Life Transformation Blog
Faith isn't just about that first step... it's many steps that get easier as you take the next step and the next one and see that God is always faithful. Take a look at this week's video devotional, inspired by our OFF Campus!
Pastor Tracy
FAITH IS A VERB
Enoch: Faith to Seek
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
Keeping a gratitude journal has become a popular thing in the past several years. It's the practice of finding a bit of time each day to write down what you're thankful for. Studies have shown that gratitude can improve your physical and mental health, help you sleep better, and improve your self-esteem.
This really isn't a surprise since we know that gratitude is a key part of our lives of worship and given to us as a command in may places. Here are a few examples: 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Colossians 1:14, Colossians 3:15, Psalm 100:4.
Life is not always easy... maybe it feels like it rarely is for you. But as I was reminded by a friend recently, knowing difficulty can make the joy and gratitude that much deeper and sweeter.
My heart was so full starting this week that I wanted to do what that old chorus told us to do... "Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings see what God has done..."
God has faithfully:
allowed us to gather and encourage each other on Sunday in multiple venues at the same time (car + radio or livestream!)
provided a financial miracle for our church (more on that soon!)
let me see many of your faces as you drove out of the parking lot... my favourite "Lobby Time" ever!
provided a free washer and dryer set for the Freedom Community Centre - we had been praying for this for some cool opportunities coming up in that space!
given me the opportunity to meet and bless my neighbours in ways I haven't ever had the chance to
hear more and more and more stories about conversations you guys are having with your friends, neighbours, co-workers and family members about Christ
And on and on it goes. Sometimes we can name a specific provision, sometimes we celebrate a conversation we've been able to have, sometimes we are grateful for a time of receiving specific direction from the Lord... He blesses in more ways than we can name.
Remember - and I don't say this tritely - that even when the day is dark and you are finding it very hard to count your blessings, you always, always, always have Jesus. Even if things aren't easy or you feel lost or you are anxious and afraid, we always have Him. You are still seen, loved, forgiven, held, kept, redeemed, made whole and being prepared for eternity with Him.
Are you celebrating His goodness and presence in your life?
I'd love to hear about it. Drop me a line any time: tracy@freedomkw.com
One by one,
Pastor Tracy
FAITH IS A VERB
Creation: Faith to Understand
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
Rob has a very consistent habit of resetting the trip odometer in the vehicle every time we fill up the tank. The idea is that every week or two we can do a check in to see how the gas mileage compares to the last few weeks and over the long haul. I'm told that if your mileage is getting worse it can point to an issue that you need to have looked at: tire pressure, air filter, fuel system... and a bunch of other things that came up when I Googled it.
We're using our 5th Sunday services to act like a bit of a trip odometer this year. We started in January by creating a Life Transformation Goals for 2021 and lots of you took the opportunity to download and fill out the form. If you did, it's time to pull it out, look at where you're at, make any adjustments that the Lord is leading you to and pray about where you'd like to be by the time our next 5th Sunday rolls around (August!).
If you haven't started using this resource, it's available to you any time at www.freedomkw.com/next-resources.
It's not about perfection, it's about intentionally investing in your discipleship this year.
And to push the mileage analogy even further... we're having a DRIVE-IN SERVICE on Sunday!!! We're so excited!
Here's what you need to know:
Come a few minutes before 10:00 to get parked and settled.
The Host Team will meet you in the driveway with a special kit for your car and will let you know where to park.
Please stay in your vehicle while you're on the property.
Once you're parked, take a look a the fun stuff in your car kit!
The service will be about 30 minutes in length.
The Host Team will assist in dismissing vehicles from the parking lot in an orderly way.
We can't wait to see you!
If you can't be with us, we will still be livestreaming the service on Facebook Live as usual and you can join us from home.
Let's drive in and check our gauges this weekend! (Too far?? LOL!)
Pastor Tracy
5TH SUNDAY
In Common
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday marks 50 days since Easter. It's a pretty special day on the Church calendar because what happened that day, as recorded in Acts 2, was nothing less than incredible. Jesus, after promising to be with us always, ascended into heaven and ten days later, the Holy Spirit was poured on the disciples who were waiting in Jerusalem for this promise to be fulfilled.
