Free Online Training from Lifeway

LifeWay Resources is offering free online training on Sunday, July 11, 2010 from 3-5 pm (CST). You can register directly with LifeWay at http://www.lifeway.com/event/359/

There are great resources you can download including speaker notes, bios on presenters and more. Invite a group to join you on a Sunday afternoon for some special encouragement. Get more information from our area LifeWay rep, Pat Ford on his blog.

Share Jesus Without Fear

Not every Christian will be willing to share their story with another person Some have said than fewer that 1 in 10 will ever share their story with someone. If you would like to be one of those who want to share their story with another person, but may be fearful of something, there's hope. There may be many reasons why we don't talk to someone but, if there was hope of overcoming those fears, would you take the next step? Beginning Sunday, June 27, 2010, Tom Stoner will be starting a 4-week class for anyone who would be willing to take that next step and learn how to "Share Jesus Without Fear." You can register on the resource page of our website (www.ambcaustin.org) or by clicking on this link: Share Jesus Without Fear

I hope you will take a break for 4 weeks and gain the confidence you need to know that the story you share will have lasting benefits in the life of a friend or relative.

How Clean is Your Hotel?

Summer is coming and many will take vacations. While travelers want a clean room to stay in (and at a bargain price), we may not think to ask if our rooms are clean in the viewing aspect, the Television. Pornography is on the increase through the Internet, social websites, even cell phones. Though we would never invite pornography through the front door of our motel room, we run the risk of opening the door through the motel television and pay for view "adult movies". When booking rooms for the family vacation, ask the reservation desk if the rooms offer "adult movies." If so, beware. Websites such as www.cleanhotels.com may help in selecting a family friendly environment for your vacation stays. These sites often can tell you before you call for reservations if the hotel has already been reported as "clean" for families. You can even report your experiences in hotels not listed on the website.

About 20 years ago, hotels began offering "adult movies", according to Phil Burress of the Cincinnati based Citizens for Community Values. According to www.cleanhotels.com, about 40% of hotels in America offer hard-core pornography in their rooms through pay-per-view services.

Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

Don't let the bed bugs bite and be aware of other dangers to your vacation. Enjoy the summer!

Is this the church for me?

Sometimes we find ourselves having to look for a new church family. Hopefully, this happens when we move out of town from our present church. How do I find a new place of worship and service? This is often the hardest challenge for a family. Here are some things to consider when looking for a potential church.

1. Is the church true to God's Word?
2. Are people being saved there?
3. Is there evidence of changed lives?
4. Are members excited about asking their friends to join them at church?
5. Do I feel welcome?
6. How do they assimilate new members into the life of the church?
7. Are people building quality friendships within the church?
8. How does the church develop new leaders?

Some of these will be easier to observe that others and there may be other things you personally want to see. Some items may not seem important at first, but may be very important later on. Take enough time to make sure you can see lives being changed.
Some aspects of finding a new church family may be on your "non-negotiable" list. These are things your can't compromise or ignore. These 8 questions are important if you're looking to make a difference in your family, community and the world. Notice that I haven't included anything about convenience. Do you homework. Spend time praying and asking God to show you the DNA of the church. Once you call it "Home" serve and worship with all your strength.

Note: We didn't stop at Goose Creek Baptist Church except for this picture.

One Year's Weeds- Seven Year's Seeds

I heard this on a radio gardening show years ago. Dewey Compton was the friend of every farmer, gardener and landscaper in the Houston area. Last night I returned home from a meeting and had just enough light to go outside and pull some weeds in my neighbor's yard. They are out of town and I have been looking after their place. I was about finished when I heard a voice behind me. He called to me again and this time I turned and see a high school student walking toward me with earbuds, and MP3 player in tow. He asked what I was doing and wondered if he could help. "Sure," I said. (I had just gotten to the hard part- the crab grass.) He sat down and began to pull weeds. He said he was bored and was walking so he could pass the time. We dropped handles and bio stuff about our families.

The pile of pulled weeds was growing larger and the conversation was coming around to the future (he would graduate next year.) "Not good enough for big college but too good for community college," were his words. I asked him about church attendance and for the next few minutes we waded through some fast moving, but shallow water about God, religion, his beliefs and my testimony. The weeds were almost gone as was the light. My friend stood up and offered me a hand. We left the door open for future encounters in the yard and parted ways.

'One year's weeds, seven year's seeds." I pray that the seeds that were planted that night would produce a harvest- not of weeds, but of the soul. I am praying that as we all do work, that we will be tuned in to hearing when someone calls our name. Be ready at any hour of the day or night.

Life's Healing Choices- Choice 2

Earnestly believe that God exists. This is the second choice we must make. We say we believe in God, but our actions indicate otherwise. I need to believe that I matter to God and only God has the power to help me. All the books in all the books stores will now provide the help I need to have freedom from my habit.

"Happy are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

God wants us to relate to Him. He desires to know us in significant ways. We can see God in nature. We can see God in our surroundings, but we can only experience God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Read Psalm 139:-1-18 to see how God designed us. We are on the road to RECOVERY.

Life's Healing Choices- Choice 1

April 11. 2010 will start our study in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5). Each Beatitude is the background for choices each of us have to make in order to have freedom from our hurts, hang-ups and habits. Here is the first choice we need to make: Realize that I'm not God. No one can control our tendency to do wrong. Will power alone isn't enough to control anger, over-eating, addictions or any of the baggage that entangles us in every day living. Only the Holy Spirit can provide the lasting power to have victory.

One translation of the first Beatitude reads: "Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor."
Be sure to attend each of the 8 Sunday during our "Life's Healing Choices" study. Don't forget to invite a friend. They'll be glad you did.