The Bangor Liberty Bell

Sharing the News and Views of

Bangor Liberty Friends Church

 

April 2013   Volume 34, No. 4

 Manny Garcia, Pastor

 

 

Be Transformed…

Stories and Principles that Change Our Lives

Part 12

 

This is the final devotional from the series on being transformed.  Jeremy Ridley, the author of this month’s reading, has been on a true journey of transformation for many years.  He shares some life experiences and some biblical truths that help us all remember that when we seek God first everything else seems to work itself out.  I hope you have been blessed by this series.  Have a great month and Happy Spring!

 

                             -Pastor Manny

 

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

 

 

Seek God First!

By Jeremy Ridley

“In every good election, as far as depends on us, the eye of our intention ought to be simple, only looking at what we are created for, namely, the praise of God our Lord and the salvation of our soul.” - St. Ignatius of Loyola, The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

I have come to a point in my life where the choices I have made in the past are very evident to whether I sought after God first or included Him afterwards. The choices that I made first and then included God afterwards always seem to catch up to me and require a greater level of sacrifice to rectify the choice. When I include God in my choices first, God composes the choice so beautifully that His footprint is evident in all circumstances. If there are sacrifices to make, we may grumble a little, but be gracefully willing to sacrifice because we know God’s faithfulness and that the sacrifice will lead to God’s abundant blessings.

About eight months ago, my family and I moved in with my wife’s sister and her family to be obedient to God’s calling of eliminating certain debts and being more faithful with our money. About two months into us living there, my wife and I bought an expensive truck. We prayed about buying the truck and all my wife heard was that the Lord said He would provide. I didn’t hear anything from God myself. Essentially the decision was in our hands so we made the choice to buy the truck. Looking back on the decision, the Lord was testing us to see if we were going to give into our desires or be obedient to His calling to eliminate certain debts. We made the wrong choice and bought the truck. During my master’s program at the face2face gathering, the Lord put it upon my heart that He wanted me to get rid of the truck.

About two and a half months ago my wife and I had talked about our desire to be in our own place again, but didn’t want to detour from what God was asking of us. So we prayed to God asking what his desire for us was. Unlike when buying the truck, my wife and I were patient in receiving an answer from God on what His desire was for our living situation. About a month later, the Lord woke me up out of a dead sleep in the middle of the night and put clearly on my heart that He was giving us permission to leave where we were currently living. My wife and I nonchalantly started the process of looking at homes and getting preapproved through a lender. We looked at several homes, but nothing seemed right. Well, about two weeks ago God wanted His plan to come to fruition and the evidence of His footprint on all things when invited first would begin to become evident.

Five and a half months ago I had been trying to work with our mortgage company on a rental property of ours to modify the loan to get a fixed rate mortgage from the current adjustable rate mortgage. After five months we finally got approved, but not for the modification. Instead the mortgage company approved us for a dead-in-leau where we give the property back to the bank and we walk away from the property. Typically, this is done for people who are going into foreclosure, but we were not. Nevertheless, this would affect our credit negatively and if we were going to buy a new home then we had to act fast. That very same day (Friday) my realtor emailed a few listings and one property happened to be in a neighborhood we have had interest in. That evening my wife and I went and looked at the property and the moment we walked in we knew that this house was the one. So we had our realtor write up a purchase contract.

The following Monday the mortgage lender called and said that because of the high HOA fees and the fact that we have two other properties, our debt to income concerned them when looking at us purchasing another property. Well, that expensive truck I had mentioned earlier, it was time to get rid of it. Once I traded in the truck we were approved for the property and submitted our contract to the listing agent the next day. The very same day we made the offer, our offer was accepted. The next day we got a call from our mortgage company on the rental property and they said they decided to approve the modification and we received a significant rate drop that was fixed.

