Prayer and Fasting

Tomorrow begins our two month church fast. Every Wednesday as a church we will seek the Lord in prayer and fasting for new By-Laws, vision and ministry philosophy.

Here are some thoughts:

1. If you can not abstain from food for medical reasons pick something else.

2. When you get hungry, let it be a reminder how much you should hunger for God. Let it be a reminder of how fragile you are and how much you need food.

3. Let it teach you about your impulsiveness. You will probably reach for food at least a few times during the day without even thinking. It is a good lesson to see how quickly we reach for something we are abstaining from.

4. Fasting is worthless if it is not accompanied with godliness. The prophets decried ritual quite often - not that fasting is bad, but that it can not stand alone.

5. In the times you would eat a meal take the time to pray.

6. Drink water. If you drink juice, coffee or pop your body will have a real hard time.

7. For most Americans food is a vice - we are overweight and can only blame ourselves. It is a tough message to send our brothers and sisters who are starving around the world that we would eat more than we need while they go hungry.

Pastor Darren

Holding Others in High Regard

A few years ago we attended my nephew Eric’s wedding. He married the girl he had waited and prayed for, for 30 years, Alana. It was a joy to attend a wedding that centered around their Savior, Jesus Christ. Throughout the wedding, reception and groom’s dinner the evening before, Christ was shared and it was evident to all that He was top priority in both Eric and Alana’s life.

As we drove away that night filled with wonderful memories, there was something that captured my heart after the evening of celebration. There was a word that left an impression on me. That word was “honor”. There was an attitude of honor at this very special wedding. Eric and Alana took the time to give honor to their parents, their siblings, and all the special relatives and friends that had impacted their lives and were instrumental in shaping their character. There was sincerity and respect in their words. My thoughts went beyond.

We take time to give honor to others during these special events such as a wedding, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation and other celebrations, but do we take the time to really show consideration, love and respect for those in our lives on a daily basis? Do we highly prize all those people in our lives who we live with, work with, and worship with? Do we give honor and consideration to our neighbor? Do we value and give regard to those individuals who we don’t always agree with? Should we? Yes, because it is an attitude of the heart. It is an outpouring of the contents of our heart. The fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives (the evidence of Christ-likeness) is love, joy, peace, patience and kindness. When we demonstrate each of these characteristics in our lives it brings honor to another— and that is the evidence of Christ at work in our life.

As we see others through the eyes of Christ and have a clear understanding that we are made in His image, it should influence us in how we treat and relate to others. We are to honor one another because of who they are in Christ. It is seeing the other person’s value and worth because they are made in the image of God.

Honoring goes far beyond “giving recognition”. It is the principle of holding someone in high regard, giving them consideration. Giving honor is not recognizing someone for their accomplishments but it has to do with our intrinsic worth— we are made in the image and in the likeness of Christ. God used the word honor when he prescribed to us, the Ten Commandments— “Honor your father and mother.” He must have felt it necessary for living a godly life. When we honor one another it results in harmony, unity and peace— something we are to strive for.

We show honor to another by forgiving, and asking for forgiveness. We show honor by respecting, regarding, appreciating, encouraging and affirming one another. It is taking the time for another, giving full regard for, because you are in effect saying, “you are important to me.”

Honor. Respect. Let’s give these to one another freely and unconditionally because of who we are in Christ.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10

Jeanne Johnson

Mark Driscoll on How to Pray for Your Pastor

How can you pray for me? See Mark Driscoll's answer below:

Pray for the shepherds. Pray for them more than you criticize, e-mail, gossip, or blog about them. Pray that they would have a discerning mind to know who is a sheep.

Pray that they would have a thick skin. Pray that they would have a humorous outlook. That they would laugh at themselves, that they would have a tender heart toward Jesus and the sheep. That they wouldn’t be hammered, that they would keep a tender heart, that they would have a humble disposition, that when criticisms are true, they would repent. That they would look at a criticism for a kernel of truth to be sanctified by.

Pray that shepherds would have encouraging families, that their wife would endure all the criticism, backbiting, people who would use her to get influence, that she would remain close to Jesus and be a place of refreshment for her husband, that she would know her job is to keep her husband from despair—not by always agreeing with him but agreeing that she will always be for him.

Pray for his children as people take shots at his family. That his children would not go astray because critics love that.

Pray that one of the elders in the church is a good sniper. That he could spot people who are trying to take down the pastor. If the pastor tries to do it, it’s a lose-lose situation. Some of you elders here need to get in the middle.

Pray that the shepherds would have evangelistic devotion, that they would not just feed the sheep, but that they would love the lost. That they would not waste their time checking their ratings and overlook Paul’s admonition to do the work of an evangelist. That they wouldn’t be so buried in firefights that they can’t see more people become sheep.

Pray for the shepherds, that they would learn selective hearing, that they would listen to their elders, that they would invite into their lives good counsel. Not everything that is said is worth a hearing. Shepherds can become so hard-hearted that their ears are closed and they spend time justifying themselves when they shouldn’t. They need to know who to listen to, who to heed, and who to not to.

