I’ve read every day in the world 25,000 people die from starvation and curable diseases. Persons made in the very image of God. People just like you and me, but without the abundant resources we enjoy in America. I challenged the 35 gathered to do something I’ve never asked that group to do before. Take a step right then to give to help the starving of the world. I shared how I had received an urgent mailing that very morning from World Vision regarding an emergency need in West Africa for food. I usually look at a need like that and feel very sad; sometimes I breathe a prayer; but rarely send an offering because I get so many appeals daily. Wednesday was different. I couldn’t throw it away. I brought it to our study and asked if we could take up an offering. I asked for every person present to give the best gift they could. I prayed and passed around the envelope. Those present cheerfully gave $451.19! Praise God!

But there’s more...not dollars but Christians loving others – even strangers. A man came in late and was hungry. Sean and Rick took care of his needs on our behalf. He got a good meal from these caring brothers on your behalf. Right after our study, Mary C. gave her take home dinner to another man who showed up at our door. I had to wonder if God wasn’t “testing” us with these two men – one before and one after. The other remarkable comment I received is the title of this blog, “Thanks for taking an offering!” Sherry shared how she had wanted to support another ministry earlier that day, but the amount was a little out of her reach; so now she was able to join us in an offering together! She was most thankful. I told her I rarely had people thank me for taking an offering! God is transforming our lives! I closed by reminding us what Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Keep pleasing God First Church!

Looking forward to celebrating Mother’s Day with you this Sunday!

Pastor Mark

PS –Thanks for your prayers and kind words regarding my interview with Anita Blanton from Channel Five yesterday. Tony taped some more of the conversation and may share it this Sunday.

“… we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.”

The theme of today’s National Day of Prayer comes from Psalms 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” President Lincoln knew where his help came from and so do we! Our Help comes from the Lord.

Robin and I just returned from The Capitol’s Prayer Service where I had the privilege of praying for Churches, Pastors and Spiritual Leaders. Before we left The Governor’s Chambers, Governor Fallin asked if we could stop and offer prayer for her. I was asked to do just that. I invited us all to join hands and offered a prayer of thanksgiving for her and her vibrant witness for Jesus Christ. What a special and unexpected blessing and honor. As she led in prayer in The Capitol Rotunda; I again was amazed at her uncompromising witness for Jesus Christ. Christian Democrats and Christian Republicans can be proud of the Office of Governor in Oklahoma. I just experienced a vibrant Worship Service at noon in our Capitol! I wish you all could have been there. I closed my prayer by inviting all to join hands as a symbol of unity and pray together The Lord’s Prayer. One woman came up afterwards thrilled that we all prayed together in the Rotunda. God is good!

There’s still one more opportunity if you’re reading this Thursday afternoon. First Church is hosting The Prayer Service at The Survivor Tree today at 5:30 PM. It’s our 5th Annual and will include people leading prayers from several downtown churches including: First Baptist, First Lutheran, St. Joseph’s, Frontline, and City Presbyterian. Come join us if you can!

See you this Sunday as our schedule is “back to normal” after The Marathon and we’ll get the opportunity to celebrate Holy Communion together as a church family. THANKS to each of you who invested so much to make our Second Wind Ministry another great success this year! I believe Tony will have a highlight video to share too. Blessings!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Mark

To my surprise as I entered the grounds; our own LaDonna Battle was in the line - the very front of the line - of the Dignitaries including Mayor Mick Cornett and Governor Mary Fallin. I usually see LaDonna, Ruth and Jennifer Schwab every year, as their lives were directly impacted by that horrific day. This year LaDonna had been selected to be one of the Readers of the names, having the great privilege and honor of reading the names of both of her parents: Peola and Calvin Battle who died in the bombing. She did an excellent job and I was very proud of her. I was also proud of our Governor who spoke giving glory to God for the good that has come from this great tragedy.

As the soloist Charity Logan sang the contemporary Christian song “We Are” a City on a Hill; I was moved to lift my hand in worship for what I believe is our overarching role in downtown Oklahoma City –to be a Light for Jesus Christ - a City on a Hill. Thanks for all you do to allow your light to shine bright for Jesus.

As I returned to the office; I viewed a new DVD produced by Kris and Toby Nelson of our Friday Night Alive Ministry to the Homeless. I was moved by this vital and beautiful ministry. You will get to see it for the first time this Sunday in worship and you are welcomed to visit any Friday night at 6:00 for the gathering and dinner. You will be blessed by the care given by Mary, Cary, Patricia, Richard, Melissa, Walter, The Grady Family and others.

The National Memorial is our closest neighbor and that’s one reason we will be giving our time and energy to “host” The Memorial Marathon and Breakfast next weekend again at First Church. People living on the streets of OKC are our neighbors too –that’s why we reach out to them with Christ’s love. Do you realize that there is no other church in America with the history and opportunity of First Church. We are a part of something greater than ourselves! Remember the Great Commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself(Matt. 22:37-39). Thanks for your great love! You are a blessing to me and many – See you this Sunday!

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Pastor Mark

PS – Please be sure to welcome Rev. Daniel Dennison and students from The OU Wesley Foundation who will be back with us in Worship this Sunday!

PSS –Something great happened on this day 80 years ago –just ask Bill Mullins about it. He was there!

Fourteen Things That It Took Me Over 50 Years To Learn - By Dave Barry

1.  Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

2.  If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings".

3.  There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness".

4.  People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.

5.  You should not confuse your career with your life.

6.  Nobody cares if you can't dance well.  Just get up and dance.

7.  Never lick a steak knife.

8.  The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.

9.  You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.

10.  You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.

11.  There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday.  That time is age eleven.

12.  The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers.

13.  A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.  (This is very important.  Pay attention.  It never fails.)

14.  Your friends love you anyway.

Thought for the day:  Never be afraid to try something new.  Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.  A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

Blessings!  

Yours in Christ's Love

Pastor Mark

P.S.  I look forward to seeing you on this first Sunday after Easter!

