This last weekend we celebrated FRIEND'S DAY at Valley Christian Center. We succeeded in having more people than ever before come to church on Sunday! It was very exciting!
I never cease to be amazed at what we can do when we all join together and work toward a common cause! I was amazed at how many people came that I did not know! When all was said and done, I was not able to get a total count becuase I could not remember all the faces and names. How cool is that??
I will continue to pray that those that came on Sunday will grow in the knowledge of Christ and that a seed has been planted that will grow into a marvelous work!
I am praying for you and your friends!
Thank you to those who worked so had to make this a great day!
Pastor Kevin
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Small Changes
Good Morning,
I was reading an article yesterday about AM/PM gas stations. One owner has several stores and every two days, he buys 1.3 million dollars worth of gas and will sell it for a TWO CENT profit per gallon. It got me to thinking how many gallons of gas, how many people and cars it must take to sell that much gas, and how often people must come in to get gas. This is just one owner of gas stations in the Northwest. Imagine how much gas must be sold every day when you combine all the stations and brands!
That is $600 Thousand dollars every day. At an average of $40 to $100 per tank of gas???? Wow. He owns less than 20 gas stations.
Do you ever wonder what kind of difference you are making in your world? Maybe you do not think it is much, but I believe that God wants us to continue to connect with people every day. Say a nice word in the morning, maybe a phone call in the afternoon, or a text, or email. I believe that is how God would have us change the world, one compliment at a time!
Maybe you are wondering what it will take to change your own life.... One small positive thought, One promise from God, One prayer can start a HUGE difference.
Let us remember Philippians 4:8 today. "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
I hope to see you in Church Sunday! Together we can change our community for Christ!
Pastor Kevin
I was reading an article yesterday about AM/PM gas stations. One owner has several stores and every two days, he buys 1.3 million dollars worth of gas and will sell it for a TWO CENT profit per gallon. It got me to thinking how many gallons of gas, how many people and cars it must take to sell that much gas, and how often people must come in to get gas. This is just one owner of gas stations in the Northwest. Imagine how much gas must be sold every day when you combine all the stations and brands!
That is $600 Thousand dollars every day. At an average of $40 to $100 per tank of gas???? Wow. He owns less than 20 gas stations.
Do you ever wonder what kind of difference you are making in your world? Maybe you do not think it is much, but I believe that God wants us to continue to connect with people every day. Say a nice word in the morning, maybe a phone call in the afternoon, or a text, or email. I believe that is how God would have us change the world, one compliment at a time!
Maybe you are wondering what it will take to change your own life.... One small positive thought, One promise from God, One prayer can start a HUGE difference.
Let us remember Philippians 4:8 today. "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
I hope to see you in Church Sunday! Together we can change our community for Christ!
Pastor Kevin
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Thinking about Values: Honor
This morning I was thinking about Honor, and how it affects every value in our life.
I realized that Christ Honored us when he laid down His life for us - but it did not start then, he lived a life of honor. When he was talking to the woman at Jacob's Well, he was honoring her. When He chose His disciples, He was honoring them. When he fed the 5000, He was honoring them. When he went to the wedding and changed the water into wine, He was honoring them! Even when he prayed to His Father, He said, "Not my will but thine be done".
Honor. We should follow Christ's example and honor others today. It can start from the the very moment you wake up. You can honor family members, you can honor fellow employees, and you can honor customers.
Pastor Kevin
I realized that Christ Honored us when he laid down His life for us - but it did not start then, he lived a life of honor. When he was talking to the woman at Jacob's Well, he was honoring her. When He chose His disciples, He was honoring them. When he fed the 5000, He was honoring them. When he went to the wedding and changed the water into wine, He was honoring them! Even when he prayed to His Father, He said, "Not my will but thine be done".
Honor. We should follow Christ's example and honor others today. It can start from the the very moment you wake up. You can honor family members, you can honor fellow employees, and you can honor customers.
Pastor Kevin
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Lofty Goals!!!!
Greetings Church!
Thank you for allowing me to revisit our prayer series last Sunday.
