KFC and The Ark Nursery Photo’s

We enjoyed a great program.  Photo’s are below.

 

Wedding of Molly Sands and Gregg Lovell

Molly Sands and Gregg Lovell, uniting in marriage on January 1, 2010, cordially invite the congregation of Family Life to attend their ceremony and reception. 

The ceremony will be held at 5:00 pm at Family Life.  The reception will be held at the American Legion Hall.

The bride and groom request that those planning on attending the reception RSVP on a registration sheet that is located at the Welcome Center by December 27.

 

 

Michael and Brenda Parsons Welcome Emma Beth

We rejoice that God's gift of Emma Beth Parsons was born to Michael and Brenda on Wednesday, December 9th, 2009, at 10:32 am. Emma was 6 lbs 11 oz and 19 inches in length.

Rocket Out Offertory – O Come O Come Emmanuel

Played on Sunday, December 6, 2009.  Sweet.

 

Job Suite Video

This is the AMAZING video the Josh Troester created for the message on Job.  Spread the link around!

 

JBQ Highlights!

Highlights from FLAG’s Junior Bible Quiz trip to Overland Park.

 

Ladies Christmas Tea Highlights

This is a wonderful event for ladies of all ages to attend.  This year it will be held on Saturday, December 5th.

Hickory Creek Farms – Photos

Bob Boys is to be thanked for his excellent photography.

 

Hayrides and Funny Faces

What a beautiful day we had for hayrides!

Watch until the end to see young boys show their funny faces.

Gunny Sack Races

This was a blast!  Keep watching for Jacob Vickery’s tweak on how to win a gunny sack race!

Fuel Buy Down Outreach

Even with other outreaches going on we had 30-35 people show up in the rain to serve the 65+ cars and 150+ people.

Father – please water the seeds of love and hope in Christ we sowed in people’s hearts while it rained – Amen.

E50-OT – Testimony

As I was unlocking the building this morning someone from the church stopped by and wanted to pick up some of the E50-OT reading sheets.  Two of her co-workers wanted them!

She then proceeded to tell me that her child was reading along with her and it was great “reading the Bible without getting bogged down in the begats.”  (see here) 

Maybe that should have been our promo tagline – Read the Bible without getting bogged down with the begats!

Print your E50-OT reading sheet here.

LifeGroup Outreach – McClure Group

The LIfeGroup led by Alan and Julie McClure held an outreach last Sunday reaching out to Paul Lee.

Paul, a former teacher PHS and Bible Study friend of LifeGroup members Bob and Sandy Boys, has been confind to Cornerstone village for the past 6 weeks.

This LifeGroup reached out and touched him in a meaningful way last Sunday.  See the pictures below.

 

Old Testament Timeline

I came across this Timeline as I was studying today and think it might help you as well.  You can click on the picture below and print it out, or see this on the web here.

There are 4 more messages in this series, and Tyler is sharing one.

I already feel led to speak on Job/suffering/lament for one of the messages.  That leaves me 2 more opportunities.  So much to pick from.  David/Solomon, Psalms, Proverbs, Prophets, Divided Israel, too many to choose from.

FLAG’s Old Brown Van

It was a beast, but if we would put new tires on it, it was free.

Given to us by Evangel Assembly of God in Wichita, we used that old (1988) brown van for anything and everything.  No a/c, but started nearly every time.

A few years ago, after we purchased our current van, we decided to give this van away. 

Columbus Assembly of God was the recipient, and by the pictures below, I would say God is still blessing that old brown van.

Fuel Buy Down This Sunday

 

This Sunday, from 3-4 pm, we will be holding a Fuel Buy Down at Bo’s One Stop in Pittsburg.  We encourage everyone to help assit in this outreach.

Here is a photo slideshow from our last Fuel Buy Down back in March 2009.

Men’s LifeGroup to James River Prayer Meeting

As our Men’s LifeGroup finished a series on prayer we thought it a good idea to rock a road trip to James River and take in their prayer meeting.  Powerful.

