This coming Sunday, May 4, we will be giving anyone that would like an opportunity to purchase plexiglass for the windows of the church. As you may have heard me say last Sunday, the cement molding around the windows is breaking up causing gaps in the windows. To repair a window it will cost the church $65.00 and we have 63 windows. We will be distributing "special offering" envelopes Sunday for families that can help us by purchasing a window or two.
This past week the church was able to install a new light panel that enables us to preset our sanctuary lights on separate settings. For probably over five years now we have been turning on the lamps in the sanctuary using breaker switches due to the poor condition of our light panel. So the new panel with its pre-set and dimming features is a great blessing to the chuch.
I know recently you have had to notice the beautiful landscaping at the church. I want to thank everyone who has donated time or money to make this possible. It really looks sharp!
We always have church building improvement or repair projects that are in need to be completed. If you would like to give an offering to go towards these projects just mark "building" on your tithe envelope and the amount. Listed below are items that we hope to be tackling within the next year:
- repair church roof leak that causes water damage in both restrooms
- renovate and decorate ladies restrooms
- new carpet in nursery
- metal roof on storage barn in back of property
- parking lot resurfacing
and I probably have left out a few. We also have plans to begin a fundraiser soon to pay off the existing indebtness ($25,000) and begin to raise the funds for a much needed additional facility. Of course, we are looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars, but if we really want it and need it, then we will need to give and sacrifice for it.
We are very blessed at Kings Point. We have a piece of property with great visibility! Beautiful facilities! A wonderful staff and dedicated volunteer lay ministers...and a clear VISION bestowed upon us by our Lord Jesus Christ! Please keep your church in prayer. Please look for ways to serve your Lord by serving in the church. There are lots of ways you can be involved. "And whatever you do. whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God in the Father through him." Colossians 3:17
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Bear, the Skunk, and the Fox
Well, it happened again last week. I was sitting watching television about ready to go to bed when it came breaking and entering into the house, permeating through the walls, and saturating my clothes like I just stepped into a steam room. It happened so suddenly, so quickly, I was stunned. It was so strong that when I took a big whiff (that’s hoosier for “to smell with the nose”)…I felt my nose burning inside, I kid you not!
At this point, I was about ten feet away from the doggy door and I thought “surely it didn’t come in through Bear’s door" (Bear is the name of our “rocket-scientist” dog). Immediately, my mind wondered what in the world would I do if I looked in Bear’s room and there it was? Would I yell? Run? Would it run? Would it panic and greet me like an alarming predator?
Nonetheless, I knew I had to peek and see if it was there. So I slowly creeped up to the four foot door that closes off Bear’s room from the rest of the house and carefully raised my head over the door to steal a look and sure enough there it was! Just kidding, Bear’s room was empty…thank God! So I quickly went in and closed off the doggy door. From there, I literally ran through the house slamming windows and the glass doors to the deck. I ran upstairs to push down the windows hoping to beat it from heartlessly overtaking Gabe and Annette who had been asleep for a couple hours. But it was too late. It had already been there and ruined the room.
“Oh, No!” I said to myself. Just that quick, it got us! I had no chance to defend my house, myself, or my family. I couldn’t believe it. It just seemed like we were its victims a few months ago and now here we go starting all over again. Of course, I knew who was to blame…who is always the instigator – Bear! So I decided I better find him and see if it got him too. So I turned on the deck lights, looked around and it was nowhere in sight. I stepped out quietly on the deck and gently called out to Bear. In a second, he came to the deck and sure enough it got him too.
Of course, Bear was as happy as always. He thought I called him to play or give him a treat. He was excited. I knew he had been playing with it because while I was watching television just a few minutes earlier I could hear Bear running around on the deck. But I really didn’t think anything of it until it overtook me in the house.
Well, a week later, while I am still sitting here with the residue of Mr. Skunk in my living room, I got to thinking about sin. Sin, like the skunk is nothing to play with. Sin like the skunk may look harmless and cuddly on the outside, but it can turn on you suddenly and spoil everything in your life. In my 40 years of serving Christ and 27 years of pastoring, I have seen sin overtake people like the powerful odor of skunk. Oh, they try to deny it and try to hide it, but it doesn’t work. It overwhelms them and there is nothing they can do about it.
