Life is about ONE. It all started with ONE God creating ONE world and ONE human for ONE purpose. Life really is about deciding the ONE thing that is most important and then giving that ONE thing all you’ve got!
It has been said that the difference between winners and losers is simply focus. Focus creates blindness. Focus forces attention. Focus directs. Focus eliminates. Focus unites. Focus is powerful. Let’s focus on ONE.
As a church, there are many things that we could do. Opportunities abound. Good ideas flow freely. Opinions are never lacking. However it is all about ONE.
During the month of January we will engage in a five week message series called ONE! Each Sunday in January we will explore a different component of ONE that we need to keep as the focus of our lives and church. We will discover that being a part of Fellowship Church means focusing on ONE Family, ONE Person, ONE Ministry, ONE Group, and ONE Investment.
My hope and prayer is that at the end of January, we will recommit or in some cases commit for the first time to be a member at Fellowship Church. Fellowship’s founding Pastor Charles Pinkerton wisely implemented a yearly membership recommitment time during his tenure. Prayerfully, we will be able to re-engage that component of our heritage as a church.
To get us headed in the right direction I want to encourage you to engage in a time of prayer and fasting during the month of January. Whatever meal or meals you decide to fast from, spend the time you would normally eat in prayer. As you do this, don’t miss a Sunday in January so that you can grasp the exciting vision of ONE. Then at the end of January or beginning of February, you will be able to make the powerful step of recommitting or in some cases committing for the first time to be a member of Fellowship Church.
Focused on ONE,
Jeff Powell
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
2009 Reflections
During 2009 in the midst of much difficulty, I am so thankful for many things. Life has been tough for a good part of 2009, but I’m going to choose to see my “life cup” as half-full NOT half-empty. And the more I think about the things I am thankful for, the more I see that I am one blessed man! So here are 10 things I’m thankful for in 2009:
10. I am thankful that I live in a free country where I can share freely and openly the love of Jesus with others.
9. I am thankful that our Worship Center was renovated debt free.
8. I am thankful that I have a job that helps to meet my family’s tangible needs.
7. I am thankful that I and my family got to explore several Florida waterways with our boat.
6. I am thankful that missionaries in 8 countries were supported financially through our church.
5. I am thankful that I got to celebrate my dad’s 60th birthday in a wonderful way.
4. I am thankful that we now have 7 small groups with many more to come in 2010.
3. I am thankful for quality relationships that were strengthened and for new relationships that were formed in 2009.
2. I am thankful for YOU - an incredible church family that has stood by me and my family during the difficulties we’ve all been through in 2009 - the best truly is yet to come.
1. I am thankful for a healthy new baby, the best wife a man could ever want, and four children that I love more every day.
I hope and pray that as you close out 2009, you will realize how blessed you are as well!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Jeff Powell
10. I am thankful that I live in a free country where I can share freely and openly the love of Jesus with others.
9. I am thankful that our Worship Center was renovated debt free.
8. I am thankful that I have a job that helps to meet my family’s tangible needs.
7. I am thankful that I and my family got to explore several Florida waterways with our boat.
6. I am thankful that missionaries in 8 countries were supported financially through our church.
5. I am thankful that I got to celebrate my dad’s 60th birthday in a wonderful way.
4. I am thankful that we now have 7 small groups with many more to come in 2010.
3. I am thankful for quality relationships that were strengthened and for new relationships that were formed in 2009.
2. I am thankful for YOU - an incredible church family that has stood by me and my family during the difficulties we’ve all been through in 2009 - the best truly is yet to come.
1. I am thankful for a healthy new baby, the best wife a man could ever want, and four children that I love more every day.
I hope and pray that as you close out 2009, you will realize how blessed you are as well!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Jeff Powell
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Christmas Candy
I need to share a little secret with you: During Christmas I really love to eat candy. From chocolate dipped pretzels, to peanut butter fudge, to peppermint candy, I love it all.
Christmas is known as a time for many things (family, food, gifts, stress, Jesus). I want to encourage you to focus on the main thing this Christmas season - Jesus. I am still in awe of the fact that a baby born over 2,000 years ago changed the course of human history forever. I am still amazed at the grace that touched my life as a child years ago. He really is the greatest gift ever given!
Now, to help you and me focus this year on the real meaning of Christmas, I want to bring your mind back to where we started - Christmas Candy. And more specifically peppermint candy canes. I want to share with you some symbolism that has been seen in the candy cane that I think will help you and me focus on Jesus this Christmas...
- The white candy can represent the purity of Jesus’ birth and the sinless nature of Jesus (Luke 1:26-35, 1 John 3:5).
- The hardness of the candy can symbolize the reality of Jesus being the solid rock for our lives and the firm foundation we live by (1 Corinthians 10:4).
- The candy is formed in to a hook that looks like a shepherd’s staff and can by symbolic of Jesus being the Good Shepherd for us (John 10:14).
- And finally, the candy cane has the notable red stripe on it which can represent the blood of Jesus that forgives us of our sins (Romans 5:9, Ephesians 1:7).
So, as you enjoy this Christmas season, let that sweet delicious candy cane remind you of the real reason for the season - JESUS!
Merry Christmas,
Jeff Powell
Christmas is known as a time for many things (family, food, gifts, stress, Jesus). I want to encourage you to focus on the main thing this Christmas season - Jesus. I am still in awe of the fact that a baby born over 2,000 years ago changed the course of human history forever. I am still amazed at the grace that touched my life as a child years ago. He really is the greatest gift ever given!
