This morning South Tampa Fellowship was greeted by JJ Johnson followed by a message by Jeff Parish of Indian Rocks. Speaking for myself it was a blessed occasion.
For many years as Exciting Davis Islands Church grew into today's South Tampa Fellowship Jeff humbly delivered the Word of God through simple Bible exposition. This fellowship for me was family.
Thank you Jeff for visiting and once again speaking the Gospel!
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
(1 Corinthians 1:18-21)
Second service video. Worth watching as he catches everyone up on his family!
Cram some headphones on your cranium and give this a listen!
These little voices are long gone. It is not just the grow of the Larynx that changes the tenor of the voice but the spirit behind the utterance is more often than not tainted. The knowledge of evil, if not kept in check by the Truth of God's Word (Philippians 4:8) can rob us of the wonder of childhood that God intends for us to enjoy our whole life long!
Recording at Ballast point church campus October 2008!
There are three categories of people who gather at most church fellowships. Those who do not pay to be there, those who pay to be there, and those who are payed to be there. Generally speaking for each group there is a temptation to have one of three distinct attitudes. The tither has a sense that they have some ownership in the organisation and ideally would like to see the fellowship in alignment with their convictions. The retither relies on the income of the organisation to pay for for all their daily needs and wants and would like to grow it's income thus enabling them to retithe more and more as their personal income and standard of living grows. The nontither is generally blissfully unaware. What happens when a fellowship is in debt and the current leadership is at odds with the the tithers? Chaos! The tithers can not be good stewards of their money and give to leadership who have chosen a direction that is contrary to the tithers convictions. The leadership needs the income to live on and begins a desperate attempt to get cash from anywhere and everywhere. The fellowship begins to be in danger of defaulting on the debt. The leadership digs in as the tithe continues to shrink. Everyone is let in on the situation that has been obscured from the general population some times for years and everyone takes a side. The tithers demand new leadership. The retithers refuse to give up their income. This drags on in a most disgusting display until the retithers offer the tithers an opportunity to give them a large sum of money to vacate the heavily indebted property. If they get their money they move on and quite likely repeat the cycle with another group. If they do not get the money they cause further chaos bringing everything to the brink of disaster. They are eventually starved out and end in disgrace while the people they were there to serve are left to salvage what they can and presumably try again with the hope of avoiding the same result. Does the Gospel get out? Yes in spite of us it does, but in the process of all of our money grubbing we become a stumbling block to the community at large and all we had to do was serve others with our resources instead of serving ourselves. If we were doers of the Word we would never live outside our means. We would never indebt ourselves to move ahead of God's provision. Leadership uses the old testament verse Malachi 3:10 to compel the faithful to give. The fellowship I used to attend uses it as well. The verse starts by encouraging people to bring the tithe into the storehouse. The modern church has taken a mortgage out on the store house and now they are in fear of losing it altogether. You do not have a store house if you do not have surplus. Those who claim the God given authority (anointing) maintain they are always doing God's will. The issue always comes down to the followers who are never giving enough to meet the demands of the debt, salaries and last of all outreach. Matthew 6 Give in secret and do not store up for yourself treasures on earth !
For the body time moves on and the rhythm of life repeats. You have to live a few decades to fully grasp what it is to be in the body and the balance that must be maintained with the eternal spirit. This is only fully possible with the knowledge and practice of God’s Words to us and the help of the Holy Spirit within us.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
There is no clearer picture of this than our Heavenly Father’s plan for man and woman in marriage. I am happy and privilege to have been witness to the marriage of someone who will always remain in part for my mind a little girl. One of three sisters who in this life I had the joy of spending many happy times with in their innocent childhood years.
May Hayley and Kyle discover you more and more day by day as they live for each other just as Jesus lives for us. Hayley, Karlee and Jenna I am one who will always love you, I have seen you with light in your eyes.
The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. (Luke 11:34-37)
Walk in the Spirit girls, that is where the love we seek is truly found!
There are a few scripture that I hold dear for the freedom they have given me over the years to hold fast to the leadership of Jesus and Him alone.