Maundy Thursday Communion Video

What did we learn? You can still express your love for Christ in public in downtown OKC and not get arrested! We also discovered people are skeptical of people on the corner –  no matter what they are doing. Some people truly appreciated our effort and said “Thanks.” One person was particularly moved. I believe Jesus was honored by our willingness to be used by Him and that’s all that really matters.

Remember our Good Friday Service “The Living Last Words” this Friday night at 7:00PM and our Easter Sunday Celebrations! Sunrise Service at 6:30 AM; Resurrection Angel Breakfast at 9:15AM and Easter Morning Worship at 10:45! It’s my favorite Sunday of the year!
Have a blessed Holy Week and a “Wonder Full” Easter!

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Pastor Mark

PS –Be sure to bring your special Easter offering envelope and gift this Sunday. Thanks for your great generosity always! Bless you-

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the freshness of this new day. Thank You for your mercies that are new this morning and for all the opportunities and challenges before us in this day.

We seek Your wisdom for every decision-for we recognize we need you.

For your thoughts are wiser and Your ways higher than ours. Give us discernment to know Your will for all our neighbors here in Oklahoma City and a willingness to obey You in all things.

We decry the violence found in our homes and on our streets. We seek you to bring peace to our City for You are The Prince of Peace. May your peace reign in our hearts and may we always be aware of your life-giving Presence.

May we lead as people of integrity, according to the principles in Your Word.

As we approach Holy Week may we also be ever mindful of your Supreme sacrifice on the cross – once for all. For those who know You and those yet to know You.

For it’s in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

I’m so glad to be a Christian and an Oklahoman. We can still pray to the One True God without discrimination in our City. Praise God! (Now...we just need to see if they invite me back again!)

Holy Week begins this Sunday with Palm Sunday and our Children’s Easter EGGstravaganza. Come join us as we remember and celebrate the Final Week of our Lord’s life here on earth! You will be blessed.

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Pastor Mark

PS – The OKC Memorial Marathon is just 4 weeks away – April 29, 2012. We have a job for everyone, so be sure to sign up right away! T-shirt deadline is April 9.

What conversations have you engaged in this last week? Were they encouraging or discouraging? Were people glad to talk with you? Were you glad to listen to another? You know I believe, life is all about relationships - with Jesus and others. This last week I was privileged to hear some people share at Friday Night Alive. I also met with some potential new members and I was blessed to hear about their personal spiritual journeys and how the Lord had led them to First Church. I have had the awesome privilege of praying with three people to receive Christ as their Savior and Lord within the last two weeks. I share that not out of pride, but encouragement to you! God is at work in some amazing ways. I was blessed, as you were last Sunday; to hear how Marty Anderson came to Christ while watching Billy Graham on TV at a very low time in his life. God is so good! He enters our lives in such a wide variety of ways. I have renewed some friendships this week in good conversations and I’ve also had to hear and share some hard things too. Sometimes the truth hurts. That’s why less and less people pursue real truth these days. They don’t really want truth; they just want their way. How very sad. We are People of The Truth! Jesus Christ is The Way, The Truth and The Life (John 14:6). There is no real truth apart from Him.

Are you living for Jesus today? Nothing else matters my friends. Remember what most often happened when Jesus drew a big crowd? He spoke the truth and most of the people left. “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” You know where that verse is found? John 6:66! Coincidence? Not so sure. Either you’re sold out to Jesus or you’re walking with the Enemy. First Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. I’m so glad you’re in! Want to go deeper with the Lord? Be in The Word every day and in the Lord’s House every opportunity. I’m re-reading the Book of Luke in preparation for Holy Week. Join me if you like and this Wednesday night for “Crazy Love” too!

Your Brother and Pastor in Christ,

Mark

See you this Sunday!

“I want my life back.” As I said those words with some sadness... maybe even some resentment in my heart; the Holy Spirit spoke to me. He showed me what I was looking for was to be in control. I like to order and plan my days. I like to accomplish the tasks I want to do and to decide how I want to enjoy time off as well. One problem...my life does not belong to me. I have been bought at a very high price – the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. My life is no longer my own. When I gave my life to Christ –he accepted my gift. Now I want to take it back...not really, but in some ways I really do. But to take back a gift given to someone you love is really self-centered and rude. My life is not my own and neither is yours if you’ve given it to Jesus. After all, He gave His life for you and He hasn’t taken back the gift of eternal life. It’s available to all who will give Him their all.

I told Robin “I want my life back” but I was really addressing my Heavenly Father. I don’t really want my old life back; I want Him to continue living His life through me. I shared with a man in my office today I John 5:12 –‘He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” Real life is in Christ and Christ alone. My life is in His hands and there’s no place I’d rather be!

How about you? Tried to take back some control lately? Why not “let go and let God” lead you today? He really does have your best interest at heart!

Your Brother and Pastor in Christ,

Mark

PS – Please be in prayer for Tony and our First Church Youth and sponsors as they spend part of their Spring Break serving in Gore, OK at our United Methodist Boy’s Ranch. Looking forward to being with you this Sunday –you might want to still wear a “wee bit of green” in honor of St. Patrick! Blessings-

I want to thank again our Visiting Team led by Hoss and Judy Adams. It was a joy to hear their stories and get to get to meet “more of the family of God.” Thanks to each of you who opened up your home for the Saturday morning Small Groups. The small groups provided a rich time of sharing all weekend long. I heard from so many of you how you appreciated getting to know others in the First Church family and to get to pray for one another. That’s what true fellowship is all about. It’s not simply about food; but what a great weekend of dining it was! Special thanks to Rick Perkins and Jason Bingham for planning, preparing, serving and cleaning up the weekend meals and for all who assisted them. The food was delicious and it was such a blessing to see Harris Hall filled to capacity!

I want to thank Sandie Blake for her excellent leadership of our First Church Spiritual Life Weekend Team. She did an outstanding job and recruited a wonderful Team. The Visiting Team couldn’t get over how well organized and prepared we were for this weekend! Here are the other Coordinators and their areas of ministry: Housing –Sharon Austin, Recruitment and Attendance – Don and Sue Kuntze, Saturday Morning Small Groups – Martie Ervin, Welcome and Transportation –Bill Mullins, Prayer-Ruth Schwab, Publicity and Literature –Kim Bingham, Correspondence –Mary Nethercutt, Children –Sara Hurston, Youth- Tony Moran and Facilities -Candi Claunch. Many more of you worked behind the scenes in ways I don’t even know about, but God knows! Thanks for your ministry of compassion.