Pray for the young shepherds, that older shepherds would not shoot them like wolves and wouldn’t criticize them like dogs, but would encourage them like dads.

Fall Fling
@ Camp Shamineau
October 17-19 We’re going!

We’re leaving at 3:00 pm on October 17. Last day to register is October 1. Cost is $99 due October 8. Look forward to... High Ropes Course, Football, Climbing Walls, Horseback Riding, Tournaments, Campfire Donuts, Chapel Time, Crafts and More!

Speaker is: Billy Sanderson, Student Ministries Director @ River of Life, Elk River, MN (Billy Sanderson is a true testimony to God at work every day in our lives. He is an extremely gifted communicator with a passion for students bigger than the State of Texas! What he loves about his job is that ,"It is not a job, it is a life, and in this life I get to witness many youth making positive choices that enable them to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and seeing the impact that those choices have." His passion, "The things that I am most passionate about are... communicating the Word of God, releasing youth in avenues of their gifts and talents, empowering leaders, and my family!").

SYATP

Wednesday, September 24
7:00 am @ Your School Flagpole

...see you there!

See You at the Pole™ is a student-initiated,
student-led event, for students to meet at their
school flagpole to pray— for their school,
friends, teachers, government, and their nation!

While the prophet Samuel was young, he lived in the Temple under the spiritual guidance of Eli. One night God called Samuel’s name, but he thought it was Eli. After this happened several times, Eli realized the truth and told Samuel to go back to bed and if he heard the voice again to respond by saying… “Speak, Lord,for your servant is listening!” 1 Samuel 3:9b

God did call and Samuel listened. This began a relationship with God that went on throughout Samuel’s life. In fact, in verse 19, it says, “The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his [God’s] words fall to the ground.”

At another point as Samuel was an old man, he addressed Israel: “I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand.” The people agreed that Samuel had led them with integrity and honor all his years, but it began when he was young.

Moving Toward Church Health

At yesterday's business meeting we took a huge step toward church health. The congregation approved the elder's recommendation to form elder led focus groups. From these focus groups we intend to find the pulse of the church and the underlying ministry philosophy of our community.

As we progress over the next three months the elders will tabulate the results and then present the vision, purpose and ministry philosophy to the congregation for approval. This will be a wonderful time of leaning on God.

The elder's are going to be asking a wide range of questions. Here are some examples:
1. Who is the Sunday service primarily geared toward - believers or unbelievers?
2. What is the best way to reach our community?
3. Should we focus on ministry inside our building or outside?
4. What is the role of an elder? pastor? deacon?
5. How should we use technology?
6. What does it mean to be innovative?

Trusting God for healthy unity around the gospel.

Pastor Darren

Youth Leader's Meeting

All adult leaders for Sr and Jr High Youth Group will be meeting this Wednesday at 8:00 after youth group. We look forward to having everyone there!!

Pastor Darren

What Kind of Preacher Do You Want

I ran across this today. Thought I would share it with you. I take no credit for what is below - though it expresses my own belief.

The difference between an entertainment-oriented preacher and a Bible-oriented preacher is the manifest connection of the preacher’s words to the Bible as what authorizes what he says.

The entertainment-oriented preacher gives the impression that he is not tethered to an authoritative book in what he says. What he says doesn’t seem to be shaped and constrained by an authority outside himself. He gives the impression that what he says has significance for reasons other than that it manifestly expresses the meaning and significance of the Bible. So he seems untethered to objective authority.

The entertainment-oriented preacher seems to be at ease talking about many things that are not drawn out of the Bible. In his message, he seems to enjoy more talking about other things than what the Bible teaches. His words seem to have a self-standing worth as interesting or fun. They are entertaining. But they don’t give the impression that this man stands as the representative of God before God’s people to deliver God’s message.

The Bible-oriented preacher, on the other hand, does see himself that way—“I am God’s representative sent to God’s people to deliver a message from God.” He knows that the only way a man can dare to assume such a position is with a trembling sense of unworthy servanthood under the authority of the Bible. He knows that the only way he can deliver God’s message to God’s people is by rooting it in and saturating it with God’s own revelation in the Bible.

The Bible-oriented preacher wants the congregation to know that his words, if they have any abiding worth, are in accord with God’s words. He wants this to be obvious to them. That is part of his humility and his authority. Therefore, he constantly tries to show the people that his ideas are coming from the Bible. He is hesitant to go too far toward points that are not demonstrable from the Bible.

His stories and illustrations are constrained and reined in by his hesitancy to lead the consciousness of his hearers away from the sense that this message is based on and expressive of what the Bible says. A sense of submission to the Bible and a sense that the Bible alone has words of true and lasting significance for our people mark the Bible-oriented preacher, but not the entertainment-oriented preacher.

People leave the preaching of the Bible-oriented preacher with a sense that the Bible is supremely authoritative and important and wonderfully good news. They feel less entertained than struck at the greatness of God and the weighty power of his word.

