Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Pastor Russ, Shari, Calvin, Randall (and Bosley & Kokomo!) We hope you are enjoying your Christmas Day with your family and friends. May the whole day be filled with wonderful moments that create lasting memories. As we all celebrate Christ our Saviors birth may your hearts and home be filled with great joy! Let me share with you some of my Christmas Blessings . . . I am blessed . to have a caring and loving wife . to have two awesome sons that i have a great realtionship with! . to have two playful dogs that love me uncondtionally! . to have a plate full of orange roasted pork, scalloped potatoes, buttered sweet corn, cranberry sauce, toss salad w/ a delectable Italian vinaigrette dressing, piping hot (some what burnt - haha) dinner rolls, a glass of raspberry zinger sweet tea and then topped off with a hearty slice of (my favorite) pecan pie smotherd in whipped cream! . to serve a wonderful church family . to be surrounded by an excellent team of pastors . to have numerous friends Last night we had the most wonderful Christmas Eve Service, 225+ individuals and and families participated in our candlelight celebration. What a blessing it was to see our diversity and togetherness highlighted throughout the evenings program. Be sure to click below and view a few highlights of the evening provided by our Philippine, Slavic and a piano solo by Judy Burdett. ENJOY!

well the videos would load.. but here are some pictures of the night.

Starbucks Fast

For those of you who are following my Starbucks fast, I only have 733 more cups of grande carmel latte w/whip and carmel drizzle to give up before I reach my goal of 750 cups. 750 cups equals the $3000 I need to raise so that I can go on our missions trip to Zambia, Africa in April 09. While looking at blogs and videos on You Tube, I came across this funny clip. Click on the link below and enjoy!

Thanksgiving

I'm at the church office preparing for this Wednesday's Candlelight/Communion service. The worship team will be ready to bring us all into the presence of the Lord. Will you be ready? Thanksgiving is all about family gatherings,eating lots of turkey and watching football. But it's also a time to reflect on the goodness of God in our lives. The highlight of our gathering this Wednesday is always the numerous testimonies of those who come prepared to share. Their gratefulness is expressed in their words and countenances. We will conclude our time together by sharing Communion around the altar. It's a very meaningful time with our Lord. I hope that you, your family and guests can join us!

By the way,wasn't this past Sunday's all-church Thanksgiving dinner a great success? Be sure to express your appreciation to Larry and Dolly White as well as to Scott and Pam Wehe. These two fine couples plus their team of volunteers did an outstanding job of setting up,preparing the food,serving us, and cleaning everything up afterwards. I was informed that we fed 450 people !!! These are choice servants for God!

coffee

This morning I woke up early and stumbled downstairs half-awake straight to our coffee maker. I'm a creature of habit and this is a daily activity for me. I love coffee. The aroma and taste equally get my day started. Preferably I drink Folgers or Maxwell House, straight black, (no cream or sugar added). I can easily consume 6-8 cups before arriving at the office each morning. And yes it's true I bring Shari a cup every morning. Once I arrive at the church office I'll drink another 2-4 cups before noon, which is when I usually shut it down. The only time I drink coffee other than black is when I'm at Starbucks, where I order my favorite, Grande ' whipped carmel latte with carmel drizzle on top' (hint, hint). Why all this discussion on coffee? Well, it's because two very sweet ladies in our church recently blessed me with their words of encouragement and their expressions of kindness which were so much appreciated. One of them even gave me a new coffee mug that is now my all-time favorite cup to drink coffee from. Everyone needs encouragement, it refreshes the soul and strengthens the heart. Join me today in looking for someone to bless. You'll be glad you did!

Speaking of coffee, I just realized that I'm gonna have to nearly give up my Starbuck's coffee in order to start saving for our Africa Missions Trip in March 08. If I give up my favorite coffee drink at approximately $4.00 a cup I figured that it will take 750 cups of coffee to equal the $3,000 I need to raise. I'm in for a massive caffiene headache! Pray for me!! Maybe God will speak to some of you to join with me in giving up your Starbuck's and help me get to Africa to help construct a new church and do outreach ministry!??!

I woke up today with my thoughts focused on our service on Sunday, Let me encourage you to do whatever it takes to bring friends, family members and neighbors to church with you. I'll be presenting God's truth with everything I've got. I'm so amazed at how much God is able to accomplish. Just this week, two young adults (20 somethings) met with me in my office and re-dedicated their lives to Christ!! They realized only He can replace emptiness - only He can forgive past mistakes and offer a new future filled with hope, peace and fulfillment. I can't promise you that all your guest's will accept Christ into their hearts, but I can promise that they will hear His message of love, forgiveness, and restoration in a very clear and in a compelling way.
See ya tomorrow!