I am encouraged and amazed at how much we have changed over the last year. One year ago, the dream for Friend's Day was started - the term Revolutionary Prayer was birthed, and now a year later - what a difference!
I want to thank those of you that have really inspired me to be who I am today. The prayers you have prayed, the emails I have received, phone calls, and texts. I could not continue without the support of a church body that I know is incredible!!!!! You are AWESOME!! The incredible thing to me is that none of you expects perfection. You have allowed me time to grow, change and improve!
Tonight as I sit in the sanctuary praying - I am pondering a comment that has been troubling me. Someone felt my goals were too lofty, and not for them. I an troubled by the fact that a good leader will cast the vision and it creates excitement for what God is going to do, so I thought I would just reflect again on what I believe God has called VCC to Sumner to do!!
We are here to see people saved. Christ died on the cross for our sins. It is our duty to bring people into an environment where they will have an opportunity to experience God.
We are here to worship God. I strive to see us enter into singing and praise, prayer and worship of the one true living God.
We are here to observe God to show His strength. I believe that the miracles of God will speak for themselves. What use is there in serving a God that cannot prove He exists?
We are here to create a service that is relevant to daily living out God's word! We are not here to create a group of "better than you", "holier than thou", or "they are so heavenly minded they are no earthly good" type of people.
We are here to train up our children in the way they should go! Godly training in a way that will help our children.
We are here to invest in the Kingdom of God and store up treasure in heaven.
We have almost half a million people withing 10 miles of VCC that did not go to church anywhere on Sunday. They are on record that they do not believe in God. They are the "lost", our mission field. God has put us here to make a difference. I do not know how we will do this. But I know that I will work every day to figure out ways to help us grow into more effective evangelists in our city.
Friend's Day is coming. Last year, 59 people came. This year I believe that we will have more people here than ever before. The espresso machine is running. I am working feverishly to get the room set up. I am spending time praying and fasting. I desire to make an investment into lives because Jesus made an investment in us!
So for those of you who are wondering why I would take on such a lofty goal - It is because we have the responsibility of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to share with our friends. We serve a God that loves us. We have the best news in town.
I hope that you will begin to pray that this fall will be REVOLUTIONARY in your life, and in the life of VCC, a CENTER for what God wants to do in Pierce County.
I am praying for you! I am praying for your friends and neighbors!
Pastor Kevin
Thank you for allowing me to revisit our prayer series last Sunday.
I am encouraged and amazed at how much we have changed over the last year. One year ago, the dream for Friend's Day was started - the term Revolutionary Prayer was birthed, and now a year later - what a difference!
I want to thank those of you that have really inspired me to be who I am today. The prayers you have prayed, the emails I have received, phone calls, and texts. I could not continue without the support of a church body that I know is incredible!!!!! You are AWESOME!! The incredible thing to me is that none of you expects perfection. You have allowed me time to grow, change and improve!
Tonight as I sit in the sanctuary praying - I am pondering a comment that has been troubling me. Someone felt my goals were too lofty, and not for them. I an troubled by the fact that a good leader will cast the vision and it creates excitement for what God is going to do, so I thought I would just reflect again on what I believe God has called VCC to Sumner to do!!
We are here to see people saved. Christ died on the cross for our sins. It is our duty to bring people into an environment where they will have an opportunity to experience God.
We are here to worship God. I strive to see us enter into singing and praise, prayer and worship of the one true living God.
We are here to observe God to show His strength. I believe that the miracles of God will speak for themselves. What use is there in serving a God that cannot prove He exists?
We are here to create a service that is relevant to daily living out God's word! We are not here to create a group of "better than you", "holier than thou", or "they are so heavenly minded they are no earthly good" type of people.
We are here to train up our children in the way they should go! Godly training in a way that will help our children.
We are here to invest in the Kingdom of God and store up treasure in heaven.
We have almost half a million people withing 10 miles of VCC that did not go to church anywhere on Sunday. They are on record that they do not believe in God. They are the "lost", our mission field. God has put us here to make a difference. I do not know how we will do this. But I know that I will work every day to figure out ways to help us grow into more effective evangelists in our city.