Building Bridges

Note: I wrote this article in 2006 for our church newsletter, I just ran across it yesterday and thought I would post it. Jeanne

Dictionary Main Entry:

1 bridge
1 a : a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle
b : a time, place, or means of connection or transition

Bridges. When we think of them we no doubt think of a physical structure we cross to get over an obstacle, perhaps a valley or river. Some bridges are wood, steel, concrete or possibly something else. Some are beautiful, some are not. But they all function in the same way— to bring two sides together. In war, bridges are indispensable links that continue the supplies from where they are produced to where they are needed. Bridges are indispensable on a human level as well, in regards to how we relate to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. We as believers in Christ can either act as a barrier or a bridge. Sin is a barrier to our relationship with God, but it is also a barrier in our relationship to one another. If we allow sin to control our thoughts, words and actions, if our decisions are based on selfishness, we put up barriers in our relationship with others.

Bridges allow two-way travel which benefits both sides. In order for bridges to continue to be unobstructed and free of barriers we need to guard against the sabotages of the enemy. “As much as it depends upon you, live at peace with all men.” We need to keep honest, open communication with one another so the bridge can be easily accessed by both sides. We need the ingredients of mutual respect, humility, unselfishness, forgiveness and trust, to act as the foundational pillars of the bridge we are building with others.

When there is a misunderstanding , do you go directly to that person to clear it up, or do you continue to think negative thoughts about the situation? When you speak with another, do you allow for freedom of communication where there is an exchange of thoughts and intentions so that there is an element of understanding of the other? Do you think the best of another, or are you a fault-finder? Do you go directly to the person you’ve had a misunderstanding with, or do you discredit that person to your friends?

The Ultimate Bridge Builder is God Himself— sending his Son Jesus, the Ultimate Bridge, to bring us to Himself. I Peter 3:18 states, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”

In light of the above, and the tremendous sacrifice God made on our behalf, can’t we do the same? We have an example to follow. How good are we at encouraging one another and showing mercy? Do you communicate with love? If someone’s not communicating well, do you go to them? Are you sabotaging bridges or are you maintaining them?

Awana Starts and We're Offering
a New Program!
What’s a Puggle? A) A baby platypus. B) A very funny word. C) A new Awana program for pre-Cubbies. All of those! Puggles is an Awana program for children who miss the Cubbies cut-off date. Older 2 year olds and younger 3 year olds will be taught foundational truths about God!

We have a huge responsiblity! The children in our care are just beginning to learn about our heavenly Father who loves them. We have the potential to impact these young lives for eternity. Puggles is a club designed to teach toddlers NOW about simple truths of the Bible and God's love for them. Kari Johnson is director of this new club.

Awana starts this Wednesday, September 17, 6:00-7:30 pm. For more information contact Pine City EFC office at 629.2584 or Rachel Baltes, Awana Commander at 629.8079.

Youth Group

To all 7th-12th graders - we are meeting from 6:30-8:00 on Wednesday in the Lighthouse. Invite all your friends. The topic the next two weeks: No Flash, But a lot of Bang - How to be an Authentic Christian.

I (Darren) will be leading for the next two weeks.

SEE YOU THERE.

With Gratitude
Thank you so much for your love, concern and support throughout this difficult time in our lives. We have been touched and comforted by your kind words, thoughtfulness and prayer for our family. It is very difficult to lose a parent who was so much a part of our lives.

Thank you to everyone who helped set up tables after the funeral so that the luncheon could be served. Thank you to Kathy Molberg and all the ladies in the kitchen who provided a wonderful meal. We know who all of you are and we are so very grateful for each one of you.

Lovingly,
Jeanne Johnson (for all the Johnsons)

There is so much to catch you up on in and around PCEFC….


A Weekend in the Boondocks

This crew had a tremendous turnout Labor Day weekend at their boondock gathering with a real down-home country show and some city-slicker visitors (Chris Johnson & Co.) performing “Dancing Queen” from the musical “Mama Mia”. This event was hosted by the Lindstrom/Millstead families (kind’a like the Hatfields and McCoys… no shotguns present though!). See the article in last week’s Pine City Pioneer. Here is the Millstead/Lindstrom website: http://www.ourboondocks.blogspot.com/

Happy 95th Birthday Millie!

Millie was 95 years old and we helped her celebrate the wonderful years God has given her at the home of Marlene Sprunk on Saturday, September 8. Millie is a special lady to all of us, she's so full of love and gentleness. If you would like to send Millie a birthday greeting her address is: Millie Trapp, 305 7th Ave. SE, Pine City.

Visitation
& Funeral Services
for Lonnie Johnson

Visitation
Swanson’s Funeral Chapel
Friday, September 5
5:00-8:00 pm (7:30 pm Prayer Service)

Funeral
Pine City EFC, Lighthouse
Saturday, September 6
11:00 am (Visitation 10:00 am)


For directions or questions please call
Pine City Evangelical Free Church office
at 320.629.2584.