The last couple of weeks has been busy getting ready for the 2009 BMX Season. Six nights of labor at the track getting it ready.

The track needed some work, especially the 4th corner. Had to get some drainage channels to remove the lake that had accumulated. Then I built up the start of the berm to get a better grade into the corner.

We still have a battle with weeds….looking at trying to get a lawn care company to partner with us. Offering some signage in return. That would cut down on club volunteer time and effort.

I am also pursuing getting the City to expand our existing site. This will give the track more options possibly rebuilding the track in 2010.

New in 2009 was an info pack to all the riders informing them about the new events in 2009: Redline Cup Qualifier, Pro Clinic, Club Challenage, Monthly Plate Challenage. The BMX’ers really liked getting this package.

There is also going to be a white board for tasks needed to be accomplished at every event. Once a BMX’er signs in the next step, check the board and sign-up for a task.

The track is in very good riding shape to start the year. I may change one or two obstacles half way through the year. That is dependant on the cash flow through the club.

Saturday is the first race.

Finally getting around to recapping this past Sunday…really should do these recaps on Sunday night, they would probably be better. This week has been pretty busy, 2nd week at the BMX track prepping for the opening this coming weekend.

We had a unfortunate situation this past Sunday, one of the elder’s that has been part of Faith Apostolic for many many years was in the hospital.  I was wondering what was going on when I did not see his car in the lot and his wife was inside when I went into the building.

I stopped by to visit Bro. Briggs in the hospital in the afternoon before the PM service. His blood pressure was way down and he had an irregular heartbeat.  He was feeling better when I saw him, but was very tired.  He is in his late eighties…needs prayer.  He told me he was checking his watch and was thinking it was almost time to head to church.

In the AM service, I started a new series called, “Unstoppable”.  I talked about 3 basic items that would make the vision of the church, any church for that matter, unstoppable.

• Being a church where everyone is welcome.
• Being a church where everyone is needed
• Being a church where everyone is changed.

In the PM Service, I started a different series for the next few weeks for the evening.  I talked on Social Justice.  It matters to God that justice is served. The great miracle and mystery of God is that he calls you and I to be part of what he is doing in history.  We are his hands and feet.  We are to demonstrate Christ’s love to all the world: to disciple the nations, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to heal the broken and even rescue the oppressed.

If we are going to sing, “All the children are precious in His sight,” we better mean that.

For those that are abused, beaten, kicked, neglected, told that they are not of value, not good enough, we share Christ’s saving love on the cross and the servant love of our hands.

Tags: Justice, Unstoppable, Social Justice, Jesus Christ,

This past week I received the first book from the Thomas Nelson - Blogger Book Review program. 

The book I selected was Collapse of Distinction by Scott McKain.

Once I am completed the book, I need to post a 200-page review.  While so far the book is about businesses, and how they can survive and be distinct for their competitors, I believe there is a lot to learn and apply to the church.  Interesting so far.

Tags: ThomasNelson, Blogger Book Review, Collapse of Distinction, Scott McKain

Here is the recap from this past weekend at Faith Apostolic. 

Mother’s Day called for a special service for the mom’s, so we did a “Day of the Woman.” I spoke on a topic that would be earth changing. That being, we need to have homes filled with praying moms. If mom’s are praying things will move, families will be impacted, communities will be impacted.

During the message, I called all the children to the front and gave them some instructions that I was going to stop throughout the message and have them share something that they love about their mom.  Even with the instructions it took some arm twisting to get them to speak when I stopped.  But it was fun.

At the close of service, we passed out flowers to all the females present in the service, past moms, present moms, future moms, and any female even if they wouldn’t be a mom.  We were celebrating all daughter’s of Eve on this day.

In the evening service, I spoke on the simple fact that we have a promise that we cannot forget. Jesus Christ is coming back again.  This is something that needs to be part of our foundation of who we are as Christians.  I mentioned that the previous week I spoke on that it is all about him, it is all for him, it is all in him…..and he has promised that He is coming again. 

Tags: FaithApostolic, Day of the Woman, Mothers Day, Cornwall

This Sunday being Mother’s Day, my wife asked if I will be doing a messge for mom’s. Which I will be speaking in the AM. Hopefully, my Mom, Mom-In-Law, and Sister-In Law (she is a mom), will be out. My younger sister may be there as well.

In the PM we have a some ladies that do not attend the AM, I was thinking about doing the Mom’s Day as well, but I am planning something else. I am planning on doing a message on “Jesus’ Promise”

Here is the recap from Sunday @ Faith Apostolic.

• The morning service there was some time spent talking about the meeting from Wed 04292009.  The District Board appointed a new pastor for Faith Apostolic.  The new pastor will be moving to Cornwall at the end of the school year in June.  There were some really nice things said to me from the board members.
• My message was one that I used in both services.  I find that at FA, with the current attendance situation, one message seems to be more effective for both services. The message was important to help build the foundation of each person. 
• My message was about Jesus Christ; It’s All In Him, It’s All About Him, It’s All For Him.
• I first established who Jesus Christ is, all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in him. I Tim 3:16
• Talked about early Christians in Rome, being fed to the lions in Colosseum, living under ground in the Catacombs. Through all the persecution, they communicated that they new who Jesus Christ was and continued to live out their faith as followers of Jesus Christ.
• Went over the early roots of Pentecostals; Topeka Kansas, Azusa Street, United Pentecostal Church, RE McAlister, Howard Goss, Andrew Urshan, Charles Parham, William J Seymour, Frank Bartleman.
• It is not about the building, it is about the builder, not about rules or regulation; it is about Jesus Christ. We need authentic faith in Jesus.
• Early Christians gave their lives for Jesus, they were burnt on stakes by Nero, feed to the lions, live under the city of Rome in tunnels, so in the busyness of life, we can’t forget Jesus.

Tags: JesusChrist, Azusa Street, United Pentecostal Church, Catacombs, Colosseum, Rome, RE McAlister, Howard Goss, Andrew Urshan, Charles Parham, William J Seymour, Frank Bartleman, Nero, Cornwall

This past Wednesday night, Faith Apostolic voted in a new pastor.  I do not know the individuals name, I was not present at the meeting.  I wasn’t privy to it prior to FA meeting the person.

I had spoken to my Pastor a couple of weeks prior when we were made aware there was some interest from this individual to put their name forward to the membership of FA.

This means that very shortly, the role of Calvary Church supporting FA as a quasi-daughter church will be ending.  FA will once again become a autonomous church again.  It is estimated by the end of June the transition will be completed.

In the meantime we will be continuing to speak in the services at FA on Sundays.  Once that is completed, we will be back at Calvary Church.

What are the next steps for my family and I.  Initially integrate ourselves back into Calvary Church.  I have already talked with Pastor Jeremy about somethings for the future…it will interesting to see those things develop over the next while.

I have already starting prepping myself to move in that direction.

Tags: FaithApostolic, Cornwall, vote, pastor