Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.

Luke 1


So many others have tried their hand at putting together a story of the wonderful harvest of Scripture and history that took place among us, using reports handed down by the original eyewitnesses who served this Word with their very lives. Since I have investigated all the reports in close detail, starting from the story’s beginning, I decided to write it all out for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt the reliability of what you were taught.

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary.  Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her: Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you. She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.

 He will be great,

be called ‘Son of the Highest.’

The Lord God will give him

the throne of his father David;

 He will rule Jacob’s house forever—

no end, ever, to his kingdom.”

 Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.”

 The angel answered,

The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

the power of the Highest hover over you;

Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God. “And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months’ pregnant!
 Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.”

Are you allowing God to do the impossible in your life?

Join us Sunday @FC to learn more!

Sent into the Storm Part 2

Hi folks,
Today many of you will have been in a storm, rain or the Black Friday crowd. The storms of life come as no surprise to God.
MATT 14:21-33 About five thousand were fed.

As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night. Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come ahead.”
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!” Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?” The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”

Here I am reminded Jesus cares for my needs. He multiplied the meat and bread to feed the large crowd. Having taken care of them He sent them on their way. First sending the disciples ahead then going up into the mountain to be by himself and pray. It is important that we take time to follow Jesus' lead.
 
Notice the disciples were caught up in a storm and then they were frightened when they saw what they thought was a ghost walking on the water. They just didn't get it. (I don't either sometimes) Jesus called out to them and comforted them. They had just witnessed the miracle of the food and had been rescued from another storm.
 
Jesus knew the storm was blowing in and the safest place for his disciples was to be in the boat. He had another plan to reveal a new truth to the disciples as he came to their rescue. They responded, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”


When the storms come they aren't always evil but an opportunity for Jesus to reveal himself in a new way. He has been good at that with all his people. The old testament records many different names for God. Each as a result of them personally knowing God through a new set of circumstances. Do you only have one or two names for God. Get out of the noise and spend more time with him in his word, prayer and listening.

See ya Sunday for the 11AM service!

Sent into a storm....

Hi folks,
 I sure enjoyed the service Sunday. The sharing from Christi and Jeniffer sure reminded me of a story when Jesus and the disciples went across the sea.
Matt 8:18-27 When Jesus saw that a curious crowd was growing by the minute, he told his disciples to get him out of there to the other side of the lake. As they left, a religion scholar asked if he could go along. "I'll go with you, wherever," he said. Jesus was curt: "Are you ready to rough it? We're not staying in the best inns, you know." Another follower said, "Master, excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have my father's funeral to take care of." Jesus refused. "First things first. Your business is life, not death. Follow me. Pursue life." Then he got in the boat, his disciples with him. The next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm. Waves were crashing into the boat—and he was sound asleep! They roused him, pleading, "Master, save us! We're going down!" Jesus reprimanded them. "Why are you such cowards, such faint-hearts?" Then he stood up and told the wind to be silent, the sea to quiet down: "Silence!" The sea became smooth as glass. The men rubbed their eyes, astonished. "What's going on here? Wind and sea come to heel at his command!"

The fellow wanting to follow Jesus may have witnessed some of the days earlier events, Healing a leper, healing the Roman Centurion's servant, Peter's sick mother-in-law or the various ones that evening, whew what a day! He saw the good works of Jesus and wanted to join him.
We join with Jesus after we realize He came for me (You), all of us. When we accept the gift of salvation we join Jesus. Too many times we think by going up our lives (circumstances) will be under our control and always what seems to be good. BAM then it hits ya, God has something better for ya if you are willing to be obedient in following him. Why does it look sometimes its not the best and always to hard to obtain? Selfishness.
We desire worldly things and not the Holy things of God. Spending time with him our desires will align with his desires, that where the best for ya comes in.
God is more interested in my Holiness instead of my happiness. Through his Holiness my joy is made complete.
Joining in with Game Time will increase our Holiness through the studying of his word, ministering in his name and resting on his promises. Join Game Time with all ya got, time, talent and resources and watch God changes lives!

See Ya Sunday! Wear your game gear and bring your noise makers....

Focus On The Goal

A little change up for the devotions, here is a little video devotion:


Devotion 11-18 from Fellowship Church, GA on Vimeo.


Thanks,
Mickey

Thankful...

One day this week my class and I were singing a Thanksgiving song.  We go around the room and everyone gets to choose something that they are thankful for and then we sing about it.  I got all kinds of answers, anything from food to monster trucks.  The kids light up when it is there turn and for a split second they are truly thankful for one small thing in their lives. 

