Weekend Reflections

1. Friday night was our Sweet Life Cafe for the women's ministries. I heard lots of great things about the night. I appreciate all the hard work that Brenda Smith and the ladies put into this event. We really need ministries in which we can fellowship and be a community. I have been praying once again about a Men's Ministry and what we can do to fellowship as men.

2. Saturday was day of relaxing. Basketball is over so it was weird not to be rushed. We headed to Oskaloosa for the day and did some shopping for the kids. Caleb keeps growing like crazy so he needed new jeans and tennis shoes.

3. Sunday we started our series on 20/20 Vision. Nehemiah is a great story in the Bible. Vision will always start with a burden of what 'could be and should be'. Nehemiah had a vision to go back to his homeland and restore the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah teaches us two things about the burden we carry;

A. Seek God- Nehemiah got on his face before God and prayed and fasted about his burden. We cannot forget to seek God's will on the things in our lives. Prayer and fasting will internalize our burdens and insist that we quiet our hearts and listen to the voice of God.

B. Make a plan- I love what Mark Batterson says, "Pray like it depends on God, work like it depends on you." Nehemiah had a strategy in place to see the vision come to pass. I know a lot of people who have a vision, but they don't do anything to work towards seeing that vision to come to pass. For example I know pastors that will say, 'I want to see my church reach my community." But my question is, "What is the church's strategy in reaching the community?" Does it have opportunities for people to evangelize? Are your promoting missions in your church? Do you have a system for discipleship? Are you following up on guests? What's the plan? I am so thankful for my time at Berean Assembly in Des Moines as Pastor Weets my former Pastor taught me this valuable lesson. He taught me to have goals and make action steps to obtain those goals.

3. Sunday was also our Ministry Spotlight on BGMC. Remember to fill your buddy boxes for the month of March with any loose change. If the kids reach their goal of $300.00 for the month my wife will die her hair green. ( Still not for sure how I feel about that one.)

4. After church we headed to Grinnell with the Bushongs and ate Mexican. I love Mexican food. I think I can eat it at least three or four times a week. Especially chicken fajitas. Yummy!