News from the Fellowship of Joy

What's happening in Fresno - The Walmat Hunger Initiative

2010-12-31T11:26:00.000-08:00

STEP UP – Week One

2009-02-14T23:21:00.001-08:00

Seek God …

See His Vision …

Save Room for Him to Work!

STEP UP

Step up to the plate and focus on the ball.

Seek God and His Will!

Step up to the plate and envision the homerun He has in store for you, your church, and your ministry.

See a Vision of a Bright and God Inspired Future!

Put away all thoughts, concerns, and obstacles to being 100% available for what God can do and wants to do.

Save Room for God to Work in Your Life, Ministry, and Church!

Your Tasks for This Week

Today

Jot down names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or whatever contact information you have for 3-5 people who need to be invited to the STEP UP banquet. Give them to Ann or Russ Ann before leaving.
Pick up 1 or more extra copies of this pull out and bulletins for whoever you notice is not here. Drop it off on the way home or sometime early this week – or drop it in the mail tomorrow.
Make sure that you have cleared March 14 at 5:00 P.M. on your calendar for the STEP UP banquet.

During the Week

Do the daily devotions in this fold-over along with your regular devotions.
Pray personally for the work of the Fellowship of Joy, for our finances, for our long-term vision, for our short term goals, for people to come to know Jesus, for people to unite with our fellowship, and for all of our people to become sold-out followers of Jesus Christ. Pray for each of our members that God brings to your heart and the people you know who need Jesus.
Pray that God will help you to SEEK-SEE- SAVE ROOM and that he will reveal any impediment to these goals in your life and help you to remove them.
Find one or two prayer partners with whom you can share these concerns in prayer every day on the phone, by email, or in person.
Let God prepare your heart for the great things he wants to do in your life over the next six weeks.

SERMON: Luke 7:11-17 – When Hope Dies, Ministry Begins

Scripture quotes from "The New International Version" © International Bible Society

No one in Jesus' entourage that day what they were about to see. All they knew was that with Jesus, it would be interesting. What they did not know was that He would illustrate His power to intervene in a time of hopelessness to bring hope and would model the very principles we are considering today: seeking God, seeing a vision from God, and leaving room in our lives for God to work as He will.

⁽¹¹⁾ Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.

First, in the first verse, there were many just "going along" with Jesus. Have you ever been in that crowd? Just going along? Not entirely engaged, yet seeking? Seeking God is the key to a life of hope and purpose. When we truly seek and follow, we are going to be in for some surprises and some new insights.

⁽¹²⁾ As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out – the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.

Have you ever found yourself at the convergence of conflicting crowds? Both are large, but one exudes hope while the other is preoccupied with death and despair. Here, the Jesus crowd meets the funeral crowd and what happens in explosive. But, because it is Jesus who is leading His crowd, He leads with compassion, sensitivity, and understanding. Sometimes the vision God has for us begins with seeing the world as it is, where pain is real and hope has died. Many lives are touched by the specific pain of one person. Pain radiates. In our world today, many are in pain and many more are affected by that pain. This may be the Pepsi generation, but Pepsi spelled upside down reads: IS DED.

⁽¹³⁾ When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."

Here is an acronym for the word, "cry:"

Crisis

Remorse

Yearning

Seeing a vision involves being touched by the pain and cries of another and being willing for our hearts to go out to those who hurt. If we are truly the people of Jesus, our lives will be characterized by the compassion of Jesus. We will not be able to hold back our hearts from the hurts of the world.

Hope had died for this woman. Not only had she lost her son, but she had lost her entire support system. Her future was very bleak, but Jesus speaks hope into her heart from his own broken heart with the words, "Don't cry." Here is yet another acronym, built on the word, "heart:"

Heavenly

Engagement

Always

Reaching and

Touching

That is the heart of Jesus. Heaven-sent, He is always engaged at the deepest levels, reaching out to us and touching us at our points of profound and soul wrenching need.

⁽¹⁴⁾ Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up," ⁽¹⁵⁾The dead man stood up and began to talk and Jesus gavehim back to his mother.

From being touched by the pain to touching that which was dead, Jesus demonstrated what it is for us to save room for God to work in the lives of people who are hopeless and in our own lives. This touch is nothing less than God touching him, disregarding any concerns for ceremonial defilement, Jesus touches death. He then tells the dead man to get up and returns him to his mother. When we are touched by the hand of Jesus and when we allow His hand to touch others through our touch, we are making room for God's work in our lives and in theirs. As He speaks to us to "GET UP," we are called also to "STEP UP" and be counted in his service. He would have us seeking him while being touched with a vision of the pain of the world and of how life can be with his healing, grace, and transformation. Then he would have us reach out and touch the pain of the world, thus saving room for him to work in us and through us to bring the change that will transform.

⁽¹⁶⁾ They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said, "God has come to help his people. ⁽¹⁷⁾ This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

A ministry's reputation is built on just this kind of word of mouth. All who behold it will bear witness to it. Ours is to demonstrate. Then they will propagate the good news that when hope dies, it can live again.

