About Sunday

What a great Sunday! I was excited just seeing the CHRISTMAS decorations - especially the beautifully adorned trees!!! Thanks to all of you that helped create a festive and reverent atmosphere for the church!!! Now, some observations from this morning...

1. I had a great time this morning explaining the foundation of what we believe. There are so many among us who are confused and have accepted the lie that all religions are "created equal".

2. When you heard the sermon today, did it resonate with you personally? What about with the interaction you have with your friends?

3. So many of you got a chuckle out of the "God Goo Orb" religion. That's really a belief, if you can believe it!!! Man, we're really messed up on this mudball we call earth.

4. Do you know enough about your beliefs that you could share them with your friends? Do you think you could answer the question, "Who do you think God is?"

5. If you're uncertain of what you believe, how do you ever hope to convince another person that what you say you believe is right? Something to think about.

6. Four people prayed a prayer of faith and made a decision to follow Christ this morning - that always stokes me!!!!!!!!!!!

7. Thanks for sharing in Bill Friedrich's ordination. I can think of no one who is more deserving than he... Thanks for serving Bill (and Wanda)!!!!!

8. Can you believe that CHRISTMAS is upon us? It took me by surprise when the announcement was made about Saturday's parade!!! Hope you plan on being there and supporting MVC!!!

9. The service ended today on a sorrowful note. There are so many people all around us that are confused, discouraged, unhappy, hurt, and any number of other challenges. God has called all of us to minister the grace and love of Christ to them... Are you? What have you done in response to His love and blessings in your life?

I hope you all have a great week! Look forward to seeing you all later!!!
Blessings in Christ,
Kevin

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Thanksgiving

It happened that as he made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Taking a good look at them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”

They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?” Then he said to him, “Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you.” (Luke 17:11-19, The Message)

This is a great passage as we celebrate Thanksgiving. We read it and understand it, but so many of us don’t practice it. We don’t return to the Lord and thank Him for His blessings.

One thing that has always bothered me is the fact that we only set one day aside to give thanks. Shouldn’t giving thanks be a regular, on-going, daily event? I thank so, and I encourage you to not only give thanks today, 11/25/10, but everyday.

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About Sunday

Hello everyone. I have thoroughly enjoyed bowhunting in Illinois for the past two weeks. I must have seen 150 deer, but none that I took with my bow. I was looking for a special buck and he never came within range. I had a great time however, and now I am excited to be back in full swing at MVC! Yesterday was an awesome day of worship...

1. At least 5 people made the decision to become Christ followers. That always thrills my soul!!!

2. Isn't it true that many of us live a life where we believe God is to be our servant and make us happy instead of a life where we are to serve and glorify Him?

3. It's amazing how God wants to bless us with treasures, promises, joy, peace, strength, and innumerable blessings, yet instead of pursuing His blessings we pursue the temporary things of this world believing they will make us happy... Go figure...

4. Next week we are going to tackle the lie that says, "It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere." Can't wait for that one...

5. Thanks to all of you for your generous support of Operation Christmas Child. Approximately 20% more boxes were given this year than last year. That's awesome!!!

6. I was overwhelmed by the surprise video and presentation at the end of the service. It's hard to believe that yesterday was my tenth year anniversary as your senior pastor. I am the most blessed. You have all shown me and my family much love and we look forward to what God is going to do in the next ten years.

7. My prayer is that all of you will have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!!! Spend time with your family and friends. Eat turkey and ham. And watch some football. But don't neglect to give thanks to God for His tremendous blessings!!!! I love you all - Happy Thanksgiving.

8. We spoke of an annual business meeting to be held Dec. 12, 2010. At this meeting, we will be presenting an updated constitution.