This Sunday I’ll be sharing about Next Steps: Keeping in step with the Spirit! Be ready to listen and respond to what The Holy Spirit has to say. I’m excited about the growing spirit of unity at First Church and God’s amazing designs for our ministry in Him! Keep looking to Jesus!

Your Brother and Pastor in Christ,

Pastor Mark

PS – Easter is just a month away! Love ya-

God has something very special for you this weekend at First Church. As I said Sunday; God will speak but you will need to be present to hear. This is our opportunity to set aside our agendas for the weekend and live on God’s time –kairos time. I am so very pleased that a majority of our people have pre-registered, but if you haven’t yet –do it today! Or just show up tomorrow at 6:30 for our Kick-Off Dinner and Gathering. Children, Youth and Adults will all be cared for and blessed!

Hear these familiar words from God’s Word; “For I know he plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me, and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:11-13. Honestly, when have you sought the Lord with all of your heart recently? I know it’s easy to get so distracted just trying to do life. Let’s” take a break” these days and allow the Holy Spirit to refresh, renew and revive us as only He can do! It’s here! Are you in?

I pray you are! I can hardly wait to see what The Lord is about to do!

Your Brother and Pastor in Christ,

Mark

I’m a little lighter – without a pesky appendix and a little “sore-er” but much happier! Pain has a way of getting our attention. Christian author C.S. Lewis called it the “megaphone of God.” It certainly provides a great opportunity to trust God and push through to the other side of healing and wholeness. I’m so thankful to be on the mend, back driving and exercising a little. I was so glad to be in Worship on Sunday with you and to be ministered to by the Holy Spirit through the precious Body of Christ at First Church. Thank you for your prayers and expressions of love –cards, fruit and goodie baskets, visits at the hospital, home cooked meals and desserts, etc. Once again, we were blown away by the love of Christ demonstrated through you. There is nothing more beautiful than the Body of Christ being the Body of Christ. Olive Garden may say it best: “When you’re here; you’re family!” I love the family of God –The Best family in the world!

Speaking of family; we have the opportunity to meet 30 of our closest ”unknown” family members next week during our Spiritual Life Weekend. As a Team of brothers and sisters in Christ from a 5 state region will travel to OKC just to share life with us! I can’t wait to get acquainted with family members we’ve not met yet this side of Heaven! It’s going to be a fun and spiritually refreshing weekend together. You’ll receive a letter from me this weekend describing the weekend schedule and how you will want to be involved.

Blessings to you and yours! I’m so thankful that we have a God who still heals!

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Pastor Mark

The agent of familiarity – sameness – ordinariness - taking others for granted. Has he shown up at your door recently? This is National Marriage Week, concluding with Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14. It’s a week designed to celebrate Christian marriage created and ordained by our Heavenly Father when He said in Genesis 2:24, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” It is a mystery –a Divine and “wonder full” mystery. If we are married; it’s the second most important relationship in our life after our growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

I’ve been privileged to be married to Robin for over 27 years. Even to write that number is a reality check. It seems so long in some ways – over one half of my life and so very short in other ways. It’s a testimony to her incredible patience and sacrificial love. She is the blessing of my life. I can honestly say I am more in love with her today than we were first married. True love develops over time, as life experiences are shared –the good, the bad and the ugly! Marriage is a dynamic relationship –if you continually invest in it. No relationship is more important in this life, after your relationship with Jesus. When we’re walking with Jesus –we are better husbands and wives.

If your relationship with your husband or wife has “lost its edge” recently - or maybe over a long period of time; this would be a great week to “rekindle” the fire. These Five suggestions from Focus on the Family may be just the help you need to resist the “agent of familiarity” and to “Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10b). Here’s some great ideas...

1. Pray Together: Couples who pray together regularly are couples stay together. Talking to God together helps you talk to each other better too.

2. Perform daily acts of kindness: Set your mind and heart to do something regularly to serve your spouse. These build up and help your spouse feel special and loved.

3. Find meaningful ways to show your love: Ask your spouse: “How can I love you better this week?” and then really do what they say.

4. Give the benefit of the doubt: Trust your spouse’s intentions. Don’t choose to think the worst. Instead, work together to practice confession, accountability and forgiveness.

5. Offer praise and show love: Husbands and wives are different. Husbands want to know they matter. Wives want to be cared for and protected.

Love is service and sacrifice. Jesus is our perfect example of genuine love.

Looking forward to being back with you “live” in Worship this Sunday! I’ve heard great reports about Tony’s preaching and Worship last Sunday. Praise God!

Yours in Christ,

Mark

PS – Keep praying and planning for our Spiritual Life Weekend March 2-4, 2012. I’m expecting great blessings from The Holy Spirit as we spent time together with Him and each other!

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor.  It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:  "I've been married for 30 years now.  In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals.  But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals,  But I do know this.  They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work.  If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.  Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"  When you are DOWN to nothing...God is UP to something!  Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible!  Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

We really need both don’t we?! God created us as individuals composed of mind, body and spirit. Many people –Christians and pre-Christians love to take care of their bodies; but the healthiest body, while neglecting your mind and your spirit is of no real value. On the other hand, to exercise your mind with “deep thoughts,” reading challenging authors and engaging in stimulating debates over vital topics; is in the end without any real benefit. Obviously, we as Christians know to neglect our spirit is the worse offense of all. Without Jesus alive in our lives; our lives are void of any real meaning.

I was raised at Will Rogers United Methodist Church in Tulsa, OK. I was there every Sunday morning and evening, Wednesday nights and Tuesday afternoons for choir (if my memory serves me right) and for most every special event that occurred there from the time I was two through twenty-two. It was my second home and for the most part; I loved it. Now don’t get me wrong; I didn’t always want to go – I did miss some favorite TV shows from time to time; but church was where most of my friends were. I was blessed to have godly parents who loved God and believed in supporting the local church in every way - “Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service and Witness”. I guess you could say I was “spoiled” by the blessings of having a great church family, but I think that’s a wonderful way to be spoiled!