To get ready for Sunday, I wanted to share a few resources with you that might help you understand the significance of this day more deeply and to see how its impact is still relevant for your life every day.
YouVersion Reading Plan: Pentecost - 5 Day Devotional
We started this on Tuesday but you can start whenever you want!
Life Transformations Course: Life in the Spirit
Download for free and use it as a personal bible study. Let us know if you want to talk about the content with someone or have any questions.
Book: Simply Spirit-Filled
This book by Dr. Andrew Gabriel is easy to read, relatable and helpful in exploring issues around and objections to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Academic Study: The Charismatic Theology of St. Luke
This book is an academic work by Dr. Roger Stronstad but don't be intimidated - it's still very readable!
There's so much to discover and learn about the Holy Spirit and we have limited time on Sunday mornings so I encourage you to get curious and dig a little deeper this season of Pentecost.
Don't forget that I'm always here to bounce ideas and questions off of if you need a sounding board or someone to point you in the right direction!
Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday through the lens of my iPhone,
Pastor Tracy
PS - Did you hear that 5th Sunday, May 30th is going to be a drive-in service?? Yeah!! Details in next week's devo but plan to be here IN PERSON... even if it's inside your vehicle!
(YOUR) WORLD PEACE
Pentecost Sunday: The Power of Peace
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
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We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
I started a thing and now it's a thing. Ever done that?
The black edging in our garden was in bad shape. It was lifting in places, totally buried by grass in others and had been run over by the lawn mower a few times. Time for a change. I had some wedge-shaped landscaping bricks in the backyard that I decided to repurpose to replace the garden border. It took me a couple of Saturdays but I was really pleased with the transformation. Tidy and zero cost.
Somewhere along the way I realized (but pretended I didn't) that the edging continued all the way up the side of the house... like 80 more feet of it. There wasn't a logical place to stop the bricks and the side garden was looking unkempt as well so... the thing I started became a much bigger project than I realized when I laid that first brick. It's going to cost me something - some money, some time, some back pain. And I can already tell that it's the right decision, even if I can only do about 10 bricks at a time.
And so, I've made a plan. I'm not going to try to accomplish it in a sprint. I will work on one section at a time. I am removing a few feet of border at a time, digging out the rocks, pouring in pea gravel, leveling the brick I'm on and repeating about 100 more times.
Here's what I've observed:
I don't have to do everything at the same time.
When I look at how much I have left, I get overwhelmed. When I look at the brick I'm on, I place it well and am excited for the final product.
While I'm woking on each small section of the garden, I'm able to take care of other things that are happening in that section - weeds, splitting hostas, mulch that needs to be moved or added - and take care of it in much better detail.
I’m making progress.
I know you’re already understanding this analogy. My life in Christ is not just for today and tomorrow. It’s for the rest of my life here on earth and for eternity. The full and abundant life that is transformed by Christ happens day by day, step by step, verse by verse, prayer by prayer. When we stop looking at the 80 feet of garden that we haven’t mastered yet (all that we don’t know, the people who seem to be way ahead of us…) we won’t be able to cooperate with the work the Holy Spirit is calling us to today and the stuff that is right in front of us. We get overwhelmed and tempted to give up.
But there is joy and beauty in staying in step with the Spirit. So what is in front of you today? What is He speaking to your heart through the Word or whispering in your ear as you work or giving you as truth to exchange for a lie you’re believing? Lay that brick today. Tomorrow, lay another one. Wednesday, do it again. He will empower you for each brick and He will be faithful to finish what He starts in you.
With you in the long obedience in the same direction,
Pastor Tracy
“...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
I started a thing…
…that became a thing.
(YOUR) WORLD PEACE
Peace in a Fearful World
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
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We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
It was great to hear so much positive feedback from Angela's video about red brain and blue brain on Sunday morning. (Haven't seen the service? Watch it here.) I'm thankful that she would share her knowledge with us and thankful to have great teachers like her in our school system!
The way that God has made us is truly incredible and as science discovers more and more of the mystery of how we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14), we can use this information to grow in our spiritual lives.
It's also humbling to be brought face to face with our limitations in applying this information successfully as we navigate each day. We are created in the image of God but we know that we are not God - we are definitely limited, finite and in need of His power.
