Area Men's Meeting

Wow! Men from several churches were blessed greatly last night at theFellowship Christian Center. Our speaker had to preach a funeral so, four different men preached for about 15 min. each, it was fresh from the throne of God. Contact me for more info.

Rise Above

Former U.S. President John F. Kennedy received endless advice and criticism from the media concerning how he should run the country. Much of it he took good-naturedly. In fact, he often used a favorite story in response to the media's comments about how they thought he could do a better job.He told about a legendary baseball player who always played flawlessly. He consistently hit when at bat and was never thrown out at first. When on base he never failed to score. As a fielder, he never dropped a ball and he threw with unerring accuracy. He ran swiftly and played gracefully.In fact, he would have been one of the all-time greats except for one thing - no one could ever persuade him to put down his beer and hotdog and come out of the press box to play!Most of us can empathize, for we all have people in our lives who criticize and second-guess. They are quick to point out flaws and quicker yet to offer advice.When it comes to receiving criticism, I believe it helps to remember first that not all criticism is invalid. Wisdom listens for the kernel of truth and saves it for future growth. But when criticism seems unfair, I believe it helps to remember the hawk. When attacked by crows, it does not counterattack. Instead, the hawk soars higher and higher in ever- widening circles until the pests leave it alone.When there is nothing to learn from criticism, can you rise above it and soar?

Steve Goodier

NewsFrom India

Dear Friends and Family,We are now in Delhi airport and headed for Chennai and home. What a fantastic day it has been! Our last day has seen 23 more ministers join the church by covenant with 1 more last night. To date 84 ministers have covenanted on this trip representing more than 150 congregations. We have seen the mighty hand of God on this trip and we bless you for blessing us with your prayers. We have neither been sick or overwhelmed. The anointing has been fabulous. The Lord has gone before and behind us in magnificent ways. Thanks be unto God.We will be sharing pictures and details of the work in the days to come. There is no doubt that the work is beyond our imagination, but then, isn't that what God said? (He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think!) Still we need the divine covering of the Lord for the work ahead, so please continue to pray that God will rebuke the devourer and cover the army of the Lord in India! With our grateful prayers, Sis. Joyce

No Regrets

Not many people have heard of Bill Havens. But Bill became an unlikely hero of sorts - at least among those who knew him best. Here is his story: At the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, the sport of canoe racing was added to the list of international competitions. The favorite team in the four-man canoe race was the United States team. One member of that team was a young man by the name of Bill Havens. As the time for the Olympics neared, it became clear that Bill's wife would give birth to their first child about the time that the US team would be competing in the Paris games. In 1924 there were no jet airliners from Paris to the United States, only slow ocean-going ships. And so Bill found himself in a dilemma. Should he go to Paris and risk not being at his wife's side when their baby was born? Or should he withdraw from the team and remain with his family?Bill's wife insisted that he go to Paris. After all, competing in theOlympics was the culmination of a life-long dream. But Bill felt conflicted and, after much soul-searching, decided to withdraw from the competition and remain home where he could support his wife when the child arrived. He considered being at her side his highest priority - even higher than going to Paris to fulfill his dream. As it turned out, the United States four-man canoe team won the gold medal in Paris. And Bill's wife was late in giving birth to their child. She was so late, in fact, that Bill could have competed in the event and returned home in time to be with her when she gave birth.People said, "What a shame." But Bill said he had no regrets. For the rest of his life, he believed he had made the better decision. Bill Havens knew what was most important to him. Not everybody figures that out. And he acted on what he believed was best. Not everybody has the strength of character to say no to something he or she truly wants inorder to say yes to something that truly matters. But for Bill, it was the only way to peace; the only way to no regrets. There is an interesting sequel to the story of Bill Havens..The child eventually born to Bill and his wife was a boy, whom they named Frank. Twenty-eight years later, in 1952, Bill received a cablegram from Frank. It was sent from Helsinki, Finland, where the1952 Olympics were being held. The cablegram read: "Dad, I won. I'm bringing home the gold medal you lost while waiting for me to be born."Frank Havens had just won the gold medal for the United States in the canoe-racing event, a medal his father had dreamed of winning but never did. Like I said - no regrets.Thomas Kinkade eloquently said, "When we learn to say a deep, passionate yes to the things that really matter... then peace begins to settle onto our lives like golden sunlight sifting to a forest floor." Steve Goodier

Chili Cook-off

We had a wonderful Family Night at church last night the WINNER of the Chili was CLIFF KING & the WINNER of the Soup was MARVIN HARRIS. Who said men couldn't cook ?