Be Transformed…

Stories and Principles that Change Our Lives

Part 11

What an awesome movement of God we all experienced during the 42 Days of Prayer.  If you weren’t able to participate in the 42 Days of Prayer, or if would like to re-read the devotionals, they can be found on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/blfchurch).  This month’s devotional by my good friend Marc Compton is a great reminder for those of us coming down from the mountain that we climbed during the 42 days.  We may have a misguided sense of our ability to do more or be more (in our own power) now that we have “accomplished” the 42 days.  The point Marc makes is a great one, we must not get so we think so highly of ourselves that we replace God in our own lives.  As another friend of mine says often, “There is a God, I am not Him, and you are not Him.”  Enjoy this devotional and keep seeking those deep, intimate moments with God that allow each one of us to experience Him more fully.   -Pastor Manny

Transformation through Fear

By Marc Compton

“The moment you have a self at all, there is a possibility of putting yourself first-wanting to be the center-wanting to be God, in fact.” - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Throughout the course of my life, I have attempted to attain a sense of belonging in the kingdom of God. As I strove to conform to the image of Christ, I developed a strong misunderstanding of what kind of life God has called me to live. My belief was that my Christianity was contained in my legalistic observances of the law as opposed to the much deeper life altering transformation that true conformity implies. Throughout this entire time of striving to be like Christ, my life of following Christ was contained by my fear of failure to obey His commands.

In fifth grade, my teacher described me as, “a frustrated perfectionist.” I believe that is an accurate term for my personality. As a result of that need for perfectionism, my fear of failure intensified. I cannot think of a time that my fear was ever greater than when I felt the Lord calling me into ministry.

The previous quote by Lewis reminds me of a time of trial in my life. I had just finished a summer of following Christ in the setting of a mission trip. As Lewis explained earlier, I was just beginning to get a sense of who I was, and my confidence grew immensely. However, as my confidence grew, my desire to do things through my own power grew which led to a season of life spent on the run from God. Thankfully, God used my time of flight to reshape and remold my life. God allowed for me to undergo immense trials and even greater failures in order to lead me back to Him. I learned through that time of selfishness that God’s plan is greater than any fear of mine, and more importantly He allowed me to face my greatest fear to transform me more in His likeness.

I thought certainly I would fail at such an endeavor, and I desired nothing more than to run away, and allow God to use somebody else. However, God’s plan was not to use somebody else, but instead it was to use me to accentuate His strengths through the use of my weakness. God has now granted me boldness in His service to be obedient to Him as He continues to transform me.

“I eagerly expect, and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by

death. For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” - Philippians 1:20-21, (NIV)

Suggested soul-training exercise:

As you enter into a time of prayer, allow your mind to focus on your greatest fear. As you may struggle to cope with this fear, remember God is greater than any fear you may have. In your time of intense meditation with Christ, place your fear at the foot of the cross, and allow your fears to be completely overcome by the Almighty God. After you have given your fears over to Christ, allow God to work through those areas of weakness in your life, and pray that His strength shines through, and He blesses your new journey of boldness.

(To catch up on this series download back copies of the Bell at www.blfchurch.org and click on “newsletter”)

150th Spiritual Trails Book

In observance of Iowa Yearly Meeting’s 150th Anniversary a 150th Spiritual Trails Book will be published this summer. Please reserve a copy of the new book for yourself, church or local historical library!  Contact Mary at the Yearly Meeting office,

by calling 641-673-9717 or emailing her at iaym@mahaska.org.  Estimated cost of publication will be $20-$30.

Check out our Friends to the North! - International Friends Church of Minneapolis - here’s their website: http://www.ifcquaker.org

Please remember them in prayer.

Mark Your Calendars!

*Sunday, April 14 - Secret Prayer Partner

  Reveal after Worship.  Sign up sheets for

  your participation will be available soon in

  your communication boxes.

