Freedom vs Bondage

 

There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards. And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
(Neh 5:4-10)

The Love Of Money

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
                                                                                                              (1Ti 6:6-12)

Been doing some contemplating on the subject of moolah. More specifically moolah and church in general. The longer I am involved with churches the more I am realizing that there are two groups of people that come to church. I am speaking in the broadest terms about these two groups. They can be broken down on either side into many smaller segments with varying motivations.

One group gives of their resources whether it be time, money, whatever. No matter their motivation, righteous or selfish they contribute. The other group receives compensation for everything they do, and the same goes for motivation as before. Here is where I get all twisted up. How should my service to Jesus be rewarded. Should I see my church as a profit center, a charity or a total loss. I have for my time in church taken the total loss approach. I am aware that everything I do is as filthy rags and as such the church is the place where I spend a lots of time just adding to the pile. What a blessing and joy it is to know that the grandest most wonderful thing I can do amounts to rubbish in the light of everything my Father in Heaven does for me.

I am becoming very aware that churches who use the currency of the world to accomplish their great and mighty deeds for the Lord soon become useless to the one they once desired to serve. They become a place of oppression and are masterfully manipulated by those with the worldly resources and the political prowess to due so. They cease to move in the realm of faith and give themselves over to the delusion that success can only be achieved on the world’s terms using the world’s resources and principles.

What is God’s compensation to His faithful. Is it wealth enough to have the best the world has to offer or is it humiliation?

'Creator,' the childlike heart might cry, 'give me all the wages, all the reward thy perfect father-heart can give thy unmeriting child. My fit wages may be pain, sorrow, humiliation of soul: I stretch out my hands to receive them. Thy reward will be to lift me out of the mire of self-love, and bring me nearer to thyself and thy children: welcome, divinest of good things! Thy highest reward is thy purest gift; thou didst make me for it from the first; thou, the eternal life, hast been labouring still to fit me for receiving it—the vision, the knowledge, the possession of thyself. I can seek but what thou waitest and watchest to give: I would be such into whom thy love can flow.'

George MacDonald “The Hope of The Gospel”

The Church is a family not a business. Beware and do not let what is convenient for business destroy what is essential for family. The ruler of this world’s greatest triumph is to turn the heart of families to the business of the world and have that family wake up one day out of time and realize they never really knew each other.

 

 

South Tampa Fellowship GPS Presentation

South Tampa Fellowship’s Kid’s Choir recently executed their GPS presentation with joy and skill. Our church has been performing these mini musicals for over a decade now mostly organized by volunteers. This years production was not without controversy as Helen Jones one of the driving forces behind these events is no longer with us. Great thing about little people is they generally could care less about controversy and the kids have done these things so many times I believe they could do it all without us.

The show was kicked of by the wonderful obedient bees who soften up the crowd with their funny little voices and comical little dances.

Then the big kids took the stage and were excellent!

There was plenty of choreography which everyone performed with ease.

There were plenty of solos.

There were quite a few speaking parts as well which came with great costumes.

Everyone in the Tech Dept. kept the voices amplified and the lights shining.

All the mommies and volunteers are just great.

The best thing about the whole spectacle is the folks who do not attend church that come to see their children in the performance. Jesus continue to shine your light of truth into the homes and hearts of all the children we are privileged to spend this precious time with.

Awana Registration Party

Today we had South Tampa Fellowship’s Awana registration at the Ballast Point campus .

It was a joy and I am excited for a new year of hiding God’s Word in our hearts!

The children’s presentation this year was spectacular and I had the privilege of meeting the parents of a few children who come with other family members or neighbors!

John Boyer is the lead for this years Awana program and I have the greatest respect for his to reach anyone and everyone with the gospel of Jesus.

God make us your humble servants in this new season and inspire us to love you more and more as we obey your Word.

The Life Of Hannah Douglas

Today was a celebration of a joyful life. The life of Hannah Elizabeth Douglas.

 

DOUGLAS, Hannah Elizabeth Age 7, went home on Friday, March 19, 2010. She was born in Tampa, on July 25, 2002. At 19 months she was diagnosed with neuroblast-oma. She won the battle over cancer, but the effects on her body were too great. She passed peacefully surrounded by love at All Children's Hospital. While her time with us was too short, her inspiration will last forever. She brought such joy into our lives and her amazing spirit touched many. And the beautiful memories of her will remain in our hearts, always. In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor can be made to: Pediatric Cancer Foundation, 5550 West Executive Drive, Ste. 300,Tampa, FL 33609. A Tribute service will be held on Saturday, April 3rd at 1pm at First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home

 

The celebration was at the school she attended here in Tampa Florida.

We gathered in the church to here her family and speak about her seven years here in this world.

There were pretty pictures of her displayed in the gym to look at during the fellowship to follow.

Thank you Hannah for all the genuine smiles and hugs. I look forward to seeing you again in due time.

Christian Cat

Our cat is a Christian.

Born again ……

fur bearing, Bible loving creation of God.

Tom Adair Marathon Medals

My Tuesday started a 6 a.m. with a flight from Tampa to Alpharetta Georgia where Galen Garrison and I photographed  Tom Adair’s marathon medals and ended at 1:30 a.m. in my very own bed after passing high over many twinkling  towns and cities by the light of the silvery moon.

Tom and his wife graciously welcomed us into their home and we set to work photographing each of Tom’s many medals.

All the medals were easy to access hanging on coat hooks in no particular order.

Tom Adair is the president of www.50statesmarathonclub.com where marathoners run a race in each of the fifty states, and our purpose for traveling all that way was to catalogue his collection for Galen Garrison’s soon to be launched www.marathonmedals.com site. 

Here is Tom explaining ultra marathons.

Tom had a great collection of shiny medals and it took quite a while to record them all.

After a tasty lunch of Chicken Lasagna prepared by Tom and his wife Jean we finished up with the medal photography and Tom introduced us to his wife’s passion. She raises, shows and competes in agility competitions with her AKC Shetland Sheepdogs.

Tom has been hard at work practicing of late to compete in the agility events himself at the home of Redfield Shelties (which just happens to be the back yard of their very own home).

It was fun to see the coordination between man and beast as Tom directed the dog thought the course.

Thank you so much Tom and Jean for your hospitality. You guys are a class act. God bless you in your future endeavors!

And now for you awwwwwwwwwwwwww moment.

Puppies :)