AOL Interview
February 29, 2008
I was moved deeply once again as I interviewed the eldest daughter of this AOL family. She told me afterward that she didn’t realize she would be so emotional, but then again, she has not talked about some of those things out loud before. She has understandably tried to block the negative and neglectful pains out of her life. But we all know suppression is never as good as confession. The Scriptures stress how important confessing is to our spiritual and overall health. The hope she and her siblings now have was broadcast in her eyes and smile. I wish all of you could be in the room during these interviews and nightly conversations because a video is great, but nothing like face to face. I am literally watching this family slowly open the door to their heart and allow themselves to believe this is really happening; and that the real person can come out and know that they will be loved for who they are!
AOL
February 28, 2008
I sure have enjoyed watching the Barron Family experience your love. All the food and other various gifts have been such a blessing. Rosa enjoyed her first massage this week. She also got her hair colored and went with some ladies to register at Target. She and the kids ate at Texas Land and Cattle for the first time. It is neat to watch their outlook on the future and the possiblity of dreams being realized.
Weekly Note From the Pastor
February 28, 2008
This subject came up recently so I thought you might want to know something about your Pastors and Staff. Although this church was started by a faith in God, an answer to His call, a lot of hard work, and a desire to do His will, none of us presume or leach off the church. Do you know how much I pay for Sheridan to attend TCA? – the full tuition. Do you know how much I pay for my kids to go to camp and other kids/youth activities? – the full price. Do you know how much Sherri paid to attend the Ladies Transformation here at our church, even though she taught a workshop? – the full amount. Do you know how much we pay to go to the Valentine’s banquet, play in the TCOC golf tournaments, to take advantage of Parent’s Night Out, to play softball, basketball or any other TCOC sport, to get a soft drink out of the church fridge, so forth and so on…? – the same as everyone else. It is not because I don’t think my kids deserve a discount for going to the school where I serve as Pastor and School Superintendent or that Sherri doesn’t deserve a complimentary pass to the Transformation conference, because I do. But I don’t want to be presumptuous with God’s provisions, nor do I want to set a questionable example. Besides, I found that being a child of God brings many more blessings from God’s storehouse, than what I can demand from any title or status earned on this earth.
“Better is he who is lightly esteemed but works for his own support than he who assumes honor for himself and lacks bread.” Proverbs 12:9 AMP
AOL Donations
February 26, 2008
We are continuing to receive input, ideas and various donations for Act of Love! Wow, what an outpouring! If you would like to donate a new or gently used item(s) or service, or if you have some ideas or connections that you feel may benefit this cause, please e-mail Allison Ratliff, the AOL Project Director, at allisonintx@hotmail.com or call her at 9728964632. We also want to encourage monetary gifts or pledges. It would help us as we move forward on a house to know if what funds are available. About $2,500 have come in so far, but I know we can do more than that over and above our tithe, offering and other commitments. Just mark you envelope AOL or Act of Love. Also, Elevation is starting a new fundraiser this Sunday that will be fun and easy. Thanks for your desire to give.
Act of Love — A Mom’s Birthday
February 22, 2008
No better food for my soul than what my eyes observed yesterday… I watched four loving children prepare and take their mom breakfast in bed for her birthday. They had never had opportunity to do that, nor had she ever received such a gift. On the pancake, written in pink icing was: Happy B-day. It was accompanied by a birthday balloon, a card from ‘All’, and a dozen red roses… her favorite. After work that evening, she came home to a special dinner and other gifts from the church and a cake from Candy Haven with her name on it. She opened the gifts one by one, still trying to be strong and hold back her emotions. But after I explained the special ring some of the ladies had purchased for her and how valuable it was, she couldn’t restrain herself. Through tears of joy, and with her kids looking on emotionally, she stared at the ring in her hand as I reminded her how valuable she is to God and that she was worthy of such gifts. She expressed her gratefulness and that this was the best birthday she had ever had. After I walked away, I watched her children surround her and love on her, almost as if to affirm their agreement in her status, not only as a daughter of the Creator God, but also as their mommy!
Weekly Note From the Pastor
February 21, 2008
Have you ever been a part of something that is obviously bigger than you? You try and step back or out of the picture to view it from the ‘outside looking in’ in an attempt to capture the magnitude of what you are a part of, and realize it is unbelievably amazing and larger than life. That is how I feel about this Act of Love! The response has been incredible, and I know there is so much more to come! And may God receive all the glory, honor, and praise!