Friend's Day is coming. Last year, 59 people came. This year I believe that we will have more people here than ever before. The espresso machine is running. I am working feverishly to get the room set up. I am spending time praying and fasting. I desire to make an investment into lives because Jesus made an investment in us!
So for those of you who are wondering why I would take on such a lofty goal - It is because we have the responsibility of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to share with our friends. We serve a God that loves us. We have the best news in town.
I hope that you will begin to pray that this fall will be REVOLUTIONARY in your life, and in the life of VCC, a CENTER for what God wants to do in Pierce County.
I am praying for you! I am praying for your friends and neighbors!
Pastor Kevin
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Friend's Day - March 20 - was a miracle!
Good morning (It is 1:30 AM Monday Morning),
I am still up and excited about what God is doing. Yesterday was an incredible day of watching what God would do at Valley Christian Center.
I would like to write out what God was doing. I want to give Him glory, by listing out things that I would consider a miracle:
1. Linda came to me first on Sunday and let me know that her son would be with us. Linda has talked about him for the six years I have known her, and to see him and his family in church is a miracle.
2. My brother and sister-in-law were with us!! I enjoyed seeing him all dressed up. In a suite no less!
3. Luke's Dad was with us!!! God is Good!!!!
4. Daniel Denton and family were with us. They totally blew my mind when they showed up.
5. Tanya was a total surprise, and a blessing to see the excitement of what God is doing.
6. Worship was great on Sunday. The worship team, transitioned out of a hard prayer time in the morning and I watched in amazement as God was real in our worship! We have some genuine worshipers on our team.
7. I listened to the heart of our worship team before church and we have a great group that wants the move of God in our church. Luke ministered to me as he voiced his desire for our congregation to come forward and be in God's presence!!
8. Are you aware that 6 people raised their hands to our alter call today? (I hope not or you were looking!) :-) In almost three years, this is the first time anyone has raised their hands to signify that God was working on their heart. I was starting to wonder if I was making an impact!
9. I could not believe how long everyone stayed after service! Praise the Lord!!!! Our guests were with us for almost two hours after the service ended!
10. Jeff and Juli Lazzuri started today as our youth leaders! God is going to impact our church through the youth and I am excited about the ministry that will come out of this.
Thank you to everyone that has been praying for our church, friends, and family.
When times get hard, I will look back to these miracles and be encouraged!
I hope that you are too!
Pastor Kevin
I am still up and excited about what God is doing. Yesterday was an incredible day of watching what God would do at Valley Christian Center.
I would like to write out what God was doing. I want to give Him glory, by listing out things that I would consider a miracle:
1. Linda came to me first on Sunday and let me know that her son would be with us. Linda has talked about him for the six years I have known her, and to see him and his family in church is a miracle.
2. My brother and sister-in-law were with us!! I enjoyed seeing him all dressed up. In a suite no less!
3. Luke's Dad was with us!!! God is Good!!!!
4. Daniel Denton and family were with us. They totally blew my mind when they showed up.
5. Tanya was a total surprise, and a blessing to see the excitement of what God is doing.
6. Worship was great on Sunday. The worship team, transitioned out of a hard prayer time in the morning and I watched in amazement as God was real in our worship! We have some genuine worshipers on our team.
7. I listened to the heart of our worship team before church and we have a great group that wants the move of God in our church. Luke ministered to me as he voiced his desire for our congregation to come forward and be in God's presence!!
8. Are you aware that 6 people raised their hands to our alter call today? (I hope not or you were looking!) :-) In almost three years, this is the first time anyone has raised their hands to signify that God was working on their heart. I was starting to wonder if I was making an impact!
9. I could not believe how long everyone stayed after service! Praise the Lord!!!! Our guests were with us for almost two hours after the service ended!
10. Jeff and Juli Lazzuri started today as our youth leaders! God is going to impact our church through the youth and I am excited about the ministry that will come out of this.
Thank you to everyone that has been praying for our church, friends, and family.