Jesus speaking to His disciples. I am a disciple:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:12-18)
But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (John 16:5-8)
Jesus has ascended and we have been indwelled by the Holy Spirit. No more old testament anointing, no more apostles, no more prophets, no more men privy to truth that we cannot access. We are now a royal priesthood with the inerrant Word of God as our source and the Holy Spirit revealing it's depths to us! The Curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom Mark 15:37-38.
Jesus admonishes the multitudes and His disciples. If you are not a disciple your are certainly one of the multitude so this means all of us.
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:8-12)
Let us not be religious and let us not believe that we must be under or over anyone in authority. Christ is quite clear and this gives us freedom not to be pulled away for His side by any man's fleeting scheme to grow the kingdom. We must not be lazy and abdicate our responsibilities before God to decrease for His increase. Let us not be people who seek the authority of others and let us not ignore our call as the royal priesthood by sitting back because it is easy to let those claiming an anointing or a great portion to take the heat for us.
Christ's ministry is our example. Time and again I kick myself for not being able to rest in this. He showed us the way and we to many times get the idea we know better.
Have I been so long with you, and yet hast thou not known Me? John 14:9
These words are not spoken as a rebuke, nor even with surprise; Jesus is leading Philip on. The last One with whom we get intimate is Jesus. Before Pentecost the disciples knew Jesus as the One Who gave them power to conquer demons and to bring about a revival (see Luke 10:18-20). It was a wonderful intimacy, but there was a much closer intimacy to come - “I have called you friends.” Friendship is rare on earth. It means identity in thought and heart and spirit. The whole discipline of life is to enable us to enter into this closest relationship with Jesus Christ. We receive His blessings and know His word, but do we know Him? Jesus said, “It is expedient for you that I go away” - in that relationship, so that He might lead them on.
It is a joy to Jesus when a disciple takes time to step more intimately with Him. Fruit bearing is always mentioned as the manifestation of an intimate union with Jesus Christ (John 15:1-4). When once we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely, we never need sympathy, we can pour out all the time without being pathetic. The saint who is intimate with Jesus will never leave impressions of himself, but only the impression that Jesus is having unhindered way, because the last abyss of his nature has been satisfied by Jesus. The only impression left by such a life is that of the strong calm sanity that Our Lord gives to those who are intimate with Him. OswaldChambers
This Sunday we say goodbye to Glyn Norman who will be employed at church in San Jose California! His leaving was unexpected but the process was all to familiar. Glyn Norman has spent 5 challenging years ministering to our faith family here at South Tampa Fellowship and has been a true blessing. Thank you Glyn, Joy and Peace.
Here is his introductory message to the new group of believers he will reside with.
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. (Acts 17:24-29)
I went on a late night drive to Amway Arena in Orlando with two men from a Bible study I enjoy to sling pizzas at hordes of teenagers last night. Word of Life Fellowship was having their Superbowl event.
Andy Anderson calmly mentioned this event during our Bible study about a month ago informing us that there was opportunity to help for those willing to drive to Orlando at 8pm serve and return after midnight. It was very rewarding and the travel with movie producer Tim and property appraiser Randy was entertaining. I have to laugh at how grown up I am hanging around with these fellas. There are no truer brothers than brothers in Christ!
When we arrived the gospel message was being clearly and exhaustively delivered through the massive sound system of the Amway arena by Mike Calhoun. Many responded to the challenge followed by teen chaos!
Andy playing his part in the chaos.
Soon after the gospel delivery we were directed to go to the main entrance to commence the pizza delivery. There were more papa john’s pizzas than I had ever laid eyes on stacked and waiting.
We were given our instruction which included taking the above order forms from group leaders, filling the orders and immediately raising our hands to be sent the next leader with order in hand the property appraiser and I did a fine job and if I were not so intent on the task at hand I am sure I would have noticed just how much better we performed than Tim even though he had a ringer on his team.
Thank you Father for the opportunity to help so many faithful disciples in this rather large undertaking!
We have our candy with the gospel ready for all the souls who will visit our home while trick or treating!
It is a family tradition started by my father who has been away with the Lord for the last five years. I find great satisfaction is carrying on in his stead until we are all together again in the Kingdom to come.
I thank God for dad. He really did his best and to this day we all can say there was never a time when we did not know that he loved us with all his heart.