E50-OT – Days 16-22 - Exodus

OK, I admit it, I read ahead.  Way ahead.  But is was part of the message study for this Sunday.

I thought I was very familiar with the Exodus narrative.  I learned a ton.  Here are a few nuggets.

Ex 2:1 – Moses was born a Levite (priestly group)

Ex 2:16 – He married into a priestly family

Ex 4:13 – After his excuses to God, he actually had the never to tell God, “Please ask someone else.”

Ex 5:1 – When Moses would have lifted up his voice in Pharaoh’s court, he would have freaked everyone out. He, this Hebrew shepherd, disgusting in the sight of the Egyptians, would have spoken perfect aristocratic Egyptian.  Jaws would drop.

I am loving this, and in need of this.  Thank God for His Word.

E50-OT Seminars – Dr. Dale Brueggemann

It was great having my professor from Bible College, Dr. Dale Brueggemann with us this past Sunday.

His Sunday morning message, “How Can Christians Trust The Old Testament” is located here.

The two seminars are located at the links below.

Old Testament Background for the Mark of the Beast

The Immanuel Promise in the Old Testament

 

Me and Dr.Brueggemann.

 

This picture has Dr. B placing his finger on his name in the New Living Translation Translator’s page.  Wild!

E50-OT Day 10 – Two Brothers – Genesis 32-33

I read with great interest the passage today following along with two brothers who didn’t get along.

The story of the reconciliation is inspiriting.  My favorite verse is

Genesis 33:4 (NIV)
⁴ But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.

I wonder if Esau had originally set out to reconcile.  He did leave immediately with 400 men.  Did the gifts from Jacob help bring peace?

My heart is still wondering about the end of this passage.  Esau seemingly begs Jacob, “come with me, let’s be together in Seir.”  Jacob begs off and basically says, “you go ahead and I will catch up in Seir.”  Esau relents and the Bible says this:

Genesis 33:16-17 (NIV)
¹⁶ So that day Esau started on his way back to Seir.
¹⁷ Jacob, however, went to Succoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Succoth.

Jacob did not go South to Seir, but West to Succoth. 

Did Jacob not trust Esau?  Or did he just deceive Esau again?

E50-OT – Day 9 – Deceit Abounds

Gen 27-28.  My conscience was cringing as I read the outright deceit, lies, and treachery a wife and son did to their family.  Scripture blatantly points out the intentional lies.

Genesis 27:19 (NIV)
¹⁹ Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing."

The depths that people will go to so they can get what they want consistently amazes me.

“Lord, please help me not chase my desires to the depths that they can take me, Amen.”

E50-OT – Day 8 - Sacrifice Your Son?

So Conner asks me, “Will you read my E50 with me today?”  Of course I say yes, even though it is much easier to read silently by myself.

Whew.  What a passage to read with your son.  God asking Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.  Great teachable moment there.

Stay with the readings and I believe that you will have some amazing teachable moments as well.

Matt and Christina Hess Welcome Jocelyn Marie

We rejoice that God's gift of Jocelyn Marie Hess was born to Matt and Christina on Sunday, October 11, 2009, at 3:41 pm.  Jocelyn was 6 lbs 10 oz and 19 inches in length.

E50-OT – Day 8 – Sacrifice Your Son?

So Conner asks me, “Will you read my E50 with me today?”  Of course I say yes, even though it is much easier to read silently by myself.

Whew.  What a passage to read with your son.  God asking Abraham to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.  Great teachable moment there.

Stay with the readings and I believe that you will have some amazing teachable moments as well.

E50-OT Tailgate

Here is a simple video from the E50-OT Tailgate!

 

E50-OT Tailgate Photo’s

 

Pictures from the E50-OT Tailgate

Opportunity For Land Expansion

Next Sunday the church will be voting on the opportunity to purchase an additional 4.4 acres adjacent to the church.

Our leadership feels this is an amazing opportunity.  Would you consider being in prayer with us concerning this direction.

You can view our expansion progress in the video I narrated below:

 

Over 3,000 In Attendance This Saturday!

 

Yes, that’s right, Saturday. 