With this in mind, I've made the "extended cut" of the video available to you if you want to learn even more. I want to make every possible opportunity available for us to learn and grow and hear what the Holy Spirit might want to use as He transforms our lives day by day. I am praying this resource helps you.
On a personal note, I didn't ever intend to be in this video so I look a bit overly casual since I was jumping onto Zoom after a workout, but still, Angela's content is worth it! LOL!
Learning with you,
Pastor Tracy
(YOUR) WORLD PEACE
Peace in a Filtered World
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
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We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
We've starting doing something with more and more frequency over the past year that I. AM. LOVING. We invite everyone to a reading plan in the YouVersion app that relates to the season (Advent, Lent, etc.) or our current series of Sunday message. I can't believe how encouraging it is to track along with others as we read scripture together and how much it reinforces what God is speaking to us here at Freedom. I've included this past Tuesday's devotional (the write-up before the scripture reading) for you today because I loved the concept and think you'll find it helpful.
By the way, you can always jump into the reading plan with us at any time... it doesn't matter at all if you're "behind" or missed a few days.
YOUVERSION READING PLAN: Pathway to Peace
In the Word with you,
Pastor Tracy
Balance - Guard the Gates
By Road Warriors
We had prayed about this. I remember the conversation driving to our hotel a few hours earlier, and the conviction that had grown in my heart about it. It was a leap, but I needed to bid the career farewell and narrow my focus to the business startup, mission work, and family. Peace overwhelmed my uncertainty, knowing I was about to remove a giant from my shoulders and elevate almost every other aspect of my life.
My prospective employers on the other end of the line were taken back when I declined interest. This months-long pursuit was a good fit, but it would likely have taken me straight back to where I had begun, over-committed and off balance.
When push came to shove, it was over. Chains broken – a major step of faith. I had a sense of well-being I hadn’t experienced in a very long time. I breathed a deep sigh of relief and sincerely thanked God as we strolled to the beach for a long quiet walk.
I had guarded the gates. When we consider opening the door to more, even things we strongly desire, we must vigilantly yet respectfully protect the balance and purpose God has given us. We can do this in partnership with Him by praying specifically about what we add to our plate. We can do devotion that relates to the question, and then wait and listen to hear if it is ours to take. Is it moving us closer to or further from balance, to or from peace, and to or from God’s desire for our lives?
Guarding the gates in partnership with our Creator is a foundational element of the journey from stress to peace. It provides an amazing purpose-oriented filter for decision-making. We seek His view and purpose in everything. Over time our lives begin to consist more of things that are spiritually valuable and impactful. Life becomes more balanced, peaceful, and meaningful. We move closer to God. This is big.
What is currently standing at your gates, and how would it impact your pursuit of peace if you were to allow it entry? Would it take you nearer or further from balance, and God’s desire for your life? What can be laid down or reduced in your life to foster balance?
(YOUR) WORLD PEACE
Peace in an Angry World
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
ICYMI (that's internet speak for "in case you missed it")... we did some really cool things in the past few weeks that we didn't want you to miss. I've highlighted in them in the March Financial Update and Vision Moment and wanted to take this devo to mention them.
We've been working on new ideas to leverage our digital presence by trying new things and investing the time and resources we need to grow our skill set. The investment is already paying off and setting us up for the future.
Find out more in the March Financial Update & Vision Moment and, yeah, ICYMI... you can watch our Stories Worth Sharing on YouTube or our socials any time!
Challenging and very exciting days are all around us. Thank you for partnering, praying, connecting with us and engaging with your neighbours. We love you, Freedom Family!
With Him and for Him,
Pastor Tracy
PS - Don't forget about Alpha! Invite someone to meet Jesus with you. It started last night but it's definitely not too late to jump in next week!
Wednesdays, April 21-June 16 on Zoom
(YOUR) WORLD PEACE
Peace in a Divided World
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
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We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
We count it a privilege to have such excellent missions partners around the world that we get to support financially. God is moving and using our local church to make a difference in the global church. So grateful!
Our 2021 goal for giving to Missions is $22,000, which is over and above our General Fund budget. We are believing that we will meet and exceed both goals this year.
