Putty in His Hands

Does anybody know this song lyric & what the title/artist of the song is..........."Well, the race is on and here comes bright eyes up the back stretch..."?

I've had that lyric in my mind since last Sunday, as we packed up our church and made a mad dash out the door, to our new location. There are so many adjectives that can describe, the atmosphere that evening. It could be......exciting, exhilarating, chaotic, frantic, hilarious, frustrating, infuriating, exhausting, vindictive, doubtful, loving, energized, depressing, playful, encouraging........... just to name a few! Wow, what a day (and night!)! The Fellowship family got the majority of our belongings packed up and out of the building we were currently using and off to storage or to our new location.

During a lull in the activity, I was sitting in the sanctuary, resting a moment and taking the time to reflect for a moment. It had been a little over 2 years, since we began Fellowship Church. First in the park, then in each others homes, then to this building (notice, I didn't say church! It's a building, plain & simple). Lot's had happened in 2 years, good & bad. Soul's have been brought into the Kingdom, lives have been changed. We've shared in the excitement of 2 weddings and we've grieved over the death of a member. We've seen miracles (how about a $40000.00 offering) and we've prayed for miracles. We have loved each other and fought with each other. We have been kind to each other and hateful to each other. We've delighted in the addition of members and we've cried over members who have left. We've struggled with being different. So very different, from the "traditional churchy way", that the majority of us came from. Stan made a statement, in a meeting, I was in, a week or so ago, that really opened my eyes. He said, that we (the very first member's), have had changes made in our hearts, in a big way. That, 2 years ago, we would not have been as loving and accepting of people, who are not just like us. You know, the suit & tie thing, best dress the store had, wing-tip shoes and definitely no tattoo's, don't raise your hand in praise, only use the Hymnal to sing from, blah, blah , blah...you get it. It's taken 2 years for our hearts to evolve, to be more like the heart of Jesus! How profound!! We are beginning to rip off those chains of tradition and man-made rules. We're beginning to see more like our Savior, that all of mankind needs a Savior, not just those, who fit into the stereotypical box! Father God, I'm so thankful, that this body of believer's have been moldable by You.

So, anyway, back to sitting in the sanctuary. Gary came in, after I had been sitting there a while and asked me "What was I thinking?". I told him a lie, I told him "nothing". I was thinking about all those things, I mentioned above. But, the thing I was pondering the most, was the fact, that I didn't feel any regret or a sense of loss about leaving that building. It seemed strange to me, that I wouldn't feel even a twinge of regret or loss. I felt like I do, when reading a good book. Can't wait to turn the page and see what happens next! We're on an epic journey and I can't wait to see what happens next!!


There's still lot's to do, to prepare for the beginning of the next chapter. Will you be, one of the main character's in the next chapter or an after thought? Pray for Pastor Craig, as we move forward, he carries a heavy load! Let him know, you support him.........by your words & your actions! PEACE ALL & I LOVE YA!

Tattoo Crew

WISHING WE WERE 18 AGAIN!

Last night was ladies night out for Fellowship's women. What a BLAST! It's a good thing , we had Mrs. Bea with us or we would have all ended up with a "Fellowship Forever" tattoo. We even picked up a couple of tattooed men!!! They couldn't resist having their pictures made with us, all the while trying to convince us to get our tats. Fortunately, better judgement prevailed! But, it was hilarious thinking about it!

Our night out revealed that one of us has 2 Python snakes, too! I won't tell who.....let ya guess! Apparently, we have got good at not being to churchy, too. Cause when our waitress at Longhorn's came to the table, she exclaimed, "Oh, a girl's night out!" "How fun!" "What can I get you girls from the bar!" Too Funny! Although, we did have to remind Elaine, she was not back in her "Alice Cooper" days (HA! HA!)

We had a great time hanging out with each other and being silly. Thanks Girls for an awesome night, let's do it again soon!!

