Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Making A Difference

This is my first attempt at blogging and I hope this thing does spell check! The three post prior to this were put on here by an incredible young lady by the name of Sarah Hendricks, who created our new COTJ website. I feel like a bird that has been kicked out the nest and must learn to fly. All this computer stuff is beyond my comprehension and it amazes me. I'm not sure what I am to do next because I really have never been one to journal my thoughts for others to see. I really do spend a great deal of time thinking but I don't usually write those thought down.
Now that I have confessed my being a rookie, I will give this blogging thing a shot!!

My title for this blog is "Making A Difference", because inside of me is a real desire to do just that! As I look back over the past 56 years, I think of so many people who have made a difference to me, in both good and bad ways. All of us could make lengthy lists of those folks who have impacted our lives over the years. It would be a great exercise to make that list, including not only the names, but the how as well. I would think that after our list was complete we would see a vivid picture of just how important other people have been in our lives. We could then spend a great deal of time, energy and money, thanking all those folks that have sewn into our lives. I am not against doing that and as opportunity arises, I do, and will thank those who have impacted me.
It really makes me feel good when someone I have impacted lets me know it, by thanking me for being or doing something that really made a difference in their life. I have been on facebook now for aprox. 5-6 months and during that time I have been blessed by people contacting me that I have not heard from for years. To be honest, I do not remember many of those who have requested friendship! Many of those facebook friends have blessed me by telling me how much I meant to them. In many cases, I had no idea that I was important to, or made a difference to them.
With this thought in mind I want invite all who read this to take some time to remember those who have and continue to make a difference to you. Then I want to encourage you to join me in being purposeful in making a positive difference in the lives you are involved with at this time and in the future. A good place to start is right where you are!!! Whether it be with your family, friends , co-workers, employees, employer, etc..., seek opportunities to make a positive impact and not just hope it happens. In order to do this we will need to see others as worth our investment! Once we make that decision then we go to work!
As I said before, I really do want to make a difference and I realize that it may require a sacrifice of time, energy and finances to do so. When I think of all that has been invested in me, how can I do any less.
In closing this first Blog, let me apologize for run on sentences and poor grammar! I will work on these things. I want to proclaim that, I am called to impart not only the Gospel of Christ to others but my life as well. I Want To Make A Difference!!!!!

Monday, October 5, 2009

HAPPY MONDAY!

These thoughts touched!!

Selections from Genesis 22
"Abraham! ... Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." When they arrived at the place ... Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham! Abraham! ... Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me."

Just when we think we have God figured out, just when our future seems to stretch out before us with perfect predictability, that's when God has a way of pressing a new wrinkle into our neat, ironed-out ideas.

Abraham's testing foreshadowed the key event on which all Christianity turns, which was the atoning death of Jesus Christ when the Lamb of God was provided as the substitute for the sins of the world. In the same way, God often has more than just us in mind when he allows difficult seasons to move into our lives. He also has his eye on our unbelieving coworkers, our doubting relatives, our faltering friends. Our testimony through tough times may be the way God has chosen to speak so that those around us will listen.

Look At It This Way ...
Abraham loved God. But he also loved Isaac, the child of promise. This young lad had become the center of his life. Perhaps at this moment in his experience, if he were asked whom he loved more - Isaac or God - it may have been difficult for him to answer. Get the picture? God tested Abraham in the most emotionally sensitive area of his life. Was he willing to put his Lord before Isaac? Was he willing to obey God rather than following his own desires? You, of course, know what happened. Abraham passed the test. His love for God was stronger than his love for Isaac. He demonstrated this love through unwavering trust and confidence in his heavenly Father. Today God often tests us in these sensitive areas of our lives. What is most important to us? Where does our security lie? We mustn't be surprised if we're sud-denly confronted with a choice between our dearest possessions and the God we also love. It's in moments like these that we begin to understand how deep our love for God really is - or isn't.

Pray Right, Think Right and Do Right
Pastor Mike

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Today!


Today!

It did not take me long to find out what God wanted me to do today!! I you were not sure what you were going to do today then try this on!!!

"He answered, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;' and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Luke 10:27(NIV)

Pastor Mike Fetters
Senior Pastor
Church of the Journey
(405) 474-8402

Happy Thursday COTJ Family!!!



Happy Thursday COTJ Family!!!

"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Psalm 86:11 (NIV)

Pastor Mike Fetters
Senior Pastor
Church of the Journey
(405) 474-8402

Be sure to dress for Pictures on Sunday!!! You may show up on the new website!!!