How Many Times

            How many times have passed up an opportunity to share your story? There are those around you every day that need to hear it. There are so many hurting people in the world (outside your church). Some may even be in your very own family. When you share your past and where you are today, you open the door of communication. When doors are open, listen without passing judgment and without being so quick to point out the wrong that someone does.

            In James 1:19 you are encouraged to be quick to listen, and slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Therefore, when you listen do not be so quick to speak. Let God direct you in what to say, when you say it, and how you say what need to be said. When you allow God to direct you the message of God’s Love can be received. It is not God desire that any should perish; if you allow him to use you he can change lives. When was the last time you visited that lonely elderly women across the street, and just sat down to talk with her or had your teen’s friends over to just hang out. Please! Understand that to reach those who society has ignored for such a long time will take time. 

Be patient! Have you ever thought of starting a small group (maybe you would like focus on one person) but really investing in them; spend time and planting seeds (God’s Word) along the away ( it may be a benefit to have a mixture of Christian and Non-Christian in a small group setting). Find out what those you want to reach like to do or what their needs are, and if there is any way you can meet do so, if you cannot point them toward someone who can. Meet them where there are, it is important for you to maintain your Christ Like example at all times. If you are sharing one thing and doing other, you have lost your witness.

Follow God and GO! Reach those, God precious people.

Remember You Are Chosen,

C. I. Fowler

Top 10 Reasons to Live for Christ

10. Forgiveness – We are forgiven and able to forgive others that hurt you (not easily done but we are able through Christ).

9. Temperance- We are able to control ourselves, and do not have to do everything and anything because we can.

8.  Meekness- We can be patient.

7. Faith- We can be confident.

6. Goodness- We can be morally right and kind.

5. Gentleness- In our kindness we can be polite and refined.

4. Longsuffering- We can endure this life and all (pain, sorrow, and suffering) that comes with it.

3.  Joy- We can have happiness that cannot be taken away by circumstances. A joy that is deep and pure.

2. Peace- We can have a calm inside when everything around us is going wrong.

1. Love- We can accept the PERFECT LOVE, God has for each and every one of us (that does not come with condition) we can share that Love with those around us.

            When we have received all these we can rest in God, and know that we will spend eternity with our Lord Jesus Christ. “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there will be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”  Revelation 21:4

 

           Please share your "Top Ten Reason to Live for Christ" and why. Let's see if we can make this a "Top 40 Reasons List"

 

 Always Remember You ARE Chosen,

C.I. Fowler 

Self Defense

                                                        Self Defense

Self defense can be a very helpful thing to anyone in any location. When a person learns self defense skills they have a better ability to protect themselves from almost any harm that comes their way. They are taught how to handle a mugging, or other physical attack on their body. Even younger children are able to be taught how to deal with situations, like bullying.      When we teach people self defense we are teaching them how to detect eminent danger; we are giving them the armor they need to protect themselves. We equip them with knowledge, both mental and physical. We give them mental information to teach them to discern the situation that threatens them, so they will know what skills are needed to defend and protect themselves and anyone with them. They are fully guarded with skills to stand up to whatever lies ahead.       As Christians we are given our self defense through Jesus and God's word. The knowledge of the Lord--His word--is our armor of defense. [Ephesians 6:10-18] We study the word of God and fill our minds with his word and our bodies with his spirit so that we can defend and protect ourselves against the enemy. We read, pray and live God's word so that we are able to handle any attack on our lives and defend Jesus to those who would attack us (Satan or other) and protect and defend those with us. God gives us self defense techniques for us to use in our lives daily.       Just like someone learning self defense to protect against physical attacks, God teaches us spiritual self defense to protect us from the attacks on our faith and love for God. We should practice God's defense and wear his armor daily just as we would practice and arm our selves daily with self defense skills. Attacks from either kind are very serious and we should be wary to not let our guard down. Our parents would die to protect us, and Jesus died to save us. So, we should also arm our selves with the self defense skills to protect the life given to us and defend the one who died for us.  Go big or go home. But when you go, go with God! ~KD~