Incredible partners

As I read my bible today I came across the story of Jonathan and his armor-bearer in 2 Samuel 14:6-13 NIV. The Israelites were discouraged,outnumbered and inadequately armed with no reasonable hope for success. But because of the courage these two possessed...their bravery was instrumental to victory being achieved. Yet right in the middle of those scripture passages you will find these incredible words "Perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf" (vs 6) NIV. God looks for faith and willingness every day. When circumstances seem to be insurmountable and our resources exhausted God assures us that we can call upon Him in our times of need. Psalms 46:1 NIV reminds us that He has promised to be "an ever present help in trouble". I'm praying for several of our church families today. Would you keep them in your prayers as well??? Perhaps the Lord will act on their behalf!!!
Kim Hawkins
Janet Hawkins
Charlie Page
May Soas

I want to give a big shout out to my Wednesday "Front Porch" Biblestudy class. You guys are the best! Recently we had a Chili Cook Off Challenge and Bud Burdett took on all challengers and finished on top after all the votes were in. We have some great cooks in the church! I think we ought to have an outdoor tailgate celebration after church some Sunday??? We just missed setting a new record in our class this past Wednesday with 60 in attendance! Currently we are studying about "Allowing God to Renovate Our Lives". If you haven't connected to any of our mid-week Biblestudy group's your missing a great opportunity to get acquainted with some of the best people around. All of our teachers do a tremendous job of sharing God's truth.

Last Sunday's guest speaker, former Senior Pastor, Dwaine Umbel deftly preached a message that provided us all with some refreshing reminders that God wants so much to bless us. There were numerous statements in his message that hit home for me. I wrote this down in my notes as he spoke.."It's important how you live today. LEGACY PROVIDES LIFE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. Legacy is leaving something behind". We are all called to bring hope to the hopeless and abundant life to those who have been robbed. I hope you all were blessed by the Umbel's ministry. It was wonderful to have them back once again here at Bethel Temple.

Sunday Reflections!

We continued our "Road to a New Destiny" series. Pastor David and the worship team provided great music and an amazing worship experience. I'm so grateful for our team of pastors. There is such a great chemistry among us. I'm also grateful for the quaility people that surround me in ministry who are pouring their lives, time and energy into Bethel Temple. All of our volunteers in ministry are exceptional people!!

I hope you enjoyed the magnificent presence of the Lord as much as I did. It's so cool to make a divine connection like that. I love being in church on Sundays! I never know who's going to show up. But every person who walks through the doors at Bethel Temple has a divine appointment with God. And for one mom and her son, Sunday was an incredible experience as they both crossed the line of faith and accepted Christ into their hearts!

As we continue to live in uncertain times. People everywhere are looking for stability. I'm asking everyone who calls Bethel Temple their church home to make our services a priority as we all try to make sense of what's going on around us. We serve a God who is constant and always reliable. He cares about you. He offers hope, practical help and real encouragement to us all. Make it a point in the coming week to invite someone you know to join with you this next Sunday!

I hope you have a remarkable week as you go about your normal routines and schedules.

This week I'm praying for a little extra grace and a little extra strength. I appreciate your prayer! I will be praying for you as well!

a remarkable day!

Sunday was such a remarkable day. Culminating` in a quality time around the altar, we shared communion and wholesome fellowship with each other.

Scripture gives us a template that we should all follow as we endeavor to build towards the vision of becoming a healthy, vibrant, and stronger church. As we put these into practice, we will see some amazing results occur!

Let's examine once again, our shared responsibilities:

1. Be in agreement with one another
2. Pursue that which builds up one another.
3. Accept one another
4. Show courtesy to one another
5. Carry one another's burdens
6. Tolerate one another
7. Forgive one another
8. Submit to one another
9. Admonish one another in wisdom
10. Comfort one another.
11. Promote love and good works in one another
12. Love one another

We are all in this together. We are on the same team. As we are faithful and keep our eyes on Jesus, one day, we'll all celebrate together at the feet of Christ!

23
that's an incredible number! that's a number that reminds us why we do what we do. this number provides us with encouragement, confirmation, resolve and everything we need to keep on going forward. 23 that's how many people stepped over the line of faith in September during our weekend services and our recent youth outreach. 23 more people who initiated a relationship with Jesus Christ.
I would like to thank everyone who is inviting people to join us for worship. That is the church in action. I am so grateful to you for reaching our and caring about people there is nothing more spiritually mature or Christ-like than introducing others to our Saviour. That's why we're here!

Throughout the coming days seize the opportunities that God brings your way. I'm interested in hearing how you're being blessed. Share with me your blessings and how the Lord is currently using you as a blessing to others.

the simple life!

While on vacation, nearby to my sister's residence, we discovered nestled among some of Tampa's most expensive real estate, seemingly out of place and lost in time, a quaint farm that will remind many of a simplier time and season of life. Marion Lambert is the owner of this quaint farm. He owns a single milking cow that he named "Lilly Bell", a handful of pigs, goats, working horses, banji chickens and thousands of honey bee's producing both wildflower and orange blossom honey. He sell's the milk, eggs, and honey on the "honor system" on a roadside stand located at the front entrance to his farm.

we very much enjoyed this visit with Mr. Lambert, he was very gracious with his time towards us. He is a simple man surrounded with simple ways of living, pleasures and purposes. For him simple is in and complexity is out!

