Paul made a very brash and amazing statement years ago to a church. In Colossians 2:5 he said, “For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.” Even though Paul was not physically present with this church, he was with them in spirit.
Paul of course was right on. Now this does not mean that we can run around practicing some type of spiritual teleportation. But it does mean that there are times when we are separated by physical distance, yet joined spiritually. This was the case a few weeks ago.
Michael and myself were literally on the other side of the world, and yet we felt as though you, Fellowship Church were with us in India. It was amazing. I now can understand how Paul could write such a thing.
You were with us through your prayers and support. We could feel the power and presence of your prayers and support. Thank you for being with us in spirit in India!
It is so good to have a church family that stands with their pastors in God’s call. I am pleased to share with you that last week, God moved upon someone’s heart to invest $1,000 in India. Praise God! Through this investment, orphans will have proper underwear and essential needs of this ministry will be met.
We have so much to be thankful for during this season.
Let us be thankful for Jesus and thankful for each other.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
An Out-Of-The-Ordinary Thankfulness
Everyday we ought to be thankful, but during this season of thankfulness, I believe we should focus on being grateful for things that otherwise we might not notice. For instance...
Several weeks ago on a Saturday night, Jane and I noticed that our puppy boxer named Daisey was not in the garage. We found her in a corner of the yard lying down. She looked weak and very sick. Jane called the vet and strongly encouraged me to take her in. I did not want to, but I did.
The next day she had surgery and it was discovered that she had swallowed one of Ashlynn’s pacifiers. The pacifier had perferated the intestine wall, making it a very serious matter. On Sunday afternoon, Jane suggested that we pray for Daisey. I had never prayed for an animal before, but I did this time more so for the children, than for Daisey.
Thankfully Daisey has made a full recovery and is back to her energetic, playful self. So what did I learn from this?
Number one, all of God’s creation is important. Animals don’t have equal status as humans, however, we must care for all of God’s creation.
Number two, when my wife thinks something is important, it is.
Number three, vets are expensive, especially on the weekends.
Number four, pacifiers are great for babies, bad for dogs!
Number five, God desires to be involved in every area of our lives. Even the areas we think He is not concerned with, like saving a dying pet.
So what are you thankful for today that you otherwise might overlook?
Thankful,
Jeff Powell
Several weeks ago on a Saturday night, Jane and I noticed that our puppy boxer named Daisey was not in the garage. We found her in a corner of the yard lying down. She looked weak and very sick. Jane called the vet and strongly encouraged me to take her in. I did not want to, but I did.
The next day she had surgery and it was discovered that she had swallowed one of Ashlynn’s pacifiers. The pacifier had perferated the intestine wall, making it a very serious matter. On Sunday afternoon, Jane suggested that we pray for Daisey. I had never prayed for an animal before, but I did this time more so for the children, than for Daisey.
Thankfully Daisey has made a full recovery and is back to her energetic, playful self. So what did I learn from this?
Number one, all of God’s creation is important. Animals don’t have equal status as humans, however, we must care for all of God’s creation.
Number two, when my wife thinks something is important, it is.
Number three, vets are expensive, especially on the weekends.
Number four, pacifiers are great for babies, bad for dogs!
Number five, God desires to be involved in every area of our lives. Even the areas we think He is not concerned with, like saving a dying pet.
So what are you thankful for today that you otherwise might overlook?
Thankful,
Jeff Powell
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
An Out-Of-The-Ordinary Thankfulness
Everyday we ought to be thankful, but during this season of thankfulness, I believe we should focus on being grateful for things that otherwise we might not notice. For instance...
Several weeks ago on a Saturday night, Jane and I noticed that our puppy boxer named Daisey was not in the garage. We found her in a corner of the yard lying down. She looked weak and very sick. Jane called the vet and strongly encouraged me to take her in. I did not want to, but I did.
The next day she had surgery and it was discovered that she had swallowed one of Ashlynn’s pacifiers. The pacifier had perferated the intestine wall, making it a very serious matter. On Sunday afternoon, Jane suggested that we pray for Daisey. I had never prayed for an animal before, but I did this time more so for the children, than for Daisey.
Thankfully Daisey has made a full recovery and is back to her energetic, playful self. So what did I learn from this?
Number one, all of God’s creation is important. Animals don’t have equal status as humans, however, we must care for all of God’s creation.
Number two, when my wife thinks something is important, it is.
Number three, vets are expensive, especially on the weekends.
Number four, pacifiers are great for babies, bad for dogs!
Number five, God desires to be involved in every area of our lives. Even the areas we think He is not concerned with, like saving a dying pet.
So what are you thankful for today that you otherwise might overlook?