Forgotten Blessings

Forgotten Blessings

     In the world today many people, believers and non-believers, look for big miracles and blessings, I know I still do. We forget about all the little ones. I am always waiting and asking for my life to be different and in a big way. Lord bless me with a better house (mansion), better finances (billionaire), a nice car (new lifted truck), and so on. While we wait and pray and wait some more for the big stuff that we really want the Lord to bless us with it becomes hard not to become discouraged. Sometimes while we are waiting we see others who just go along however they see fit and regardless of the degree of rule breaking biblical and legally they continue to come out on top. They are dishonest, but end up with extra money, break driving laws and still end up with a better car and it goes on and on. Sometimes we ask the Lord to bless us in this way and that and then feel a sting when we see others with the things we covet. Sometimes we lose focus on God and start to look at the world and search for a way to fix our frustration. But what about the forgotten blessings?

     We are quick to see all that we do not have and all that we have not received, but we lag in all that is placed right in front of us. We forget about all the little things. That person who sent you a gift card to the store which paid for something you didn’t have the money for. The relative who knew your computer was down and picked you up a new one. The car that hit 200,000 miles, burns oil, leaks brake and transmission fluid, and yet it still starts up and goes for you. How about those of you with kids, the smiles on their little faces everyday, and when they get a booboo and you fix it for them, they see you as their hero. Or that blessing from that tithe you gave, even though you know you did not have it to give, and God covered you. All these little things, all these forgotten blessings that come to our lives daily we neglect to see and appreciate. Of course there is still one more and I think most forgotten, “Once again I am truly blessed, with the rising of the sun comes another day.”

Go big or go home. But when you go,   go with God ! ~KD~

Change

Change

                How do you handle change? Do you go peacefully, or kicking and screaming in the night? In either case, has your reaction accomplished anything; has it benefited the situation? Before reacting to change, we should stop and think about what is going on. Have we ourselves been the reason for the change? Do not think about the negative (your own feelings can be a negative). Instead think:

Are these changes against the word of God?

Will this change benefit others?

Is the change against God’s will?

If you get two yes and one no, then go peacefully. Peacefully means “I accept” and will not talk (negatively) about others who support the change. Peacefully, I am not going to be anger or bitter about the changes. I am choosing to move forward. If I find myself having a problem with any of these, I will turn to the Lord, and He will comfort me.

    If these changes do not fit into either one of the required categories to be peaceful then STAND and FIGHT. Prepare for battle (know the facts from all sides) move forward and do not stop. Your voice may be the only one that is ever heard against a negative change, but that never stopped John the Baptist from being a“voice in the wilderness.” Plus, God is on the side of righteousness.

Blessings,
Christine

Let Brotherly Love Continue Hebrews 13:1

Let Brotherly Love Continue

Hebrew 13:1

            Finally settled into our home, after several years of just residing there, new neighbors move in across the street. As arrived home from work, there sat a single mother with her four children enjoying the spring air. Smiling over at the family I greeted them. Later my daughter came home from school and tells me one of our neighbors is a school mate.

Be the Light

_____ a tow truck brings the mother’s car home. Noticing the situation I send an offer over to give the children a ride to school every day, no charge. While riding to school (several days later) making small talk, the conversation ventured into the area of church and a relationship with Christ. An open invitation is extended for the family to join my family anytime.

            A few weeks later, there on my doorstep stands the mother asking if there any way I can help me get some food. Wanting to help, I dug in my freezer, pulled out a few items, and handed them over to her. She says “Thank you so much.” Later that evening while I was shopping, the family was still on my mind. Double the items we needed started flying into the shopping cart. Before pulling into our drive way, I made a quick stop at the neighbors to unload half of the things I had purchased. The neighbor stands shocked; she begins to tear up and says “Thank You” “There’s no need to me but thank God because he kept your family on my mind and provided the means to bless your family.” The following Saturday her little one stands on the doorstep “My sister and me want to go to church with your family tomorrow.” “OK, see you in the morning.”