2009-02-14T23:02:00.001-08:00

I AM STEPPING UP WITH THESE NAMES of folks to invite to the banquet:

Please give us whatever information you have, even if it is incomplete, including names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and your number.

Your Name _______________

Your # __________________

Your EMAIL :

My Friends Are:

STEP UP DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS for February 16-22

2009-02-14T22:47:00.001-08:00

Monday, February 16 -(Jeremiah 10:23 ) "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."- We like to think we are in charge of everything in our lives. In reality, we are only in charge of our choices, our beliefs, and our attitudes. Our task is to seek God through everything else, to be open to Him and to be ready to be obedient to the vision that He plants in our hearts .

Tuesday, February 17 - (Romans 4:12) …who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham…." The promises of God transcend time and lineage and are extended to all come to Him in faith. What God offered Abraham in terms of a vision of significance for His life, is available for us. We can be blessed to be a blessing to others. In your seeking and visioning this day, are you saving room for the great things God wants to do in and through you?

Wednesday, February18 - (I Peter 2:21 ) "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" – We are called to walk in the steps of Jesus, whether those steps lead through paths of suffering or of glory. He is our example. Let us follow Him. Ask Him to help you see the path He where He is leading and His vision for a future. Then, make room in your life for Him to lead you.

Thursday, February 19 – (Heb 11:6) "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." God demands much of us in faith because He demands much of Himself in what he intends to give in response to our faith. He rewards those who seek Him with true diligence of heart and energy He rewards us with vision and fulfillment if we will make room in our busy and distracted lives for him to work..

Friday, February 20 - (Heb 11:14) "For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country". We, the people of God, on the journey of faith, are seeking something that has not yet appeared. That requires faith and vision. Where are your longings? What part of you cries out to God for what God alone can accomplish? Hang your faith there. Let Him develop the vision within you. Let Him bring it to pass.

Saturday, February 21 - (Col 3:1) "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Having been risen with Christ, Christ becomes our focus and where He is, there we are going. Why should we long for anything outside of His purposes?

Sunday, February 22 - (Heb 13:14)" For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." Nothing of this world lasts. Everything in God's purpose endures. Given the outcome, what will you choose in which to invest your life?

How is God speaking to you this week?

STEP UP DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS - Week of February 9-15

2009-02-09T11:12:00.001-08:00

This is a little late, but it works:

Monday, February 9 -(Psalm 73:2 ) "But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped." - Faith is not equivalent to overconfidence. It is not about being careless about our ways. If it were not for God, our feet would slip. Without God, left to our own devices, slippage is a probability. Never forget that it is God who makes you to stand and sustains you. You need Him .

Tuesday, February 10 - (Psalm 85:13) "Righteousness shall go before him; and he shall set us on the way of his steps." -Among the good things God gives is His righteousness. Righteousness being rightly related to God and others and being on the right path in the right direction. When His righteousness envelopes us, He sets us on the way of His steps - not ours. His intent is to establish us in His way. To the extent that such is your prayer and the intent of your heart, it shall be granted. How does this inform your praying today?.

Wednesday, February11 - (Psalm 85:13b ) "... the way of his steps" - What might "the way of his steps" mean? Perhaps we are tempted to know too soon the answer for that question when God intends for us to seek, follow, notice, and celebrate. One of the great temptations of modern man is to rush too quickly into definition. Definitions limit. God expands His way before us. Start seeking.

Thursday, February 12 - .(Psalm 119:33 ) "Order my steps in thy word; and let not iniquity have dominion over me" It is not so hard to learn how to pray. We need only open the scriptures and emulate the great prayers there. None is greater, deeper, and more transforming that this one. It is two fold. The first part is for God to bring us into complete agreement with Him - our lives aligned with His word. The second is for freedom from sin. Sin has the affect of lording itself over us. The prayer of the saint is that it will be rendered powerless in our lives.

Friday, February 13 - (Proverbs 4:12 ) " When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened (hampered, restrained; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble" There are some conditions for this promise of not hineded steps and freedom from stumbling. Fist, we will value and embrace wisdom. Second, we will listen to good advice. We will be willingly guided,. We will avoid evil. We will guard out hearts and lips. We will tune our focus. We will keep on the path. These are the conditions of a walk that is sure footed and not hindered. How is that working out for you?

Saturday, February14 - (Proverbs 16:9 ) "A man deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." - While you are working on everything else in your life and attempting to "get it right," don't forget that God is ultimately in charge. Anything short of trusting Him will leave you bereft of hope and stumbling without direction.

Sunday, February 15
- (Psa 16:0 ) "... the LORD directeth his steps" While you are seeking, following, noticing, and celebrating, pay attention to this question: How has God been directing my steps recently and where does He seem to be leading me?

