Feeling Stuck?
Last week I asked, are you emotionally stuck? I would like to ask that same question again, but key in on a different aspect. Last week we talked about being emotionally stuck due to a pre-Christian experience like a tragedy, abuse, abandonment, or family of origin issues that were passed on to you. But today, I want to talk about being emotionally stuck in your post Christian conversion experience (post Christian, meaning your life as a follower of Jesus). There are examples in the Bible where people had great opportunity, but they did not finish well. God wants each of us to finish well, being all that God has designed for us. I think of Judas, who had the same experiences as the other disciples or Saul who got the same anointing as David, still Judas and Saul had a bad ending to their lives.
During the Crisis
Here is what happens to all of us. When we first become followers of Jesus, everything is wonderful. We find a new grace we thought never was possible. Our burden is lifted, we feel free, and joy floods our hearts. This is good. It reveals what heaven is all about. Then God takes us on a journey to begin to heal the areas in our life that have been affected by our lifestyle, issues within our family origin, or the “traumas” of life before we were followers of Jesus.It is here that we can become emotionally stuck. Moses felt God’s calling as a deliverer of God’s people and then promptly took matters into his own hands. As a result he lived on the back side of the desert for forty years. He could have become stuck here, but he remained faithful and eventually had a burning bush experience. David receives his calling and is anointed king, he has a meteoric type rise to fame, only to be running for his life shortly after. He could have gotten stuck here but he kept his heart pure by offering a continual praise and thanksgiving song to heaven. Abraham waited for a son to be his heir until he and Sarah realized it was too late. Sarah had passed the time of child bearing and he resigned to his fate. Then a miracle happened. A child, Isaac, was born to Sarah in her old age. Things were going amazingly well, until the unthinkable happened. God told him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice of obedience to God (This may seem strange to you, but in that culture, this was a normal practice). Abraham could have become stuck here. He could have said, no way! I am not giving up my vision, my hope, and my son, which I have waited for all these years. He could have decided to leave God at that point and make his own way in life. Instead he decided to be obedient to God and a miracle took place. His son was restored to him which became the bloodline from who our savior was born.
My point is, we all experience a crisis (or a series of crises) which can create an emotional barrier in our life. But in each of these examples we see that being faithful to the call, keeping our hearts pure with praise and thanksgiving, and then being obedient to what God has told us, we will be able to push past the emotional barriers in our lives. We do face hard things, but they are designed for us to grow and come to the next level God has planned for us. Refuse to become emotionally stuck! Remaining faithful to the call, worship in our hearts, and daily obedience to God’s directives, will propel us forward to new growth, more fruit in our lives, and joy unspeakable.
PART 12 (Pedal Along a Rail Trail)
This super fun bike ride with a purpose is set to happen this Saturday, June 24. We are pleased that the ride is full and we are looking forward to a good ride.
If you wish to support this event, you can still sponsor a rider or donate to Our Daily Bread. Contact the KCF office or visit kootenaychristianfellowship.com to donate.
Canada Day at Lakeside Park
KCF, Our Daily Bread and S.H.A.R.E. Nelson will be joining in the festivities at Lakeside Park on Saturday, July 1st. There will be cotton candy, popcorn, games and of course, great company. We hope to see you there. For volunteer opportunities, please contact the church office.
Family Camp at Dutch Harbour
Why not consider taking a part of your holidays to join us for family camp this year. This is an inexpensive opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, Kootenay Lake, beautiful mountains and beaches, plus be inspired and encouraged. This will all happen within the community of wonderful people. Pastor Glen Forsberg will be our guest speaker and Cliff Schneider will provide Children’s Ministry. Join us July 3 to 7. This is filling up quickly, so be sure to contact the office to register or visit kootenaychristianfellowship.com.
Church and Party in the Park!
On Sunday, July 16th we invite you to join us for our Sunday Celebration at the Lakeside Park Rotary Shelter. We will meet there for Church at 10:30am and all are welcome.
After the church gathering we will have games, enjoy a BBQ and some live entertainment and most of all enjoy the company of each other. If you are regular volunteer of KCF, S.H.A.R.E. Nelson or Our Daily Bread, you should be receiving an invitation to the BBQ. We would love it if all others would join us as well; however, if you are not a regular volunteer, you will need to donate $5 in advance to obtain a ticket. The deadline for RSVP’s and to obtain tickets is July 5th.
S.H.A.R.E. Nelson
S.H.A.R.E. is currently blessed with too much stuff. We are slashing prices, almost giving it away. Come down and support the poor and help us get rid of extra stock. If you would like to volunteer at S.H.A.R.E. we currently have great ministry opportunities. Call the store at 250.352.1222 or stop by the store to inquire. Click on this link to check out S.H.A.R.E.’s new video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aZX9v7gxdM
Calendar of Events
Visit our website at http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com for all the news, sermons, and places to donate.
Pastor Jim
June 22, 2017
E-transfers to office@kcfoffice.com
Kootenay Christian Fellowship520 Falls Street (1/2 Block up from Baker Street)Nelson, BC V1L 6B5