In their book "Simple Church" by Thom S Rainer and Eric Geiger, they state that "people are hungry for simple, because the world has become much more complex. The amount of information assesible to us is contiually increasing. The abiliby to interact with the entire world is now possible. Technology continues to advance at a rapid pace. The result is a complicated world with complex and busy lives.
And in the midst of all this complexity, people want to find simplicity, they long for it, seek it, pay for it, and even dream of it. Simple is in. It works. Many respond to simple".

How bout you? is there an experience or memory that you have had in your past, that reminds you of the joy and pleasures that simple living provided? I'd like to hear from you, step back from your busyness and share a memory that will once again refresh your spirit and bring joy to others! I look forward to reading your comments! And if you would like to get a hold of some great tasting honey, have I got a great connection for you!

see ya soon!

Time Away Update

We woke up today to another beautiful Florida sunshine day. The previous week was quite busy. It began in Jacksonville as I attended the Asia Pacific Board of Regents meetings. Our featured speaker was Darth Li, a missionary from Cambodia. His testimony was both heartbreaking and riveting, as he shared with the assembled group of pastors his childhood growing up in “The Killing Fields” under a ruthless regime. Bro. Li has been to Bethel Temple in the past, yet many of our church community have never heard his testimony. It will bring you to tear’s. I invited him to return next summer when he comes to America on furlough.

Later in the week I drove to Sarasota where I met up with Shari as she went there to spend time with her sister Andrea and her husband Jacob. We went to Anna Maria’s Oyster Bar where we ate some outstanding fresh seafood! And yes I did eat some raw oysters!!! Later we went to Kilwin’s a favorite ice cream place on St. Armand’s Circle near Siesta Key beach. They have some of the best butter pecan ice cream to be found anywhere.

On Saturday we traveled to Tampa to visit with my sister Theresa and her son Derrick. We went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner that night. I had a ribeye steak that was pretty good. I can say that I’ve eaten well this week. On Sunday we went to Suncoast Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Pastor Tim Suddreth’s ministry team made us feel very welcomed. Probably 4-5 people asked us if we needed assistance in finding a Sunday School class to attend. We chose to go to their “Biblical Life Foundations” class taught by a young man named “James”, his lesson on forgiveness was right on the mark! As we made our way to the sanctuary we were met by David Ambrose, who was doing a fine job of greeting everyone as they entered the main service. The worship service was very good too as their worship pastor, Shelly Korrot brought the entire congregation into the presence of the Lord. One of the choruses featured a soloist Tamara Marsha whose anointed voice really elevated the worship time. Pastor Tim’s message was aimed at those who serve in the education field (teacher’s, school administrator’s ,college professors, etc..). He brought out some very good points from scripture and spoke of the importance we all have in teaching our children how to live lives productively and spiritually. He concluded by bringing all the teachers up to the altar (80-100+) and having them prayed over by St. Petersburg Christian Schools Lead Administrator, Dr. Sheila Cornea.

It is always good to visit another church to see what God is doing elsewhere. It’s also a great way to glean fresh perspective on how others do church differently and effectively. I wonder if others in our church who visited another church saw some things that were different. Things that helped make attending that service more enjoyable? I look for your comments and we will share them with our church staff in a future staff meeting.
Today my bible reading was 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians. As I read 1 Thess. 2:8 where it says, ”being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear to us.” I began to think of so many of you and I prayed God’s richest blessings for you today. Bethel Temple comprises some of the best people to be found anywhere! We miss you all very much.

Heart

Here it is my long awaited first attempt at BLOGGING!

During this time away, besides a season of rest and relaxation my main purpose is to seek God, His grace, His Blessing, and His Supernatural activity in my life. A great many at times experience spiritually dry times, those dry times tend to diminish our desire for the things of God and hardened our hearts.

Challenges, obstacles and worries, all tend to become bothersome distractions and wear on us. Today I read some outstanding scripture verses, that when looked at more closely, they become tremendously impacting.

Psalms 42:1-2 NIV “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you oh God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God …..”

As water is essential for physical life, so God and His presence are essential for direction, satisfaction and wholeness of life.

Twice, in Ezekiel (11:19) HOLMAN BIBLE God said “and I will give them one heart and put on a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone from their bodies and give them a heart of flesh.”

Ezekiel (26:36) HOLMAN BIBLE “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you! I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

As I am seeking to have a softened heart that is sensitive to the work and voice of God, I am also praying for each person who is apart of our community of faith at Bethel Temple.

Over time I have observed that people with hardened hearts are afflicted with a deep spiritual ailment that makes them stiffed necked, bull-headed, and miserable. As their lives begin to reflect so many impurities they make others around them miserable too.

A hardened heart can have devastating effects – consuming the individual who has it, stunting their Christian growth and hastening their spiritual death.

I am so very thankful to serve as the Senior Pastor of a church filled with people who desire and want softened hearts that can hear Gods voice. Together as we keep Christ in sight and the Lords will as our goal we will experience much more blessing growth and unity.

under construction

the best is yet to come...have the best day ever!!!