“But the living you make larger than life. The more life you give, the more glory you display, and stretch the borders to accommodate more living!” Isaiah 26:15 MSG
Act of Love (AOL)
February 19, 2008
Wow! Words can’t really describe the response thus far to this new March Madness emphasis. It is incredible to watch the love of people being poured out upon a family that most have only observed on a video clip. Let me tell you first hand that this family is so grateful but are not really grasping the immensity of it nor able to express their gratitude. In other words, they don’t know how to act. They spent their first night with us last night and I was able to pray over them as they went to sleep and again before they started their day… a spiritual covering they have not had to this point. They don’t fully know the extent of this church family’s efforts and the new love bond that will be connected from now through the end of the age. I praise God for you, for only eternity will reveal how this ACT will affect eternity.
Jeff
Valentine’s
February 15, 2008
I hope everyone did something special for their loved ones. And what a great valentine’s banquet this year. It was a lot of fun, great food, and the speakers did a wonderful job. I am sorry if you missed it. We are also kicking off March Madness this year on Valentine’s with what we are calling — Act of Love. I will be sharing about it this weekend so you don’t want to miss. Below is the e-mail I sent to those on our e-mail address. If you would like to participate, please let me know.
TCOC Family & Friends,
I mentioned in our January 6 service, when we kicked off our 21 day fast, that there were several important areas we were praying about concerning the church — one of those being our new emphasis this year on March Madness pertaining to a project similar to the popular TV show – Extreme Makeover. We have an opportunity to bless a family that could really use a little boost, but we really need everyone to get on board, pool their resources and knowledge and be involved in order to do this right. The thing we must be careful about is not neglecting our other ministries and financial obligations to the church, some of which are also a part of March Madness: The Nicodemus Account, Eggstravaganza, and of course our Designed To Build campaign and the major decisions on the horizon concerning Building Expansion – and some of those decisions will likely occur in March as well. This will all be covered in detail this weekend. I would ask that you be in prayer and be in attendance so that everyone is on the same page.
Here are some of the immediate particulars that we are dealing with… This family, consisting of a single mom and five children, has lived in the same one bedroom apartment as long as we have known them, which is about 7 years. They are required to be out of that apartment by this Friday the 15th due to apartment renovations – (This is much needed. They are one of only a couple families who have not already moved out). They only have a few things to move such as clothes, a few dishes and canned foods, their TV and what little home electronics they have, a couple of bicycles and some odds and ends. All furniture will be left because none of it is worth moving. My plans are to ‘whisk them away’ on Friday and put them in a hotel until Monday. Then I will need to find something temporary until we unveil their new dwelling on March 30, the week after Easter and after having a full month of March Madness to accomplish our goal and do some very incredible things for this family. They more than likely will move into our guest room and myself and the Staff will help transport them to work, school, etc. I do not want to spend extra money on anything we can use toward the ‘Makeover’ so I do not plan to get them a vehicle or anything prior to March 30th. If we do anything real nice temporarily, it will not only use some funds we can use toward the makeover, but also could deflate the excitement for the new home. Again, I do not want to get ahead of ourselves. I want to kick this off on Sunday, allow everyone to be involved that wants to be involved, form a committee, and let the Lord lead us in the best direction with everyone’s help and blessings. If you have some resources or ideas that might help before Sunday, please contact me. If not, be in prayer and be prepared to help with what you can as we use this year’s March Madness to change the quality of life for a very deserving family.
Thanks and see you Sunday,
Jeff
ps – please reply to my email, jeff.williams@thechurchofcorinth.org or post a comment at my blog www.etcoc.org
Weekly Note From the Pastor
February 14, 2008
My heart has been burdened lately for children who do not have a father’s presence in the home. There are a few in particular that I have tried to somewhat adopt and take a particular personal interest in their lives so that I might be able to have a little influence in their development. Though I could never take the place of their father, I hope to fill a little of the void that is evident with my love and care. The view many kids have about their Heavenly Father is based upon the impression their earthly father leaves with them. I pray I can have the impact – even if it is but a fraction of what is needed – to positively affect each of these children that are only a part of my life for a short time.
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might. And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then] You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7 AMP
Weekly Note From the Pastor
February 6, 2008
I woke up this morning and my kids were so grown up! One eats more than I do and his shoe size is two sizes larger than his old man’s. And the other one now has to wear a… well, let’s just say she is starting to develop into a young lady. I am proud of them but sure wish I had a little more time before they reach adulthood. It is happening to quick and the tick-tock’s seem to speed up every year. I know it is a few years away, but I also recognize the gradual independence as they mature. They don’t need me quite as often, except if they need money. I am now no longer in the center of their world, but more like a means to an end. I pray I use every opportunity I have before the chances pass me by. ‘Lord, grant me the wisdom to continue to trin them, and the strength to release them when that time comes.’
“Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.” Proverbs 19:18 NLT