2021 Missions Giving Plan: CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Pastor Erin gave a report on Sunday and shared some of the great things that are happening with our partners. Take a look at the video and continue to ask God how He is leading you to give to His work at home and with our partners this year.
Partners in the Kingdom,
Pastor Tracy
Wednesdays, April 21-June 16 on Zoom
(YOUR) WORLD PEACE
Peace in a Driven World
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
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We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
We have such an exciting opportunity this spring to share the life-changing faith we have in Jesus with the people in our lives.
A team has been trained and is ready to lead Alpha online. Now it's our turn to figure out who we are going to invite.
Would you pray specifically this week for the Lord to give direction - and also the courage - to invite someone to attend Alpha?
It's running on Wednesdays from April 21-June 16 at 7:00 on Zoom. (You can participate from the lawn chair in your backyard!)
I can tell you from being a part of the training that it is going to be the perfect place to introduce people to Jesus and also, answer some of the questions that long-time believers have wondered about or struggled with. It's just simply going to be a great investment of your time.
Thank you for partnering with us as we launch Alpha. We are believing for God to do great things and ready to step out in faith and invite people to learn more about the One we love and serve with our lives.
INVITE: Share our socials or download a graphic to email/share.
REGISTER: Sign up on our Connecting Point page.
So excited for what's next!!
Pastor Tracy
Want to learn more about Alpha? Check out their website.
(YOUR) WORLD PEACE
Peace in a Noisy World
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
Church - we have an amazing opportunity in the next few days. Similarly to Christmas, Easter is a time when people who don't typically attend church or think about spiritual things are open to coming to church and hearing about Jesus. My question, then, is simple: how can you use this opportunity to share with someone else the incredible life-change you've experienced?
It may be intimidating to think about but really, it can be as simple as a conversation with a neighbour, an invitation to watch our livestream, or a meal dropped off at a door. In all of this, we simply ask God to open our eyes, give us courage and lead us however He wants to.
Here's what's happening at Freedom now and next. Who could you invite to come along and hear about Him?
NOW...
Good Friday - April 2 @ 10:00 - In Person & Livestream
Easter Sunday - April 4 @ 10:00 - In Person & Livestream
NEXT...
Alpha Course - begins April 21 - Online (Invite someone to take it and join them!)
We are asking God to use us in this season for His Kingdom as we celebrate Jesus together.
He is risen indeed!
Pastor Tracy
EASTER… SO WHO IS JESUS?
GOOD FRIDAY
The Power of the Cross
EASTER SUNDAY
Conquering
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
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We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
Oh friends, we're almost there. Easter Sunday is so close now and we're about to enter into the Passion Week that starts with Palm Sunday.
While Palm Sunday is fun to celebrate together during a service (and I have a personal love for saying 'palm fronds'!), I thought a reminder about what Palm Sunday is all about would be helpful for us as we step towards Easter together.
I am so grateful that as followers of Christ we are able to celebrate Palm Sunday with a full understanding of how Jesus would accomplish exactly what we needed, not what we expected.
Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Pastor Tracy
EASTER… SO WHO IS JESUS?
Fulfilling
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We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
The weather was so nice last week that I decided to use it to my advantage for Fast & Pray Days. I took the time that would have been my lunch and went for a prayer walk in the woods. It was beautiful... and treacherous. The paths were thick sheets of ice; simply lovely to look at and terrifying to navigate.
Monday's walk resulted in one good fall. No injuries to report and my pride was in tact since no one was around.
On Tuesday, the ice was showing signs of receding but a layer of water had been forming on the top making it even more slippery.
Wednesday turned into a couple's adventure for Rob and I as we tried not to break a hip while we skirted the edges of the paths that still had a bit of traction.
Thursday I was back in there alone on the slowest walk of my life. In fact, I could hardly walk on the paths at all. I had to trek through the trees in order to make it through.
On Friday, I asked Rob to join me again. He agreed... as long as we walked through the neighbourhood on the sidewalks. I couldn't argue.
So many object lessons came to mind during all of this but the one that I couldn't shake was this:
The places where many, many people had gone before, where the path was clearly marked and wide enough for many people to walk, those were the steps that were beautiful to look at but incredibly dangerous to try and traverse.
