Don't Give Up

So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. Galatians 6: 9-10

Are you weary? Do you feel like giving up? Are you tired of doing what is right? Are you tired of praying? Are you tired of serving? Are you tired of parenting your child with Biblical values? Are you tired of loving your spouse in a Christlike manner? Are you tired of conducting business in God honouring way? Are you tired of giving of yourself?

Are you tired? If you are, can I ask you this? Are you spreading yourself too thin and trying to do too much? If you are, you need to refocus and do the following:

• Love God
• Love your family
• Show God's love by accomplishing your personal mission. Your personal mission is doing what God has called you to do, that one thing within his Family that you are passionate about.

Don't stop doing the good things in life.

Do stop doing the things that take you away from the good things you need to do.

Don't stop spending time reading the Bible. Don't stop loving your spouse and doing good things for them. Don't stop lovingly guiding your children in God's way. Don't stop being a light for God to those in your sphere of influence. Don't stop serving in the church.

Even though it is hard work to keep doing what is good, God will reward you in His time. Even though you feel like quiting at times, keep going. Don't give up - encourage one another and stay the course. It will be worth it!

Sunday Night Thoughts

• Sunday is always a busy day and tiring.
• About this time each Sunday night I realize it was so worth it.
• I was amazed to see how our team jumped right into set up this morning and had the new theatre set up in no time (only our second week doing the new set up).
• Our Falls Fanatic of the week is Ian Pierce. Ian is a grade 7 boy that comes to church each week. Today was special, because I saw him sweeping up out front of the theatre. That's what I call a real servant. Way to go Ian.
• Great bunch of teens at our church - I think everyone of them serves in some capacity. That's what it's all about.
• We have a bunch of bakers in our church. It looked like a bake sale on our refreshment table and I look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy now.
• Band sounded real good
• Sound and Video did a flawless job today.
• Our nursery area continues to grow - great job Lil'K workers.
• Loved today's talk - I was very passionate about it - so I was told.
• Had a great get together at the Niagara Square Food Court after our Sunday Gathering. Lots of fun.

Coming Real Soon

Coming to a theatre near you!

Sunday, September 14

TIME OUT

I like this post from Seth Godin

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/09/time.html

Especially the part about respecting people's time. We hold that value high every Sunday morning at CATF, otherwise people will just right us off. They will right us off for being boring, going over time, not doing things with excellence and being irrelevant. Time -- let's be careful not to waste someones gift to us. We may not get a second chance.

Do you find it hard to invite a friend to church?

I got thinking this morning about how our church can better equip you to invite your friends and family to gather with our church on Sunday morning. After thinking about this subject I thought the best way for me to find out the challenges you each face is to simply ask you.

• Are you building relationships with people hoping to introduce them to CATF?
• What is the greatest fear you face when thinking about inviting someone along?
• Do you find what we do on Sunday morning to be relevant, engaging and helpful?
• What have you found that works well when inviting a friend?
• How have you overcome the fear of asking someone?
• Is there anything that would help you invite? Anything we could provide that would empower you? Tell us what would be helpful.

Your feedback will help us better prepare one another to care for our community - Thanks
questions@churchatthefalls.com

Life Challenges

How you do you handle the challengs in your life?

• Do you retreat into self pity?
• Do you blame God?
• Do you look for a way to escape?
• Do you worry?
• Do you blame others?
• Do you think positive?
• Do you dig deep within hoping to find something that will help?

These are all common responses that don't work -- I have tried them. We each have tried to manage the tough stuff with little or no positive results.

Personally I have turned to God in the following ways and found that there is hope. I really believe and have practiced the following.

• Call out to God - Psalm 77:1
• Seek God honouring advice - Proverbs 11:14
• Find support from other followers of Christ - Hebrews 10:24-25
• Be at peace knowing God is more than able to carry you through the challenges you face- Psalm 46:10

We have a God who understands the human condition - he knows and he cares.

Theatre Divider

This is what we are dividing the theatre with. It's an easy way to manage the large theatre and open more seats as we need them.

Sunday Happenings

• Just realized I didn't update my blog since last Sunday. Not sure what happened.
• Great day today.
• Lots of help with set up and tear down. Great people are part of CATF.
• Everything went real smooth today.
• Had lots of fun.
• Felt like most everyone was sitting on the edge of their seat when I as talking -- or maybe everyone had eyeballs painted on their eye lids and were just sleeping.
• Last week for the Elephant In The Room series.
• Next week we start the Difficult People series - it will be a lot of fun.
• We need to blow past the 100 mark real soon -- I sense it's coming soon.
• Next week will be fun in the bigger theatre. We need a curtain crew at 9 am - come help divide off the theatre with currtains.
• God has really given us great favour with our theatre manager. That really helps when we need to make changes.
• Invite a friend next week.
• Pray for God to use our billboards to draw people to him.