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This week, my oldest daughter, Jessica, made a successful defense of her oral thesis presentation, and has now completed her master’s degree in theater from Villanova University, and is now in pursuit of her teaching career.

Tomorrow, my youngest daughter, Chrystalynn, graduates from McKean High School, and will begin her college years this fall.

Last Sunday, I had the privilege of conducting a business meeting for our church plant in Hockessin, Trinity Community Church, in which the were “set in order” – meaning that they are no longer a “dependent assembly,” but are now a fully functioning, sovereign General Council of the Assemblies of God church.

It has been said that one of the only certain things in life is change. Things are always changing. This week, I experience a three-fold empty nest syndrome!

Throughout this week, I have been serving as a facilitator for the Church Multiplication Network’s “Boot Camp” being conducted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I have been presenting on the “church health” track, where numbers of pastors from existing churches have come to discover how they can lead their church through the process necessary to change from what they are doing now, to become what God wants them to be.

Life will change now for my two daughters, as they move beyond their past experiences. Church ministry will take on a new dynamic as Trinity Community Church moves forward, purchasing new property, and governing their own church. The ministry of those pastors completing the “Boot Camp” this week will change as they lead and guide their church through the changes that lie ahead.

No one likes change. It takes us out of our comfort zone. It presses us to walk by faith, seeking what is unseen at this point, and stretching forward to what lies ahead. But, without change, stagnation and decline takes place. Our children grow, and move from the controlled, safe world they are accustomed to, and into their adult years. Church plants move forward from the protective oversight of their “mother church” and assuming responsibility for their own ministry. Every church – and every one of us – must constantly move forward, as we seek the Lord, and stay in the center of His perfect will.

Paul says in Philippians 3:13-14 “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Together, we are on the journey of not only being, but becoming what and who God wants us to be! Let’s enjoy the trip!

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 9.23. Live for God, on purpose, moving forward in the Lord to accomplish His plan and His purpose!

Persuaded by the People of the Spirit

Without question, the early church was a Pentecostal church. However, as the centuries advanced, the church lost its dependency upon the Pentecostal power of God. Today, as we are living the those “last days” prophesied by the prophet Joel, a fresh, new outpouring of the Holy Spirit is being experienced by those children of God who are desirous of receiving the same anointing that the first-century church enjoyed.

If the church today truly wants to be called Pentecostal, then it is necessary that their characteristics, lifestyle, and actions agree with those first Pentecostals.

My desire is to be fully Pentecostal today. I want to live a life that has the passion of that first church. In describing that first church, Acts 2:41-47 tells us they were baptized, they devoted themselves to the apostles‘ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. There were many wonders and miraculous signs. They had everything in common. They gave to those who had need. They met regularly in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes together. They praised God. They enjoyed the favor of all the people.

What a fantastic experience it must have been to be a part of that church! I want to truly be Pentecostal! I am “Persuaded by the People of the Spirit!”

Be sure to join us here at WFA this Sunday for this concluding message in our series – Pentecostal! Persuaded by the Power of God!

The River

Walking through the forest, a seasoned hiker came upon a broad, slowly moving river. He stopped to gaze over the waters, appreciating the beauty, when suddenly he heard a faint cry coming from upstream. Looking in the direction of the noise, he saw an obviously drowning man floundering in the river and drifting slowly toward him.

The hiker was stunned momentarily, but he sprang into action when he saw the man disappear beneath the waters. Throwing off all of his cumbersome gear, he dove into the river and swam like a madman toward the spot where the man went under.

Upon reaching the spot he plunged below the surface and frantically hauled up the helpless man. Then he laboriously towed the victim to shore. Heaving the lifeless body up on the riverbank, the hiker attempted to revive the man, who eventually spit up water and began to breathe.

Relieved, the hiker paused to catch his breath. But no sooner had he done so than he heard another voice out on the water. Another drowning person! Once again he swam out and pulled the person to shore, a little more slowly this time. As the hiker-turned-lifeguard revived the second victim, he heard yet another cry for help.

All day long the hiker worked, rescuing one person after another as they came drifting down the river. There seemed to be no end of drowning victims, and the hiker didn't think he could keep it up.

Just when he was about to collapse from exhaustion, he spotted another man walking rapidly beside the river, headed upstream. "Hey mister!" he cried out. "Please help me! These poor people are drowning!"

