A passionate follower of Jesus said “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel.” Paul said this in Romans 9:2-4 about his great desire to see his native people become followers of Jesus. He was so passionate that he was wishing that he be “cut off from Christ” if that meant that his people would accept Jesus. THATS PURE PASSION!
The only thing that matters is leading people to become followers of Jesus! It is worth living for and it is worth dying for with full passion! How can we do it?
1. Give to Bring Your Best on Easter Sunday, April 12 like you have never given before. God gave His best to us in Jesus, we owe Him no less than our best (CLICK HERE to listen and watch). This offering will be used to reach the lost through our Worship Center being upgraded to better communicate the message of Jesus to those who are not yet followers of Him. Will you passionately give towards Bring Your Best?
2. Take the HD Living business cards and give them out to people inviting them to attend on Easter Sunday, April 12. This may be the one time in the year that they are open to hearing about what Jesus has done for them. Will you passionately invite people on Easter Sunday, April 12?
3. Get ready to be in a New Small Group. The purpose of these groups is evangelism, discipleship, and community with the goal of multiplication – they exist to reach the lost! Two are now started, more will be on the way. Will you get passionate about networking with others to reach people with the love of Jesus?
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Fun and Faith!
On Tuesday of this past week a really exciting and neat thing started. Our first Prototype Small Group met in Jane and I’s home. Nine adults and nine children made for a full and life-giving group!
From all accounts thus far, the start of this group was wonderful. In less than two hours we worshiped, reviewed vision, discussed the Word, and had a fun time of fellowship. And the children had an incredible time praying for each other and learning the Word together in their own “kids slot” while the adults met!
It was wonderful to relax on Tuesday night sharing the love of Jesus with each other in this group. There was freedom, order, ministry, and fun all in a non-stressed atmosphere. At times we were serious. At times we laughed until we almost cried. Jane and I can’t wait for Tuesday night again!
Our second Prototype Small Group of 16 adults and 7 children is set to start on Sunday night in our home. I expect that it will be just as good of a start as the first one!
From these two Prototype Small Groups a new network of Small Groups will naturally emerge as leaders multiply out of these two groups to start their own groups. Our prayer is that the vast majority of Fellowship Church will eventually be a part of one of these new life-giving Small Groups.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
From all accounts thus far, the start of this group was wonderful. In less than two hours we worshiped, reviewed vision, discussed the Word, and had a fun time of fellowship. And the children had an incredible time praying for each other and learning the Word together in their own “kids slot” while the adults met!
It was wonderful to relax on Tuesday night sharing the love of Jesus with each other in this group. There was freedom, order, ministry, and fun all in a non-stressed atmosphere. At times we were serious. At times we laughed until we almost cried. Jane and I can’t wait for Tuesday night again!
Our second Prototype Small Group of 16 adults and 7 children is set to start on Sunday night in our home. I expect that it will be just as good of a start as the first one!
From these two Prototype Small Groups a new network of Small Groups will naturally emerge as leaders multiply out of these two groups to start their own groups. Our prayer is that the vast majority of Fellowship Church will eventually be a part of one of these new life-giving Small Groups.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Simple Deposits...
As we seek to live The Simple Life, our relationships will need some attention. It is easy to ignore those closest to us due to the trust and security that has been built up.
Each of us has the potential to have both deposits and withdrawals made from our relationships. Allow me to remind us of some deposits that we can all make daily in our relationships…
1. Listen to learn. Really inquire about how the other person is doing. And when they respond, really focus on what they are saying, not on how you are going to respond.
2. Speak positively. When you talk do so in an uplifting way. No matter how bad your day has been, it could always be worse. Words bring life or death – make a decision that yours will bring life. Do you speak as though the cup is half-empty or half-full? Is you attitude full of faith or frustration? Have you given a compliment today?
3. Forgive generously. Hold nothing back on this one. Forgive as if you were a multi-billionaire seeking to give it all away. Simply say, “I forgive you” and really mean it. The more you forgive, the more freedom you enjoy!