            Sometimes YOU are the only Christ people see, so we must show the Love of God to all-- all the time.

“And sold their possessions and goods and

 parted them to all men as every man had need”

Acts 2: 45 KJV

 

Until next time, remember you are Chosen

Christine Fowler

Creative Ministry

                                                               Creative Ministry

My neighborhood is quite interesting. I live where darkness dwells. The ghetto. I've been asked to minister in my neighborhood before, and with the walks of life that run through there, there was no way I was going to risk my life. My neighborhood is filled with druggies, wife beaters, dumpster divers, drug dealers, prostitutes and sex offenders of all kinds. It’s downright scary there. Again I have been asked to come up with a creative way to reach the people in my neighborhood, and since its only on paper I think I will be safe. So this is what I have.

Not only are the people in my neighborhood the things i mentioned before, but there are some that are as close to regular as possible; however, they all have one thing in common. The desire to know the latest juicy gossip. So with this plan I know they will come flauking. First I would send a SWAT team into the neighborhood. All geared up and ready to raid an apartment full of drugs and low lives. The SWAT team would creep in a stealth like manner down the street, where busy body neighbors would be sure to see them, and head for their destination. Without a doubt the neighbors will race to their window, and some crazy enough to step out onto their porches, to see what is about to go down. The SWAT team would reach their site and infiltrate the apartment, and of course there would have to some commotion to keep the interest of the neighbors. And it will, trust me.

BANG!! CRASH!!!! BOOM< BOOM!!!!!

"We've got them now. Over."

"Roger that. Secure perimeter, and stand by."

Once the streets calmed down neighbor by neighbor they would desperately head over to the apartment managers office to find out the retched details of someone else’s demise. Well at least that is how they would act about what had happened. The apartment manager would give a small amount of information and be quite irritated at the disaster that was left in the apartment from the raid. Of course, and I would be willing to bet, the majority would love to go look. Of course to keep their attention the manager would have to offer up some extra little details. Once they get to the apartment to see the disaster the SWAT team left behind and..... At this point I came up with two ideas for the deliverance of the Lords word.

Option one: Once the apartment manager and neighbor waked into the apartment guys dressed in dark clothing would grab the manager and tenant and sit them in a chair and begin the interrogation. Siting in a chair with light blazing on their faces, as their nerves kicked in they sit there wondering, "What’s in the world is happening?" At this point The men in dark suites would start asking questions the interrogates.

"Do you know of this savior they call Jesus?"

"Have you heard of this called salvation?"

And the conversation and deliverance of the Lords word would go on from there. **No neighbors were harmed in this ministry exercise, not even the pig headed ones who thought they could fight Gods word**

Option two: Once the apartment manager and the tenant entered the raided apartment they would find a bit of a mess (keeping up appearances with the boom), and men in robes (ancient disciples). Where they will all come together and have a meeting; a gathering at the table of intelligence and begin discussing the great word of our Lord and the life and times of Jesus and all the apostles, and together with the Lord bring people to the Lord.

So with the creativity of the ministry and deepest desires of that neighborhood to have to, have to, know what was going on or they just might die from lack of gossip, people were brought together and found the Lord and all the great things that come with being a follower of Jesus and not the world.

Go big or go home. But when you do go, go with God!

~KD~

The Free Fall

There is a story of a man that my father once used in a sermon. As the story goes, a man decided to climb a great mountain, but wanted glory only for himself, so he went alone.

         Night began to fall, and the man was not too far from the top when he lost his footing and began to quickly descend into the cold dark night. As he was free falling, his life flashed behind his eyes--good parts and bad—when suddenly he was stopped in mid-air by the rope tied to his waist.

         At that moment, he did the only thing he could think of, he cried out to God for help. God answered saying “What would you like me to do?”

         “Save me, God!” the man replied.

         “Do you really think I can save you?”

         “Of course I believe you can.”

         “Then cut the rope tied to your waist.”

