| Volume 2.16 – April 19, 2002
It's plenty hot outside, but be sure to be at WILMINGTON first Here is Volume 2.16 of firstIMPRESSIONS. Keep living for God on purpose! POWER FOR LIFE TEACHING/PREACHING SEMINAR SERIES CONTINUES SPECIAL MINISTRIES COMING SOON TO FIRST ASSEMBLY HOW MANY STAFF MEMBERS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB? Yesterday, Thursday, April 18th, started out as just another day. The only unique thing was a small trip up to Philadelphia to take my daughter, Jessica, to a special music conference. My plans were to drive her up, return to Wilmington and work at the church until the time that I would return and pick her up. Well, as I am sure that you all have experienced, sometime the plans we make don't totally work out the way we intended! And, this turned out to be just such a day. As I was driving down U.S. Route 1, just before getting on the Blue Route, my vehicle stalled out. Fortunately, I was able to pull over to the side of the road, out of traffic. I tried and tried to start the good ol' Explorer, and it would give a good try, and at times it would start, and then even would run for a bit. But, as soon as I would put it in gear, and attempt to drive, it would stall out again. And, the last thing I wanted to do was to stall out while in traffic on the Interstate. So, I made a few calls to a few great friends (thanks Jimmy and Charlie! ...and, thank God for cell phones!) and then patiently waited in 90° heat for two hours for a tow truck to arrive. I was safely towed back to Wilmington, where my Explorer sits now awaiting its fate. While stranded in Philadelphia, sitting in my un–drivable vehicle, the Lord quickened a thought to my mind. I held in my hands the key that would start the car. Under the hood was an engine that is strong enough and powerful enough to propel the vehicle and its occupants along at great speed. Under the car is a 4–wheel drive transmission that is capable of traversing extremely inclement weather and off–road conditions. Inside the vehicle is found enough creature–comfort aids and devices to keep me satisfied through long journeys. All of this was at my disposal, and even though I could start up the car, there was not sufficient power to make the car move more than a few feet before it would stall out and be useless. I had all I needed to make the trip I had planned – with one exception – not enough power. And, it occurred to me that this is quite like the situation that many Christians find themselves in. They are saved, they have read and studied God's Word, they are called, they know they have a ministry to do and a lost world to share the Good News of Christ – but they fail to get it all done. Why? They are stalled out on the side of the road, fully equipped yet lacking the power for the journey. Oh, surely the vehicle looks fine, and would seem to be exactly what is needed for the trip. But, with no power, its all show and no go! What we need – what we MUST have – is the power of the Holy Ghost in our lives. Jesus said that we would receive POWER after the Holy Ghost comes upon us, and that we would then be His witnesses! And, that is exactly what we will be speaking on this Sunday morning as we continue our "Power for Life" series. From Acts 8:4–25, I will be speaking about the practical aspects of Pentecost in a message I have titled "The Practics of Pentecostal Power." I am expecting the great outpouring of God's Spirit to continue this week! Don't miss it! POWER FOR LIFE TEACHING/PREACHING SEMINAR SERIES CONTINUES What an exciting time here at WILMINGTON first assembly of God! As we continue the "Power for Life" series, just a reminder that all of the messages are being recorded, and are available to you. Just complete the form found in the church lobby. This coming Wednesday, the Pentecostal Instruction will continue with Part 3 – The Gifts of the Holy Spirit. You won't want to miss this continuing series! Our Power for Life series will conclude on Pentecost Sunday evening with a satellite television simulcast, broadcast nationwide from the James River Assembly of God in Springfield, Missouri. The Pentecost Sunday Simulcast – coming May 19, 2002– is a one–hour broadcast downlink via satellite to Assemblies of God churches in the United States. Join us for this dynamic and relevant presentation of the Pentecostal distinctive communicating the power and relevance of the Holy Spirit in today’s culture. See http://ag.org/pentecost for more information. To see the entire schedule for the "Power for Life" series of messages, click here. We extend our sincerest sympathies to Paul and Mia Burch and their entire family, in the death of Mia's father, Mansoo Kin. We pray that the comfort of the Holy Spirit will be exceedingly abundant to them in this time of loss. SPECIAL MINISTRIES COMING SOON Heart Song– Wednesday, May 6th –a vocal and instrumental group from Central Bible College, Springfield, Missouri– listen to HeartSong by clicking here. HomeFire Family Ministries– Sunday–Wednesday, May 12th – 15th –4 days and 5 Life–Changing Meetings for everyone in the family! Through drama, gospel music and motivating workshops, this one of a kind family ministry travels full–time, challenging families to link arms and be an unbreakable force for Christ. Be sure not to miss this ministry to the family from a family. Three families, three generations, all travel together, featuring Dave & Judy Kyllonen (of Couriers fame), their now–grown children and their grandchildren. Click here to visit the HomeFire web site for information on their dynamic ministry! Evangelist Dr. Jimmy Davis– Sunday, June 16th – one day only – this outstanding evangelist is another of my personal friends. I have known Jimmy and his wife Sheri since we were students at Centra lBible College together. He is one of my absolute favorite preachers, and I know you will be blessed! To read more about Brother Davis and his ministry, Cutting Edge International, click here. HOW MANY STAFF MEMBERS DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE A LIGHT BULB? Thank God, the remodeling and construction work is really gearing up in a big way now! Much thanks to all who are helping, particularly to Ivan Smith! If you would like to help out, give Ivan a call, and he will be sure to plug you in! With all of the construction and remodeling going on around the church, it seemed appropriate to share this bit of amusing information. How many church staff members does it take to change a light bulb? • Senior Pastor – 0 (He never does anything himself) • Minister of Music – 11 (1 to change the bulb and 10 to guard the grand piano and sound equipment) • Associate Pastor – data not available (He didn't know the light was out since he is always in the dark anyway) • Youth Pastor – 28 (1 to change the bulb and 19 to promote the fundraiser to buy the bulb and 8 to explain to angry parents why it was out during the youth lock–in) • Children's Pastor – 5 (1 to change the bulb and 4 to clean up the mess) • Church Secretary – 1 (and she will change it when she is good and ready) • Minister of Multi–Media – 4 (1 to change the bulb and 3 to explain to the board why it had to be a special high intensity broadcast bulb) • Minister of Pastoral Care – 8 (1 to change the bulb and 7 to form a support group for those traumatized by the darkness) • Director of Maintenance – 2 (1 to guard the door and 1 to retrieve a bulb from his secret stash) • Church Board – no decision has been reached (the board is still in session) • Church Administrator – 0 (Until the proper paperwork has been submitted and the spending freeze has been lifted there will be ban on all light bulb purchases.) Never give the devil a ride – he will always want to drive. Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma – but never let him be the period! What a blessing to serve the Lord! Looking forward to seeing you this Lord's Day at WILMINGTON first assembly of God! Come expecting a blessing! Yours for HIM, |
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