Last week, my wife went on the Internet and learned that there is one thing that will keep skunks away and that one thing is the scent of a fox. Why? The skunk won’t go anywhere a fox has been because the fox is a natural predator of the skunk. So you guessed it, we hope we have outfoxed the skunks!
Did you know there is only one solution for the power of sin in your life? You can try all you want to get rid of it but only through the blood of Jesus can you erase sin and its power over your life. Matthew 26:28 states, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
I encourage you today to turn your life over to Christ. Acts 2:38 tells us to repent, and be baptized in the name of Christ for the remission of sins. You don’t have to go through life living with the guilt and under the power of sin. Through the power of Christ you can be free today!
At this point, I was about ten feet away from the doggy door and I thought “surely it didn’t come in through Bear’s door" (Bear is the name of our “rocket-scientist” dog). Immediately, my mind wondered what in the world would I do if I looked in Bear’s room and there it was? Would I yell? Run? Would it run? Would it panic and greet me like an alarming predator?
Nonetheless, I knew I had to peek and see if it was there. So I slowly creeped up to the four foot door that closes off Bear’s room from the rest of the house and carefully raised my head over the door to steal a look and sure enough there it was! Just kidding, Bear’s room was empty…thank God! So I quickly went in and closed off the doggy door. From there, I literally ran through the house slamming windows and the glass doors to the deck. I ran upstairs to push down the windows hoping to beat it from heartlessly overtaking Gabe and Annette who had been asleep for a couple hours. But it was too late. It had already been there and ruined the room.
“Oh, No!” I said to myself. Just that quick, it got us! I had no chance to defend my house, myself, or my family. I couldn’t believe it. It just seemed like we were its victims a few months ago and now here we go starting all over again. Of course, I knew who was to blame…who is always the instigator – Bear! So I decided I better find him and see if it got him too. So I turned on the deck lights, looked around and it was nowhere in sight. I stepped out quietly on the deck and gently called out to Bear. In a second, he came to the deck and sure enough it got him too.
Of course, Bear was as happy as always. He thought I called him to play or give him a treat. He was excited. I knew he had been playing with it because while I was watching television just a few minutes earlier I could hear Bear running around on the deck. But I really didn’t think anything of it until it overtook me in the house.
Well, a week later, while I am still sitting here with the residue of Mr. Skunk in my living room, I got to thinking about sin. Sin, like the skunk is nothing to play with. Sin like the skunk may look harmless and cuddly on the outside, but it can turn on you suddenly and spoil everything in your life. In my 40 years of serving Christ and 27 years of pastoring, I have seen sin overtake people like the powerful odor of skunk. Oh, they try to deny it and try to hide it, but it doesn’t work. It overwhelms them and there is nothing they can do about it.
Last week, my wife went on the Internet and learned that there is one thing that will keep skunks away and that one thing is the scent of a fox. Why? The skunk won’t go anywhere a fox has been because the fox is a natural predator of the skunk. So you guessed it, we hope we have outfoxed the skunks!
Did you know there is only one solution for the power of sin in your life? You can try all you want to get rid of it but only through the blood of Jesus can you erase sin and its power over your life. Matthew 26:28 states, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
I encourage you today to turn your life over to Christ. Acts 2:38 tells us to repent, and be baptized in the name of Christ for the remission of sins. You don’t have to go through life living with the guilt and under the power of sin. Through the power of Christ you can be free today!
Monday, April 28, 2008
"The New Plagues"
Why 'superbugs,' TB, leprosy and other pestilences are invading U.S.
Posted: February 04, 20081:00 am Eastern© 2008 WorldNetDaily.com
Americans have long taken the wonders of medical science for granted, watching as disease after disease has been conquered with antibiotics, vaccines, better nutrition and pharmaceutical "miracle drugs." But today, the magic isn't working ? and something scary is happening.