DOWNSIZING

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous ,how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! Psalm 139:13-18 NLT


In these days of economic uncertainity, downsizing of all sorts are abounding. Companies are downsizing their workforce, people are downsizing their homes (due to unability to pay for them), and sometimes downsizing causes losses. When loss occurs, it can cause anger, guilt, grief and fear. Sometimes, when we've had a loss, we feel like complete failures! But what is important for us to understand is that our worth is not measured by what other people think of us, it's measured by God's love for us. And His love is unlimited and unconditional. Praise Him!

We should evaluate any mistakes, we have made and then, most importantly, learn from them. It is also, important to remember that we are precious to God and he wants to help us with our losses.

Take time today, to thank Him, that every day of your life was recorded, while you were still in the womb. That, God knows what tommorrow holds and he holds you too!

Do you get it? I'm not sure, we do!

Have you ever had a book of the Bible, to just come to your mind, for seemingly no reason? You haven't heard anybody mention that book or even yourself, not even recall what the text of that book was about. But, for some reason, the name of that book of the Bible, keeps resounding over and over in your mind, until you have to get your Bible out and begin reading from chapter 1, because you have no clue, what it is God wants you to see or hear. So you just start reading. I've had that to happen to me this week. Late Sunday night, the book of James came to my mind. I was watching TV and it was late, so I reasoned that I would check out James, maybe tommorrow. All during the night, my dreams were filled with people from my church family, weird disturbing dreams and the word "James" was like a broadcaster in the background, repeating over and over. Monday morning arrives and I know I will not find any peace, until I get my Bible out and read the book of James. There is such a feeling of urgency, that I forewent my cup of coffee and immediately sat down with my Bible. What was the book of James about anyway? For the life of me, I couldn't recall any of the text, who he was writing to or anything, it was like maybe I had never read the book of James. My heart is beating, I'm curious, but I'm scared....like being called into the bosses office and you're not sure why! Here we go, James Chapter 1: GENUINE RELIGION, Trials and Temptations, Listening and Doing. Chapter 2: GENUINE FAITH - Favoritism Forbidden, Faith and Deeds. Chapter 3: GENUINE WISDOM - Taming The Tongue, Two Kinds Of Wisdom. Chapter 4: Submit Yourselves to God, Boasting About Tommorrow. Chapter 5: Warning to Rich Oppressors, Patience in Suffering, The Prayer of Faith.

Wow, Chapters 1 - 4 were blistering for me! I was right to be scared, it's not easy or pleasant to face condemnation and correction. God's conviction on me was heavy and I read through it again.

Still, Monday night, my dreams are filled with my church family and the sound of the broadcaster, in the background, saying "you don't get it, go back to James!". Tuesday morning arrives. OK, I'm having coffee this morning! Settle down with my Bible turned to the book of James. "What Lord, is it, that I don't get?" "Yes!, I'm guilty Lord!" "Forgive me Father!" "Father, show me, help me understand, why it is, my mind can have no peace and I feel so broken and helpless!" "FATHER, HELP ME AND MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS....TO "GET IT"!" "LORD, I PRAY, THAT I NEVER FORGET THE TEXT, OF THE BOOK OF JAMES, AGAIN!"

IF YOU CAN'T PULL THE TEXT OF "JAMES" TO THE FRONT OF YOUR MIND, GO GET YOUR BIBLE NOW! IT'S URGENTLY IMPORTANT!

Deliriously Happy Wet Day

It's been almost 2 months since I've last posted. Maybe, I still have some readers, who will stop by. Sorry for being so long, between posts!