Over 3,000 – in a county with 35,000 – from a church of about 300!

I am very proud of the church I attend and pastor for reaching out to over 3,000 people directly on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend.

This is even more amazing when you consider at some moments during the day, we had groups serving in three different locations across our town, and about 15-20% of the church out of town for the holiday weekend!

Please pray that the Holy Spirit will water the seeds of Christ the we tried to sow into the lives of those around us.

Click video below to inspire prayer.

 

Hard To Do What Is Not Natural

When doing things outside of your personality:

It take more time and effort and you still do them lousy!

 

Body of Christ – Interview

Eric and Ashley Napier talk about the whole body serving and the effect it had on her sister and brother in law who visited FLAG.

 

Wednesday Children’s Ministry

The Royal Rangers, Missionettes, and Rainbows had their annual promotion to the next level service tonight.

Here are some quick pics of the group!

 

WILD Youth Back To School Retreat Video

 

Here is the video we showed this morning.  Enjoy!

1 Corinthians Scripture Video

 

This is 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 set to video.

Royal Ranger Camp Out 2009

 

A simple video of highlights.  Shot by Upkar!

 

View From Above

Here is the picture Bob Boys took from the lift during the Water Baptism service and KidZone dedication day!

Click to find yourself in the picture!

Update From Pastor Mark

Hello Everyone!

Sarah and I are greatly enjoying and being blessed by our month long sabbatical.

We started it by sending Conner to Kids Camp and getting away to a retreat location.

During that time I was battling what we thought was a bug bite. When we got back on Friday it got worse. After going to Quick Care and the Doctor, we went to the ER on that Monday night.

I had a staph infection. Thank God for great health care! 3 days in the hospital and we thought we still might make it for our planned vacation to Washington, DC. Divine delay.

Had another week of outpatient antibiotics, which stopped today! Thank you God!

DC will have to happen at another time, just because God says, "Not now" does not mean that He said, "Never."

I learned a bunch while in the hospital and spending 6 hours a day injecting antibiotics. Read it here. Ended up watching FLAG's 10:00 service this past Sunday on my phone at the hospital!

In looking back, there could not have been a better time to have this happen. It is all in God's hands.

Thanks to all of those who visited in the hospital, brought yummy food to our house, mowed our grass, and prayed.



P Mark

Matt and Christina Hess Welcome Jocelyn Marie

We rejoice that God's gift of Jocelyn Marie Hess was born to Matt and Christina on Sunday, October 11, 2009, at 3:41 pm.  Jocelyn was 6 lbs 10 oz and 19 inches in length.

Travis and Sarah West Welcome Adelyn Grace West

We rejoice that God's gift of Adelyn Grace West was born to Travis and Sarah on July 6th.

Adelyn Grace West

8 lbs. 3.6 oz.

19 in. long.

Jacob and Korissa Vickrey Welcome Emma Brianne

We rejoice that God's gift of Emma Brianne Vickrey was born to Jacob and Korissa Vickrey on July 1st at 7:37am.

Emma Brianne Vickrey

7lbs 5.9 oz

19.25 inches

 

Water Baptism KidZone Dedication

 

Pictures from today. 

 

Royal Ranger Water Bottle Rocket Launch

Royal Rangers, for boys ages 6-11, had a great time launching water bottle rockets they had made.

Thanks to the leaders Steve Snider, Kevin Carder, Wes Manual, and Upkar Sharma.

Matt Hess Tells Dave Ramsey - “I’m Debt Free”

 

Below is the 5 minute video of FLAG’s very own Matt Hess on national TV!

 

Word Clouds – Pastor Expectations and Pressures

 

Here are the Word Clouds that were shared on Sunday.

This one indicated the expectations of the people from their pastor.

 

This one indicates the pressures that Pastor Mark and Tyler feel.

What have I been preaching?

This is a wordle – a word cloud that was formed from scanning the text from the podcast blog.  It should show what the main emphases have been from the Sunday messages.

Interesting.  Click for larger view.

CMC Video Update

 

Here is a video of our current progress!