It was when I went off the beaten path and found just a few footprints in the snow to follow that my footing was sure and I could make some real progress along the path. It might have looked like I was taking the longer route or expending more energy but I was actually gaining a lot of ground because I wasn't struggling for each step.
Maybe it's because I write a lot of sermons but I couldn't help but make the connection to my spiritual life. The wide-open path that goes along with what's easy and seems most normal to most people is most often the place where people feel lost, question what their purpose is, wonder if their lives are going anywhere and feeling trapped in their circumstances.
The path that detours from there seems like it takes more effort at first but you start to see pretty quickly that your steps are purposeful. The surroundings aren't quite as well known but they are interesting and soul-feeding and cause you to be fully engaged in the steps ahead.
To me, this is the Jesus-centred life. It's not what everyone else is doing, but it's available to everyone. Anyone could have stepped off the icy path and on to the sure footing in the woods but only a few did. But for me, when I did, what seems impossible (making it up that hill!) became possible and beautiful.
Is there some place in your life where you're stuck on the path of least resistance and you're realizing it's just a sheet of ice, not a place that you can keep moving forward?
I'm praying that the Holy Spirit will speak to each of us and show us any place in our lives where we need to step out of what we've been trying and into where He is leading... even if it's not the most obvious choice to the people around us... and take us to the places where we can find life (to the full).
Praying with you and for you,
Pastor Tracy
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
EASTER… SO WHO IS JESUS?
Willing
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
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We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
There was so much joy in the room on Sunday when we announced the Redefine Youth Food Bank Fundraising Event. I know our OFF Campus family felt it too. Church, look at what is coming out of the hearts of the next generation!
#happypastor
In this week's email devotional I wanted to draw your attention back to what these students are doing and encourage them as they grow in Christ and in how He has gifted them to lead.
1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
Redefine, we're cheering for you as you step out and set an example!
Pastor Tracy
Welcome to the Redefine Youth Food Bank Fundraiser! A few months ago the student leadership team of Redefine Youth gathered together and discussed the needs the community we live in was facing and how we could help. Unanimously, we came to the conclusion that a great and practical way we could help out would be to contribute to our local food bank. We set out to raise $500 that would provide 1500 healthy meals for families in need! Beginning Sunday, March 7th and ending Sunday, April 11th we hope to reach that goal! If you’d like to partner with us in this, please check out below some handmade items, limited edition masks, original paintings and a few items up for our silent auction. 100% of the proceeds go towards the food bank!
EASTER… SO WHO IS JESUS?
Misunderstood
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
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We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
I loved this post from Pastor Erin on our Connecting Point Facebook Group this week. It's been a difficult winter season but this is a great reminder that we know the very Source of joy.
- Pastor Tracy
Did you know that you can lose your joy? I'm sure some of you just answered yes, it's called living through February. But in all seriousness there are times in our lives when we feel like we are going through the motions.
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David experienced a time like this. In Psalm 51:12 he writes, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." We know from 1 Samuel 11 that when David wrote this Psalm he was dealing with sin that had driven a wedge between him and the Lord.
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Sometimes our lack of joy can be from unconfessed sin in our lives. An attitude, action, words, thoughts and so much more when left unchecked can rob us of the joy of the Lord.
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If you feel like you've been going through the motions lately take time today and ask the Lord to examine your heart and expose anything that isn't pleasing to Him. If He reveals things, confess them and know that you are forgiven. Ask Him to help you live in the joy of His salvation once again.
Pastor Erin
PS - Check out this month's Financial Update & Vision Moment!
EASTER… SO WHO IS JESUS?
Surprising
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We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
A symptom is something that alerts you to what's happening beyond what you can see. Your sneezing can tell you that your body is allergic to pollen and is telling your immune system to fight against it. The sneezing is obvious and annoying but isn't the issue in itself. It's the way that your body tells you that something microscopic is going on.
Finding the source most often needs to be traced from something you are experiencing in some way. Which begs the question: how are the things that I'm doing and saying and feeling pointing me to something that I can't immediately see?