I appreciate all the faithful members of First Church. It’s been a blessing this last month to experience the Holy Spirit at work in our midst in some fresh ways! I particularly enjoy hearing how God is at work in your life answering prayers, providing for your needs and encouraging The Body!
I can’t wait to see what The Spirit is going to do next! Please be in prayer daily for our upcoming Spiritual Life Weekend March 2-4 and plan now to fully participate in this special time together. You will be blessed!

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Pastor Mark

A friend gave me a copy of “Jesus Calling” which is an excellent devotional which I am really benefitting from, but one of my favorite daily devotional books is still “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers. Yesterday’s thought went was about “living in a constant state of expectancy.”

As servants of God, we must learn to make room for Him – to give God “elbow room.” We plan and figure and predict that this or that will happen, but we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses. Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never expected him to come? Do not look for God to come in a particular way, but do look for Him to come, but not in a certain way. No matter how well we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that He may break in at any minute. We tend to overlook this element of surprise, yet God never works in any other way. Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surpassing power can break through at any point. Live is a constant state of expectancy, and leave room for God to come in as He decides.

From Jesus Calling, “A life lived close to Me will never be dull or predictable. Expect each day to contain surprises! Resist your tendency to search for the easiest route through the day. Be willing to follow wherever I lead. No matter how steep or treacherous the past before you, the safest place to be is by My side.” Isn’t that true? Our tendency to look for the easiest route and the truth that there’s no better place to be than at the side of Jesus?

God is surprising us as He did in worship last Sunday! What a blessing to baptize Abbey, anoint with healing oil another, to hear a Word from through Lord through Cyvil’s obedience, to worship in spirit and Truth, to respond to God’s preached Word and send off Mark and Nina with heartfelt prayers! God is alive! I am so thankful for the surprises He’s bringing to the First Church Family. To Him be all the glory!! Come “expecting great things!”

Yours in His amazing Love,

Pastor Mark

PS –Remember our “5th Sunday Potluck Dinner” this Sunday January 29. Bring a side dish or dessert to share. Mary is cooking fried chicken!

I challenged The First Church Family to join me, along with your fellow brother and sisters in Christ, on a six week journey to help equip us better to hear from God and prepare our hearts for our Spiritual Life Weekend March 2-4, 2012. The study was written by Henry Blackaby of Experiencing God fame and is entitled “When God Speaks.” We officially began that journey last night with a good group of people and a wonderful time of hearing how God is speaking to individuals in our First Church family today! I believe it will be a rich time of growth for all involved, but more importantly for First Church itself.

Last night one good friend shared how God had spoke to him on Tuesday to pray for a neighbor in the ICU at St. Anthony’s Hospital who was in a coma. He relayed how God had sent him “signs” on the way to work. He called me and we, plus his wife, went during the lunch hour to pray for their neighbor. Their neighbor’s wife was so very appreciative. Another member shared last night how she had invited The Good News Class to pray for that very man last Sunday! God is speaking to us First Church.

I met a woman this morning at my office, who told me how she had woken up one morning after searching for work with no luck to the words “Innovative Design.” She quickly looked in the phone book in the Yellow Pages for the business but couldn’t’ find it. She woke up the next morning and the Lord told her to look in the business pages. She did and discovered a business by that very name . She was a seamstress and called to inquire about a job. They told her they had an immediate opening for a seamstress. She began work the next day. Just ask Peggy King if God speaks to her! She hears from Him most every day!

What have you heard Him say lately to you personally? Jesus said, “He who has ears, let him hear.”

In CB lingo; “Have you got your ears on?” There’s a place at table just for you this Wed. night!

I can’t wait to see you this Sunday too!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Mark

PS – Fifth Sunday Pot Luck Dinner coming next Sunday January 29!

What’s the longest month? I suggest for those who entered into a 21 day fast beginning last Sunday that January may well be the longest month of the year! Time sure seems to be slowing down for me; as I’ve given up “meats and sweets” like Daniel and also caffeine. Today I’d like to dedicate my thoughts to fasting. A spiritual discipline far too few Christians practice including me.

I have gone on 3 day solid food fasts a few times in my walk with Christ and I have gone on partial fasts during Lent for most of my life; but never this type of a Daniel Fast ever! I know friends who have and found great benefit, but I guess I never wanted to deny myself to that extent. There is a real battle between our flesh and our spirit and too often I give in to the flesh. What about you? Some of you reading this right now have already dismissed even the thought of fasting; others are about to click off now. But, for those who continue I pray you will be challenged and blessed!

I want to hear from you who are fasting during this time! What are you experiencing this week? What are you discovering –beyond long days? Let’s learn from each other and encourage each other. I wrote in my journal these thoughts so far:

“Lord, Thanks for the challenge and resolve to fast for these 21 days. It is “disrupting” my routine and causing me to deny my flesh –I like to begin my mornings with a cup of hot tea, I like to have a Coke at lunch and sometimes at dinner and I enjoy my desserts –even savoring my breath mints; but I’ve given those, plus meats up these days. I suffered a mild headache the first evening and second day, but they went away by the third day (Great things often occur on the “third day” don’t they?). The days are certainly longer, so fasting does slow one down and I’m beginning to get some extra time with You. My energy level is good and I was able to run yesterday without too much difficulty. My taste buds are being renewed, as I ate a Gala apple and it tasted really sweet! I seem to be losing a few pounds as well –a benefit though not my focus. Thanks Lord for the benefits I’m already experiencing. “

Pastor Jentezen Franklin who has led his church to fast in January for the last 12 years says, “Fasting and prayer bring you closer to God.” And if you have lost your spiritual edge, “Then declare a fast and pray. God wants to supernaturally change you.” Have you lost your edge? Why not seek God today and ask Him if it’s time to do something “different” in your walk with Him. Maybe it’s time to declare a fast. You can begin any day and reap the blessings of a closer walk with Christ in 2012(If you have medical issues, please consult your doctor first as well). Blessings!

