Reaching Out Breaking Barriers Building His Kingdom :: A Ministry of First Baptist Church of Lake Placid
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I want to take this time a thank Steve Davis for his effort and work on this project. Steve has helped in talking to our County Commissioners about waiving impact/permit fees, picked up all the plan copies and delivered them to my office. He has also investigated the ownership of the building site and found that a quick deed property claim may be needed to get one of the lots in Grandma Bet's name, so that we can proceed with construction. Steve you have been a life long friend and it is a privilege to serve Christ with you...I look forward to many more days building God's Kingdom together.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Wow! I called Bud Whitlock (Whitlock Land Surveying) this morning about making plan copies, which is above and beyond what he agreed to donate for the project. Grif Broach took the plans by Bud Whitlock's office this morning around 9:00 AM. He just called me at 1:45 PM and said all (25) plan copies were done and ready for pick-up. God has surrounded us with some awesome companies and individuals to help us complete this project. Thanks Bud for going above what was asked-PRAISE GOD!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Once again last nights meeting was well attended. We started the meeting reading scripture (Psalms 127), prayer and distributing Kingdom Builders
t-shirts that Maurice and his son made. Anybody interested in a t-shirt needs to call Maurice at 243-1053 with their size-THANKS GUYS!
Grif Broach brought a set of final drawings for everyone to review. I can't say enough about how much Grif has helped with the drafting and engineering of this project. Grif has delivered everything he promised on time! I know we would not be where we are today if it wasn't for Grif Broach's unselfish dedication to the project-THANKS Grif for getting us off to a great start.
Last week, Maurice had the opportunity to speak to Mike Bevis (Bevis Construction) about the project. Mike attended tonight's meeting, wanting to get involved. Mike is committed to talking to some of his contacts about in-kind donations, providing labor to form and pour the concrete slab, providing labor to set trusses, install sheeting and complete the roof dry in.
It is my intent to have the plans copied this week and give them out to all in attendance to get prices and/or in kind donations for specific scopes of work.
We hope to meet in two weeks (11-10-08) and be able to get a perspective on what is needed financially to complete the project.
Paul and Cathy Britt have agreed to talk to someone they know about putting together some type of promotional package that can be used to better explain the project and used for financial fundraising.
We closed the meeting talking about the project benefit/fundraiser. Lisa Bellamy said she is talking and will continue to talk to individuals that want to be a part of this event. We talked about setting a date sometime in mid January 2009. I hope to talk to our praise team (Caleb's Cadence) this week, so we can nail a date down. Terry Weaver has committed to helping with the sound system and stage (if needed). We all agreed that we need to pray, plan and advertise the event for it to be successful. Think about it...different denominations, generations, and races all coming together to praise God, for the opportunity to serve as brothers and sisters in Christ, blessing us so we can build Grandma Bet a new home.
John 4:21 Jesus replied, "Believe me, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father here or in Jerusalem."
Before Maurice closed in prayer Grandma Bet's grand kids read and presented a card to Kingdom Builders: The card said, "When someone offers gladly to help out in any way, It brings you such good feelings and brings sunshine to your day. When someone knows just how to make you smile and cheer your mood, It brings you warmth and joy and fills your heart with gratitude. When someone says, "I understand," your cares seem so much lighter-When someone takes the time... it makes your whole world so much brighter." (Amanda Bradley) Thank you so much-May the world always be as wonderful for you as you make it for others! My prayer is that God will continue to be revealed and work in the lives of these children.
On Thursday (10-30-08) Grandma Bet goes into the hospital for hip replacement surgery. I challenge everyone to set some time aside on Thursday to PRAY for this special woman...I know I will.
Our next scheduled meeting will be on Monday 11-10-08 at 7:00 PM (First Baptist Church of Lake Placid).
Today I received an e-mail from Starla Shattler commenting on how neat it was to see God working in this project and the lives of those involved. She quoted a scripture passage from the book of Psalms, which coincides with our project: Psalms 127:1 Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is useless (NLT). This verse helps me keep in perspective that God must be the foundation of this project.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
I just finished reviewing the latest set of preliminary plans with all the changes and they look GREAT! Grif said he would have plans completed and ready for final review on Monday. Thanks Grif for all your hard work.
Question to ponder-Do you worship God everyday or just on Sunday's?
Hebrews 13: 15-16 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased (NIV).
God wants our worship EVERDAY!
By the way, do not forget the meeting this coming Monday 10-27-08 at 7:00 PM (First Baptist Church of Lake Placid).