This week for “Get in the Game” we are praying about the difficulty and sacrifice that comes with being a Christ follower.  Often times those words may stir up feelings of negativity, anxiety, and worry.  But God doesn’t want those to be the dominating or daunting feelings in our lives. 

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “ Don’t fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.  Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.  It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. 

.  This week as you “Get in the Game”, choose to be thankful instead of worried.  Our sacrifices will turn into blessings and our minds will be focused on God’s wholeness and not on self. 

In my life I have come to a place of thanksgiving and words like difficulty and sacrifice aren’t so scary anymore.  I am learning to praise him and thank him in every storm.  If I believe Him and who He says he is my focus will shift and I will find joy in those moments of thankfulness.  Like my students for those short moments of thanksgiving am able to truly be thankful.  Before you know it your mind will be on him and his goodness and not on the circumstance or difficulty.  So this week be thankful and get excited because with difficulty and sacrifice comes growth and new adventures with our Father!!!

- Jessie

Game Time - Sacrifice

Last night I watched a 60 Minutes story about Staff Sgt. Sal Guinta.  Until then I had never heard of Sgt. Guinta, but I am glad I took the time to listen.  I would encourage everyone to search Google and read about him.

While deployed in Afghanistan, Sgt. Guinta earned the first Medal of Honor awarded since the Vietnam War for sacrificing his safety to rescue fellow soldiers.  It was during an enemy ambush that Sgt. Guinta raced forward pulling his fellow soldier who was wounded out of the hand of the Taliban fighters.  Although his actions rescued two soldiers, one of the soldiers being rescued and six others lost their lives fighting for our country and freedom.

Allow me to take a moment to honor those who lost their lives:
Sgt. Josh Brennan, Pfc. Juan Restrepo, Pfc. Timothy Vimoto, Staff Sgt. Larry Rougle, Sgt. First Class Matthew Blaskowski, Spc. Hugo Mendoza and HM3 Mark Cannon.

So what does this have to do with Game Time?

Yesterday we talked about the Difficulty and Sacrifice required for Game Time at Fellowship Church.  As I shared we talked about the people who have come to Christ because of the ministry God has given us.   Anna Alexander, Jennifer Skipper, Christi Wills, Devon Sullivan, Rachel Busic and approximately 200 over the last few years.  Without the sacrifice and difficulty some of them may have never known the love of Christ.

In the coming months God has challenged us to do things we have never done, to attempt to reach more people for Christ, to see the landscape of Habersham County change forever.  It will require sacrifice from every member and it will be difficult, but I am confident that what God has called you to do, He will provide for you to do.

Remember:

• God sized Dreams will come with Difficulty and Sacrifice – 

• What you believe about God, your faith, will be revealed in what you are willing sacrifice for him

• Knowing God, will give you assurance that whatever He ask of you cannot conflict with what He promises you –

• Sacrifice is not really loosing something, it’s gaining something 

Get in the Game - God has something for everyone to do! 

Turn it down please...

Today we are picking up later in the story of Jesus feeding the 5 thousand.
²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,

I am reminded that we need to be alone with God. I find myself surrounded by noise from radios, tv, fans and such. I have to plan times for just quiet. Not that time alone with God requires quiet.

2 Kings 3:15 (The Message)

14-15 Elisha said, "As God-of-the-Angel-Armies lives, and before whom I stand ready to serve, if it weren't for the respect I have for Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I wouldn't give you the time of day. But considering—bring me a minstrel." (When a minstrel played, the power of God came on Elisha.)

Another time in the scripture Jesus was alone as he prayed
Matthew 26
 36-38Then Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane and told his disciples, "Stay here while I go over there and pray." Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he plunged into an agonizing sorrow. Then he said, "This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me."
39Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, "My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?"
40-41When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep.

If it was important in Jesus life I know it is in mine.
Let me encourage you to rid the distractions as you pray for your part in "GAMETIME". The excitement is mounting in all as we look to the future on ways to reach more people with Jesus love.

Cap Dy this Sunday and One service on November 21 at 10:50. Invite your friends!

