On Sunday we will explore the subject, “Get Rid of the Junk” as we seek to live The Simple Life. At times our lives get “cluttered” and “tangled up” with things that hurt us more than help us. Just like a garage or a storage closet can collect un-needed and un-necessary “junk,” our lives can do the same over time…attitudes that are more negative than positive, behavior that is more destructive than constructive, emotions from the past that continue to plague the present…just to name some of the “junk” we collect.
Today, is your heart cluttered or clean? Is your mind filled with conflicting noise or clear direction? Is your conscience clear or cloudy? Are your actions reflecting more of Jesus or more of the world’s system? Tough questions I know, but needed questions to ask nonetheless. Jesus wants the “junk” out so that we can live free and full lives in His Kingdom.
What will it take to get rid of the junk that clutters our lives? One word: CHANGE. When King David realized that his life had become cluttered with the junk of sin, he cried out to God, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12) Restore = change. Salvation = change. Willing spirit = change. King David cried out, “Change me!” He knew that this was the key to getting rid of the junk within.
We need God to change us. We need Him to change the junk within into the sweet aroma of His presence and power. He said in His word that our calling is to be changed into His likeness (2 Corinthians 5:17)…a change that requires us to “Get Rid of the Junk!” May we do it today!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Simple Life
On Sunday I begin a new message series called “The Simple Life.” Have you found that life can be complex and confusing? Have you found an internal struggle for balance and order? Don’t you wish you had a guide to help you determine what is important and what is fluff? I believe that this series has the potential to really help us in all of these areas. Let’s get back to “The Simple Life” based on God’s solid Word!
Speaking of “The Simple Life,” one of the simple and yet powerful blessings of life is to make a choice to be thankful. You know we are blessed as a church to have such an incredible staff team and volunteer base. And many times ministry can be a thankless endeavor. Your “thank you” could very well be some simple and yet powerful water to a dry and thirsty servant of the Lord!
Another aspect of “The Simple Life” is to prioritize. It has been accurately said “If everything is important, then nothing is important.” Two things of priority are coming up in the life of Fellowship Church: 1) Refresh Gathering on Sunday, March 1 at 6PM - I will be sharing important vision updates and a challenging message from the Lord – I really hope you will make this Refresh a priority! 2) Church wide workday on Saturday, March 14 from 8:30 – 2:30. Our plan is to pressure wash, trim trees, touch-up paint, do electrical work, and clean. If you have a pressure washer, please let Michael Kelley know (michael@fellowshiponline.org or 352-514-5117).
I am hoping we can all embrace “The Simple Life” by being thankful and by prioritizing our lives!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Speaking of “The Simple Life,” one of the simple and yet powerful blessings of life is to make a choice to be thankful. You know we are blessed as a church to have such an incredible staff team and volunteer base. And many times ministry can be a thankless endeavor. Your “thank you” could very well be some simple and yet powerful water to a dry and thirsty servant of the Lord!
Another aspect of “The Simple Life” is to prioritize. It has been accurately said “If everything is important, then nothing is important.” Two things of priority are coming up in the life of Fellowship Church: 1) Refresh Gathering on Sunday, March 1 at 6PM - I will be sharing important vision updates and a challenging message from the Lord – I really hope you will make this Refresh a priority! 2) Church wide workday on Saturday, March 14 from 8:30 – 2:30. Our plan is to pressure wash, trim trees, touch-up paint, do electrical work, and clean. If you have a pressure washer, please let Michael Kelley know (michael@fellowshiponline.org or 352-514-5117).
I am hoping we can all embrace “The Simple Life” by being thankful and by prioritizing our lives!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Thursday, February 12, 2009
THANK YOU...EXPRESSED!
Wow – a huge thanks to the staff and many volunteers who made last weekend’s ReNew 09 such a huge success! Nearly 200 people from 11 churches benefited from this conference. And Joel Comiskey ranked ReNew 09 as one of his top 10 conferences out of 198 that he has done all over the world! I am really thankful for our staff (Mitch, Damon, Michael, Jane, Windy, Becky, and Darrain) who worked tirelessly to make this a reality. And the volunteers who sacrificed time and energy were incredible – THANK YOU!
