By Pastor Manny
Have you ever wanted to be a super hero? Be honest. I think everyone, at some point in time, watches a Batman movie or reads a Superman comic, or sees the Spider-Man float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and thinks, “If I had super powers (or an incredible amount of money like Bruce Wayne) I would use it to defeat evil too!" Well, I have some good news! Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Wow! Jesus left us power! Power for the purpose of witnessing! The same walking on water, water to wine, healing the sick, demon driving, dead raising, 5,000 people feeding power that was seen when he walked on this earth over 2,000 years ago. So maybe sweet tights like Captain America’s are out of the question, but who cares? We will be able to use God given power to fight the power of evil in this world and give God the glory He deserves. So why don’t we see this more today? As I remember the story of St. Francis of Assisi it becomes pretty clear to me. You see St. Francis had this power, he healed the blind, he fed the hungry, he performed miraculous works in the name of God, but he wasn’t distracted. Francis spent every waking moment in constant communion with the Holy Spirit. He was painstakingly aware of God’s presence, plan, and purpose at all times. He lived a deep life of devotion without worrying about what he was missing out on, he was too worried about what he’d miss if he didn’t have a deep walk with the Lord. The power is there. It’s available for us to tap into and use it for God’s glory. Not to be the next Christian celebrity, but for us to point to Him in more amazing ways every day. In order to tap into this power we have to push aside the distractions. We have to be so focused on God that nothing can take our minds off of Him. What might your life look like if you were constantly in tune with the Holy Spirit? If TV shows, and sporting events, and shopping, and Facebook, and Twitter, and your hopes and dreams, your job, your friends, or (fill in the blank), had no impact on your awareness of God and his plan and purpose for you in every moment of every day? Powerful? I think so. So that’s my prayer. I desire to remove distractions from my life. Maybe that means giving up some things that I don’t really want to give up. It definitely means redefining my priorities. I know it won’t be easy but I know it will be worth it.
There is a power offered to us for the sake of being witnesses for Christ, the challenge is this; What kind of witness do you want to be? Are you okay with simply witnessing out of your current strength or are you ready for the power of God to drive everything you do? "Power is not an end in itself, it was never intended to be. Healthy spiritual power is, of necessity, tied to spiritual growth. And it is right here, at the linkage between spiritual power and spiritual growth, that we see how intimately connected are the Charismatic and the Holiness Traditions. That interconnection is exactly what we would expect. These two traditions should work hand-in-glove and should fuel each other." -Richard Foster (Streams of Living Water)
Remember In Prayer ~Our Kingdom Rock VBS, August 4-8 ~August Mission emphasis-FUM”s Teacher to Teacher Project ~Our Search Committee seeking a part time/bi-vocational Youth Pastor ~The Friends School in Belize, Sam & Becky Barber, co-directors & their family ~Our college students starting a new semester later this month & in September ~Teachers, administrators, staff & students of our local districts starting a new school year soon. ~Scott Biddle, Iowa Yearly Meeting’s new Young Adult/Youth Director
Challenge to “Live Love”Commit to listening for one thing you know the Holy Spirit is prompting you to do and obey it right away each week for the next three weeks. Then listen and obey twice a week for the following three weeks. Continue increasing the number of promptings you listen for and obey until it is simply a daily habit to listen, obey, and live out the love of Christ.
August Missions Emphasis: “Teachers for Teachers” Kenyan Peace Curriculum Friends around the world joined together to pray for peaceful elections in Kenya. Violence was minimized and hopeful signs of change are emerging. The Peace Curriculum Project pursues peacemaking through the 1200+ Quaker schools. Friends United Meeting hopes to nurture a new generation committed to peace through the work of Zadock Malesi, a specialist in education who serves as a liaison between FUM and the Kenyan Quaker schools. Zadock’s primary focus is training teachers to promote Quaker faith and testimonies in the schools. He desires to see the peace curriculum in all the schools. Imagine the impact of biblical peacemaking, practical tools for conflict resolution taught to thousands of children! What differences might peace-making skills create in the classroom, in families, and across tribal lines? Imagine Christian-Quaker values formed into the lives of the next generation of leaders, business people and community members. As one Kenyan Friend said, “This is one of the most important projects Friends United Meeting is doing!” Our August 18th mission offering will support the teaching of teachers about the peace curriculum in Africa. Please be generous in your financial support to make this program possible and remember to pray for Zadock and the teachers who will be passing on the information to the children and youth.
HOC Meal Report: 48 guests were served a nice summer meal of tuna salad sandwiches, chips, carrots, celery sticks, green peppers, Ranch dressing, celery w/peanut butter, cucumbers & onions, mixed fruit cups, bananas, Scotcharoos, HyVee cupcakes and drinks. During some interactions we were reminded that while the meals nourish their bodies God wants us to be available to care for their souls as well. Thanks for your support of this important ministry. Our next meal opportunity will be Thursday, August 29.
Many Thanks to…. -The Adult Sunday School Class for hosting the monthly potluck on July 7. -All of the ladies who helped with hosting duties at our recent photo sessions for our new church directory.
The focus of salvation is not on what we were, but what we have become and are becoming in Christ.
Bangor USFW Our August meeting will be on the 20th at 1:30 at the home of Ramona Willits. Peggy will bring refreshments and Ann will provide the program. Any ladies who are available at that time are welcome to attend.
Back to School Time--Help ‘Stuff the Bus’ HOC is collecting school supplies to distribute to over 900 needy children in Marshall County. Our church is asked to help provide: wide line notebook paper, 3-ring notebooks, pocket folders, facial tissue, pointed scissors, erasable pens, spiral notebooks, erasers, wide line washable markers and colored pencils. Financial help is welcome. Bring items or funds to “Stuff the Bus” in our entryway between Aug. 4-9. Children will be donating during VBS.
August “Live Love” Ideas -In honor of National Picnic Month, invite a family to join you on a picnic. Ask someone new at church, in the neighborhood or at work so you can get better acquainted. -Share a periodical you love with your whole town by offering to pay for a subscription ($10-$30 a year). If you can’t decide on a title, ask your librarian what is on their wish list. -Write a thank-you note to a mentor or someone who influenced your life in a positive way.
Save the Dates! VBS Program & Family Picnic Friday, August 9th, BLFC, 6:15 pm
Concert Under the Sun & Stars New Date - Sunday, September 8 Know a person/group who wants to participate? Call John at 641-849-0782
Fall Sunday School & DEEPER Kickoff Hot Dog Roast & Hayrack Ride September 11, 6:15 pm, BLFC. Invite your friends to join the fun!
Living Proof Live Simulcast with Beth Moore & worship leader, Travis Cottrell, New Hope Christian Church in Marshalltown on September 14. It begins at 8 am and ends at 3:15 pm. Ticket & meal cost just $10. Registration information available soon.
*Ways that kids & teens can Live Love this Summer - -Offer to transport the children of busy parents to and from lessons and sports activities. -Invite an older person to your home for a meal. Find out what they did during the summer months when they were a child. -Send your pastor a funny story or joke via email or text to brighten their day.
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