Tag Archive - Church at the Bay

Burkina Faso, Africa

November 27, 2012 in Love Your Neighbor Offering, Tampa Church with Comments Off

I apologize I did not get this post up sooner.  But, as many of you know, I was in bed for a week with what I am calling the “African Revenge”.  I am now moving forward so I thought I would give you some pictures from Burkina Faso, Africa. There will be more to come- but lets start with these…

 

The Children were awesome.  I loved playing with them.

 

 

I was holding this little girl while we listen to her Mom tell the story of her husband dying, having her home burned down because she would not marry her Muslim brother in law and the church stepping up to build her a new one in their village!

 

 

This lady came to draw water (from the type of well we will dig).  They said I couldn’t help her- it was wrong.  She gets the job done and loads it on her head.

 

 

 

So… I did what I do at the house when Sandy says I can’t help… I lead the applause.. Look at those back muscles!  That is a 5 gallon pot- I think.  I may be able to find video- it was impressive.

 

 

 

Thank you for praying for me while I was gone and for my health once I got back.  Remember- our year end “Love Your Neighbor Offering” will focus on 3 areas we want to impact for the Gospel:

ENGAGE BURKINA FASO

  • We want to drill a well and start a church.

EQUIP HAITI ORPHANAGE

  • Special needs that our Orphanage may have during the year

IMPACT BRADENTON, FL

  • Partner in staring- Good Life Church- Pastor, Jason Smith

OUR GOAL: $18,000

If you want to give now… Click the button…

Kids Matter to God and to Us!

October 29, 2012 in Parenting, Tampa Church with Comments Off

Sunday, after church,  I had a great conversation with a new Mom at Church at the Bay.  She was giving me rave reviews of our kid’s ministry.  If you have attended our Church- you know we put a lot of resources into our children’s ministry.  I understand some folks reluctance to check their children in for the first time- so I thought I would share the email I received from this Mom I talked with…

“I wanted to show my appreciation to your church and the children ministry. We have been attending the church for about six months and when we first started going my daughter (age 7) never wanted to go to the children service by herself or without her friends, now she loves going to church. Last night she wasn’t feeling great and I told her she might not be able to go because of the low grade fever she had, this made her sad. So this morning when she woke up I checked her head to see if it was warm (it wasn’t), she then asked me if she was going to get to go to church and I said yes. She said YAY I love church! I am so thankful that she is so in to it. I feel great after every service and I’m so glad that I’ve been coming to your church.”

So if you serve in our children’s ministry- you are making an impact.  Thank you Children’s Ministry Volunteers and leaders for providing incredible environments where Kids can experience the Love of God in terms they understand!!

 

A Must Read– And Experience!

October 16, 2012 in Bible Study, Tampa Church with Comments Off

I often talk about the vitality a Christ-Follower gains from a daily time in God’s Word.  Many of you have found YouVersion.com to be a great place to experience God’s Word- because you can choose from so many different devotionals.  So my post is directly from the YouVersion.com devotional called, “Teach Me to Pray”.  This is a 14 day devotional that you can view from your smart phone, computer or pad.  I will give you some links to follow after the devotional.  The variety is amazing- there are plans that are 3 days long up to a year and everything in-between driven by topic or by book of the Bible.

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Characteristics of Powerful Prayer: For Others

We all have a selfish streak by nature. When we become aware that we are able to access God’s throne through prayer, our first instincts are to care only about ourselves. But just as spiritual growth helps us see the joy and fulfillment that come from serving other people, growth in prayer maturity leads us to think of other people’s needs before our own.

St. Paul invited his Asian brothers and sisters to pray for him while a prisoner in Rome, awaiting his trial in imperial court. “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I may fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should” (Ephesians 6:19,20).

The formal word for this kind of praying is “intercession.” I personally have been sustained by the prayers of other wonderful people in stretches of my life when I have been too distracted or lazy to pray for myself. You will not know until you get to heaven how your life has been blessed by the faithful prayers of people who love you.

Could I dare to ask you to pray for me today so that I may proclaim the gospel fearlessly?

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Click a link:

View this Plan

View other Plans

The Truth!

October 1, 2012 in Tampa Church, The Bible with 1 Comment

When I first became a Christian, the church I attended was very truth oriented.  The truth was a tool or a weapon to win an argument.  As a result- in the early days of sharing my faith my dad (who was not a Christian at the time) gave me some great advise.  He watched me arguing my faith with a family member and he pulled me aside and said- “Son I believe you really believe what you are saying, but the way you attack people with the Bible is not effective.  Maybe you need to adjust your tone and approach.” He went on to explain his position- and he was right.  Each week in our “God, I have a Question” series- we have attempted to address the questions we all have about some important life issues. Our purpose is answering these questions has been two-fold (1) to give you strong reasons to believe and (2) give you tools to start a conversation – not win an argument.  I mentioned this Sunday that the Truth of scripture is a scalpel- it can be used to wound or heal.  My hope is that I preach the truth the Holy Spirit will use it to bring hope and freedom to your walk with Christ.  Listen again to what Jesus said:

 John 8:31-32

31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

 This next Sunday we start a new series: “Snapshots- The Apostle Peter”.  During this series we will unpack some significant game changing moments in the life of Peter.  Peter’s life and faith can look like a roller-coaster at Busch Gardens.  He has some amazing highs and devastating lows.  I want you to take the journey with us thorough the New Testament as we look at the key moments in the Apostle Peter’s life.

We will also be sharing in the Lord’s Supper this next Sunday as well.  Plan to bring a friend!

 
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