20% of children in Page Co live in poverty
Monday, December 14, 2009
It is so hard for be to believe this, but it's true. 20% of the children in the county we live in, live in poverty. So what are we doing about it? As a church one of the things we did this year was called the Jerusalem project. This month specifically we adopted 3 local families from our community and we gave them a lot of great gifts. Melissa and I went shopping on Saturday for these children and it means so much to us to be able to do this for these families. We also gave Southwest Iowa Families some thank you cards and a check for $500 to bless them and all they do to try to see families thrive in our community. We are so glad to be able to partner with them in their goal to strengthen families and teach them life skills as well as so many other things.
We have done this for 3 years now as a church and we pray for these families that God would use us to bless them and most of all that they would know who Jesus is. Please take a second to pray for these families and the many families in our community who are without this season. Thank you so much.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:12 AM,
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differences
Friday, December 11, 2009
People are different. People do things in different ways. I am not telling you anything new, but what I do find interesting is that we all know everyone is different and has different experiences, yet we somehow think they should act or live just like us. Now, why wouldn't we want people to live just like us (speaking generally, not about me)? If we are all honest, I think we all think we are doing it the right way, and for the most part everyone else is doing it wrong. Not in all cases, but in a lot of cases. The reason why we believe this is because we have always done it this way. We all have traditions and ways of doing things that no one else does and that makes us unique. Now I am all for doing personal and unique things with your family. I do think as a family you should have your own family traditions. We all have differences. So what do we do with them? Do we have to change for everyone else? Does everyone else have to change for us? What if the answer is neither? What if we just be who we are and we do our best to do the right things for us. What is right for one family may not be right for another. Now, I will say we all have areas we can grow in, but sometimes we have to worry less about what people or families or others may say about us or think about us and live our lives. Now, use godly wisdom and seek his direction. Pray in all things, but all in all, be you.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 11:38 AM,
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loving snow and loving God
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Over the past couple days it has been interesting to see how people have reacted to this snow storm. A couple of days ago before the storm came many people talked about how they loved snow and were excited that it was coming. I am a lover of the snow as well so I joined in with them. After the 14 or so inches of snow we got along with the huge drifts from the wind blowing up to 25 mph's, many people have begun to complain. In just two days they went from I can't wait, the snow is so beautiful to yuck, I just wish it would go away.
It reminds me a lot of the way people are towards God. They love him on Sunday's especially, but they really love Him when they want something. I was talking with our teen class on Sunday and I asked do you pray more when things are going well, or when they are going bad. It was a resounding "when things are going bad". We are all about God and His goodness when things are going well, but He is the first thing we put on the shelf when things are going bad and all we do is complain about "why God doesn't hear or answer my prayer" or how God must not "love me" anymore, because if He did, He wouldn't allow me to go through this. So, here is what I say. Either love snow and all that comes with it, or don't go around saying you love it, but complain about the things you don't like about it. Either love God and all that comes with Him or don't go around saying you love Him, yet complaining about all the things He doesn't do. Fair weather fans, PUN INTENDED!!!
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:03 PM,
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6 to the double 0
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
This is my 600th post. I can't believe I have posted that many blogs. It has truly been a journey. Sometimes I look at this as a journal. It's a way for me to share what is on my heart and to just vent. I know I have done my share of both and I am glad anyone reads it at this point. I like to look back over previous blogs and see how my life has changed in the past 3 years. Let's see, new church, new wife (not that I had an old one) and now a baby girl. So much has changed and I have been able to share it with people in a lot of different places. I love using my blog to connect with people, encourage people and occasionally to share my humor.
Long story short, the last three years have been very amazing for me. I have had ups and downs and I am thankful for all of them. The tough times have been rough, but God has truly gone with me and I am thankful.
So, I am going to keep blogging and hopefully you will keep reading. God bless you.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 12:50 PM,
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repentance
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Today we talked about repentance. Repentance is more than just saying you are sorry. I talked about why we need to repent and why we don't repent. I felt like God was pointing us towards getting things right with Him as we enter into this time. Listen to the message here.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 10:53 PM,
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a must trust
Friday, December 04, 2009
Today I am finding myself trusting in the Lord more than ever. The reason I have this trust is because He has proven Himself faithful in all things. This year has had it's ups and downs and it has been great at times and it has been very difficult at times, but at the end of the day I lay my head on my pillow with trust that the Lord is at work. Too many times when we go through things people buckle under the pressure. They give up. They give in. I have been there and I have done that many times. Luckily for me God is gracious and kind to me. He has proven Himself to me time and time again. Not just this year, but over my life even when I didn't love Him.
What I have learned this year is that there are many time "a must trust" is necessary. When you don't see God or feel Him, you just HAVE to trust Him. There have been times where without Him I have no clue what would have happened. I know trusting in Him is difficult, but I can attest to you, whatever the situation is, you CAN trust Him. He will be there. He is trustworthy. He is faithful. PLACE YOUR TRUST IN HIM.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 9:01 AM,
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viral issues
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
As some of you have seen on my Twitter account I have not been feeling great the past couple days. I went to the dr. this morning and he thinks it is something viral. I am praying that he is right. He gave me some pills to take for the next couple days and if they work, they it will be ok, if not, I have to go back on Friday afternoon and get some x-rays. Please pray with me that it's the viral thing and the medicine takes care of it.
Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement.
posted by Pastor Potter @ 12:29 PM,
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