         There was a moment of silence, and then the man decided he would rather cling to his rope than to trust in God to save him. The next morning, the man was found dead and frozen to death, his body hanging from his rope, hands held tightly to it.

         He was only 10 feet from the ground.

         What rope are you clinging to? What is it that you are hanging on to so tightly that inhibits you from what God has to offer? Trusting God means giving something up that we think is the best thing for us—because we release it in the faith that He has something even greater for us. Are you prepared to cut your safety rope?

-Philos,
Lacey 

Even If He Slays Me

Most of us are intimately aware of the story of Faithful Job. He lost EVERYTHING: all of his family, all of his friends, and every single one of his worldly possessions.  Even his “loving wife” told him to just, ”Curse God” and get it over with. And his “friends” told him to repent for whatever heinous sin he had committed but refused to acknowledge or even tell anyone.

         While not all of us have lost everything as Job did, we have all felt like Job.  When things get bad--and I mean really bad--what will, or what have, you done?

         Did you assume God had abandoned you and turned away from him in anger and hurt? Hardening your heart with bitterness?

         Or did you take a page out of Job’s book (literally) and say, “Even if He slays me, yet will I trust Him”. (Job 13:15, KJV) once again I will be brutally transparent with you guys, I have not always kept that attitude when things began unraveling like a cheap shirt.

         Though there have been times in my life when I have turned my back on God, HE has never turned away from ME. He is always there, waiting for you to turn back to Him.  He never leaves nor forsakes us; yet, you leave and forsake Him. I can’t speak for you, but to me—that sounds like a change of perspective.

Philos,
Lacey Slifkoff

Two Different Worlds

          Another busy day for a mother: after working a ten-hour shift, it is time to guide my daughter toward a brighter future for herself. (Translation: Drive her to the local community college.) We drive through afternoon traffic at almost a snail’s pace; the heat rises from the street creating a somewhat bare feeling to the city. The street is lined with structures that are easily discounted of any interest to me. Out of the corner of my eye, a white flag waves EPIC. I asked my daughter “Did that say Bible College?” her response was, “Yes, and you should go there.” On the return trip, we just knew we had to stop. The excitement just overwhelmed my heart; then as we pulled to the school parking lot, I thought to myself, “I have not been to school in 20 years.”  I reached for the door and was greeted by a bright and cheery, “Hello. Good afternoon how can I help you?” I was in such a swivet, I could hardly form words to express my interest in the school. Patiently, the receptionist waited and responded by calling for an advisor to give me a tour.  I walked out with the feeling of encouragement, knowing I can do this, and with a quick stop at the receptionist’s desk, appointments were made for enrollment.

            I marvel at that the fact that every time I enter the campus there is a PEACE. I walk the halls and can hear others standing in the halls praying. OH! What a place! After a long day of working with the public, it is a fabulous end to the day.  First class of the evening starts with an opening prayer lead by our professor then the students are asked to the introduce themselves. In awe, we complete the task at hand. By time the class is over, we all have a feeling of family with the Love of God to guide us in these newfound relationships.  We head to chapel; we sing and give honor to God together--in school! Then we begin to pray for one another, expressing any difficulties or love ones we want help praying for. After this prayer time was over, I felt an even closer bond to these new surroundings.

            Years later, I found myself on a totally different campus, where I sat in a cold place, with constant stares, making me feel that I am out of place. Not one smiling face or warm embrace. I walked down those dreary halls of higher education not knowing for sure if that was where I should be. Oh how I longed to be at EPIC Bible College.  Finding myself in class where no one cares to even know your name, let alone be your neighbor at a table.  At the end of the day, the feeling of needing an “Epic Shower” is overpowering. Cleansing one from the unwelcoming spirit. I return to EPIC. Where people are not so caught up with themselves that they have no time to express the common pleasure of being a human in this big, beautiful world He created just for us. Thank God for EPIC where, unlike the world, we do take time for each other.

 

 

Chosen

 

Christine Fowler

More Like Him

          Working in customer service has is perks. For example, just the other day I was having a conversation with a lady about today’s church, and how different it is from the original idea Christ had for the church.