Your Pastor and fellow pilgrim on the journey,

Pastor Mark

PS – This Wednesday January 18 we begin our new six week study, “When God Speaks” by Henry Blackaby. This is an excellent time to listen to God’s voice, as we prepare for our Spiritual Life Weekend March 2-4, 2012. Come join us as we seek Christ together as The First Church Family!

Holiness is defined as “The state of being holy.” Not a particularly helpful definition; but ‘holy’ means “dedicated or devoted to the service of God, The Church or religion.” I believe religion is Man’s idea, but “holy” literally means “to be set apart.” God wants to set us apart from the world system, so we can be faithful witnesses for Him to others. One of my favorite Christian authors Max Lucado gives us this simple strategy for making a difference in this world. It comes from his book, “A Gentle Thunder.”

Be faithful to your spouse.

Be the one at the office who refuses to cheat.

Be the neighbor who acts neighborly.

Be the employee who does the work and doesn’t complain.

Pay your bills.

Do your part and enjoy life.

Don’t speak one message and live another.

People are watching the way we act more than they are listening to what we say.

Great advice at the beginning of a New Year! This promises to be a significant year in the life of First Church. I challenge you to pray and seek God’s face as we prepare for our Spiritual Life Weekend March 2-4. It will be a special time of worship, fellowship over several meals and a time of hearing personal testimonies of what God is doing in and through His people. Plan now to be a part of this special weekend. More details to follow!

This Sunday, several of our First Church Family are embarking on a three week fast. We’ll be joining other Christians in America to pray for personal growth and revival. You can check out more at Fastingmovement.org. We can’t remain the same and move forward with God! Ask him how He might want you to participate in this Fast. Bless you!

Your Brother and Pastor in Christ,

Mark

Thank You for the blessing of this new day. We praise You that your mercies are new every morning –Great is your faithfulness in our lives.
Today we stand midweek between the celebration of your Son’s birth into this world and the anticipation of a brand New Year. We thank You for the plans you have for each of us – plans to prosper us and not to harm us – plans to give us a future and a hope for You are our Blessed Hope! Thanks for each of these who serve us and the citizens of Oklahoma County with integrity and compassion. Guide them in their decision-making so You are honored and the people well served. Your thoughts are wiser and your ways are higher. May we seek You first in everything we do, so our efforts will never be in vain. Thanks for hearing and answering our prayers this day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

This is my prayer for you as well, in your area of influence. As you just read, I’m praying Scripture over you. I believe that is one of the most effective prayers to offer because we know God’s Word is always true and when we pray Scripture we’re praying according to His will.

The Apostle Paul reminds us at this time of the year especially; “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phils. 3:12-14).

We are pilgrims in this journey. Each year has its challenges and its blessings. Our goal as Christians to walk faithfully with Jesus and grow closer to Him every day. It won’t happen without an investment on our part; but the personal and spiritual dividends are without measure. Grab a cup of coffee, tea or maybe a hot chocolate and spend some time with your Lord in this “week between.” Seek Him first as you close out 2011 and anticipate 2012. You will be blessed – I promise.

Thanks to all who participated in our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Services. Thanks to you who also came and served the Homeless on Christmas evening. We had an incredible time in The Lord’s House as we celebrated what Christmas is really ALL about –Jesus Christ! Join us this Sunday January 1 at 10:45 AM for Worship together. No Sunday school classes this this week. See you in the New Year!

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Pastor Mark

PS - GO TU!!(And the other two Oklahoma Teams as well!)

Last night, Robin and I had the opportunity to join our Youth and sponsors to participate in Santa’s Cause –a local ministry over 25 years old that provides Christmas gifts for impoverished families in the OKC Metro with a witness for Jesus Christ. As each team goes out to make deliveries; they take wrapped and unwrapped gifts, along with a D.S. – “Designated Santa” dressed in full St. Nick regalia.Keith Hudson and yours truly “volunteered” for the job. He had the deep voiced “Ho Ho” and me the more natural “Santa physique! ” We delivered toys, read a great Christmas story about whose birthday it really is and sang a carol or two. I wish my Spanish was better, but I hope “Merry Taco Bueno” still communicated! It certainly makes you much more appreciative of all that most of us have. It was my first time ever to play Santa Clause –something new for Christmas 2011. Thanks to Tony, all our students and sponsors who invested their time in such a great cause!

I hope you and yours will be able to join us this Saturday evening Christmas Eve for “Candlelighting and Communion” at 5:00. We’ll meet early, so you can enjoy the rest of your evening with family and friends. On Christmas Day, we’ll have the privilege to celebrate Jesus’ Birthday with Christmas Worship at 10:45 AM. No Sunday school or child care provided that morning. Encourage each of your children or grandchildren to bring a new toy with them to church for “The blessing of the toys” during the Children’s message (nothing dangerous or too noisy please!) We will also be making a special presentation during worship this Sunday in memory of Baird Askins and Betty Jordan.

This opportunity to worship together on Christmas only comes once every 5-6 years, so don’t miss it! Christmas really is all about the babe born in Bethlehem who gave His life for each of us. As Mathew records, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means, ‘God with us.’”(Matt. 1:23). Sunday’s message celebrates that great truth; “Jesus –The Greatest Gift of All!”

Take a moment to turn your eyes on Jesus this week and thank Him for coming to this planet and giving his life for you. He is the greatest gift of all.

I love you!

Pastor Mark

PS - Don’t forget our Christmas Dinner with The Homeless this Sunday at 5:00. Merry Christmas!

In keeping with a new twist on an old favorite; I’d like to share with you a piece written in 1984 by an unknown author at Bethany Farms. It is much more sobering and much more important. It’s called, “Twas the night before Jesus came.” Read it and consider those you love the most who are yet to surrender their lives to the love of Jesus Christ.