Of course, so much of Jesus' teaching was pointing us to see this. He told the people that if they were struggling under unbearable religious demands that they needed to get things right with God on the inside and then the outside would be put right. (Matthew 23) He told a man that his sins were forgiven before he healed his physical body. (Mark 2) He taught us that outward actions are sourced from the heart first. (Matthew 5-7)
In this Lenten season, we have the opportunity to be drawn to repentance and dependance on God in a focused way. We can do this any time of the year, of course, but Lent gathers us together and helps us to put aside the pride that we carry as we look at the example of Jesus and all that He accomplished for us in humility and submission.
It's especially beautiful because we do it together, in community. And because of that we have each other to help us and encourage us and set an example for us as we allow the Holy Spirit to trace back the symptoms to their causes. What needs to be laid down? What needs to be surrendered? What needs to be confessed? What needs to be brought out and celebrated?
I want to encourage you to submit to this process as we move toward Easter. I fully believe that a heart that is postured to listen and respond to the Spirit every day is the heart that can be transformed every day.
Jesus, transform our lives so that we can impact the world for you.
Pastor Tracy
WALK TOWARD EACH OTHER
Walk Toward Your Work
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We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
According to John Maxwell, leadership is influence. By that definition, we are all leaders in some way. There are people that we influence with our lives - our friends, kids, spouse, coworkers, or family members. The question is... what will we do with that influence?
As a church, we believe that we are called to equip the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13) and we're always looking for the most effective ways to do just that.
That's why we're launching Impact Leadership Training (ILT).
Margaret, Erin and I have been working together for several months to find a way to invest in anyone who wants to develop their leadership capacity and grow in their ability to influence others. It really is that simple. No end game, no recruitment for ministries - just a place to gather with others who are also learning and growing and learn from one another. It's built to challenge you to think about what's next in your life and calling.
Maybe you're thinking, sounds great but I'm not a leader. Even if it sounds interesting, I'm sure I don't qualify. Good news! ILT is built for equipping rookies and engaging seasoned leaders alike so if you're following Jesus and your interest is piqued, you're qualified.
Are you ready for what's next? Details and FAQs are all on our website. We're getting ready to launch in a few weeks so I encourage you to click the link, read more about ILT and when you're ready, send me an email.
Can't wait to get started,
Pastor Tracy
WALK TOWARD EACH OTHER
Walk Toward Your Kids
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We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
Ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians 1:15-23 NIV (emphasis mine)
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I've been spending a lot of time in the book of Ephesians and read a portion of this scripture as our benediction on Sunday... and it is exactly what I want to say to and pray over each one of you this week.
Fasting and praying with you and for you,
Pastor Tracy
WALK TOWARD EACH OTHER
Walk Toward Your Marriage
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We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
I'm writing this on Blue Monday, which you have probably heard about this week. I understand the mid-winter, post-Christmas, cold & dark atmosphere that contributes to this being called this most depressing time of the year. What really got my attention was the other reason that contributes to this - debt accumulated over the holidays that has now come due.
I don't have to tell you that finances are a BIG deal. We're prone to think, stress, fight and worry about money more than most things in life. No surprise there. It's also an area where we get stuck, feel overwhelmed, make mistakes and also keep very private so the weight of our finances can be very, very heavy.
Freedom in Christ really does mean freedom in every area of your life. We don't want you to be dragging burdens around with you as you go through life. We want everyone to know the freedom that comes from trusting Christ in everything - not the least of which is our financial life.
I know a lot of you who want so much to be generous and to be able to serve and help others with freedom. But you can seem to get out from under your debt in order to live generously. I've heard from some of you who know the right principles when it comes to being a good steward (or manager) of your money but are struggling to put them into practice.
Whatever your situation, you are definitely not alone.
We know that as Christ-followers we're called to live generously in every way. It's important for our hearts to know how to trust God with our resources and to be able to bless others extravagantly as an act of worship in response to all we've received from God. We also know that this is counter-cultural and a daily discipleship decision.
With Blue Monday lingering and new year's resolutions starting to (or already!) fizzling out, here are some ways that you can walk in new freedom this year and live out the life of generosity that you have always had in your heart.
Pray about it.
Tell God about your financial situation. Confess the mistakes you've made with your resources. Find forgiveness. Ask Him how you can trust Him more and be a good steward. (Do this with your spouse and kids as applicable!) Listen for His direction and step out in obedience.