            She told me a story of a man that once went to a very well known and very wealthy televised church. He was homeless and wore the only clothes he owned- dirty, raggedy jeans with holes, a stained button up shirt missing some buttons, and holey shoes. As you can imagine, he probably did not smell too pleasant.

            After several people in the church purposefully moved to be farther away from him, the pastor came up to him and asked him to go home and pray about what he should maybe wear to church next week. The next week came, and again the gentleman wore the same clothes as the week before. Again, the pastor approached him and asked him if he had gone home and asked God for guidance on what to wear to his church. The man replied, ‘why, yes, I did. But he told me he didn’t know what I should wear because he’d never been here himself.”

            Many who know me know where I stand on this particular subject. My father, a pastor and preacher, had a heart for the homeless. So I grew up in a home with more compassion and understanding for homeless folks than most. While my own heart has been burdened for the youth of today, part of my father’s legacy of love for the homeless lives on in my heart.

            I cannot tell you how many churches I have been to and witnessed this same situation as that poor gentleman dealt with. My father taught me to always sit near them- or right next to them if it didn’t make them uncomfortable. But sadly, many didn’t have the advantage of being raised the way that I was.  They pull away and turn from the different, the new, the smelly, and the dirty. I’ve heard it said, by my own pastor, that if Jesus himself walked into some churches these days he’d be asked to leave because he didn’t fit the “dress-code.”

            How can we be Christ’s hands and feet if we are too busy fluffing our dresses, and smoothing our shirts to lend a hand to someone in need; or resting our feet after a “hard week” in our brand new, fancy work shoes, to go out to where those without proper shoes are?

            How can we be his arms that envelop us all in unending, and undeserving love when we are too busy crossing our arms in disgust as Mr. john doe shuffles into church looking for acceptance and love, but not looking (or smelling) the right way?

            The bible tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22: 39 AMP), yet how can we do that when we are so focused on our own problems and ourselves? It is proven fact that going out into the world and helping those that Christ also loves just as much as us, but don’t have the things and possessions we have (such as a roof over their head, more than one set of clothes, or simple toiletries for women.) will not only change your perspective, but open your eyes to how to be more like Christ. And in the end, isn’t that what we are all striving for? 

Philos, 

Lacey 

Passion Week Reflections from Prof. Ken Bluemel

Saturday

One Day before Resurrection Sunday

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish;  so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40

 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached [announced the victory of the Cross and the hope of Resurrection] to the spirits in prison.” 

1 Peter 3:18-19 

   A series of post-Calvary events commenced with the death of Christ. Initially, as our Great High Priest, Christ presented His blood in heaven thus satisfying the righteous demands of the Father. He then descended into Hades declaring a full and final victory at the cross. In this declarative act all the righteous dead who throughout the ages had been awaiting the Messiah, could rejoice.  The keys to death, hell and the grave had been taken from Satan; he had been defeated, judged and sentenced. [1]  Christ was triumphant!

  How can I say it any clearer?  “WE WIN BECAUSE CHRIST WON.” Regardless of the daily skirmishes be they large or small, the ultimate outcome has been decided.  In the final analysis, those who are Christ’s are already victorious.  Let your mind dwell on those things.  Set your affections on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of power and authority.  Oh yes, we are seated with him!

    Dear Victorious King, Thank you for victory.  Thank you for the hope and peace provided by that overwhelming and triumphant conquest. Thank you that your righteousness is my righteousness and that I stand totally complete in you.  Let me live with that perspective throughout this day. 

            Gripped by a sense of Your victory,

           

                    Be blessed today folks,

                                Pastor Ken

---

[1] Ephesians 4:8-10;Hebrews 9:11-14;  1 John 3:8; Colossians 2:13-15; Revelation 1:18; Matthew 12:40; 1 Peter 3:18-19; Matthew 27:50-53; Colossians 3:1-3;  Ephesians 2:6

Michelangelo's Pieta--St. Paul's, The Vatican, Rome, Italy, T. Colburn