He would tell you? When you come up with an answer thank Him, because you probably just heard from Him!
Good News I had a short vista with Butch Peterson today at his home and he is doing much, much better than when I saw him in the hospital. He is looking forward to coming back to church, he said he is planning on being there the next time we meet on September 7th. That's right we are NOT meeting next week due to the Labor day weekend. Butch asked for continued prayer for full recovery.
We are studying prayer and one way to learn more about prayer is to make a special effort to double down on your prayer time. I believe when we finish this series you are going to be hearing God like you never have before!
See you soon. Love, Pastor kent
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Tonight…We begin the series on Prayer
Tonight at 6:30 at the Crystal Garden we will begin a series on prayer. It is my prayer that this series will be the turning point in your Christian experience. When I was first trying to figure out this whole God thing back in my late teens and 20's I had no idea where my curiosity would lead me.
Now, 40 years later, I find myself as a pastor. What role did I play in this and what role did God play in this? I am still learning. I hope to continue to learn more about God until the day I die at which time I believe much more will be revealed.
What is available to us in this life? That is what most of us are interested in. Has there been a huge misunderstanding in Gods promises? Why has the church become so ineffective? Have we been blind to what the bible is really teaching. My goal with this series for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to to the scriptures and what Jesus really taught about the power of prayer.
See you tonight! Love, pastor kent
Now, 40 years later, I find myself as a pastor. What role did I play in this and what role did God play in this? I am still learning. I hope to continue to learn more about God until the day I die at which time I believe much more will be revealed.
What is available to us in this life? That is what most of us are interested in. Has there been a huge misunderstanding in Gods promises? Why has the church become so ineffective? Have we been blind to what the bible is really teaching. My goal with this series for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to to the scriptures and what Jesus really taught about the power of prayer.
See you tonight! Love, pastor kent
Friday, August 22, 2014
Friday Thoughts
Your concept of God has no affect on God, but greatly affects who you are and the life you experience!
This Sunday I am going to start a series on prayer. If you have ever prayed or have questions about prayer this will be a good series to attend.
Hope to see you Sunday! Love, pastor kent
This Sunday I am going to start a series on prayer. If you have ever prayed or have questions about prayer this will be a good series to attend.
Hope to see you Sunday! Love, pastor kent
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Stop Worrying, Second Guessing, and Keep Praying!
The most exciting thing about God that is confirmed over and over throughout the bible is, When He steps into a situation, the things He can and will do defy human logic. In other words He does what seems impossible! Just read the story of Gideon Judges 7:2-18.
Read Verse Here
When we wait on, and then follow Gods logic defying ways, is when we will see God work His great power in our lives and in our church.
Can God really do the miraculous, YES! But you and I have a major role in allowing Him to do so. We must surrender our will, our wants, and our desires to His! For us humans that ain't easy!
Last night Bonni and I stayed up till midnight watching the news coverage from Ferguson Mo. While I was watching I got caught up in the coverage, which is so easy to do in this life. We get caught up in the things of the world INSTEAD of PRAYING! About 11:00 it dawned on me to begin praying instead of just watching.
Watching = No power
Praying = Power
So, can God really lead our humble little congregation Praise Community Fellowship to do amazing things for His Kingdom? Absolutely. But we must stay in prayer, and allow God to lead EVERYTHING we do! That will be my mantra as long as I remain pastor. God is the leader and the planner, and the developer, and has total authority over everything PCF does! Even when it may not make logical human sense! We worship a God who does the impossible! That is just how He works. But He only does that for those who are willing to follow and obey!
Let me end with a story I borrowed from Henry and Richard Blackaby from their book, "Hearing God's Voice"
" A friend was serving as a student director on a large university campus. He tells an amusing story about the day a concerned student came to see him in his office. She was deeply troubled about her financial situation. She explained, "I am in desperate need of a part time job if I am to stay in school. I have prayed and asked God to help me, but every place I have applied is not hiring." She asked, "Do you really believe God can help me find a job?"
Just then a fellow student passed by the open doorway and saw her meeting with the director. The friend apologized for interrupting , and said, "I've been looking for you! After your meeting we need to talk. My boss asked me today if I knew anyone who needed a part time job. I told him about you, and he wants to talk to you right away!" The anxious student thanked her friend, then turned back to the student director and continued where she had left off, "So do you think God can help me find a job?" It's a good thing there were no two-by-fours within reach! Unbelief can render a person stone deaf to God's voice."
Believe, trust, pray, expect. God has amazingly great things for those who trust, listen, and obey!
See you soon. Love, pastor kent
Read Verse Here
When we wait on, and then follow Gods logic defying ways, is when we will see God work His great power in our lives and in our church.
Can God really do the miraculous, YES! But you and I have a major role in allowing Him to do so. We must surrender our will, our wants, and our desires to His! For us humans that ain't easy!
Last night Bonni and I stayed up till midnight watching the news coverage from Ferguson Mo. While I was watching I got caught up in the coverage, which is so easy to do in this life. We get caught up in the things of the world INSTEAD of PRAYING! About 11:00 it dawned on me to begin praying instead of just watching.
Watching = No power
Praying = Power
So, can God really lead our humble little congregation Praise Community Fellowship to do amazing things for His Kingdom? Absolutely. But we must stay in prayer, and allow God to lead EVERYTHING we do! That will be my mantra as long as I remain pastor. God is the leader and the planner, and the developer, and has total authority over everything PCF does! Even when it may not make logical human sense! We worship a God who does the impossible! That is just how He works. But He only does that for those who are willing to follow and obey!
Isaiah 55:8-9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Let me end with a story I borrowed from Henry and Richard Blackaby from their book, "Hearing God's Voice"
" A friend was serving as a student director on a large university campus. He tells an amusing story about the day a concerned student came to see him in his office. She was deeply troubled about her financial situation. She explained, "I am in desperate need of a part time job if I am to stay in school. I have prayed and asked God to help me, but every place I have applied is not hiring." She asked, "Do you really believe God can help me find a job?"
Just then a fellow student passed by the open doorway and saw her meeting with the director. The friend apologized for interrupting , and said, "I've been looking for you! After your meeting we need to talk. My boss asked me today if I knew anyone who needed a part time job. I told him about you, and he wants to talk to you right away!" The anxious student thanked her friend, then turned back to the student director and continued where she had left off, "So do you think God can help me find a job?" It's a good thing there were no two-by-fours within reach! Unbelief can render a person stone deaf to God's voice."
Believe, trust, pray, expect. God has amazingly great things for those who trust, listen, and obey!
See you soon. Love, pastor kent
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