Popular or Unpopular

This is a follow up post to last weeks post titled “Chasing Lions”. Going after what God has called us to do is sometimes very unpopular, but most often times we opt out for the “popular” decision. There was a song in the mid 90’s by the band Nada Surf called “Popular”. This song was about being popular in high school and basically what it takes to be popular in the eyes of your classmates, here are some lyrics:


I'm head of the class
I'm popular
I'm a quarter back
I'm popular
My mom says I'm a catch
I'm popular
I'm never last picked
I'm a cheerleader chick
I'm the party star
I'm popular
I've got my own car
I'm popular
I'll never get caught
I'm popular
I'm a teachers pet
I make football bets.

When I was in high school I was the QB on the football team, the point guard on the basketball team, and the shortstop on the baseball team, so that is automatically made you "popular". But from the time I was born I always wanted to play baseball in college and decided my senior year I was not going to play football. That was a very unpopular decision, I faced ridicule from other players, coaches, and even teachers (some still mention it every once in a while when I see them). I forfeited the opportunity to be the athlete of the year for our school and possibly for our county and region, but I knew what I wanted to do and that was play baseball in college. Do I look back and think what could have been, sure I do. I also look at and think what has come since. I got the opportunity to play 4 years of baseball in college and ultimately got to win a championship my senior year at North Georgia. But more importantly I can look back and see the people God put in my life to shape me and mold me into who I am today.
Is making God-sized decisions sometimes unpopular? Absolutely. Will it cost you something? Most of the time. Is the payoff greater in the end? Always
What God has called you to doesn’t always make sense, even to yourself, but the end result is always better. Go after it, don’t let societies definition of popular dictate what you do with your life. Dream BIG.

Mickey

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Everyday you and I are faced with decisions. What will I eat for breakfast? What will I eat for lunch? What will I eat for supper? Well at least that is what Stan and I ask. Seriously, decisions are part of life and while some decisions are easy, others require a great deal of thought.

On Sunday I encouraged you to consider the Game Time Initiative and how you might "Get in the Game". Johnathan could have just went along with the entire army or he could do something. What is keeping you from taking the step necessary to "Get in the Game"?

If it is fear then read Romans 8:15
If it is ability read Exodus 4:12
If you feel alone read Hebrew 13:5
If you lack power read Acts 1:8
If you feel unworthy read 1 John 1:9
If you are weak read Proverbs 18:10

I guess all of the excuses we use can be rebutted in Scripture. Don't miss out on what God is doing at Fellowship Church, everyone has a part to play. See you on Sunday as we talk about the difficulty in following God's dreams for us.

PUT ME IN TOO

As I heard Craig say on Sunday "put me in the game coach", I thought about my own life and wondered about why it took me so long to get in the game. I wasn't always the person that I am now, I could have cared less about working at a church or being over a youth program (which by the way is an awesome experience.) It makes you wonder why so many people like to sit on the sidelines and not want to play the game that God has called them into. If He has called you to a certain ministry He will equip you for that ministry. Are you scared of what people might think of you for doing Gods work? Get over yourself! If you have that calling on your life you shouldn't care what others say about you because you are doing your Father's business and that is the greatest thing you could ever do with your life. I hope and pray that all of you that have a calling on your life will call out to the coach to "put you in the game". It can be very scary in the beginning (believe me), but very rewarding also. I never thought that i would be working with such an awesome youth group. So I guess what I'm trying to say is get off the bench, get in the game and do what god is calling you to.


Ephesians 3:8 MSG


When it came to presenting the Message to people who had no background in God’s way, I was the least qualified of any of the available Christians. God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities.
 
See it says it right there. God will see to it that you are equipped with what you need. So what are you waiting on, go throw that winning touchdown.
 
Later,
Anthony

Swimming in the shallow end.

This past June we went down to Boca Grand, Florida. It is an island on the Gulf of Mexico and Charlotte Harbor on the otherside. There is a great deal of wildlife to see on the island, turtles, cranes, pelicans, iguanas and gators. while in the gulf we slipped on our goggles and found a whole other world in the water. Wow, I had no idea the water was this crowded. The life under water included minature fish, crabs, fiddler crabs, starfish jellyfish and Silver King Tarpons.
This got me thinking about shallow and deep. I hear many times people saw they want to go "deeper" . I hear folks say they aren't "getting fed". Just where do we need to be? We sometimes act so serious that we refuse to behave like Christ followers in the shallow concerns of life. The shallow concerns of life are as much of God as the deep or profound concerns. Our concern to not be shallow is rooted in wanting to impress others that we are not shallow. I find that Jesus spentr a great deal of time in te shallow walk of life with everyday people. LUKE 7:34 The Son of Man came feasting and you called him a lush. Opinion polls don't count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating."
To be shallow is not being wicked: the ocean has a shore. The shallow and deep things are apointed of God. Jesus lived in them and lived as the Son of God. Don't be a poser; God became a baby.