When times get hard, I will look back to these miracles and be encouraged!
I hope that you are too!
Pastor Kevin
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friend's Day
Today I have three different friends facing the potential loss of a mother, step father, or grandfather. I received the first call last night from an employee who let me know that his mom was only given a few hours. One week ago she was doing fine, then had a stroke. Her liver shut down yesterday and all indications were that she would not make it until midnight. This moringing I received notice from Jeff and Juli that his grandpa was given only a few hours. My boss' step dad is in St. Joe and he is struggling from day to day and he has been told he will not be going home.
Please keep these families in your prayers today. Life is a gift from God - we do not know when our day will come.
Going into Friend's Day, think about who you would like to spend eternity with. It is our priviledge to share the Gospel with our friends and family. In fact, it is our duty, our great commission, it is the least we can do.
So today, my burden is not that we would look forward to a great day, a fun day.... my burden is that we would see our unsaved friends introduced to Christ is a way that will change their life, and their eternal home.
Yes, it is a sad day for my friends and family - but Christ gave His life for us that we may live. Death is much easier to face when we know they have accepted Christ as their Savior!
Talk to you soon,
PK
Please keep these families in your prayers today. Life is a gift from God - we do not know when our day will come.
Going into Friend's Day, think about who you would like to spend eternity with. It is our priviledge to share the Gospel with our friends and family. In fact, it is our duty, our great commission, it is the least we can do.
So today, my burden is not that we would look forward to a great day, a fun day.... my burden is that we would see our unsaved friends introduced to Christ is a way that will change their life, and their eternal home.
Yes, it is a sad day for my friends and family - but Christ gave His life for us that we may live. Death is much easier to face when we know they have accepted Christ as their Savior!
Talk to you soon,
PK
Monday, March 7, 2011
Mouse in the House
This was originally emaild 8-16-10 Placed in this BLOG only becuase it was a favorite of those receiving the Revolutionary Prayer emails!
Yesterday, instead of working on the long list of things that I need to get done, I spent 6 hours cleaning up after a mouse that decided to make it's home in my house.
Did you know a mouse only needs a 1/4 inch hole to get in? A mouse can have a litter in 3 weeks - up to 20 more little buggers who one month later will be running around. And every month they can repeat this. The mess mice make is nasty. This one ruined a lot of dry goods by eating through the plastic. Mice in the walls will eat through electrical lines causing shorts, and through plastic pipes, causing leaks. Mice carry disease that can make you sick without you even coming in contact with the mouse.
I got up this morning and none of my traps were productive, and I found more of those little terds.
So then I sat down to read my devotions. I went to Romans 6 on pastor's recommendation during the sermon yesterday.
Sin is like this mouse. It only needs a small weakness to creep into your life, can infest your life quite quickly, and one day leave you wondering how come your life is a mess. And just like this mouse, you have no idea when it started, you just started noticing the signs one day.
So before you delete, save, or forward this email, stop and pray to the "Exterminator of Sin" in your life and allow God to both expose the sin in your life and to get you on the road to removing it permanently! The price was paid on the cross 2000 years ago, so take advantage of what God wants to do in your life!
Yesterday, instead of working on the long list of things that I need to get done, I spent 6 hours cleaning up after a mouse that decided to make it's home in my house.
Did you know a mouse only needs a 1/4 inch hole to get in? A mouse can have a litter in 3 weeks - up to 20 more little buggers who one month later will be running around. And every month they can repeat this. The mess mice make is nasty. This one ruined a lot of dry goods by eating through the plastic. Mice in the walls will eat through electrical lines causing shorts, and through plastic pipes, causing leaks. Mice carry disease that can make you sick without you even coming in contact with the mouse.
I got up this morning and none of my traps were productive, and I found more of those little terds.
So then I sat down to read my devotions. I went to Romans 6 on pastor's recommendation during the sermon yesterday.
Sin is like this mouse. It only needs a small weakness to creep into your life, can infest your life quite quickly, and one day leave you wondering how come your life is a mess. And just like this mouse, you have no idea when it started, you just started noticing the signs one day.