4. Serve. Do something that the other person appreciates. What could you do for them that would communicate love to them and costs no money? Simple service is priceless!
5. Touch. Be gentle, be passionate, be pure. As a married couple, allow God to bless your physical intimacy. Hug your child. Hug your parent. Hold your spouse's hand. And did I say, be passionate?
If we will do these simple things daily in our relationships, we will build an “account” that will grow and last!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Each of us has the potential to have both deposits and withdrawals made from our relationships. Allow me to remind us of some deposits that we can all make daily in our relationships…
1. Listen to learn. Really inquire about how the other person is doing. And when they respond, really focus on what they are saying, not on how you are going to respond.
2. Speak positively. When you talk do so in an uplifting way. No matter how bad your day has been, it could always be worse. Words bring life or death – make a decision that yours will bring life. Do you speak as though the cup is half-empty or half-full? Is you attitude full of faith or frustration? Have you given a compliment today?
3. Forgive generously. Hold nothing back on this one. Forgive as if you were a multi-billionaire seeking to give it all away. Simply say, “I forgive you” and really mean it. The more you forgive, the more freedom you enjoy!
4. Serve. Do something that the other person appreciates. What could you do for them that would communicate love to them and costs no money? Simple service is priceless!
5. Touch. Be gentle, be passionate, be pure. As a married couple, allow God to bless your physical intimacy. Hug your child. Hug your parent. Hold your spouse's hand. And did I say, be passionate?
If we will do these simple things daily in our relationships, we will build an “account” that will grow and last!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The Good Stuff AND Worship Center Renovation...
On Sunday we will explore the subject, “Embrace the Good Stuff” as we seek to live The Simple Life. God has provided much “good stuff” for us to embrace. The power, peace, presence, provision, and purity of Jesus is good stuff that nothing else on this earth can compare with. We can now understand why the Psalmist wrote “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him (Psalm 34:8).”
Speaking of “good stuff,” a team comprised of the staff and others in Fellowship (Darla, Fran, Pat, Brandy, Paige, Teresa, Donna, Richard, and Joel) has been working diligently to put together a renovation plan for our Worship Center. I am pleased to inform you that this team, in consultation with a professional interior designer, has put together “good stuff” for this renovation.
Colors have been selected, carpet patterns secured, lighting changes decided, stage modifications planned, and technological visual enhancements identified. Please view a computer generated picture of these planned changes on Sunday on the bulletin board in the Main Welcome Center. We hope to renovate the Worship Center June 23 – August 16 with your help!
The plan is to raise the needed funds (approx. $35,000) for this renovation on Easter Sunday, April 12 in our BRING YOUR BEST 09 offering. This annual offering is in celebration of God giving His best to us in Jesus. Please plan now to pledge and/or give generously and sacrificially in this offering! Note: You can also begin giving now to BRING YOUR BEST 09, just indicate so on your check or envelope.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Speaking of “good stuff,” a team comprised of the staff and others in Fellowship (Darla, Fran, Pat, Brandy, Paige, Teresa, Donna, Richard, and Joel) has been working diligently to put together a renovation plan for our Worship Center. I am pleased to inform you that this team, in consultation with a professional interior designer, has put together “good stuff” for this renovation.
Colors have been selected, carpet patterns secured, lighting changes decided, stage modifications planned, and technological visual enhancements identified. Please view a computer generated picture of these planned changes on Sunday on the bulletin board in the Main Welcome Center. We hope to renovate the Worship Center June 23 – August 16 with your help!
The plan is to raise the needed funds (approx. $35,000) for this renovation on Easter Sunday, April 12 in our BRING YOUR BEST 09 offering. This annual offering is in celebration of God giving His best to us in Jesus. Please plan now to pledge and/or give generously and sacrificially in this offering! Note: You can also begin giving now to BRING YOUR BEST 09, just indicate so on your check or envelope.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
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