The Bible is true. As a former Sunday school teacher of mine used to say, “The Bible is true from Genesis to Maps!” We celebrate Jesus’ first Advent to the planet earth, as we anticipate His return. It’s been over 2000 years since that first event; but I feel certain we’re less than 2000 years away from the next. It could be any day! Many people missed him the first time He came; but no one will miss Him the next time. Paul wrote this to the Christians at Thessalonica nearly twenty centuries ago:

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” – I Thess. 4:16-17

Guard your heart, keep one eye on the heavens and listen for the trumpet or maybe the shofar! See you here, there or in the air!

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Pastor Mark

PS – Remember this Sunday’s “gift” – The Gift of Love and Sunday night’s Cantata, “Tapestry of Light: A Celtic Christmas Celebration” performed by our Advent Choir, Directed and accompanied by Sharon Austin and musicians. Be sure to be here and invite your friends and neighbors too! Blessings -

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but it thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn’t five only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.

But giving the gift of love will endure.

I don’t know who crafted this version, but the last line rings especially true, “But giving the gift of love will endure.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. – John 3:16. That’s undoubtedly the most beloved scripture in God’s Holy Word. That’s what Christmas is really about; even Linus of Peanut’s fame knows that as he shares the Christmas Story from Luke 2 annually in “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Our family watched it again this last week.
We’re “unwrapping “ the Gifts of Advent every Sunday in Worship; as well as lighting the Advent candles and enjoying great special music from our First Kids Children’s Choirs and our adult Advent Choir too.
It’s been fun to be “The Featured Church of the Week” on The House FM this week. Hope you’ve had a chance to listen in. Looking forward to seeing you and yours this Sunday! Don’t forget the “Stocking Stuffing Party” right after Worship. Christmas blessings

Yours in His Love,

Pastor Mark

PS –Be sure to invite your friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to “Tapestry of Light” our Choir Cantata on Sunday December 18 at 6:00. Get your Christmas Week off to a fantastic start!

The truth about Christmas, in my opinion, and according to scripture, is the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the hope that He brought into this world when He came.

I know that I'm tough to buy for when it comes to Christmas presents because, honestly, I get whatever I need throughout the year. So when it comes time for Christmas presents I think to myself, "I don't really need anything." And that's a huge blessing in itself. But regardless of how tough I am to buy for or how tough someone you know may be to buy for during Christmas … it's not nearly as tough as figuring out what to bring the Lord on His birthday. I mean, after all … it IS His birthday that we're celebrating. So … allow me, if you will, to suggest the best gift of all for our Savior. And, let me start by asking the question, "What's the one thing that Jesus desires from you that only You can give Him?"

The Answer:
YOUR WORSHIP

I'm not just talking about songs here, I'm talking about your life, a lifestyle. No matter where you are, who you are around, or what you're doing … you offer Him your life as an act of worship. For Who He is, What He has done and What He will do in the future.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem too and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."Matthew 2:1-2

We don't know a lot, factually, about these "Magi" but we do know that they came to WORSHIP and we know that they traveled a very long distance to do so. There was definitely some sacrifice there.Knowing that, shouldn't we be ready and willing to do the same?

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

So, I challenge you … this Christmas, offer a Gift to Jesus and declare that YOU will be that gift.

In Christ,

Tony Moran

P.S. We will have a special guest in service this Sunday from House FM! Also, don't forget our annual charge conference is this Sunday. Following church we will have a lunch in the fellowship hall and the charge conference will begin at 2PM. See you on Sunday!

I shared personally about what our family will do in terms of our commitment to Christ and First Church in the New Year. I thought you might be interested in learning about John Wesley’s radical lifestyle of giving as well.

Put very simply, John Wesley said, “Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.” Another quote from Wesley was very similar: “Do all the good you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

To give you some example of how seriously Wesley took his own words, consider this. He was one of the great evangelists of the 18th Century, born in 1703. In 1731 he began to limit his expenses so that he would have more money to give to the poor. In the first year, his income was 30 pounds and he found he could live on 28 and so gave away two. In the second year, his income doubled but he held his expenses even, and so he had 32 pounds to give away (a comfortable year’s income). In the third year, his income jumped to 90 pounds and he gave away 62 pounds. In his long life Wesley’s income advanced as high as 1400 pounds in a year. But he rarely let his expenses rise about 30 pounds. Wesley said that he seldom had more than 100 pounds in his possession at a time. This so baffled the English Tax Commissioners that they investigated him in 1776 insisting that for a man of his income, he must have silver dishes that he was not paying excise tax on. He wrote them, “I have two silver spoons at London and two at Bristol. This is all the plate I have at present, and I shall not buy any more while so many round me want bread.”

When he died in 1791 at the age of 87, the only money mentioned in his will was the coins to be found in his pockets and dresser. Most of the 30,000 pounds he had earned in his life had been given away.

John Wesley’s example is a challenging one. He gave away so much more than he ever kept, but he never seemed be lacking anything. His simple lifestyle helped to change his world. Ours can do the same if we too will trust God at a new level. Thanks for ALL you do for Christ and His Kingdom! It’s all that really matters and all that will ultimately last.

Thanksgiving is just one week away! Hope you have a most Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!
I’m most thankful for you! See you this Commitment Sunday as we dedicate ourselves anew to Christ and His work through First Church in 2012. Blessings!

In His love,
Pastor Mark

PS – This Sunday is also our “Hanging of The Greens”(apologies to any family named Green!) Plan to stay after church for pizza and a decorating party!

In Joel 2 it mentions the upcoming Day of The Lord, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants; both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth…”(Joel 2:28-30a). We have a young woman in the First Church Family – Kelly – who is receiving prophecies and visions from the Lord. She is not the only one, but the Lord is speaking to her in very personal and supernatural ways. I want you to know that she is in total submission to my God-given authority as Senior Pastor. I’d like to share with you exactly what she shared with me from the Lord this week. Please prayerfully read this Word from the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit how you should respond.

My children!

I am here.  I am moving amongst you!  Can you not see me?  Can you not feel me?  Can you not hear me?  I
am calling to you, reaching for you, and trying to make you see!  Do you not understand that you are made to  to be overcomes and victors?  And yet you act like the victim...understand that all things will work together for your good!  For nothing escapes my gaze!

