All To Be Said Is ... WOW!

This past Sunday was one of those days you won't forget.  It was Cardboard Testimonies Sunday.  The Drama Ministry team produced a powerful and memorable presentation on how Jesus can still transform lives today.  13 Testimonies of protection, provision, miracles, healings, broken addictions, hope, etc...  Not to mention we had our highest attendance since launch ... 84 people in attendance with 2 first time visitors! 

I believe, along with the entire team, that many new testimonies were and will be birthed because of those cardboard testimonies.  Spontaneous applause after each testimoney was heard, tears were shed, and hearts were moved.  The message parlayed the skit and focused on the simple and basic principles of the faith.  Salvation & Baptism.  Altar call was made and several lives came forward to dedicated their lives to Jesus.  Some even made decisions to follow the commandment of Jesus and follow into the waters of baptism.

The video of the service is being edited as I write this and will be made available on YouTube as soon as possible.  Stay tuned and until then check out more pics on Facebook - First Church of God ... https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/media/set/?set=a.235197196514986.66074.174396775928362&type=1

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil

Honored to Bless the Community

The worship leaders at the newly planted service, Ancy Paulose & Lindsay Mathew, were invited to sing at a community event in Elmont over the past weekend.  Thank God for opportunities to represent!



Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil

p.s. So honored to serve with them. Greater things are yet to come!

The Lord Has Done Great Things

I was reading Psalms 126 ...

1. We'll ask ourselves are we dreaming?  Why?  Because the sight of people and fortunes being restored in the presence of God. 

2. We'll be so excited that we can't contain it.  Those around us will also see the work and power of God and they themselves will say, "The Lord has done great things for them."

3. How can we not be happy when we see our lives put back together by Him?  Can we be happy when we see lives give their hear to the Lord?  When someone decides to take water baptism, how can we not be happy?  What is your reason for being happy and full of joy?

4. We can't restore anyone or anything.  Only God can do that.  Only when the "rains" of His presence and Holy Spirit pour down will the seed start to grow and in due season bear fruit to be a blessing. 

5. In addition to the "rain" God will send down, we need to produce some "water".  Through the tears of our prayers.  Those tears will not be in vain.  There will be songs of joy to follow.

6. We have a responsibility to carry the seed of the good news = Gospel.  It's not for us to keep in our hand or in our pockets.  We are carrying it so we can let it go.  God will make those seeds grow and we'll be returning to His presence with new lives in tow with us.  When we return to Him with those new lives, the dream is not a dream any longer, but reality! 

CWS is growing.  There's exciting things coming.  Times of fellowship.  Times of loving our community!  Times of prayer and surrender!  Times of transformation spiritually and physically!

The Lord had done great things and He's not done writing this story! 

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil

Love Giving T-Shirts Away

I love to walk into the church and sense a special day is ahead.

I love to see people engaged in a time of worship and praise. 

I love to see spontaneous moves be orchestrated by the greatest composer & director - Holy Spirit.

I love to hear how God speaks the same thing to different people w/o their knowledge. 

I love to hear how people's hurts, struggles, pain, and needs were ministered to by a song, the Word, or a testimony.

I love to see how a simple worship set up can go a long way.

I love when the only plan is that we worship our way thru the service. 

I love when first time visitors become second time guests.

I love to see second time guests become consistent attenders at church.

I love to see consistent attenders bring their friends and family with them to church.

I love to see individuals exercise their God-given gift and talent for His glory.

I love to be obedient to a Spirit-led request by a former drug addict to share his testimony to encourage the church. God is able to transform anyone! His first visit to the church, only talked to him on the phone once prior, and didn't know his story until he shared it in front of the church, we had run out of time, but still!!!!

I love to serve God and  His church. 

Oh by the way, I love when we give t-shirts away after CWS ... because that means we have more new people coming to church.  Its our gift to those who attend for the first time.  We gave 3 away this Sunday and we have more to give.  Get yours this Sunday @ CWS.  Thanking God for every memory on this journey!

Enjoy The Ride,

Cecil

She's Growing Up

She's my girl.  She's my baby.  She's my princess. She's my kid.  She's my gift from God.  She is growing up.  Some days I just have to stop in my tracks and stare at how quickly time flies.  I understand she's only three.  But I ...

Still can remember she had the faux hawk at the hospital.  Now shes brushing her own hair out. 

Still can remember running home for lunch break to give her a bath.  Now she's giving herself a bath with a little help of course. 

Still can remember her first alphabet spoken was "C" ... for everything.  Now she's writing her name. 

Still can remember her "swimming" down the hallway floor.  Now she loves swimming in the pool and riding her little toddler bike on her own. 

Still can remember laying out her onesies and infant outfits.  Now she's telling us what she wants to wear (and she's not bad with her selections). 

Still can remember her raising her hands to say "Hallelujah" when someone would sing to her.  Now she is trying to mimick people she has seen doing body worship. 

Still can remember feeding her milk and baby food. Now she's eating fruits and some vegetables.  She loves strawberries, like daddy.

Still can remember calming her down in the car by playing music or singing to her.  Now she's telling us what CD to play, which track, and sings along and keeps us entertained. 

There's more but I'll save those for when she's 4.  I love you Abi!  You're growing up but will always be my little girl. 

Enjoying the Ride,

Cecil