Thankful,
Jeff Powell
Several weeks ago on a Saturday night, Jane and I noticed that our puppy boxer named Daisey was not in the garage. We found her in a corner of the yard lying down. She looked weak and very sick. Jane called the vet and strongly encouraged me to take her in. I did not want to, but I did.
The next day she had surgery and it was discovered that she had swallowed one of Ashlynn’s pacifiers. The pacifier had perferated the intestine wall, making it a very serious matter. On Sunday afternoon, Jane suggested that we pray for Daisey. I had never prayed for an animal before, but I did this time more so for the children, than for Daisey.
Thankfully Daisey has made a full recovery and is back to her energetic, playful self. So what did I learn from this?
Number one, all of God’s creation is important. Animals don’t have equal status as humans, however, we must care for all of God’s creation.
Number two, when my wife thinks something is important, it is.
Number three, vets are expensive, especially on the weekends.
Number four, pacifiers are great for babies, bad for dogs!
Number five, God desires to be involved in every area of our lives. Even the areas we think He is not concerned with, like saving a dying pet.
So what are you thankful for today that you otherwise might overlook?
Thankful,
Jeff Powell
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Modern Technology & The Bible
Today I am in the country of India. India is a large country with a very fast growing economy. As a country they have made incredible progress technologically and educationally. However, they still stand with one of the largest populations in the world who have never heard about Jesus. Only 2.4% are Christians! Please pray for Michael and me as we share the love of Jesus. You are with us in prayer, spirit, and support!
Speaking of India and technological advancements, I received a great comparison between cell phones and our Bible recently from Windy. I think you will like it.
“Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets? What if we flipped through it several times a day? What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it? What if we used it to receive messages from the text? What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? What if we gave it to kids as gifts? What if we used it when we traveled? What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?
Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill. Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities?' And no dropped calls! When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!”
Looking forward to seeing you soon! (We return November 16.)
With Love,
Jeff Powell
Speaking of India and technological advancements, I received a great comparison between cell phones and our Bible recently from Windy. I think you will like it.
“Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets? What if we flipped through it several times a day? What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it? What if we used it to receive messages from the text? What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? What if we gave it to kids as gifts? What if we used it when we traveled? What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?
Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill. Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities?' And no dropped calls! When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!”
Looking forward to seeing you soon! (We return November 16.)
With Love,
Jeff Powell
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
One Man's Great Passion
Sunday, November 7, Michael and I leave for a mission trip to India. We are going to be ministering with Pastor Joseph Matcha. Please pray for Michael and me as we share the love of Jesus. You are with us in prayer, spirit, and support! To help you know a little more about where we are going, I have included a few excerpts from my correspondence with Pastor Joseph Matcha...
“I love God’s people like you, because the people here are so hungry for the word of God. Indian people must be saved and Indian people must be reached and I cannot be calm while India is going to perish. In India there are 70,000 villages and most of the villages are not reached with the gospel so far. I have a vision to reach them with His Gospel. To reach the people I need such a people like you. My only thing is reaching the people at any cost. For that I will do any thing, I will work for that and I long for that.
Today a brother from my local church shared a dream he had. In his dream, he saw that you were holding huge meetings here at our church. Actually he doesn’t know about you but God Himself told all these things to him. Not only the brother, I too have had many dreams that God gave concerning your visit. I know and believe God is great and His name will be exalted this year with your visit to India.
You know my desire and longing. My dream, desire, vision and everything is for the perishing souls. All our Indian people must be reached for Jesus at any cost. God promised me that He is going to give me more harvest this year. So I am looking forward to reaping it and I hope it would start from the day of your visit to Christ Fellowship Ministry.”
Thank you for sending Michael and me to India!
Jeff Powell
“I love God’s people like you, because the people here are so hungry for the word of God. Indian people must be saved and Indian people must be reached and I cannot be calm while India is going to perish. In India there are 70,000 villages and most of the villages are not reached with the gospel so far. I have a vision to reach them with His Gospel. To reach the people I need such a people like you. My only thing is reaching the people at any cost. For that I will do any thing, I will work for that and I long for that.
Today a brother from my local church shared a dream he had. In his dream, he saw that you were holding huge meetings here at our church. Actually he doesn’t know about you but God Himself told all these things to him. Not only the brother, I too have had many dreams that God gave concerning your visit. I know and believe God is great and His name will be exalted this year with your visit to India.
You know my desire and longing. My dream, desire, vision and everything is for the perishing souls. All our Indian people must be reached for Jesus at any cost. God promised me that He is going to give me more harvest this year. So I am looking forward to reaping it and I hope it would start from the day of your visit to Christ Fellowship Ministry.”
Thank you for sending Michael and me to India!
Jeff Powell
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