Smiley Face Stickers

In the past 3 weeks, I've probably run the gamut of expressions and emotions. Some days are easier than others, but thankful for a great family, team of leaders, and prayer warriors. Through it all, I saw the power of love, unity, and service to the fellow person in Christ by the "body". As a pastor, its pure joy to see lives impacted with the love of Christ, Word of God, and power of Holy Spirit. 

The first fruit of 2012 has been new, unpredictable, way too fast, and simply a God-thing.  The church resolved to start this new year in prayer, fasting, and worship - RESOLUTE: Be Set, Be Firm, Be Determined!  God's word and direction for this year is to IMAGINE where reality is ONE DAY-ONE LIFE for Christ and leading them thru DISCIPLESHIP!  Because time and calendar moves on does not mean prayer, fasting, and worship concludes.  We will raise up a culture of prayer, worship, generosity, and growth for the doxa of God.

The Wall of Prayer is growing with bright colored post it notes with prayer requests.  Here's just a few:

• For Giants to win ... (promise, that wasn't me)
• To pass spelling test
• To have hope in life
• To heal from sickness for spouse, children, etc...
• To be a solid rock disciple of Jesus Christ
• For discipline in life
• For pure and strong relationships
• Baptism of the Holy Spirit
• Delivered from bad habits and past hurts

There is great news ... many of of the post-its now have smiley face stickers on them. You might be wondering what does that mean.  Well, it simply shows that God has answered that prayer. Wait, the best is yet to come! More prayers yet to be answered means more stories to be written by God in the lives of the people.  More smiley face stickers to go up!

Stay tuned or come check out the wall on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am.  You can post your own requests, if you'd like.

Enjoying This Ride,

Cecil

EXPRESS YOURSELF

Speechless

2 Chronicles 5:13 The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: "He is so good! His faithful love endures forever!" At that moment a cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. 14 The priests could not continue their work because the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God.

The first Sunday service of 2012 will be forever etched in many people's minds for many reasons.  For me, it will be because the presence and glory of the Lord literally descended over the congregation.  As the song, "Overcome" was being sung I could sense there is something happening in the spirit realm.  I step forward to transition into the ministry of the Word and turn around to look at the congregation and could just see a heavy covering, presence and glory of God hovering over the place.  The verse above literally came to reality for us at CWS yesterday.  I was made speechless and brought to tears by this encounter. I thought I was alone but during and after the service confirmations from many people and experiences makes it even more blessed!  People out in the lobby experienced it and had to stop what they were doing to worship. Heard from several others their testimony of yesterday and just continue to be amazed by the greatness of God's presence and power.  He is awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome! 

HE's in the house ... the house of prayer for all nations!  If you want to spend time in prayer with others, the church is open every night from 7:30 pm for every night for the next 3 weeks.  Feel free to come and pray with others for personal, family, church, and community matters.  You're not alone and you are not defeated but "overcomers". 

Enjoying This Ride,

Cecil

Looking Back .. He Did Amazing Things at CWS!

Over a year ago, a committed team of people prayed and set out to plant a new church service to reach the community with the love and message of the Gospel.  The story we can share is that if we are faithful with what we have, God is faithful to enlarge our territory!  The mission and vision statements being realized thru the people and ministries of the church are exhilarating.  Volunteers stepped up, servant leaders gave their best, and the community responded!  This past year has been exciting, challenging, amazing, powerful, life-changing, transformational, and all thanks, praise, and glory (DOXA) goes to God.

Only God knows whats in store for year 2.  We pray and hope that we're able to help make strong disciples of Christ!. God will use His disciples for outreach, worship, and discipleship.  Just being faithful with what He gave us so He can enlarge the territory! I can only IMAGINE ... Ephesians 3:20-21!

Enjoying This Ride,

Cecil

Holiday Recovery

I saw a sale for Jet Blue flights today called Holiday Recovery and I said an AMEN! 

Are we in recovery mode from a year that bid us farewell?
Are we in recovery mode from a weekend that was a bit longer than usual?
Are we in recovery mode from a season of lights, deco, gifts, wrapping, etc.?
Are we in recovery mode from a time of abandoning financial restraints?

What are you recovering from in this first week of the new year? OR ...

Are we ready to move, ready to grow, ready to be challenged, ready to believe?  If we have the mind to be resolute we will be set, be firm, and be determined to move with God's leading in our life.  It might not be comfortable or it could be something new that He is doing in you.  But if we move in obedience we can expect God's work in us!

Ephesians chapter 3 verses 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Don't just settle for recovery but be resolute!  Be set in the Word of God the Father, be firm in the solid rock - Jesus Christ, be determined to be led by the Holy Spirit.

Enjoying The Ride,

Cecil