Amazingly, the man kept walking upstream. The astonished hiker called out again. Without even acknowledging the cry, the man kept going. Indignant and angry, the hiker leapt to his feet, ran toward the uncompassionate man, stood directly in his path, and in a loud voice demanded, "Sir! How can you possibly walk past all these drowning people? Have you no conscience? Must I force you to help me save these people?"

The stranger stopped, looked at him for the first time and said with a calm, focused voice, "Sir, please get out of my way. I am headed upstream to stop the guy who is pushing all these people in."

Each of us has a role to play in rescuing those who are drowning in sin. Some of us pull people from the water and resuscitate them with counseling, food and shelter, a rehabilitation program, a support group, or financial aid. Affirm those doing these important ministries.

Others of us find our place of ministry upstream, opposing the One pushing people into the river. We do this by introducing those people to Jesus Christ. Knowing Christ sets a person free from sin and releases them from Satan's power over them.

By itself, pulling people from the water isn't enough. We need to help people deal with the problem of sin at its source.

Dying to Self

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take in all in patient, loving silence, that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any impunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to-face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility — and endure it as Jesus endured, that is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God, that is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown, that is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances, that is dying to self.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart, that is dying to self.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” – Matthew 16:24-25

Racing Down the River

Clovis Chappell, a nineteenth century minister, used to tell an interesting story about two paddleboats. The two boats, powered by coal, left Memphis about the same time, traveling down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. As they traveled side-by-side, sailors from one vessel made some critical remarks and jokes about the snail's pace of the other boat.

Heated words were exchanged between the men on the two boats. Challenges were made. So the race began. The competition was hot and heavy as the two boats roared through the Deep South.

Eventually, one boat began falling behind. The problem: it didn't have enough fuel. There had been plenty of coal for the trip, but not enough for a race.

As the boat dropped back, an enterprising young sailor took some of the ship's cargo and tossed it into the boat's ovens. When his fellow sailors saw that the supplies burned as well as coal, they fueled their boat with the material they had been assigned to transport.

Guess what? They ended up winning the race. But they burned their cargo.

How does this apply to our lives? The men on the winning boat did what they liked, which was winning the race. But the price for that victory was expensive. The boat's cargo, the very reason they were traveling down the river in the first place, was sacrificed. So they failed to do what they ought to have done, which was to safely transport their cargo.

You may not have thought about it, but God has entrusted each of us with cargo. Our cargo is other people, such as friends and family, and the ability He has given us to help someone else. We are responsible for this cargo, and ought to cherish it in our journey through life.

However, like the men on the winning boat, often we fail in that responsibility. As Billy Graham says, "We hurt people by being too busy. Too busy to notice their needs. Too busy to drop that note of comfort or encouragement or assurance of love. Too busy to listen when someone needs to talk. Too busy to care."

Are you too busy to care? When opportunities occur to help others, do you take advantage of those opportunities? Or do you burn your cargo as you busily do what you like?

Be diligent, and do what you ought to do. Slow down for the needs of your family and friends. Seize opportunities to help people when it is within your power to do so.

Finally, remember one other cargo God has entrusted to you. It is the Good News of Jesus Christ. Diligently share that Good News with others, and help people who are using their gifts for Christ reach even more people.

Your diligence with the cargo God has given you will be very rewarding.

19 Ways to Encourage Others

by Stacy Wiebe, Editor

Encouragement goes straight to the heart. In fact, the word itself comes from a combination of the prefix "en" which means "to put into" and the Latin word "cor" which means heart. Knowing what a big difference encouragement makes in your own life, what can you do to help others "to take heart" when the going gets tough and way feels long?

1. Become aware of what encourages you, and do those same things for others.

2. Learn individuals‘ "love language"-the special way in which they feel most valued. In his book, The Five Languages of Love, Gary Chapman explains that not everyone's emotional needs are met in the same way, and that it's important to learn to speak others‘ love language. The five love languages are: words of affirmation, spending quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch.

3. If an encouraging thought comes to mind, share it! It may not have the same effect if you wait. Don't let shyness hold you back. Instead, form a new habit: "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today..." (Hebrews 3:13).

4. When you introduce someone, add a few words of praise for the person's abilities, accomplishments, about how they've helped you or about the nature of your relationship. It's encouraging to be praised in front of others.

