The Pros and Cons of Facebook

I don't spend a lot of time on FB. Maybe ten minutes a month, if that. Some people may spend hours a day on there and those folks really need to get a life. Here are some pros and cons regarding FB as I see it. First the positives.

1)FB is a great way of catching up with old friends.
2)Occasionally I am inspired and blessed by what I read on FB.
3)FB is a great way of checking in with family and staying up with their lives.

The negatives:
1) Lots of idle chatter and gossip. [Guilty...I've done it, please forgive me Lord! Help me to make better use of my time and my words.]2) Some use it for complaining and whining. [Guilty...I hate it when I do it and when I have to hear it from others.]3) Some people like to share their dirty laundry with every one in the world...and they actually think people want to hear it. [Not guilty here... Annette and Gabe wash mine. I tried once and I broke the washer. So they won't let me do it anymore].
4) Some use FB to impress others with their knowledge or their spirituality. [Probably guilty here too...even though my knowledge is not to impressive anymore. The older I get, the less I know and it seems like the greater my awareness is of "what a wretched man that I am." Sorry, folks, just being transparent!]

In summary, I really do believe most people use it in moderation as a form of entertainment. But like in anything, it can be abused and misused. My prayer is that I "walk in the Spirit" and use whatever I do to to bring Him glory...AND SPEND MORE TIME WITH MY FACE BURIED IN "THE BOOK."

Blessings,
-Pastor

Sunday Wrap Up

Hello everyone! I kept up the blog called "Tribute to our Sweet Amy" a little longer than usual. I wanted to give people time to see it and read it. I hope you will remember Jeff and Amy's dad, mom, brother, and little Tammy in your prayers.

Yesterday, was a wonderful day at the house of God. The morning service was powerfully awesome. I enjoyed so much sharing about what we dream about at KP. If you didn't get a chance to be in the service itself, I think the message is up under "sermons" on our site here. The message really explains who we are and what we are about. I hope you will even share it with others. I know its pretty passionate, but I like to think we are passionate about the work of Christ.

Last night, we conducted our annual business session. Every year, I always leave impressed with how KP maturely and professionally does the business of the church. I so appreciate everyone who comes and participates with the love and gentleness of Christ. Big thanks to Hillary and the youth staff and Christy for ministering to our youth and children during the business session. Congrats to Greg Garnica, Jon Dayton, and Mark Hughes: the newly elected KP Council members. Also, congrats to Tonya Garnica and Peggy Schuler, the newly elected Christian Education board members.

Everyone, keep Peggy Schuler in your prayers as well as our missionary, Arlene Miller. Also, our State Bishop's wife, Kathy Isaacs is undergoing treatments today at Mt Zion Cancer Treatment Center in Illinois. Please call out these precious sisters in prayer today in faith.

Have a wonderful week!

-Pastor

Tribute to our "Sweet Amy"

Today will be a hard day for KP. We say so long for a while to our "sweet" Amy Brumfield. Who doesn't think of Amy without that warm, kind smile and the sweet spirit that we have come to know as Amy.

Amy grew up at Kings Point beginning as a teenager. She was one of our KP girls. Her, Michelle, and April(and others too many to name) hung out together, played together, worshipped together, ministered together, and no doubt made it a little trouble together. As someone shared with me last night, they were always together...until another youth group member, Jeff Brumfield, entered the picture. Amy and Jeff started dating and were married on April 29, 1995 at 6.30 pm. Amy and Jeff, though young, were in love and ready to begin a life together.

Jeff and Amy continued to stay active in the church through their twenties and into their thirties. They both sang in the choir, sang vocal solos, sang in cantatas, and special choir events. I said Sunday that of all the great soloists at KP in my thirteen years...none sang under a greater anointing than Amy. Amy was gifted with a meek spirit and a powerful voice that often would stir up a visitation of the Spirit of God that touched the entire church body. It was a beautiful sight!

Amy taught children's classes in Sunday School and completed several of our discipleship and leadership courses at KP. Amy was an excellent Sunday School teacher who was very dedicated to her class. Students loved Amy. I would often hear different ones talk about how much they liked her as a teacher. After graduating from School of Discovery a few years ago, Amy's vision was to begin a women's cell in her neighborhood in Franklin that would reach unsaved women. She discussed this with me quite often and did not give up on her vision even through her health battles.

As most of us know, Jeff and Amy never had children. It was both of their hearts desire but for some reason it never happened. Jeff told me yesterday, that a brother in the church called him recently and shared that God must have needed a sweet, beautiful woman in heaven to help hold and care for all of the motherless babies up there. That may be the case. Nonetheless, today it will be hard to let her go. Yes, we know her sweet spirit ascended Friday evening to be with the Lord. But the beautiful spirit and person that was Kings Point's "Sweet Amy" will be missed greatly.

See you soon Amy!

-Pastor

Sunday Wrap Up

It's Sunday night and what a fun and exciting day of worship we had! I really mean that. Before I mention this morning's special service, tonight was great! We didn't have a big crowd but the people that were there was hungry for the word. I guess thats what really stands out about the people that come Sunday night - they are hungry for God's Word. You say "I'm hungry for the Word and I don't come on Sunday night"...my answer to you is if you were, you would be there. But tonight's service was super...you had to be there to understand why.

This morning the Lord really ministered to His church. We had a lot of numb, grieving people at the beginning of the service. But the Holy Spirit gently comforted and strengthened God's people this morning. We prayed for the Brumfield family and I know the Lord heard our prayers. I appreciate everyone who volunteered to bring food and to serve the church dinner following the funeral. Sister Hazel is so faithful and does such a wonderful job. I am glad that she will be able to sit back and be with her family.