So before you delete, save, or forward this email, stop and pray to the "Exterminator of Sin" in your life and allow God to both expose the sin in your life and to get you on the road to removing it permanently! The price was paid on the cross 2000 years ago, so take advantage of what God wants to do in your life!
It's the LAW
Interesting thought of the day....
On my way to work this morning I was contemplating a conversation about "Christians" and "Law". I was deep in thought when the car in front of me cut me off.....
I was ticked. That's not right, stupid van, I should honk...... I settled down and resumed my ponderings. It wasn't a few miles until another car pulled over in front of me and I was certainly irratated. "What is up today" I asked myself........
Then as I traveled River Road, a long straight stretch of road it hit me. As a Christian, I am free from the law. I am free from the rules of the Old Covenant. I am a NEW TESTAMENT Christian. I do not live under the law. In the Old Testament, 10% tithe. In the New Testament the Christians sold everything they had and gave it to the church (See Acts 3 & 4). In the Old Testament, they worshipped only at the temple, but in the New Testament they met in homes as they had nowhere else to gather. In the New Testament, if I act in a manner that another goes astray, I am guilty of their life. Hmmmmmm. Just wondering about all that law stuff.
But as I drove, I thought about those cars that cut me off. Our current day law gives me the right to stand my ground and keep them from moving over. But I am free from the law in that my heart should be to allow them room to move. My Bible teaches me to LOVE MY NEIGHBOR. Yes that would be the car beside me.
Free from the law - Still thinking about it, but when I merged onto I-5 I put my turn signal on to change lanes. In my mirror, I noticed the guy behind me in the same lane had his turn signal on as well. I paused, turned off my signal and let him merge over and pass me. Yup, I am free from the law becuase my heart is to bless others. I moved over behind him and I felt much better. I understand better.
Who cares what the law is if I am busy putting others first?
Yes, there are things we do that please God.
Praying for you!
Pastor Kevin
On my way to work this morning I was contemplating a conversation about "Christians" and "Law". I was deep in thought when the car in front of me cut me off.....
I was ticked. That's not right, stupid van, I should honk...... I settled down and resumed my ponderings. It wasn't a few miles until another car pulled over in front of me and I was certainly irratated. "What is up today" I asked myself........
Then as I traveled River Road, a long straight stretch of road it hit me. As a Christian, I am free from the law. I am free from the rules of the Old Covenant. I am a NEW TESTAMENT Christian. I do not live under the law. In the Old Testament, 10% tithe. In the New Testament the Christians sold everything they had and gave it to the church (See Acts 3 & 4). In the Old Testament, they worshipped only at the temple, but in the New Testament they met in homes as they had nowhere else to gather. In the New Testament, if I act in a manner that another goes astray, I am guilty of their life. Hmmmmmm. Just wondering about all that law stuff.
But as I drove, I thought about those cars that cut me off. Our current day law gives me the right to stand my ground and keep them from moving over. But I am free from the law in that my heart should be to allow them room to move. My Bible teaches me to LOVE MY NEIGHBOR. Yes that would be the car beside me.
Free from the law - Still thinking about it, but when I merged onto I-5 I put my turn signal on to change lanes. In my mirror, I noticed the guy behind me in the same lane had his turn signal on as well. I paused, turned off my signal and let him merge over and pass me. Yup, I am free from the law becuase my heart is to bless others. I moved over behind him and I felt much better. I understand better.
Who cares what the law is if I am busy putting others first?
Yes, there are things we do that please God.
Praying for you!
Pastor Kevin
Friday, March 4, 2011
It's Friday!
Good Morning,
Sunday is just around the corner and I want to prepare you for a rather serious question, "Who are you inviting to Friend's Day?"
It is time to update our Prayer List for the overhead, so if you can let me know, we will be putting names up to pray for!
Also, I am honored to acknowledge the hard work that Connie has put into building a web site for the church. It is changing almost Daily, and each time there are great upgrades. Check it out at ValleyChristianCenterSumner.com. This was part of my project that a lot of you helped me with by writing a Letter of Recommendation! It is worth your time!