You must understand that it is time to rise up and to be the people that I have created you to be, for do you not know that I am a merciful God.  I will not set a path before you that you cannot walk on.  Stop with condemnation!  For I put you into Christ!  And He is perfect.  I only see you through the perfect sacrifice.  Do  not say, I am a wretch, for you are a precious treasure to me.  You are royalty.  That is what my sone has made you, joint heirs.  Be a people of great courage.  Warriors in the spirit.

A movement is coming, and it would break my heart to see you miss it.  You must prepare yourselves.  I gave  you a teacher now use Him.  Don't leave Him standing there trying to get your attention.  Be eternally minded, for all this will soon pass away, for this is just a phase.

The really good story is yet to come.  You haven't even gotten past the first chapter in the book of my eternal glory.  See me the way a little child would seek his father, for there is nothing about you that is insignificant to me.  And how I long to see your face, and I long for your heart to be open so that I may reveal to you my wonders, my Glory, my power, my might, my wisdom and my deep, deep love.

I wish to impart all of this to you, and to give you a great anointing, so that you may do signs, wonders, miracles, see visions, speak prophesy and take my light into the darkest of places.  Do you not believe everything in my word is true?  For it tells you that nothing is impossible for me.

I spoke everything into existence with only my words and you are my children.  Would I not give you that authority?  My beloved, why would I not do these things still today?  Would I not show myself to you?  My people, what kind of a king would do that?  Understand that I still do wonders through my people.  Don't let the enemy make you think any different, for that puts me in a box.

I want to work in and through you my beloved.  I am ready to unleash a mighty rushing whirlwind amongst you.  The floodgates of heaven are ready to burst forth.  I am ready to pour out my anointing upon your heads.   Are you ready for it?

It't time to dust off your armor and go to battle.  I love you my precious children and I wait in earnest to see your face everyday.  Thus sayeth the Lord.

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.
Hosannah. (Angels sang these)

These are special days at First Church. God is shaking up our complacency and showing us Himself in new ways. Don’t miss what God has in store for you, us and most importantly His Kingdom! This Sunday we will gather for The International Day of Prayer for The Persecuted Church and see a video testimony that is nothing short of amazing! We’ll also get to hear from Ben West our missionary to China along with another special guest too.

Anticipating God’s blessing this Sunday!

Yours in His Love,

Mark

Ps – Remember our free Stewardship Banquet this Wednesday November 16 at 6:00PM. We’ll enjoy a Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings and hear from Rev. Frankye Johnson as well! Blessings -

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

CHORUS:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

Faithfulness is at an all time low with “starter marriages” and one night stands. I’m officiating at several weddings this Fall and I’m always sobered by the marriage vows:

“I take you to be my husband/wife to have and to hold, from this day forward. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto, I pledge you my faith.”

What makes for a great marriage? Faithfulness to our vows regardless of changing life circumstances.. Without the vows, you are uncommitted roommates at best. Marriage vows and membership vows are sacred before God. Thankfully, He is always faithful..

This week the 7th Billion person was born on planet earth. Will he or she find us faithful – to God, each other and to their generation? I pray they will!

Yours in Christ’s Love,
Pastor Mark

PS -Thanks to Cyvil Burks for preaching and all those who participated in Laity Sunday! It was a great day of worship and outstanding “Three Alarm” Chili! Congrats to the OKC firefighters and all who brought your award-winning chili to share!

PPS – Be sure to schedule your appointment today for next week’s photos! Thanks!

Each day is truly a gift from the Lord. We never know what a day will bring –unexpected joy or deep sorrow. That is in part what makes trusting God so very important! Our life is truly in His hands. He knows all things so there is nothing that comes to us that doesn’t first pass through His fingers. The good, the bad and the ugly. Thankfully, there is usually much more good than the other, but even in suffering we can be blessed. Why? Because we can choose to draw closer to the Lord in the midst of it.

A church marquee offered this true reality, “Life is fragile; handle with prayer.” When you see the word “FRAGILE” printed on a letter or a box, how do you handle it? If you are wise; you will take extra care with it because of the contents whether known or unknown. It demands special attention. Special care so as not to damage or destroy the valuable contents. Each day is very valuable. It’s all we have. We have no guarantees about tomorrow. Our life is simply a collection of how we invested our individual days.

Pastor Jim Cymbala wrote these reminders to us in his book, God’s Grace From Ground Zero:

"Today is the only day when a person can trust Christ to be his or her Savior and Lord. Today in the only day I can read my Bible and draw nearer to the Lord. Today is the only day I can witness about Christ to a friend or relative. Today is the only day I can pray to God while standing on the promise that ‘Jesus Christ in the same yesterday and today and forever’ (Hebrews 13:8). Yesterday is gone forever, and tomorrow we don’t know about, but today is the one day you and I can serve God with everything in us.”

How are you using this day? Have you spent time with the Lord? Reading and meditating on His Word? Praying for others and yourself? Taking time to listen? Fasting in order in hear more clearly from the Lord? (A few of you have told me you’ve given up some food this week; another gave a Twitter!) 

Who have you personally blessed today? Who have you encouraged or shared Christ with?

“Today is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!”

If the Lord tarries; I hope to see you in The Lord’s House this Sunday! I understand there is Breakfast with me at 9:30; bountiful spiritual food at 9:30 and 10:45(Cyvil will be preaching) and homemade chili too!

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Pastor Mark

We’re having a great time together on Wednesday nights discovering how easy it really is to become a “Contagious Christian.”

We were on date at a famous burger place called Flat Tie Burgers in Edmond near UCO. It was our first time to eat there; so we had a few questions and a very gracious freshman waitress.  Her name was Hannah.  As she brought us our lunch she asked if there was anything else that we needed.  I asked her if she would pray for our lunch.  She took and step back –literally – and asked if I said what she thought I said. “Yes” She said no one had ever asked her to do that before (I assumed she meant when she was waiting on tables), so I said I’d be glad to pray for her instead.  I asked if there was anything she specifically wanted me to pray for.  Her eyes began to tear up. As she brushed her tears away, she said her Grandmother was in the hospital in Houston and not doing well.  I asked her what her Grandmother’s name was and she replied, “Eleanor.”  I asked if Robin and I could take her hand.  She said “yes” and I prayed for her Grandmother and her by name.  She wiped away more tears and thanked us.  I believe it was a blessing for her and I know it was for us.  Such a small gesture, but what a powerful opportunity to pray with a stranger in Jesus’ Name.