We are blessed as a church to have such an incredible staff team and volunteer base. Please let them know that you are thankful for them. You may not know this, but many times “ministry” can be a thankless endeavor, your “thank you” could be water to a dry and thirsty “volunteer” or “staff member!”
And speaking of being thankful, aren’t you so thankful that God has given us salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ? I know that you are. But you know a “thank you” that is not expressed is really not a thank you at all. We have a great opportunity to express our “thank you” to God on Easter Sunday, April 12. It is called Bring Your Best. What is it? A special offering to give our very best gift possible to thank God for giving His best to us in Jesus! Please begin praying and planning now to take part in this special Easter offering. Note: You may also begin giving now to this offering, just indicate so on your check or envelope.
Expressing our “thank you” to God and to others – that is the take home today. Let’s do it verbally and in action!
Thankful for YOU,
Jeff Powell
We are blessed as a church to have such an incredible staff team and volunteer base. Please let them know that you are thankful for them. You may not know this, but many times “ministry” can be a thankless endeavor, your “thank you” could be water to a dry and thirsty “volunteer” or “staff member!”
And speaking of being thankful, aren’t you so thankful that God has given us salvation in His Son, Jesus Christ? I know that you are. But you know a “thank you” that is not expressed is really not a thank you at all. We have a great opportunity to express our “thank you” to God on Easter Sunday, April 12. It is called Bring Your Best. What is it? A special offering to give our very best gift possible to thank God for giving His best to us in Jesus! Please begin praying and planning now to take part in this special Easter offering. Note: You may also begin giving now to this offering, just indicate so on your check or envelope.
Expressing our “thank you” to God and to others – that is the take home today. Let’s do it verbally and in action!
Thankful for YOU,
Jeff Powell
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Oysters and Training?
This weekend we welcome Joel Comiskey to Fellowship Church. Joel has extensive experience in the realm of small group health. Specifically, he has traveled the world examining churches far and wide to extract workable principles that can be applied in any context. He has a heart for prayer and a passion for the church to reach the lost. Please extend to him a warm welcome this weekend at ReNew 09!
Years ago when I lived in New Orleans I first met Joel and had the opportunity to have lunch with him and another pastor at the original Acme Oyster House. As a “soon to be church planter,” I was eager to pick Joel’s brain on a variety of subjects. Joel very passionately communicated to me the vital necessity to build the training infrastructure of the new church plant first before I did anything else so that disciples could be made and leaders raised up. This piece of wisdom proved to be right on in the years that followed!
And training is equally as important for us as an established church – in fact it is an integral part of our purpose and vision (“Fellowship Church exists to lead people to become followers of Jesus through large groups, small groups, and training.”). To move us forward in the area of training, we have planned three weekend retreats systematically designed to put the necessary tools in your tool belt for leadership success. Retreat #1 called “Leadership Vision” will be February 27-28 (Friday 6:30 – 8:30PM and Saturday 9AM – 1PM). If you are a current leader or are thinking about being a leader, this is for you! Please plan now to attend.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Years ago when I lived in New Orleans I first met Joel and had the opportunity to have lunch with him and another pastor at the original Acme Oyster House. As a “soon to be church planter,” I was eager to pick Joel’s brain on a variety of subjects. Joel very passionately communicated to me the vital necessity to build the training infrastructure of the new church plant first before I did anything else so that disciples could be made and leaders raised up. This piece of wisdom proved to be right on in the years that followed!
And training is equally as important for us as an established church – in fact it is an integral part of our purpose and vision (“Fellowship Church exists to lead people to become followers of Jesus through large groups, small groups, and training.”). To move us forward in the area of training, we have planned three weekend retreats systematically designed to put the necessary tools in your tool belt for leadership success. Retreat #1 called “Leadership Vision” will be February 27-28 (Friday 6:30 – 8:30PM and Saturday 9AM – 1PM). If you are a current leader or are thinking about being a leader, this is for you! Please plan now to attend.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
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