Thanks to self-destructive "alternative lifestyles," out-of-control immigration, the overuse of antibiotics and other causes, long-"vanquished" illnesses are once again ravaging the U.S., puzzling scientists and terrifying millions of victims and their loved ones.
That's the explosive subject of the February edition of WND's elite monthly Whistleblower magazine, titled "THE NEW PLAGUES."
Consider this:
The once-"conquered" scourge of tuberculosis has made a terrifying comeback, especially in America's inner cities (the American Lung Association has called TB "out of control"), and drug-resistant TB accounts for more and more new cases. The reason? Record legal and illegal immigration levels. Indeed, the highest numbers of multi-drug-resistant TB cases are in New York, California, Texas and Florida ? states with the highest populations of new immigrants.
Leprosy, the contagious skin disease evoking thoughts of biblical and medieval times, is now making its mark in the United States, and many believe the influx of illegal aliens is the main factor.
A new study reveals that homosexuals are much more likely to become infected with the dreaded "superbug" MRSA ? methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ? than are heterosexuals. Some are even calling MRSA the "new HIV." Although previous MRSA contagion has been confined primarily to hospitals, it is now being spread in major cities through homosexual contact. But since staph is also transmissible through non-sexual contact, the University of California researcher who headed up the study warns: "Once this reaches the general population, it will be truly unstoppable."
Avian influenza ? or "bird flu" ? has caused such concern at the highest level of the U.S. government that in 2005, the Congressional Budget Office reported that a severe pandemic of avian flu hitting the U.S. would kill 2 million Americans and throw the country into a major recession.
Other diseases once virtually unknown in America, like Chagas disease and Dengue fever, are cropping up in southern border areas, while old and much-feared plagues like polio and malaria are also on the upswing.
Compounding all of this, the astronomical number of illegal aliens swarming into the United States is forcing the closure of dozens of hospitals, spreading previously vanquished diseases and threatening to destroy America's prized health-care system.
Jesus said...
Matthew 24:7-8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.
Posted: February 04, 20081:00 am Eastern© 2008 WorldNetDaily.com
Americans have long taken the wonders of medical science for granted, watching as disease after disease has been conquered with antibiotics, vaccines, better nutrition and pharmaceutical "miracle drugs." But today, the magic isn't working ? and something scary is happening.
Thanks to self-destructive "alternative lifestyles," out-of-control immigration, the overuse of antibiotics and other causes, long-"vanquished" illnesses are once again ravaging the U.S., puzzling scientists and terrifying millions of victims and their loved ones.
That's the explosive subject of the February edition of WND's elite monthly Whistleblower magazine, titled "THE NEW PLAGUES."
Consider this:
The once-"conquered" scourge of tuberculosis has made a terrifying comeback, especially in America's inner cities (the American Lung Association has called TB "out of control"), and drug-resistant TB accounts for more and more new cases. The reason? Record legal and illegal immigration levels. Indeed, the highest numbers of multi-drug-resistant TB cases are in New York, California, Texas and Florida ? states with the highest populations of new immigrants.
Leprosy, the contagious skin disease evoking thoughts of biblical and medieval times, is now making its mark in the United States, and many believe the influx of illegal aliens is the main factor.
A new study reveals that homosexuals are much more likely to become infected with the dreaded "superbug" MRSA ? methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ? than are heterosexuals. Some are even calling MRSA the "new HIV." Although previous MRSA contagion has been confined primarily to hospitals, it is now being spread in major cities through homosexual contact. But since staph is also transmissible through non-sexual contact, the University of California researcher who headed up the study warns: "Once this reaches the general population, it will be truly unstoppable."
Avian influenza ? or "bird flu" ? has caused such concern at the highest level of the U.S. government that in 2005, the Congressional Budget Office reported that a severe pandemic of avian flu hitting the U.S. would kill 2 million Americans and throw the country into a major recession.
Other diseases once virtually unknown in America, like Chagas disease and Dengue fever, are cropping up in southern border areas, while old and much-feared plagues like polio and malaria are also on the upswing.