Walk it out with others.
Finances don't have to be a big secret. No one has a perfect track record and we can learn from one another, keep one another accountable and find encouragement in the journey toward freedom.
We have some people who are would love to talk with you and help to coach you toward financial peace. Just let us know and we'll get you connected.
Just launched... Financial Peace Facebook Group... for CP group alumni or anyone else that wants to learn and stay accountable! (Watch our socials!)
You can join our Financial Peace Connecting Point group the next time it's offered to get you started with some amazing teaching and biblical challenges. Watch for it later this year.
Keep learning.
Read books/listen to podcasts/watch seminars and sermons about finance. Keep your mind engaged with the priorities in your heart.
Here's a webinar that we shared in our CP Facebook group recently that had lots of ways to reset your finances this year: Ramsey+ Money Reset
Advancing the Kingdom starts in our own homes.
Praying during this Blue Monday week that we would find much hope and freedom as we follow Christ together.
Pastor Tracy
FREE YOUR MIND
The Captives
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
A stay-at-home order... in the middle of winter? Not a great combo. Some of you are wondering how you're going to make it to Easter.
In fact, coming up in a few days (January 18th) is Blue Monday. It was decided that this is the most depressing day of the year (according to Google) "because of the bad weather, dark nights, post-Christmas debt and failed New Year's resolutions." Not very hopeful.
It might be fair to call this the Bluest Monday in our lifetime because the social separation we're experiencing is taking a heavy toll on our mental health.
What's the answer? Should we just try to survive until spring? What if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on February 2nd and we have six more weeks of winter? Will we totally lose it?
The truth is, I don't know what the answer is for you. My situation is different than yours. My struggles are different than yours. My job, health, family, etc. is different that yours. I can't prescribe the antidote to Blue Monday but I can describe some things from scripture that are given to us for help in our time of trouble. I do know that God can use any circumstance to draw us close to Himself and that He is always working on our behalf as we trust in Him.
So here is my sort-of checklist for the next few months as a Christ-follower, wife, mom, and person who feels that spring can't get here fast enough:
Read the Word every day. (More about this on Sunday!) Psalm 119:15-16
Quiet your mind and heart for as long as you can at the start of each day (pray, journal, sit silently and listen to God for at least a few minutes) and repeat throughout the day as required. :) Psalm 131
Find a point of connection with others. Eat meals with your family if you can. Go to the Connecting Point Facebook Group (instead of mindless scrolling social media) and read the thoughts an encouragements of others. Call/text/Zoom with someone. Hebrews 10:23-25
Move. Walk, climb stairs, or change your environment in some way. We know that this has a powerful impact on our mood and state of mind, our ability to problem-solve and to gain perspective on the day. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Set priorities for the day. Give yourself goals to work on (without needing to put on your superhero cape) that move you toward something you've always wanted to learn or be or do. Don't try to accomplish everything at once but do give yourself something to work on. Colossians 3:17, 23-24
Be grateful - about everything you can be, every day, in every situation, as often as you can remember to do it. No lineup at the grocery store - I'm grateful. An encouraging email in my inbox - I'm grateful. The ability to work in sweatpants - I'm grateful. You get the idea. This will transform the inconveniences and challenges of this season in remarkable ways. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I'm working through this list daily, letting it steady my heart and quiet my mind as we walk through whatever is next. Every. Day.
This Free Your Mind series has also been helping me be acutely aware of the battle for my thoughts that is happening all the time. We have been set up for victory over these battles through Christ and I'm grateful for how the Lord has led me to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 in this season.
How about you? How has the Free Your Mind series been helping you? Are you learning something that you didn't know? Have you had a victory in a battle that you've been fighting and want to celebrate? Would you be willing to encourage others with it? We want to tell your stories on 5th Sunday at the end of January. If you can share, please do! Just click the link below and share your hope with others!
Believing with you for a life-transforming season ahead,
Pastor Tracy
FREE YOUR MIND
The Weapons
Join us on Sunday at 10am for church online.
FOLLOW THE LIVESTREAM ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
We also post the service to YOUTUBE on Sunday afternoon.