Now, to help you and me focus this year on the real meaning of Christmas, I want to bring your mind back to where we started - Christmas Candy. And more specifically peppermint candy canes. I want to share with you some symbolism that has been seen in the candy cane that I think will help you and me focus on Jesus this Christmas...
- The white candy can represent the purity of Jesus’ birth and the sinless nature of Jesus (Luke 1:26-35, 1 John 3:5).
- The hardness of the candy can symbolize the reality of Jesus being the solid rock for our lives and the firm foundation we live by (1 Corinthians 10:4).
- The candy is formed in to a hook that looks like a shepherd’s staff and can by symbolic of Jesus being the Good Shepherd for us (John 10:14).
- And finally, the candy cane has the notable red stripe on it which can represent the blood of Jesus that forgives us of our sins (Romans 5:9, Ephesians 1:7).
So, as you enjoy this Christmas season, let that sweet delicious candy cane remind you of the real reason for the season - JESUS!
Merry Christmas,
Jeff Powell
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Release & Recieve!
FORGIVENESS is not always easy. I can say I forgive someone with my words, but in my heart and attitude I can still harbor un-forgiveness. I am powerless in my own strength to really forgive (release) those that have wounded me. However, when I rely upon the awesome reality of being forgiven by Jesus, it is then that His grace is able to flow through me to forgive others.
Recently we’ve learned several things about forgiveness that I wanted to recap with you here...
“Time doesn’t heal - it’s what you do with time that determines
it!”
“By not forgiving, we think that we’re punishing the other
person, but in reality we are punishing ourselves.”
“Bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting someone else
to die.”
“Those who cannot forgive others break the bridge over which
they themselves must pass.”
“Forgiveness = RELEASING ANOTHER.”
Common reasons we don’t want to forgive others:
“The offense was too great”
“They do not agree that they offended me”
“They have not even apologized”
“They’ll do it again”
“They did it again”
“I can never forget it”
DON’T TAKE THE BAIT! Exercise Faith Over Feelings. Remember, you are a Victor NOT a Victim and you are Worthy of Forgiveness. Now it is time for you to Release and Receive! Who do you need to forgive today? Ask Jesus to help you forgive, His grace is all you need.
With Love,
Jeff Powell
Recently we’ve learned several things about forgiveness that I wanted to recap with you here...
“Time doesn’t heal - it’s what you do with time that determines
it!”
“By not forgiving, we think that we’re punishing the other
person, but in reality we are punishing ourselves.”
“Bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting someone else
to die.”
“Those who cannot forgive others break the bridge over which
they themselves must pass.”
“Forgiveness = RELEASING ANOTHER.”
Common reasons we don’t want to forgive others:
“The offense was too great”
“They do not agree that they offended me”
“They have not even apologized”
“They’ll do it again”
“They did it again”
“I can never forget it”
DON’T TAKE THE BAIT! Exercise Faith Over Feelings. Remember, you are a Victor NOT a Victim and you are Worthy of Forgiveness. Now it is time for you to Release and Receive! Who do you need to forgive today? Ask Jesus to help you forgive, His grace is all you need.
With Love,
Jeff Powell
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Forgiveness Lessons From A Dog?
Ed Young Jr. recently shared a few of his thoughts on the subject of FORGIVENESS. I’d like to share some of them with you...
“I once saw a Doberman so strong that he yanked a park bench out of the concrete to which it was bolted. The dog dragged the bench to a freeway and then whipped it into cars. As I watched, I realized that unforgiveness was doing the same thing to my life … smashing up people … smashing up my God-given potential.
Unforgiveness is like the leash that dog was wearing. It chains you to the junk that people have done to you … the treatment of an ex-spouse, an insensitive coach on some old sports team, or anyone who has hurt or cheated you and you haven’t forgiven them.
I don’t like admitting I need this stuff … but forgiveness has been an issue in my life. I think it’s one of those universal needs — I suspect you’re already thinking about someone you’re still chained to … some hurt you’re still attached to … some part of your life where you really need to get hold of the whole forgiveness thing.”
Can you relate to Ed’s analogy? I know I sure can. When we choose to forgive those that have wronged us or hurt us, the leash comes off and we are free! Who do you need to forgive today? DON’T TAKE THE BAIT - ask Jesus to help you forgive - it is a choice you’ll be glad you made.
With Love,
Jeff Powell
“I once saw a Doberman so strong that he yanked a park bench out of the concrete to which it was bolted. The dog dragged the bench to a freeway and then whipped it into cars. As I watched, I realized that unforgiveness was doing the same thing to my life … smashing up people … smashing up my God-given potential.
Unforgiveness is like the leash that dog was wearing. It chains you to the junk that people have done to you … the treatment of an ex-spouse, an insensitive coach on some old sports team, or anyone who has hurt or cheated you and you haven’t forgiven them.
I don’t like admitting I need this stuff … but forgiveness has been an issue in my life. I think it’s one of those universal needs — I suspect you’re already thinking about someone you’re still chained to … some hurt you’re still attached to … some part of your life where you really need to get hold of the whole forgiveness thing.”
Can you relate to Ed’s analogy? I know I sure can. When we choose to forgive those that have wronged us or hurt us, the leash comes off and we are free! Who do you need to forgive today? DON’T TAKE THE BAIT - ask Jesus to help you forgive - it is a choice you’ll be glad you made.
With Love,
Jeff Powell
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