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About Sunday

What a glorious day to return from a few days hunting!!! I so enjoy gathering with all of you for a time of worship and fellowship!!! A few thoughts about this day....
1. Thanks to all of the veterans who have served our nation in the military armed forces. What a great honor to stand with all of you for this time of celebration. It was such a privilege to honor and recognize you all. You are special in all of our hearts!!!
2. I believe this new series is going to challenge our hearts in a way that we've never been challenged before. Why? Because it will cause us to examine the foundations of our belief systems and identify any areas where we have accepted less than the truth. But in order for the truth to be revealed, we must be vulnerable to the fact that we may have already ventured into the gray areas.
3. Many of you approached me after the service indicating that you found yourself questioning whether or not you had fallen victim to the lies of the enemy... That's a good thing!!! Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Let Him convict you of anything in your life that may be contrary to the truth of the Scriptures.
4. I was so blessed to hear that the women's event - "Holiday Extravaganza" was so successful. You ladies have so much to teach us men in the area of fellowship and discipleship.
5. Yes, I did use the illustration from Caddy Shack where the people thought poop was floating in the pool. I also talked about peeing on an electric fence... Go figure! I'm pretty much an everyday guy I guess!!! And I'm proud of it!!!
6. We will have our annual business meeting December 12th and at that meeting we will approve the 2011 budget and vote on constitutional changes.
7. I'm going back to Illinois this week to hunt for the monster whitetailed deer that got away!!! I will be back for Sunday's sermon, however. I'll see you all then!!!
Love you all and count it a tremendous privilege to be your pastor...
Kevin

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Hunting

As I'm sure you've noticed, I haven't posted to my blog this week. The reason is because I am in wonderful Illinois bowhunting!!! I'm having a great time although Mr. Big Buck hasn't crossed my path yet. I'll catch back up with you all next week...
Love you all,
Kevin

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Pride and Prayer

As I watched the Pittsburg Steelers play football this past weekend, one player clearly stood out. He is a rather small defensive back who packs a wallop like a freight train and plays with no fear. In seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Troy Polamalu has won two Super Bowls and played in five Pro Bowls.

With his success, Troy strives to maintain Christian character. In an interview with CBN, he said, "Pride is tough. You go to high school, and it's pride, courage. It's all these types of words that we use to motivate us. I don't think there's anywhere in the Scriptures ... where pride was ever a positive characteristic of anybody. That kind of egotism is a really tough struggle—especially in this business. ... It's a big struggle of mine."

Polamalu goes on to say that it's not the obvious things that are the hardest to deal with in his life.

"The big things are the easiest to turn away from. It's the accumulation of small things that are hard. People know adultery's bad and murder's bad. I'm not going to go out and sleep with the first girl I see. But when your eyes start wandering, and you become a little more jealous and envious, and these passions start rising up inside of you -- that's when it really becomes dangerous. Because the Devil doesn't work that way. His strategy is always to be very subtle and continue to build on top of that evil seed that he planted."

What keeps him rooted? Prayer. Polamalu says, "As your prayer life becomes more and more fine tuned, and your conscience becomes more and more fine tuned, you're able to start plucking away at these things."

My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. (Psalm 131:1-2)

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About Sunday

A few thoughts about yesterday...
1. What a great Sunday. Worshiping with you all never gets old.

2. I want to remind you of the challenges I made last week, especially the part about each person inviting one person to be your guest at church. I believe if we will do this, we can double the size of our faith family before the new year!!!

3. We saw at least 10 decisions made for Christ yesterday. And that always pumps me up... it's why we exist!!!

4. Thank you all for the kindness that you showed me and my family for pastors appreciation month. It is such a wonderful blessing to serve as the pastor of this church.

5. Thanks for all of you that helped with the Fall Festival last evening - from the cooks, to the game leaders, to the security guards. The estimates are that more than 1000 people showed up and experienced the love of Jesus as we took it to the streets!!!

6. I would like for all of you to pray for the people that came in contact with folks from Mountain View during the festival. Ask God to work in their hearts and bring fruit to the seeds that were sown.

7. Hopefully a week from now I will be having a great time relaxing and enjoying life from a tree stand!!! I can hardly wait!!!

8. It's hard to believe that Lynn and I have been at Mountain View for 10 years!!! The average tenure for a pastor at a church is only 2 1/2 years!!! Thanks for putting up with us!!! We love you all and are excited about what God is going to do in the future!!!

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