Do you see God in this? My family prayed for God’s will in us wanting to leave our current place of residence. He gave us permission to leave, but we were dragging our feet. God used our rental property and the dead-in-leau to motivate us to look and placed the exact property He wanted us to move into that same day. He used the ultimatum of us not getting the property to motivate us to trade in the truck and when we were obedient to that He placed the property again on a platter with an instant decision the same day we made an offer. Then just to show off, God also knew by trading in the truck we would get a refund on service contracts purchased, totaling the amount that our mortgage company would come back to us saying we needed to close on the loan. Ultimately, God had us sacrifice the truck, which we did not properly seek Him first, and opened every door for the new house, which we did properly seek Him.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” -Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

Suggested soul-training exercise:

Whether you are currently faced with a decision on financial matters, marriage, transition, or any decision, earnestly seek God’s guidance first. Pray to God and ask Him to be first and part of every aspect of your decision. Pray to God that you desire His will above all else even if that means not getting the answer from Him you want.

 

 

Tune your anxious heart to patience,

Walk by faith where sight is dim;

Loving God, be calm and trustful

And leave everything to Him.

                -Chambers

 

 

Library Ledge -

Emphasis on Evangelism

            “Go into all the word and preach the gospel…” Mark 13:15.  The books on display this month will change you to reach out to tell others the Good News about Jesus and His love. 

          From Gentle Persuasion: “For most of us evangelism means loving people until they ask you why.  It’s touching people in ways appropriate to your own giftedness so that Christ becomes the issue.  God isn’t asking you to back an unbeliever into a corner, but He is calling you to action.”

          No matter who your neighbors, co-workers or relatives are Lifestyle Evangelism can help you establish common ground and build relationships that can be powerfully used by God.

          Conspiracy of Kindness tells us that God passionately loves unbelievers and can win them most effectively through small acts of kindness. 

          These and other books that encourage your walk with unbelievers can be found on the library ledge.

 

 

Live Love

-Celebrate National Library Week - April 14-20.  Drop off a card of appreciation and encouragement along with some Hugs & Kisses for the staff and volunteers.  Leave $10 at the desk with instructions for it to be used for the next person who needs to pay a fine.  Leave a card with your church name.

-Prayer Walk around your community - simply pray for each home and/or business you pass.

-Give flower seed packets to retired couples of those widowed as a sign of hope for the future.

-In honor of National Poetry Month copy a favorite humorous poem and mail it to someone who needs a laugh.  You could also post it on Facebook for many to enjoy.

-Spring clean your clothes closet.  Give away what you are not using to charity groups.

-Buy sidewalk chalk.  Take it to a park and pass it out for kids to decorate the walkways.

“Forgive and give as if it were your last opportunity.  Love like there’s no tomorrow, and if tomorrow comes, love again.”  (Max Lucado, Every Day Deserves a Chance)

 

 

HOC Meal Report   

On March 28, 19 from BLFC provided a stick-to-your-ribs meal for 61 guests.  Thanks to all of our great volunteers!  Our next meal will be April 25.  Come and be blessed!

 

 

Congratulations!

*Lucas and Kari McCracken welcomed their first child, Haley Lynn, born on March 12th at 7:46 pm at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.  Haley weighed 6 lbs, 14 oz and measured 20.5” at birth. Congratulations to Lucas and Kari and all of their family!

Their mailing address: 31362 I Ave, Hubbard, IA 50122.

 

*Congratulations to Danielle Nichols and

Larry Juncker, both of State Center, who were married at BLFC on March 23 by Danielle’s uncle, Randall Nichols.  Larry and Danielle’s mailing address is: 604 4th St SW,

State Center, IA 50247.

 

 

Remember In Prayer

~BLFC Jr. High Mission Trip to Kenosha, WI,

   July 21-29, Adults and youth participating

~The new director at Mesquakie Friends,

   Daneen Ahumada & her husband, Mark.

~Providential Homes Ministry

~Nathan & Brianna Martin, and son Caleb

   serving in Cambodia

~Chip & Alicia Daleske, preparing for the

   summer camping season at CQH

~Our friends at Bethel Grove Church and

   prayer requests expressed at the prayer

   vigil & combined Palm Sunday Service.

~Faculty & students at Ramallah Friends

   School

~Morgan Martinez and her work with

   InterVarsity in Atlanta, Georgia.

~House of Compassion, clients, staff

 

 

Acts of Love & Kindness that can be expressed to children & youth -

*A special surprise one adult and one kid “date” at the restaurant of their choice.