Compounding all of this, the astronomical number of illegal aliens swarming into the United States is forcing the closure of dozens of hospitals, spreading previously vanquished diseases and threatening to destroy America's prized health-care system.
Jesus said...
Matthew 24:7-8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Thoughts on the Spring Men's Encounter 2008
It was another super Men's Encounter weekend. I could have never imagined in 2002 when I first went down to Bethany World Prayer Center and was introduced to "the vision" that so many lives would be impacted by encounters and cells. Kings Point is going into its fifth year of conducting encounters and in my 27 years of ministry I have never seen anything in church ministry so powerful as "encounter weekends."
Just some brief thank you[s] to some very special people...
Just some brief thank you[s] to some very special people...
- Thanks so much to Rob Mason who still works with us on our encounter leadership team. Rob has such a great servant's heart and he and Suzanne are such a personal blessing to Annette and I. We are very proud of them and rejoice with them in their success at Loveland.
- Thanks also to Tim Minks who once more served on our leadership team and brought several men from his church to the encounter. Tim has such a passion for Christ and the work of the Kingdom. Tim and Sheryl are doing a wonderful job at New Life in Terre Haute. His congregation is growing, maturing, and making disciples. Tim and Sheryl are like spiritual children to Annette and I. I know speaking for the encounter team, Tim and Rick (Big Breakfast) are true brothers!
- Thanks to Ken Brumfield who did another wonderful job directing the encounter. I continue to be impressed and blessed at how God has anointed Ken in the leading of men. All of our men know, that Ken is "in his element" at the encounter. I am so proud of Ken!
- Our leadership team once more did a wonderful job of ministering this weekend. It is a true honor to work with these brothers in Christ! I love them so much and so much appreciate their servant's heart! [Frank Jones, Tim Johnson, Dakota (Durango) Manning, Jon (Big Country) Dayton, Gerry Chess, and Mike (Big Africa...something like that) Amburgy] Doug Taulbee had to work this weekend. We really missed him. Hopefully, he will be with us next time!
- Thank you so much for your wonderful testimonies tonight Chris, Jeff B., Israel, Wes, and Ron. You guys really blessed us!
- And thanks to the Kings Point guys who come to the encounters that are not leaders. We love you guys so much and appreciate your hunger to encounter God!
We hope everyone will attend your men cell (small group) meetings this week. Just as a reminder, Tim Johnson conducts his cell on Monday evenings at his home. Frank Jones holds a cell on Tuesday evenings at Kidd Coffee in Maineville at 7 pm. I have a Wed. morning cell at Bob Evans in Kings at 9 am. Ken Brumfield and Gerry Chess have cells that meet on Wednesday evenings at 7 pm at the church. Please call the church for more information on our men's weekly cells.
I thought the worship service went well this morning. Our crowd was a little down, mostly due to our men being gone to the encounter. It was a joy having the kids with us this morning. They did really well I thought. I think the message that God gave me this morning on worship is truly a 'word from the Lord.' It seems like so many people today don't truly worship when they come to church. Many people think by just by 'showing up' they have done their duty unto the Lord and that should be enough. I believe this attitude truly saddens our Lord and prevents so many from receiving what they need from God.
Well, I pray that you have a great week! Remember, change isn't change until your change makes change in somone else!
Pastor Randy Ballard
Saturday, April 26, 2008
A One Hour Sunday AM Worship Experience Isn't Enough!
I have taken a break from the Men's Encounter on this Saturday afternoon to come back to the church and do a few things before heading back out to the Encounter. We have over 50 men attending this particular encounter. This group has 19 men who have never attended an encounter and we have men from about 10 different churches in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
Like many of our encounters, these men have come hungry to encounter God. From the very first night, they have entered in and received. Last night, I opened up the encounter with a message on "Peniel" which is taken from Genesis 32 meaning "face to face with God." I challenged men to "go after" (persevere) God as Jacob did when "he would not let go" of the angel of God whom Jacob wrestled all night. I ended my message talking about how Jacob recieved a new name and a blessing from almighty God for his efforts, but in the end it cost him a hip injury that left him limp for the rest of his life.