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I just got off the phone with Bud Whitlock of Whitlock Land Surveying, Inc. who previously agreed to donate his services for our project. I forwarded him the legal descriptions of the property for him to start the surveying process. This survey is needed for us to complete our plans and permitting. Grandma Bet be prepared to see someone from Whitlock Land Surveying in the very near future. This will be the first recorded work activity at the site.
PRAISE GOD!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sunday morning in praise band practice Denise Griffin felt God was leading her to have a member of the team introduce a song she would be singing..."I Have To Believe" through their personal testimony. What a perfect opportunity I was given to share with our congregation about Kingdom Builders and how through belief in prayer God has blessed us. The blessing came in a form of a $15,000 grant, which was donated to the project last week. Our interim pastor Rick Nations made the comment that Kingdom Builders must have more FAITH than SENSE to take on a project like this....and we do...and He will carry us through.
I can't help but think about the scripture passage in Mark 9: 21-27 "How long has this been happening?" Jesus asked the boy's father. He replied, "Since he was very small. 22The evil spirit often makes him fall into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can." 23"What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." 24The father instantly replied, "I do believe, but help me not to doubt!" 25When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. "Spirit of deafness and muteness," he said, "I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!" 26Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy lay there motionless, and he appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd, "He's dead." 27But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up (NLT). Do you ever find yourself praying, "God I believe, but help me not to doubt?"
Yesterday, Paula Tharpe (Tiles by Fran) said she would like to donate the tile for the kitchen back splash and counter tops. She also said, if Grandma Bet wanted, she could pick out colors, designs, etc... to customize the tiles.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Maurice (Deacon Wilson) thanks for your scripture passages and encouraging words left on the blog comments. I love the quote from Henry Drummond, "There is no happiness in having or getting, but only in giving."
Luke 6:37-38 Jesus said, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into you lap. For with the measure your use, it will be measured to you (NIV)."
God I pray that we do not let our selfishness, prejudices and our pride get in the way of serving and giving to build YOUR KINGDOM. God may you, and you alone receive ALL THE GLORY!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
BIG TIME PRAISE REPORT AND ANSWER TO PRAYER!!!
I just got off the phone with Cathy Britt who submitted an application to the Lattner Foundation for a grant. She has confirmed that Kingdom Builders (through Rebuilding Together) has been approved for a grant ranging between $10,000.00 to $15,000.00 dollars, which will be funded in December of 2008.
GO CATHY!
HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Over 20 people attended tonight's meeting. Grandma Bet was given the gift/note from D. Ray and Jeanne Harris at the start of our meeting. After opening the gift and reading the note, Grandma Bet's eyes were filled with tears of joy, thanking God for all he has done.
We were able to enlist more individuals and companies to help with the project, they are as follows:
Derrick Robinson (tmRobinson Construction), Wayne Gourley (Gourley Plastering), Scott Stanley (Scosta Corporation) and Tom Griffin (Griffin's Carpet Mart). I challenged all in attendance, to continue to pray each day that God would provide for the needs of this project.
Other discussion centered around permitting fees, impact fees, framing labor, owner/builder permitting, non-profit organization status, project insurance requirements, request for current property survey, and looking into SHIP program fund availability. We reviewed preliminary house plans with Grif Broach, and discussed various ways to publicize and raise funding for the project.
Maurice made the suggestion that we have some type of benefit before we kick off the project (to help with public awareness and raising funds), which would include testimony, music, food, etc... What a sweet time of fellowship this would be with different denominations, generations, and races all praising God for the blessings he has bestowed upon us in providing for Grandma Bet's new home. Maurice said his sister Lisa needed something to do, so we put her to work organizing the benefit.
Talk among the Wilson family for a project start date was November 30, in remembrance of Grandma Bet's late husbands (Albert Wilson) birthday. My only concern is this is the Holiday Season and a busy time for many individuals.
Our next scheduled meeting will be on Monday 10-27-08 at 7:00 PM (First Baptist Church of Lake Placid).
Philippians 4: 6 Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done (NLT).
WOW! If you would have told me I would be a "blogger" several weeks ago I would have said, "you're crazy," unfortunately most of you know the extent of my Internet skills.
Thank you so much for the personal e-mails (sseignious@embarqmail.com) and your comments on the blog. Your words are so encouraging to me and others. Please continue to share this blog (http://www.kingdombuildersministries.blogspot.com/) and the project with others. My prayer is that God's work to build his KINGDOM will become contagious throughout our community, country and world.
By the way (for all of you that have Internet skills that fall short, like mine) to comment on the blog you must first set up a Google account (which is free) and can be easily done under the blog comment section.