This past Saturday was the big Kid's Summer Fun Day at Fellowship Church. Wow, what a day!! It was AWESOME! The whole thing was a culmination of 5 months planning and putting together. 60 members of Fellowship Church came together to staff this event and I was so proud of all of them for stepping up! We are a family! I had some really top-notch core people, that I surrounded myself with over the past 5 months, that kept me from losing what little mind I have. Nancy Shubert, Valarie Lewallen, Amanda Anderson and Gail Cone have worked their fingers to the bone on this project. I can't count the times, that they lived up to the motto of "a need seen is an assignment given." They helped me me think through things, took on running errands, making signs and took care of all the bookwork. I always knew that I could count on them and didn't have to worry if it was getting done. That, more than anything, is what helped me keep from falling on my face. At times, I felt like, this project is just too big, for me to pull off. I stated that to Pastor Craig one day, his response was..."it is too big, for you to pull off, that's why you surround yourself with good people." So I set out to do just that and he was right! Then ,I had 56 other people who stepped in to help on Saturday with the kid's. They sang songs, they heard bible stories, they did crafts, they ate and they played their hearts out! From the guy's who worked hard on setting up the waterpark outside, to those who did a bible story, or helped with a craft, folks who prepared a lunch and snacks and recreation. Then, there was music........Celeste Jarrard was in her element!!! You rocked girl! Every time I came by, it seemed like Celeste was up a dancing and singing and laughing, the children absolutely adored her. I hope, she was having as much fun, as it seemed like she was! I think all of the workers had a good time, even if they were dead from exhaustion by the end of the day! It was a really fun day and I smiled so much, my cheeks hurt. Everybody who played a part in making this day a blast, I thank you and pray you will be blessed for your effort.

By the end of the evening, I was bone tired. I figured, I probably wouldn't be able to get out of bed and walk on Sunday morning. But, I actually felt good Sunday morning. I still had an adrenaline rush going. There's nothing like seeing, deliriously wet, happy children, who feel loved. There is no high better! There are some of the coolest kid's at Fellowship Church, try hanging out with them sometime. I promise, you'll be blessed. I was!

It's worth seeing!

Wow! Superman 3 was goood!

We walked into the theater and guess who we saw?!? Pastor Craig & Nathan! So, we had a seat with them and settled in for an evening of entertainment. The movie was really good and there were a number of times, there were lines in the movie, that I would think to myself, you need to remember that, so you can write about it. But, I can't remember them all. One I remember is Peter's aunt telling him that Superman doesn't kill, after he tells her that he killed Marko, the guy that had killed his uncle in the previous flick. She let's him know that "revenge" is not his to take, just like Scripture let's us know that "revenge" is not ours to take. There are other lines I remember, but upon thinking on it, I believe, I better not share it with you now. It would spoil the movie for those of you who haven't seen it yet. I'll wait and give you guy's a chance to see it first. One thing, I will share though, is that sin doesn't just happen. It's a conscious choice! We either choose to do what's right or we choose to do what's wrong. Plain & simple!
Later!

It's a date....see ya at the movies!

TODAY IS THE DAY! Spiderman is released to theaters everywhere today. Wow! Even Habersham Hills Cinemas is showing it on 2 screens! That's where you'll find me tonight!

I found Spiderman 3 posters and bought them for the AWANA Store, the other day. When I came in with them Wednesday night, the kid's went crazy! I had only bought 2 of them and there was like 10 or 12 kids freaking out, wanting to be sure they could buy the poster next week, when we have store night. So. I went back to store and bought several more. I just hope I have enough of them, because Ed told me last night, that his boys in T and T, were all excited about the release of the movie tonight, too. So, I 'm sure the 4th and 5th grade boys are probably gonna want one too. But, I got several Spiderman 3 toys for the store too, so maybe every kid can get their Spidey fix!
I wish I had of thought of it earlier and we could have arranged to take Ed's ,T and T class as a group to see the movie tonight. They're all good boys & I bet we would have a lot of fun with them and our one girl (Allie), too.

An AWANA Update:
We will be having a cookout at the Coleman Farm on May 20. We'll be having the pine-car derby race and the awards ceremony at the cookout. Our kid's have worked really hard this year learning their Bible verses and completing sections in their books. All of the Cubbies finished their book, and 5 in Sparks to finish Book 1, plus Kylie Gray will be finishing up her 2nd book next week and 1 possibly 2 have finished Book 1 in Truth-n-Training. Way to go you guys!!
Be sure to be at the cookout to show these kids your support & how proud you are of them for their accomplishments.

Also, we need you guys to bring packages of pre-sweetened Kool-aid, tropical punch flavor to church and drop in the box in the Welcome Center. We will be using it for Kid's Summer Fun Day, hopefully it gonna be hot & we will need plenty for the kid's to drink, to keep them hydrated. This is a really small thing you can do, that will be a really BIG help, thanks!