5. When someone is discouraged or hurting, offer specific, practical help. If you ask, "How can I help?" the person might be at a loss to answer. It's better to ask, "Would it help if I...(specific action) or say, "I would like to...(specific action)?

6. Remind fellow Christians of the specific promises of God and characteristics of God. We may know something with our mind, but need to be reminded in our heart. The Apostle Peter wrote, "I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have" (2 Peter 2:12).

7. Write someone a note to tell them that you're praying for them. Tell them what you're praying. You can pray specific Scriptures for individuals such as Romans 15:13, "[I pray that] the God of hope [will] fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

8. Make celebration a more regular part of your relationships. Celebrate others‘ victories, large and small, with a note, with coffee together, with a special meal, a congratulatory phone call or just a high-five!

9. Be specific when you offer words of praise; it makes your encouragement more credible and concrete "You did a great job at..." "I really appreciate that you..." "I was really impressed that you..."

10. Encourage other believers with a reminder of Christ's coming. It redirects our thinking to an eternal perspective and ultimate deliverance from the sin and death. "We who are still alive and are left will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." (1 Thessalonians 5:17b-18).

11. Realize the power of presence. Just being there is encouraging! When you're with others, you're telling them that they're important. The Apostle Paul closed his letter to the church at Colosse promising to send his friend Tychius "that he may encourage your hearts" (Colossians 4:8b).

12. If you're part of a church, Bible study or fellowship, be committed to showing up. Your simple presence encourages others that they are part of a community of faith and that they are not alone. That's why the writer of Hebrews says, "Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as we see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25).

13. If someone you know is working on a large project, send her a single flower to encourage her at the beginning of the project, and a full bouquet when it's done.

14. Use encouragement as an outreach. If anyone should be known for being an encourager, it should be the Christian. Write a letter of appreciation to people at work, your apartment manager, your child's teacher or your doctor. Often when we interact with these people, we are asking for their services. Take time just to say thank you!

15. If you really want to encourage someone who gives you excellent service, write a letter of commendation to the person's boss.

16. We could learn something from the way team athletes freely pat, touch and high-five each other in competition. Touch is a powerful encouragement. Be sure to be sensitive in this area, though. Ask someone if you can hug her first. And be careful to be above reproach with persons of the opposite sex.

17. When you see someone making positive changes in their lives, affirm them. "You seem to have a really great attitude about..." "It may be that I'm just starting to take notice, but I see that you're..." "Do you think that you are becoming more...?"

18. Tell people how they've encouraged you!

19. Walk daily in the power of the Holy Spirit, asking Him to give you what you need to encourage others. Just as it is impossible to live the Christian life in one's own strength, it's also impossible to freely, unselfishly pour out encouragement without the help of the Holy Spirit who is our Encourager.

as seen in Kimberly Quiggle’s email, Cup O’Cheer. These tips adapted from the book, 52 Simple Ways to Encourage Others, by C.E. Rollins, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN, 1995

Judge Not

I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp -
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, ‘What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

'And why's everyone so quiet,
So somber – give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,‘ He said, ‘they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

The Last Impression

Two neighbor boys were best of friends on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but on Sunday they were enemies because one was a Catholic and the other was Pentecostal, attending the Assembly of God church.

Their parents didn't like the fact that these religious differences were producing such uncongenial relations, so they agreed to have their sons visit each other's church services so that a mutual understanding might foster a more tolerant attitude.

On the first Sunday, the Pentecostal boy visited the Catholic church. Just before they sat down, the Catholic boy genuflected. "What's that mean?" the Pentecostal boy asked. All through the mass, the Pentecostal boy wanted to know what this and that meant, and the little Catholic boy explained everything very nicely.

The next Sunday it was the Catholic boy's turn to visit the Assembly of God church. When they walked in the building, an usher handed them a printed bulletin. The little Catholic boy had never seen anything like that before in his whole life. "What's that mean?" he asked. His Pentecostal friend carefully explained. When the preacher stepped into the pulpit, he carefully opened his Bible, and conspicuously took off his watch and laid it on the pulpit. "What's that mean?" the Catholic boy asked.

The Assemblies of God boy said, "Not a darn thing!"

We are proud of the accomplishments of our young men and women, and will be honoring all our graduates this Sunday here at WFA! It’s going to be a fantastic day in the house of the Lord, and I am anticipating the continued move of God’s Holy Spirit among us. Don’t miss it!