 

Church Picnic Photos

 

Here are the photos from our most recent picnic.  There are some really good pictures in there!

Most Popular Bible Verses

 

BibleGateway.com just published a list of the most sought after Bible verses in the past couple of months?

Is your favorite on the list?

My wife’s favorite verse is 84th!  Mine didn’t make the list! 

Philippians 3:10 (NIV) I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

Royal Ranger Council Fire – Flaming Arrow

 

They tried to light it with a flaming arrow.  Watch and see.

Vocal Gifts of the Spirit – May 17, 2009

Family Life believes in the practice of the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit as taught in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14, and most specifically in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and 14:26-32.

The most frequent uses of these gifts are the verbal gifts of “a word of prophecy” and an “utterance in tongues with interpretation.”

We were able to capture and transcribe a recent demonstration in one of our services. 1 Corinthians 14:29 tells us to “weigh carefully what was said” in the use of these gifts.

 

Walk forward in my grace and mercy says the Lord

Walk forward in peace and love

Go forth out of here

With love in your hearts, love for others

Let it show and let your light shine before men

That they will be drawn to me

This is what I have called you to

It is not hard, it is so easy

Just let my peace reign in your mortal body

Let my peace reign that others might see you

And want what you have

Mother’s Day Flowers

On behalf of the church Mother’s Day flowers were delivered to Evelyn Snider and Reginah Smith!

Slideshow of The Ark Nursery – He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands

 

The Ark Nursery – He’s Got The Whole World

 

Here are the video links to what The Ark nursery did this past Sunday.

 

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1460350/highlight/1384

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1461026/highlight/1385

Phil and Jessie Fewins Adopting From Taiwan

Just got an email from Jessie indicating that they are headed to Taiwan on Wednesday.

Follow them on their new blog at http://thefewinsfamily.blogspot.com/

She wrote:  “Check it out over the next couple weeks to watch our journey.  We leave tomorrow morning at 7:50 a.m. and will return on Monday, May 18th at 7:00p.m. in Springfield.

Please remember us in your prayers, for safety, for Joel's adjustment, and for Faith and us (as we have never really been apart from her before!).

P.S. I was limited on email addresses, so please feel free to send this on to others you think I would have intended to include if I had a better list of email addresses.

How is the rain treating you?

 

Here is the photo of the church office an hour ago.

 

TV interview – Town Hall For Hope

 

You can watch below how I didn’t mess up on TV!

 

KOAM TV Interview – Town Hall For Hope

My TV Studio interview went well this morning.

Should be shown on KOAM TV Channel 7 on Thursday, at about 6:15 am.

I will have to watch it on their web site!  :)

 

What Happens on Wednesday @ FLAG?

 

Pastor Mark put this simple video together to clue you in. 

Come join us this next Wednesday.

* Men’s Group and Adult Singles meet off site, therefore not included in video.

Landscaping upgrade for Easter

The staff along with Nate’s Landscaping did a great job on the church’s curb appeal, don’t you think?

Children’s Ministry Center Progress

Here is the simple video montage we showed concerning the progress on the Children's Ministry Center.

The Power of Facebook and the Internet

This past week I did some hunting on Facebook looking for old friends from High School, hometown, etc.  I should say friends from my teen years, since they wouldn’t really be old, would they?

Came across an old buddy who hung out with the group.  Steve Kimmel.  Great guy, amazing bowler. 

When I went to Facebook on Sunday morning to announce our broadcast of our services, he saw that.

See the encounter below.  Click here to see the service he watched and forward to 14:27 to see me mention him!

 

Screen clipping taken: 3/15/2009, 1:01 PM

FAQ – Releasing The Holy Spirit – Part 8

If I never speak in tongues does that make me a bad Christian? 

No.  Absolutely not.

Speaking in tongues is a gift God gives to believers who seek and ask for it reaching out in faith.

It is an added blessing on your life.  It in now way validates your faith, your Christian experience, or your behavior.  The Baptism in the Holy Spirit validates Jesus promise that:

Acts 1:8 (NIV)
⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

FAQ – Releasing The Holy Spirit – Part 7

How can the Holy Spirit come on me when I fail so much?