Now I don’t often take an advantage like that, but when I do I’m almost always blessed. The goal of becoming a contagious Christian is not necessarily to pray with every person to accept Christ, but simply to engage in spiritual conversations.  You can still drop in on Wednesday and pick up some great tools for sharing the love of Jesus with others naturally.  I dare you to live a more winsome Christian life!  You will be so blessed!  Philemon 1:6 says it so well...”I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”  Where have you been a witness for Christ this week?  I’d love to hear!

Ruth sent me this amazing account of a 7-year-old “Contagious Christian!”  You’ll be blown away by this.  I know I was!

"We had sat down for dinner and Paul asked Hope (4 years=old) to pray.  She said this precious prayer and mentioned something about "her heart feeling good today and how much she loved Jesus" in her prayer.

Harrison (7 years old) says, "Do you know that you can ask Jesus into your heart?  I did when I was little like you."

Hope says "No.".

Harrison asks her, "Do you believe in Jesus?"

Hope "Yes!"

Harrison "Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross?"

Hope "Yes!".

Harrison "Do you believe that Jesus did miracles?"

Hope "Yes!".

Harrison, "Do you believe that Jesus rose from the grave?".

Hope, "Yes.".

Harrison, "Then, pray it!".

Hope prayed a very simple, yet purposeful prayer.  She said "she loves Jesus and she loves God".

Harrison, after she had finished praying says "Now, He lives inside you!  You don't feel it, but He's there!!!".

Hope looks at us and says, "That was quick!”

Look forward to seeing you this Sunday!  Wasn’t last Sunday great? Tiffany

and Cyvil did an excellent job with The Lord’s Prayer –funny and very meaningful!

Bless you –

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Mark

PS – Be sure to sign up for our new professional Pictorial Directory with LifeTouch!  Dates are Nov. 8-12 only.  No sitting fee.  Free color 8x10 and Directory for each family that participates. 

Last Saturday, I went to two Antique Stores in downtown Edmond and asked if they had an old Dr. Pepper bottle with the famous 10, 2, 4 label. No luck at the first one; but I found four at the next store. I bought the best one and brought it - in a brown paper sack –and put it in the pulpit to share at the end of worship. I also stopped at Crest and bought several 8 packs of Dr. Pepper as a gift from me to you for Pastor’s Appreciation month because “I appreciate you!” Kim made some “Dr. Pepper Prayer Reminder” labels for me and Mary and others affixed them to the bottles. Some of our trusted Youth distributed them at the end of worship just for fun!

Here’s the deal. We ran out of Dr. Pepper, but I’ll have more for this Sunday! I want to encourage you to pray at every meal every day plus adding 10, 2 and 4 for special prayer for Families. You can put your bottle of Dr. Pepper on your kitchen table, or office desk at work or in your car – where ever it will remind you to pray.

At 10:00 AM; I encourage you to prayer for people outside the Family of God (unsaved neighbors, co-workers, relatives, friends, etc.); at 2:00 pray for The Family of God at First Church (your Pastor, Staff, Sunday School Class members, active and inactive members, etc.) and at 4:00 pray for your own family and extended family.
There’s nothing special about Dr. Pepper; but there’s everything special about spending more time with Dr. Jesus interceding for the families of our lives. More prayer; more power! (Tony programmed my phone so it will give me a reminder 3 x’s a day). Thanks Tony!

Bless you all as you join me in prayer during October, the 10th month of the year. On November 1st; All Saint’s Day; you can enjoy your bottle of “prayed over” Dr. Pepper!

See you this Sunday! God is up to something good at First Church –don’t miss it!

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Pastor Mark

Ps –Remember it’s Skyline Month at First Church. Be sure to bring some hearty canned goods to share with the less fortunate through Skyline Urban Ministries here in OKC. Bless you!

On Tuesday, I shared the following excerpt from “Diamonds in the Dust” a devotional written by Joni Erickson Tada. You may remember her story. At 17, she was seriously injured in a diving accident; becoming paralyzed from the neck down. She founded Joni and Friends a ministry to people with disabilities, has written several books and magazine articles and has shared her testimony at Billy Graham Crusades over the years. Every day someone must feed her, bathe her, comb her hair, brush her teeth and dress her. Hear what this remarkable Christian has to say…

Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days aright so that we may gain a heart of wisdom,” Joni writes:

I have the habit of numbering my days: When I wake up in the morning I make a
point of thinking, “Lord, this day is worth a thousand years of eternity and that
means that the people I meet, the letters I write, the conversations I have…these
all have value in Your sight. Teach me to measure each moment.”

I haven’t cultivated this habit overnight. Because of all the things to be counted,
this is the hardest – to number our days. We number everything else so easily. We know how much money we have in our purse and how many dollars in the bank. We are quick to number our gas mileage, how many calories we eat, and how many hours we’ve worked.

Yet we find it hard to number something so precious as our days. Perhaps, that’s because we see our days stretching on and on. They seem infinite and so there is no need, we think, to number them. Things we fail to account for, we waste. That’s why it is wise to ask God to teach us to consider each day separate from the next, distinct in its purpose. Unique in the way it is to be lived.

James 4:14, 15 says, “Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.’” When we finally arrive in heaven, we will be surprised by many things, but nothing will amaze or more than how short life on earth really was.

Challenge: Every morning when we rise may we look up and say, “You have written this day in Your book, Lord, so teach me to spend it wisely for Your glory.”

I pray you and I will learn to “number our days” and use each one to the glory of God. Who have you blessed today? Remember, you are blessed to be a blessing!

I love being your Pastor!

Yours in His Love,

Pastor Mark

Ps – This Sunday is our OBI Blood Drive. Come prepared to “Give Blood and feel good!” Bless you!