The images above are the file I print the tracts from. You are welcome to use them just be certain to choose the original size when down loading.
Well it is day five and Vacation Bible School is almost over for another year. It was raining this morning but that did not stop Bo from showing up for work even though he rides a motorcycle.
Here are the women most of whom have been laboring month in advance to make this years VBS come together and run so smoothly with over 300 children. I can see the genuine smiles of gratitude to God for blessing their faithful work. Isaiah 61:10
Farewell to Gary, Shirley and Bo as they continue to keep Colossal Coaster World free of critters and contaminates.
Congrats to the girls for never losing their lead in pennies over the boys the entire five days!
God bless all the children who spent the week with our fellowship. May they use God’s wisdom to lead peaceable and fruitful lives!
The presentation was a delight and the children radiated the joy of the Lord! I have included the video of the program below.
This years presentation was well attended and started on time a 6:45 pm.
Pastor Craig Rees gave the opening.
Mrs. Karen Levine was recognized with gratitude. We love Karen and her family! There was also a time of fellowship afterwards with Italian sausage, popcorn, churros, tea and lemonade. Folks fellowshipped for an hour after the show was over!
We live in an interesting time in history. It is not unique it is simply a replay of the path of every civilization to have come and gone over the centuries. God never makes a mistake. Children are a reward from him whether we deserve them or not. They are another powerful evidence of His Grace. We must champion the family in a time in history when pets are considered family, marriage in no longer between a man and woman and children are an unwanted by product of our lust. This week God has given us the privilege of focusing on what is most important in this short time on planet earth. He has honored our little faith and allowed us to unselfishly serve the greatest in the kingdom. Family has been is His plan from the beginning and what should we expect from the one who calls us His beloved children. He has gone to prepare our place and He is returning so that we will forever be with Him!
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. (Psalms 127:1-5)
Until next year lets keep lifting Him up knowing that He will draw all to Him!
One more day before another VBS at South Tampa Fellowship forever becomes a memory. It has been a blessed week with all of us safely fellowshipping in the love of Jesus. Perfect love does truly cast out all fear.
There was no car wash for the older kids today. They took the long hot walk over to the school across the street and found this waiting for them!
Makes my skin tingle just thinking of plunging into that cool water!
We have quite a few behind the scenes folks who keep the Colossal Coaster up and running.
There is always tasty food available whenever hunger strikes!
Many of the behind the scenes folks can be found doing more than one task depending on the time of day.
Most of the folks who are not rotation leaders are using their spare time to continue preparing for the next lesson.
The green cards are decision cards indicating which children have made it know that they have taken a step of faith and have decided to follow Jesus.
The penny count continues and the girls are still in the lead!
Boys 17,522 Girls 26,210
A sure sign that out time with these little ones is coming to an end is the appearance of post cards the leaders use to write encouraging messages to the children they have spent the week with!
Today the self portraits were given hair. Wild I must say! Tomorrow is coming and we pray for God’s blessing on the day including the evening presentation! May all we have done bring Him Glory!
Yesterday as the great migration home was ongoing at the front doors of South Tampa Fellowship Church, I chanced to hear one young man ask his mother how many pennies would ten dollars be? She correctly answered 1000. There is a girls vs. boys penny offering going on and this little fellow was representing our gender very well!
Here he is today with 1000 pennies in their beautiful little rolls. Great to have you on the boys team little brother!
Boys 11,352 Girls 18,410
Today was also the very important day when Pastor Todd Roberts spoke with the children about the Gospel.
Those who responded and had questions were able to ask the pastors after the assembly. The little girl on the far left is asking how we can hear from Jesus when we cannot see Him? Do you know how to answer such a great question? John 16:5-15Hebrews 4:12
Our fifth grade VBS attenders got to wash cars with cool water under the hot sun as an act of service. Keep up the good works!
There was a lot of sudsy water flying and no one stayed dry.
I did not spend much time in the art department today as I was outside recording class photos but before I left the building I looked at the days painting and was intrigued by the variety! Kim Falconer had done an expert job of guiding the little people in the painting of a portrait depicting the expression of fear. The backgrounds are especially interesting.
Now that is a lot of little people!
On to day 4 and then the saddest day of all Day 5.