*Let them help you do something you

   normally do alone, even though it will take longer.

*Plan a special day trip - children’s museum,  

   park, music concert, ballgame, etc.

*Buy a funny card or write a letter and put

   it in the mail.  Everyone loves getting personal mail.

*Buy a book that was your favorite at their

   age and give it or read it to them.

 

 

Children’s Church

Children age 4 through grade 5 are encouraged to participate on April 7 and 21.  Lessons will be to review the Easter story and learn what makes a Godly marriage.  We will prepare snacks for Monthly Meeting attenders and provide lunch for couples married over 40 years.

 

 

Bangor USFW    

Bangor USFW ladies will gather at Peggy Martin’s home in Marshalltown for a workday at 9:30 on April 16. Lunch will be provided.  Bring your scissors!

 

 

Liberty USFW

          Ladies of Liberty USFW will meet at Gladys Lane’s home on April 18th for their 7:00 pm meeting. 

 

 

In Honor Of Marriage

            Children’s Church kids will make and serve lunch after worship on April 21st to all couples in our church who have been married 40 years or more.  The children will eat with the couples giving them an opportunity to talk about the keys to a long and happy marriage.  If you and your spouse have been married over 40 years, be sure to signup and reserve your spot at our April 21st lunch.

 

 

Concert of Prayer

Sunday, April 21st

6:30 pm

LeGrand Friends Church,

LeGrand, Iowa

Pray with others from Iowa Yearly Meeting that the church might pursue intimacy; which leads to purity, unity and the power of the Holy Spirit. 

 

 

*Registration Brochures -

available now for - 2013 Summer Camps at Camp Quaker Heights

A $25 late fee will be required if you do not get your registrations to church treasurer, Scott Davis, by May 19th.

 

 

 

Marriage Enrichment Retreat

Led by Paul & Jennifer Daniel

April 26-27

Camp Quaker Heights

Cost is $150 per couple

(includes overnight stay)

$120 per couple if commuting

Call Mindy Hadley at Quakerdale

641-497-5294 for more information.

 

 

the art of marriage -a six session video event

getting to the heart of God’s design

Friday, June 21 & Saturday, June 22

Bethel Grove Church, rural Liscomb

Friday, 6-9:30 pm, Saturday, 9-4

Cost is $35 per couple

Registration deadline - May 31, 2013

To register - call 641-496-5266

 

April Mission Emphasis:

Nathan & Brianna Martin, Cambodia

God has now rooted Nathan and Brianna’s hearts in Snoul, Cambodia so that it truly feels like home to them.  They state, “If we look with our physical eyes, we see spirit and ancestor worship everywhere.  Shrines and temples, incense and offerings, talk of good deeds for a better reincarnation and monotonous chanting of monks surround us.  However, when we look through eyes of faith, we clearly see God at work.  We are blessed that the house church that seemed so fragile last year now often surprises us with their passion for outreach and obedience to Jesus.” 

          Pray for a smooth transition when team leaders return in April; for God to go before them; for wisdom in parenting Caleb and for good health for them all.

Please be generous in your giving on April 21st to support and encourage the Martin family in their ministry to the Cambodian people.  Checks may be written to BLFC and designated for the Martins.

 

 

Mark Your Calendars!

*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

 

 

Kingdom Rock VBS

Where Kids Stand Strong for God!

          No matter what the weather is like today, it’s time to start thinking about Vacation Bible School!  At Kingdom Rock, kids experience incredible Bible learning experiences, team building games, and fun Bible songs that help their faith flow into real life.  Learn more about this program from their website:  http://group.com/vbs/kingdom-rock

Mark your calendars for the evenings of August 4-9 and get ready for an adventure.  Be in prayer as to how you can help with this important ministry to our church & community. Pray for the approximately 50 kids we hope will come to learn how to stand strong for God.

Consider the following needs: crew leaders, staff devotions, Bible leaders, games leader, set designers, transportation, mission presenters, registration, nursery, snacks, and lots of floaters.  See Jenalee or Margaret to volunteer or to learn more.

 

Thanks for generously giving to the House of Compassion Supply Closet during March.  Every item will be used and appreciated by those in need.