*Friday, July 19 & Saturday, July 20 -

  Photography dates for new church

  directory

* August 4-9, 2013 - Vacation Bible School

* Sunday, September 8, 2013, BLFC 

   Concert Under the Stars

onetimeblind

Four People. One Truth

Appearing at

New Hope Christian Church

Sunday, April 21, 6:00 pm

Free Admission

3901 South Center Street

Marshalltown, Iowa

For more info, call 641-752-1612 or visit:

www.newhopechristianchurch.net

www.onetimeblind.com

2013 Summer Camps at Camp Quaker Heights

Little Fry (k-2nd grade) May 31-June 2
Fry (3-4 grade) June 27-30
Fox (5-6 grade) June 23-27
Jr. High (7-8 grade) June 7-12
High School (9-12 grade) June 14-19
Young Adult (college freshman- age 35) May 31-June 2

Contact: Jay Wyatt (641-740-7469)

 Registrations available soon.

Congratulations!

          Congratulations to Bryce and Kristin

Martin, son and daughter in law of Reg and Melidy Martin, on the birth of their new son, Leyton Zacharias!  He was born on January 25th weighing 8 lbs, 15 oz, and measuring 24” at birth.  Big sister, Saryah age 7, and big brother, Caleb age 5, welcomed him home!  Great-grandparents are Neil and Peggy Martin and Don Nichols.  Bryce and Kristin live in Toney, AL.

Easter Season at BLFC - Join us!

*Prayer Vigil with the congregation of the Bethel Grove Church from noon on Friday, March 22nd through 6 pm on Saturday, March 23rd at the Bethel Grove Church. Members of both congregations will participate in the vigil by using 30-minute time slots for prayer and meditation during the 30 hours of prayer. Contact Manny to sign up for a time slot.

*Palm Sunday, March 24th, the congregations of Bethel Grove and

BLFC will gather at Bangor at 10:30 am

for a combined Morning Worship Service

*Kids’ Easter Celebration, Saturday,

March 30th, from 10 am to Noon at BLFC.

Games, fun activities, an egg hunt and lunch are planned.  All children, preschoolers through 6th grade, are invited to attend. 

*Easter Sunday, March 31

Sunrise Service, 6:30 am outdoors at the Royal Ranch.  Breakfast will be served at the church afterwards.  In case of inclement weather the service will be held at the church.

*Sunday School, 9:30 am

*Morning Worship, 10:30 am -

Join us as we celebrate our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

The joy of living comes from a

heart of thanksgiving.

Remember In Prayer

~Our Secret Prayer Partners

~Providential Homes, Arlen Daleske’s ministry we

   will support with our 3rd Sunday mission

   offering in March

~Chip & Alicia Daleske, new director and office

   assistant at Camp Quaker Heights

~Our Prayer Vigil and combined Palm Sunday

   Service with Bethel Grove

~Faculty & students at the Ramallah Friends School

~Kenyan Friends as they have mobilized to

   head off anticipated election violence.

~Our Jr. Youth Mission Trip to Wisconsin this

   summer - for all youth & adults involved. 

~Morgan Martinez and her work with

   InterVarsity in Atlanta, Georgia.

~House of Compassion, clients, staff

~The new director at Mesquakie Friends

Live Love

“Churches that seek to follow God need only one thing, pure, unfiltered, and unconditional I Corinthians 13 style love; first for God and then for our neighbors.  Everything that a church does should be motivated by these two loves.  Are programs, worship services, meetings, ushers, pastor, worship team, nursery workers, Sunday School teachers, and every other part of our local church motivated by the love they have for God and for His created people?  If not maybe it’s time for a change in focus…As a church there is nothing greater than we can invest in than our love of God and people.”  (Manny Garcia, 42 Days of Prayer)

March Mission Emphasis:

      Providential Homes Ministry

Providential Homes is administered by a Director (Arlen Daleske of New Providence) and governed by a local Board.  Each are strong in their spiritual commitment, having gifts in one or several of the following areas: finances, structural care of house, family dynamics, counseling and legal matters.

The purpose: to provide safe housing and to instruct in financial management, social responsibility, household care, child-care, parental instruction, employability, hygiene and spiritual health.