I shared with the men that there is "no character change without brokenness." Jacob's character I.D. changed after Peniel but it cost him...he became a broken man. Nonetheless, Psalm 34:18 reminds us "The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
Saturday morning began with devotions by Jeff Brumfield. Jeff shared his testimony about how he walked away from the Lord five years but made his way by God's grace. His brother Ken followed by teaching on the "Prodigal Son." It was great to see how God is using these two men. They both are very gifted speakers who God anointed greatly today. I am very proud of them both and I got a feeling their earthly dad is somewhere in that "great cloud of witnesses" pretty proud of them too.
Frank Jones and Gerry Chess did a super job speaking on the Cross and the power of the Resurrection, respectively. Every man in the building was on the edge of their seat as Frank did an illustrated message about the cross. It was very, very powerful. If you are a pastor and reading this blog I would highly recommend you e-mail me and have him come and do a "Good Friday" message or a presentation at your church. I really don't think in all my life have I seen or heard anything so powerful as that. Brother Gerry too did a beautiful job on leading them men to begin to look back to the cross as they go forward in the power of the resurrected life.
I need to wrap this up, but I have to confess an encounter weekend is the "most powerful" vehicle of ministry that I have seen in the church in my 47 years of living and 27 years of ministry. The average person's life today is so messed up that it takes more than a hour or 90 minute church service for God to work in their lives. Our church services today in America for the most part are too manufactured and people in the pews are too time-conscience. The result is that the Spirit of God has been eliminated from influencing the corporate worship service while man's agenda is carried out in the name of God.
It took Jacob getting alone at Peniel and persevering even past the pain until he received from God. It took 120 obedient disciples to gather in an upperroom tarrying (persevering) until the power of God fell and the church was launched. One hour a week just isn't enough!
Like many of our encounters, these men have come hungry to encounter God. From the very first night, they have entered in and received. Last night, I opened up the encounter with a message on "Peniel" which is taken from Genesis 32 meaning "face to face with God." I challenged men to "go after" (persevere) God as Jacob did when "he would not let go" of the angel of God whom Jacob wrestled all night. I ended my message talking about how Jacob recieved a new name and a blessing from almighty God for his efforts, but in the end it cost him a hip injury that left him limp for the rest of his life.
I shared with the men that there is "no character change without brokenness." Jacob's character I.D. changed after Peniel but it cost him...he became a broken man. Nonetheless, Psalm 34:18 reminds us "The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
Saturday morning began with devotions by Jeff Brumfield. Jeff shared his testimony about how he walked away from the Lord five years but made his way by God's grace. His brother Ken followed by teaching on the "Prodigal Son." It was great to see how God is using these two men. They both are very gifted speakers who God anointed greatly today. I am very proud of them both and I got a feeling their earthly dad is somewhere in that "great cloud of witnesses" pretty proud of them too.
Frank Jones and Gerry Chess did a super job speaking on the Cross and the power of the Resurrection, respectively. Every man in the building was on the edge of their seat as Frank did an illustrated message about the cross. It was very, very powerful. If you are a pastor and reading this blog I would highly recommend you e-mail me and have him come and do a "Good Friday" message or a presentation at your church. I really don't think in all my life have I seen or heard anything so powerful as that. Brother Gerry too did a beautiful job on leading them men to begin to look back to the cross as they go forward in the power of the resurrected life.
I need to wrap this up, but I have to confess an encounter weekend is the "most powerful" vehicle of ministry that I have seen in the church in my 47 years of living and 27 years of ministry. The average person's life today is so messed up that it takes more than a hour or 90 minute church service for God to work in their lives. Our church services today in America for the most part are too manufactured and people in the pews are too time-conscience. The result is that the Spirit of God has been eliminated from influencing the corporate worship service while man's agenda is carried out in the name of God.
It took Jacob getting alone at Peniel and persevering even past the pain until he received from God. It took 120 obedient disciples to gather in an upperroom tarrying (persevering) until the power of God fell and the church was launched. One hour a week just isn't enough!
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