Sounds like an enemy has been at work here. 

God’s grace and mercy, and the Holy Spirit, are poured out due only His Grace and His Goodness. 

How good would you have to be to receive the Holy Spirit?  Obviously we can never get there.

In the original languages the gifts are called the Charismata – charis meaning grace – they are the gifts of grace.

Here is some simple advice to follow:

James 4:7 (NIV)
⁷ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:10 (NIV)
¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

FAQ – Releasing The Holy Spirit – Part 6

How do you know if you are forcing the speaking in tongues or if it is real?

This was a very big dilemma for me.

I so wanted everything to be God and God alone that I removed myself from any participation.  I opened myself up as a willing vessel, but I wasn’t willing to speak!  <smile>

It will always be you speaking in tongues.  Always.  But it will always be Holy Spirit enabled.  Always.  If the Holy Spirit didn’t enable you, you wouldn’t be speaking in a language you had never learned!

Acts 2:4 (NIV)
⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

FAQ – Releasing The Holy Spirit – Part 5

What can I do to prepare to receive the Holy Spirit?  I have prayed several time but I haven’t received it yet.

I do know how you feel on this one.  I sought for a long time and at times left the altar frustrated.

I encourage you not to fret or worry.  That is what an enemy wants you to do.

Continue to seek and remember that God rewards the persistent. 

Luke 11:8 (NIV)
I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

FAQ – Releasing The Holy Spirit – Part 4

What if you are afraid to speak in tongues?

We need not fear of any gift the Father wants to give us. 

James 1:17 (NIV)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Perhaps some people have misused tongues foolishly and this has scared this person into a “I don’t want to be a freakshow” mentality.

Rest assured – God does not force Himself on you.  The Holy Spirit does not need to alter your personality to fill you.  You can still be you and speak in tongues.

For more on this topic listen here.

FAQ – Releasing The Holy Spirit – Part 3

If I don’t speak in tongues will I go to heaven?

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues have nothing, I repeat, nothing to do with going to heaven.

Entrance to heaven is God’s gift of grace to those have confessed Christ as Savior and are following Him. 

For more on this topic listen here.

Vocal Gifts of the Spirit – 3/8/09

Family Life believes in the practice of the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit as taught in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14, and most specifically in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and 14:26-32.

The most frequent uses of these gifts are the verbal gifts of “a word of prophecy” and an “utterance in tongues with interpretation.”

We were able to capture and transcribe a recent demonstration in one of our services. 1 Corinthians 14:29 tells us to “weigh carefully what was said” in the use of these gifts.

 8:30 Service

All I have asked you to do is to come

Bring your vessel that I might fill it

I want to fill you to overflowing

 

It is I who has presented myself to you this morning and said come

Bring that cup and I will fill it

I will fill it to give you the power you need

 

This is to make you witnesses of what I can do through you

It will spill out into the communities just like I said in my word

Because I want to use you but you must be filled

It will overflow like a river to those who are around you and your community

That light will shine - That light is me

 

Evening Service

I am not far away, I am not far but I am so near

And I gave you My word and if you remember in My word

I said to knock and seek and you will find

I see that you are seeking after Me tonight says the Lord

 

And in that I thank you and desire you to do that says the Lord

And with that there will be a promise not just a question but an answer

And the answer is yes and amen says the Lord

 

So when you reach out and speak out My name tonight

Ask what you will and it will be done says the Lord

Ask whatever you will in my name says the Lord and it will be done

FAQ – Releasing The Holy Spirit – Part 2

How do you know when you are baptized in the Holy Spirit?

Great question.  When dealing with spiritual “experiences” we must rely on the Bible’s record.  The Bible teaches that when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit we will speak in tongues.

The Bible shows us in Acts that when the Holy Spirit came/fell on people they spoke in tongues.  You can see that in Acts 2:1-4, 10:44-48, and 19:1-7.

Speaking in tongues is the evidence that the Apostles experienced, accepted, and the only evidence offered in the New Testament.