The ultimate goal is to equip people who are solidified in Christian faith to own their own home and be productive citizens. A Providential Home is for anyone, especially widows and orphans who are in need.

This ministry currently has two homes in Eldora, one is occupied and the other will be occupied March 31st, and is still undergoing some renovation.  Please pray for this ministry - for funds and to receive non-profit status soon!

          Please be generous in your giving to this ministry on March 17th.  Any checks should be addressed to BLFC and designated for Providential Homes.

Garrison Memorial Scholarship

College Students pursuing a degree in a field related to Christian Ministries are encouraged to apply for a Garrison Scholarship through Iowa Yearly Meeting.  One $1,000 scholarship is available this year.  The registration deadline is May 31.  Applications available in the church office.

Library Ledge - Quakers

          Discover our Quaker Roots this month and broaden your knowledge of Friends with books about and authored by Quakers.

Quaker Biographies is a series, which contains information on Daniel Wheeler, Elizabeth Fry, Stephen Grellet and many others. Read series I, Vol. IV to discover which of these was called to preach to an empty lumberman camp. You’ll be surprised at the results of this obedience!

Quaker Lite, by Stan Banker, will make you smile with its silly, yet thought-provoking look at the Friends Church in history and today.

Because Someone Cared is the story of the Quakerdale ministry in Iowa. Quaker Cavalier tells the story of William Penn. It is appropriate for youth as well as adults. Valiant Friend is the story of Lucretia Mott. Youth would also enjoy learning of this gentle woman who fought to end slavery and win equality for women. Check out these and more on the library ledge.

HOC Meal Report   

          20 from BLFC were involved in providing a meal for 55 guests. The menu was sloppy Joes, cheese slices, tomato soup, green beans w/bacon, seasoned potatoes, diced pears, apple, blueberry or cherry dump cake, HyVee cupcakes, milk and coffee.

Our next meal will be Thursday, March 28.  Come join the fellowship and fun we have serving together. 

Children’s Church

Children age 4 through grade 5 are encouraged to participate on March 3

and 24. Projects will include making snacks for those who attend Monthly Meeting, emphasize giving to HOC Supply Closet and providing resurrection rolls for the congregation.

Baby Shower

All ladies of the church are invited to a Baby Shower for Kari McCracken on Saturday, March 9th from 10 am to noon at BLFC.  Social Committee #4 is hosting the shower for Kari. 

Bangor USFW    

Ladies will gather at Peggy Martin’s home in Marshalltown for a workday at 9:30 on March 19.  Margaret will provide the devotional lesson.

Liberty USFW

          Ladies of Liberty USFW will meet for Supper and a tour of the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown on Thursday, March 21st.  The tour is scheduled for 7:00 pm.  A time and

location of the meal will be announced in the weekly bulletin.  Please let Rosalee Patten know if you plan to participate.

House of Compassion

   Volunteer Banquet

   Monday, March 18th  6:00 pm

   St. Henry’s Catholic Church

   211 W. Olive, Marshalltown

Spring Body of Representatives Meeting

Saturday, March 23rd at Quakerdale, registration at 9 am, session begins at 9:30.

HOC Supply Closet:

March is one of two months we contribute to the HOC Supply Closet instead of the Union Food Pantry.  To remember the items needed, just think of the letter “D”.  It will remind you of Detergent, Dish soap, over the counter Drugs, Diapers or Dollars.  If you’d like you can take home a bag in the entryway to use as a reminder to purchase and return these basic needs.  Please help by bringing items or $$ by March 24. 

Each month an average of 530 individuals or families come to the Supply Closet to choose 3 items that cannot be purchased with food stamps.  Thanks in advance for giving these practical gifts of love to our Marshall county neighbors in need.

CQH Work Day

          A workday will be held at Camp Quaker Heights on April 6th beginning at 9:00 a.m.  A new bike shed and the Low Challenge Course will be constructed, as well as general cleaning and preparation for the camping season.  Bring general construction tools, rakes and general cleaning supplies.  Questions?  Contact Chip Daleske via email at campqhi@heartofiowa.net