A good friend of mine once shared a quote that he had read from Rick Warren:
"To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I say: My answer in advance is Yes !! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost. I am ready. Anytime...Anywhere...Anyway..."
I hope to see everyone tonight at the meeting, 7:00 PM at The First Baptist Church of Lake Placid.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
A PRAISE report; last week Tracy had the opportunity to share with Jeanne and D. Ray Harris about the project while at church one evening, Jeanne called later that week to say they would like to help in some way. This afternoon Jeanne came by our office and gave a generous donation towards the project and a surprise gift and note for Grandma Bet. We will be presenting Grandma Bet with the gift and note at our Monday 10-13-08 7:00 PM meeting (First Baptist Church of Lake Placid).
When I see people act in this manner, I can't help but think of what Jesus said in Mark 12: 29-31 Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength.' 31The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these. Terry Weaver has always told me LOVE is an action word-I must agree.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Well today is the first day the "blog" is up and running.
All my journal notes from the start of the project to date have been entered. There are still some additional items (Gadgets-blog talk) I want to add to the blog (pictures, video, etc...). Please be patient, this technology is new to me.
I met Grif Broach today and reviewed the first set of preliminary house plans-exciting! I hope to get some input from other individuals before next Monday's (10-13-08 @ 7:00 PM) meeting to give Grif some final direction. These plans will be available for review at the meeting.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY-What It's About
It's not about recognition and it's not about financial condition.
It's not about fame nor critical acclaim, not about a market crash, not about piles of cash, not about fashion, labels, and jewels nor about elaborate man-made rules.
It's not about MCI, AT&T, not ABC, CBS or NBC, not satellite, modem or new Internet, not Lincoln, or Lexus, or classic Corvette.
It's not about a better view.
It's not about the graven pew, not 0 to 60 exeleration, not extra-terrestrial civilization.
It's about seizing the chance to stand and prevail, against the fortified bastions of hell, against unconquered spiritual regions, and rescuing souls form the unholy legions.
It's about counting the cost and bringing the lost to the throne of grace to see Christ's holy face.
When we look to the sky and He appears with a shout, no one will deny what this life's all about.
Matt Tullos (Lifeway-Deacon Fall 2008 Magazine)
Monday, October 6, 2008
This morning I had a great time of fellowship and prayer with some of my Friday morning accountability group (Terry Weaver and Bill Ross). Much discussion centered around Kingdom Builders ministry—with all of us in awe, how God has blessed the project and blessed all those involved.
We started talking about the power and sovereignty of God. Bill mentioned that he had read Dr. David Jeremiah’s devotional regarding Acts 17: 26—They should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. Dr. David Jeremiah had the following to say and I quote, “There is a fundamental emptiness in every human being which can only be filled by the presence of God Himself. It is interesting to note that the only time Jesus Christ cried out in loneliness was from the cross when the Father forsook Him and allowed Him to die as a sacrifice for the world. Without the presence of God, the most agonizing loneliness will afflict even the strongest person. No person should search for a solution for his loneliness without solving the basic issue of separation from God. Accepting Jesus Christ, and being filled by His Spirit, is the first step toward overcoming the negative dimensions of loneliness.” As we discussed this we couldn’t help but think of those people we know who have that fundamental emptiness; it is not until you accept Christ that you are truly content and have an inner sense of peace about yourself, knowing that through his spirit, GOD has filled your emptiness with his presence—WOW!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Again this morning in quiet time God’s word is lining up with the vision of Kingdom Builders ministry. The scripture passage today was Acts 1: 4-8. Verse 8-But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—In Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (NLV).
Dr. Charles Stanley challenges us and I quote “God wants to use us, but He hasn’t left us to tackle the job on our own. The one who holds all the power and authority in the universe is with us step by step, and He has put that power within us through His Holy Spirit. Everything we need is at our fingertips. All that’s left is for us to follow the command to “Go!” Where will that command lead you today?
In my quiet time this morning (from Dr. Charles Stanley's In Touch Devotional) God led me to the scripture passage, Matthew 28: 18-20 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (NLT) Dr. Charles Stanley stated and I quote, “The Christian life is an active life—one dedicated to working, serving, sharing, and helping. Too often, we think that being a believer simply means showing up for church each Sunday morning and dropping something into the offering plate. That’s a good habit, but if it’s the sum total of your Christian life, you have missed the mark.”
What can you do right now to “go…and make disciples”? Think about things you can do today to respond to God’s call on you life?