For more on this topic listen here.

KFC Scavenger Hunt

And you thought that all they were going to do was have fun!

 

KFC Scavenger Hunt - Worship 2 from Mark Lehman on Vimeo.

FAQ - Releasing The Holy Spirit – Part 1

Why do some people have to wait weeks, months, years to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit? Especially when some get the gift the first time they ask?

Hmmm. Do I sense jealousy here? There sure was jealousy in my heart when I posed this same question years ago.

The original disciples (120 of them, Acts 2) waited/tarried for 10 days before the Holy Spirit was poured out. This is the last group Scripture mentions that waited/tarried. Others were filled upon asking. There is no reason that believers must beg for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on them.

Why does it take others longer? Perhaps faith. It was in my case. Perhaps mental blocks (i.e. it is me speaking, not the Holy Spirit).

God is more willing to pour out than we are to receive. I think that a more childlike faith and willingness to trust God is what is needed.

Advice: Keep seeking, stop begging, and launch your faith!

For more on this topic listen here.

I Just Got Baptized In The Holy Spirit, Now What?

We were blessed by God to have people baptized in the Holy Spirit each service this past Sunday, including the evening service.

I wish that I could remember each one, but I can't! I have written a simple teaching below to help those just filled to continue to grow in their gift. If you were one of those who sought but we not filled - don't quit or be discouraged! You are loved and will be filled!

• Exercise the gift regularly. Speak in tongues when you have a private prayer time.
• Don't wait until next Sunday to think about speaking in tongues again.
• Remember that it is a gift. Choose to use it.
• God didn't overtake your Spirit, tongue, or mouth, and He won't in the future. It was an act of your faith coupled with the Holy Spirit's enabling.
• Don't compare your prayer language to what someone else sounds like.
• Part of the reason the Holy Spirit filled you was for the purpose of pointing to Christ. Let Him lead/guide you this week.
• Avoid the air of superiority. You didn't receive because of your goodness, can't lose it because of future failings.
• Remind yourself that you have not "arrived," or "achieved." It is not the time to rest on your experience, it is time to exercise your gifts and prayer language!
• Praise Him with power this Sunday!

Look Who Has A FLAG Shirt!

Cadence got a FLAG shirt!

Birth Announcement! JoVeia Carlie Clark

We rejoice with Brandon and Voli Clark for the safe arrival of JoVeia Carlie.

JoVeia was born on Wednesday, February 25th, at 7:18 pm. She weighed 7 lbs 13 ounces and was 19 1/4 inches long.

JoVeia joins big brother Brody.

Thanks be to God for this wonderful addition to their family.

Here Is Someone Persuading Others To Reverence Life

Twelve-year-old "Lia" of Toronto has become a star at her school and online with her five-minute pro-life speech, crafted for a school competition. Despite discouragement and outright opposition, Lia's presentation was so well done that she reportedly won the contest she was told she would be disqualified from, due to the "controversial" message of her speech.

"What if I told you that right now, someone was choosing if you were gonna live or die?" begins the charismatic seventh-grader. "What if I told you that this choice wasn't based on what you could or couldn't do, what you'd done in the past, or what you would do in the future? And what if I told you that you could do nothing about it?"

Lia's mother says that the topic was of her own choosing. "She was told that if she went ahead with that topic, she would not be allowed to continue on in the speech competition," the mother wrote in an email. She also said the girl's homeroom teacher was supportive of Lia's speech, even though she was pro-choice.

The mom noted, "After helping Lia do the speech (the teacher) said, 'It really got me thinking.'" At the schoolwide competition, the mom said one pro-choice teacher on the judge's panel "didn't even want to hear" the speech and stepped down from the panel before Lia began. After the speech, the judges initially told Lia she had indeed been disqualified, but controversy among the judges eventually led to a reversal, and Lia's family learned the next day that the panel agreed the girl deserved to win the competition.

Lia presented her speech at a regional competition last week, representing her school. The speech is available in its entirety here. It has since been viewed over 260,000 times and sparked a heated discussion.