As part of this project was to also create a BLOG and you will find it at PKYOUNG.blogspot.com. For now I will try to post my morning email on it. This will allow you to respond to everyone that is reading the blog. I send this email out with blind copy so that those of you who get this but do not want your emails released do not have to worry about it. So when I get those great responses, I am the only one that receives them. On the BLOG, when you respond it should be available for everyone to read.
Talk to you soon!
PK
Sunday is just around the corner and I want to prepare you for a rather serious question, "Who are you inviting to Friend's Day?"
It is time to update our Prayer List for the overhead, so if you can let me know, we will be putting names up to pray for!
Also, I am honored to acknowledge the hard work that Connie has put into building a web site for the church. It is changing almost Daily, and each time there are great upgrades. Check it out at ValleyChristianCenterSumner.com. This was part of my project that a lot of you helped me with by writing a Letter of Recommendation! It is worth your time!
As part of this project was to also create a BLOG and you will find it at PKYOUNG.blogspot.com. For now I will try to post my morning email on it. This will allow you to respond to everyone that is reading the blog. I send this email out with blind copy so that those of you who get this but do not want your emails released do not have to worry about it. So when I get those great responses, I am the only one that receives them. On the BLOG, when you respond it should be available for everyone to read.
Talk to you soon!
PK
Thursday, March 3, 2011
The Sick Man Inside Me
Good Morning!
Last night as I was trying to go to sleep, I was wondering what to write this morning and I had an interesting thought about healing.
My household has been crazy sick. Each of us has been down with Strep, Bronchitis, fevers, coughing, and now Nicholas was diagnosed with Pneumonia. The toll on our house is astounding. We have missed church, canceled classes, come home early from work on several occasions, and I haven't even started on the Dr. bills, medicine, and over the counter meds. I'm tired. Both the kids and I have missed school, and I am behind in my homework.
The worst part, though is that I was thinking about how long it has been since we have spent time with any of our friends and family. It's been TWO MONTHS. So for those of you who are thinking, "Wow, where has Kevin been" - now you know. I have not invited anyone over, or gone to anywhere since the trip to Kansas.
So as I drifted off to sleep, I was impressed with the feeling that this is what Sin is like in our life. It wears a person down. It keeps a person from hanging out with the people you really want to hang out with. It zaps your energy and leaves you dragging.
Today, as we pray for healing of our body, remember our friends that do not know salvation. There is a sick man inside us that need the power of God to be healed.
I am praying for you TODAY!
I am praying for your friends and family!
I am praying for that sick man inside us that you will be healed and know the salvation of God!
Pastor Kevin
Last night as I was trying to go to sleep, I was wondering what to write this morning and I had an interesting thought about healing.
My household has been crazy sick. Each of us has been down with Strep, Bronchitis, fevers, coughing, and now Nicholas was diagnosed with Pneumonia. The toll on our house is astounding. We have missed church, canceled classes, come home early from work on several occasions, and I haven't even started on the Dr. bills, medicine, and over the counter meds. I'm tired. Both the kids and I have missed school, and I am behind in my homework.
The worst part, though is that I was thinking about how long it has been since we have spent time with any of our friends and family. It's been TWO MONTHS. So for those of you who are thinking, "Wow, where has Kevin been" - now you know. I have not invited anyone over, or gone to anywhere since the trip to Kansas.
So as I drifted off to sleep, I was impressed with the feeling that this is what Sin is like in our life. It wears a person down. It keeps a person from hanging out with the people you really want to hang out with. It zaps your energy and leaves you dragging.
Today, as we pray for healing of our body, remember our friends that do not know salvation. There is a sick man inside us that need the power of God to be healed.
I am praying for you TODAY!
I am praying for your friends and family!
I am praying for that sick man inside us that you will be healed and know the salvation of God!
Pastor Kevin
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Hello this is my first Post!
Wow, I never knew how much work setting up a website, blog, FaceBook, Twitter, and fan page can be!
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