Chasing Lions

This summer while on vacation I had the chance to read a book entitled “In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day” by Mark Batterson.  This book is centered around a story in the Bible of Benaiah, who was David’s chief bodyguard (that’s right a guy who killed a giant with a rock had a bodyguard).  Benaiah was a very brave soldier who’s stories followed him where ever he went.  Benaiah once followed a lion into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion(2 Chronicles 11:22-23), hence the title of the book.  In this book we are challenged to chase our lion no matter what that may be.  Whatever God has called you to, go after it, or to quote the great shoe company Nike “Just Do It”.  God has not called us to be ordinary, think about it we believe and follow a being who you cannot see, hear, touch, etc. , that’s not normal.  So we shouldn’t be normal, and neither should the vision for our lives.  In fact, if someone hasn’t laughed at your vision lately or if your vision doesn’t scare the heck out of you then you are probably not chasing any lions.  As we have been challenged lately, that if God doesn’t show up we will fall flat on our face, what lion do you need to chase.  Proverbs 22:11 says, “The lazy person claims, ‘There’s a lion out there!  If I go outside I might be killed!’”(NLT).  Don’t let the roar of a lion scare you go after him, God protected Daniel against the lions and He will protect you too.  Let’s chase our lion until we catch him and devour him. 

Mickey

Will You Trust Him Like Never Before?

Hello Blog World!!!   Hope everyone is having a good Tuesday.  First, I just wanted to start by saying thank you, thank you, thank you.  Trunk or Treat went great and we couldn't have pulled it together without you.  What a great  way to get in the game and start serving the community and the future of Fellowship church through Trunk or Treat.  It was a great success.  Thank you!!!

This Sunday Craig asked a question that really stuck out to me. 

 He asked, "What are you doing that if God doesn't show up it will fail?" 

 Any one who knows me knows that I am a play it safe kinda girl.  I like to always know whats coming up around the corner and have a plan, so this question hit me like a ton of bricks.  I keep playing it over and over again in my head.  What am I doing that if God doesn't show up it will fail?  Do I trust Him enough to go blindly where he leads?  Do I really believe that God's dream for me is the best?  Over the next couple of weeks this will be my pray. 

I want to be able to answer that question with a big, confident "Yes"!

Will you  GET IN THE GAME and seek God like never before?   Can you imagine the amazing things that God could do if we all trusted him blindly. 

I am excited to see your lives change and Fellowship grow!!!  

Ephesians 3:20 , "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more then all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..."

- Jessie :0)  

Here are a few pictures from Trunk or Treat!!!!   

       

Get in the Game, Game Time Update

What a great kick-off to our Game Time Initiative!   

Over the next four weeks the staff will be blogging about the Game Time Initiative.  I hope you will come back each day to see what is being said.

The most amazing fact about Game Time is that we are actually here to do Game Time.  In July, our church was on the brink of extinction due to financial shortfalls.  We literally were trying to figure out how to close the doors for good.  Today our financial picture is secure and balanced, today Game Time is a possibility.

Over the next four weeks we will be outlining for you what we believe God is leading Fellowship Church to accomplish over these next 14 months.  On Sunday, I asked each of you to take time out to pray and seek God about what part you would play.  I want to stress that this is not just a financial initiative, but a spiritual journey for Fellowship Church.  We are asking each member to make a commitment to the journey and do all they can to help us see success.

I am reminded of something someone taught me several years ago.  I was pasturing my 1^st church and it seemed my responsibility was overwhelming me.  He said, “How do you eat an elephant?”  I responded that I had never eaten an elephant so I didn’t know.  He laugh and said, “One bite at a time!”  The application is that we can’t do all that we do at once, but we can take small steps to success along the way.   We realize that not everyone can give to Game Time equally, but we do ask that everyone will give sacrificially.  For one person 1 hour is like 5 to another, or to one $5.00 is like $5,000.  But what does it cost you personally?  Remember it cost Abraham something to follow God, but remember the reward.

I can’t wait to be with you in the days to come as we continue talking about Game Time at Fellowship Church.

Craig

PS. Don’t forget to be here on Wednesday, November 3rd for our Worship Night, you will not want to miss what we have planned.