Please keep Jeff and the family in your prayers this week and the days that follow. Our prayers will be what carries them through this difficult time.

Have a great week!

-Pastor

The Sunday Countdown

Wow, I don't think I have ever been so forgetful about doing this blog. Maybe Ken was right about the song. But if there really is something to this thing about turning fifty and not being able to remember...I think its because I have way too much on mind. God help all of us old folks!

Its Friday and praise the Lord! Its been a great week but a long one. Anytime I have to go out of town and spend a night or two in a motel room for a meeting it makes for a long week. I would rather be at home.

We had some wonderful leadership meetings this wee regarding the OneOhio project. I think eventually Southern reuniting with Northern will be a great thing for the state as well as the local churches. Our new Bishop (Bishop Isaacs) is a gifted administrator along with his wife, Kathy. Also, Pat and Jan Wright, the new State Youth and C.E. Directors (even though their title will be changed soon), are very sharp and rich with ministry experience. I think you will really like both couples and sense about them a love for the work of God. Please keep them in your prayers.

Sunday will be here before you know it! I hope you plan to join us for our annual church picnic this Sunday. We will eat, play some games (family vs family) and then will conclude with our annual cornhole tournament. We usually don't go home until about 5 pm, do there will be no evening service at KP.

Come ready to worship Sunday morning! Have a great weekend!

-Pastor

Tuesday's Sunday Wrap Up?

I know, I am a few days late on Sunday's Wrap Up. I had a crazy Sunday evening and Monday. I've been going 100 miles an hour it seems like since Sunday. Its been crazy!

Sunday was a great day in the Lord! The youth day service was great. God is doing a great work in our youth ministry. About a year ago, parents of our youth begin to pray and fast for our youth ministry. God has really guided and helped us. I cannot say enough about how Corina and her team has done a great job smoothly handing it off to Hillary, Alan, and their team. The students have responded wonderfully. They have attended youth events, revivals, and youth cells. Those in the youth band have put untold hours in practicing and you saw the product Sunday. What a great little worship band they have put together - made up of all students. And of course, a special thanks to all of you parents for praying and supporting the youth ministry.

Sunday night was another great service. God is moving and doing some awesome things in our Sunday nights. People are testifying of healings in our Sunday PM services.

Please remember Peggy Schuler in your prayers. We are believing for a miraculous healing. Also remember our State Bishop's wife, Kathy Isaacs, as she battles cancer. Her and Bishop Isaacs will be heading over to Mount Zion, Illinois, tomorrow for treatments. God is faithful to His Word!

-Pastor

Nepali Indian Encounter Recap

This is a recap of the encounter that was held for the Nepali Indian pastors and their wives in Chattanooga last weekend. The recap was written by Pastor John who oversees the churches throughout the U.S. of the Nepali Indians.

The Lord has done this and it is marvelous in our eyes (Mark 12:11 NIV)

We have no words to describe what we experienced last week end. About eighty Nepali pastors and leaders from across the US were there for 2 days. It was an amazing deliverance and empowerment ministry. The vision impartation was powerful. Many were also filled with the power of God. Krissna from TX is so excited that she received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Many testified to the inner healing and deliverance they received. Their faces were beaming with joy. On Friday night for the closing session the sanctuary became a dancing floor. People were rejoicing and dancing. (Men and women were in separate auditoriums so that they will have more freedom to express themselves). Kamal - a youth leader form Atlanta- told me , "I could never dance. Moving steps rhythmically was impossible for me. But Friday night - I think it was because of the special anointing in that place - I was dancing crazy and I was dancing pretty well. Our worship leader Suresh and others also shared the same experience." Poonam a young lady from Atlanta commented, “Uncle it was awesome. I am so blessed”. Sarita Tamag told me, “ The ladies felt kind of sorry for their husband thinking that the men missed the powerful ministry they were receiving on the ladies side. But when they came together for lunch they found out that the men were even more exited and blessed. And it was kind of funny. ”.

I get emails and phone calls from pastors and leaders saying how richly the Lord blessed them and how thankful they are to the Lord and the people the Lord used to minister. We had 350 Nepali believers in the sanctuary for the celebration session on Saturday. It was a historic event. The vision came forth powerfully with clarity. I was crying out, “Lord help me to save these souls heading towards eternal hell.” When I looked around I could see all most everyone in the auditorium with both hands lifted up toward heaven with tears running down their cheeks crying out the same prayer. It was a powerful move of the Spirit. I got the affirmation in my spirit that the sincere cry of the people are well received in the heaven and the answer is on the way. Yes all the 65,000 are going hear and many are going to believe and many many Churches are going to be established to meet the needs of this people group. This people group is going to be the most blessed people group to come to the US as refugees.

Pastors Terry and Kaye Harris, Rick and Beverly Zachary , other pastors and all the ministry team members were such an anointed group of people whom the Lord used powerfully to minister to the needs of the people. Their Christ likeness -humility, servant hood, passion, hospitality, compassion and love – were all well noticed and is being talked about in the Nepali community. One Pastor from TX told me,” I had tears in my eyes when I saw the team members from the Crossing Church cleaning the mess we left behind as we rushed to the session from the dining hall.” What a powerful witnessing!

We are so grateful. We thank them all from the bottom of hearts for everything! We thank all the people who provided help in many ways. We know many people across the nation prayed – many set apart time to fast and pray- for the conference. May God richly bless them and reward them for everything they did.
We left Chattanooga with the conviction that this is just the beginning of what the Lord is about to do. We are all together in this. Please continue to pray for this ministry Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, be glory honor and praise !

With blessings,
John and Leela Daniel
Empowerment Ministries

Please connect with us on the web: www.nepaliempowermentministries.com