STEP UP DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS - Week of February 2-8

2009-01-31T16:20:00.001-08:00

Monday, February 2 -"(2 Sam 22:37 ) Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.." - God has given you enough room to walk wherever He wants you to go. While it may seem that the circumstances of your life are overly restrictive and crippling for your ministry, the Lord who has called you knows what you need in order to fulfill your calling. Trust in Him.

Tuesday, February 3 - "(Job 14:16 ) For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?" - Even in His sorrow and pain, Job understood that he had not escaped God's attention. He is paying attention to you as well. Sometimes we think that God is sleeping or unaware of our struggles. He is not. He is watching over you always. When you step up and when you fall back, His eye is on you. He has you in focus.

Wednesday, February 4 - "(Job 31:4 ) Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?" - God is counting your steps. He knows how far you need to go and how far you can go. He knows when you will need for Him to provide an oasis. He knows when you need encouragement. He is watching you, equipping you, and providing for you. He not only knows your present circumstances, but He has scouted out the path ahead of you. Trust in the Lord.

Thursday, February 5 - ."(Psa 18:36 ) Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip." We read these words Monday from a different text. You will not lose your footing if you walk where God leads you. The way may seem precariously narrow and treacherous, but God is with you and has mapped out the course that He is leading you to follow. So, follow it.

Friday, February 6 - "(Psa 37:23 ) The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way." God's people can be assured that they are never abandoned to guess about how and where to walk in their obedience to Christ. There is an abundance of guidance to lead us along the way. Even if we feel that we have not heard from God in a long time, we need only to open the scriptures to find enough divine leadership to last a lifetime if we will but follow it. When we do, we find ourselves in a place of great delight!

Saturday, February 7 - "(Psa 37:31 ) The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide." - When, and to the extent that God's Word is embedded in your heart and assimilated into your life, your steps remain steady. You do not fall. To the extent that we insist on our own way, we are prone to slippage. We may have trouble when we are in the will of God. He may lead us into a valley of failure in order to tain and educate us, but He will never lead us into utter devastation.

Sunday, February 8
- "(Psa 44:18 ) Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;" May we come to the end of the day and the end of our lives with this prayer of testimony, that we have followed where God has led and delighted in doing so. Amen.

Report from the Retreat

2009-01-25T07:30:00.001-08:00

202/STEP UP Retreat Report

Vision Question: "If God placed a dream deep inside you and that dream became a reality, would the world become a better place?" - Erwin Raphael McManus Two Big Dates: 2020 in just 11 years + 1 month & Age 55 (AARP and Hometown Buffet next year)

FOCUS Groups that Reflect Our Values and Corporate Culture

The Young – and those with a young outlook on life.

The Poor – and those who are called to minister to the poor

The Broken – from all walks of life and levels of economic status. We are all broken.

The Dreamers – business, social, & spiritual entrepreneurs who see things that never were and say, "Why not?"

CORE Calling: The Great Commandment (Our Ethical Calling), The Great Commission (Our Doctrinal Calling), The Spirit Upon Us (Our Missional Calling).

On Friday night, we celebrated things we do well: welcoming of all ages and types of people, singing, openness to the broken, skate ministry, diversity, home like atmosphere, fellowship, squeezing dollars, sharing ministries, time flexibility, opportunities, potential, potlucks, VBS, being busy and active, sharing community resources.

We also listed areas for improvement: outreach, singing, youth and children's activities, training, reaching parents of kids involved, gardens and food ministries, personal evangelism, singles, community dinners, the physical plant.

We brainstormed some ideal ministries and outreaches through: quilting, book clubs, family fun nights, neighborhood watch, movie nights, Purpose Driven Life study, tutoring, recipe section on the web site.

We also passed on the mission statement, core values, and statement of beliefs.

A Mission Statement:
To call people to life change and participation in God's Kingdom through the message of Good News in Jesus Christ

A Statement of Core Values:

We value people: The Fellowship of Joy is a friendly and welcoming community of faith
We value the Word of God: The Fellowship of Joy seeks to present Bible truths in a clear, practical, and interesting manner.
We value human dignity and freedom as well as Biblical morality: The Fellowship of Joy is a church that is accepting and non-judgmental without compromising on crucial moral issues or spiritual truth.
We value grace: The Fellowship of Joy is joyful and fun in its practice of spiritual growth and ministry in an atmosphere of grace.
We value relationships: The Fellowship of Joy is a community where people find deep and fulfilling friendships.
We value our heritage: The Fellowship of Joy at Baptist Temple is a Baptist church and is committed to the priesthood of the believer, the autonomy of the local church, and partnership with other churches in the cause of worldwide missions.
We value the Mission of God in our own city and around the world: The Fellowship of Joy is "missional" and engaged in the life of the community as an agent of God's transformation with a spirit of excitement and action.

Deep Beliefs (Doctrinal Statement or Statement of Beliefs):

We believe in the Triune God – Father Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the authority and reliability of the Bible.
We believe that Jesus was miraculously conceived, lived a holy life, called men and women to repentance, died for our sins, arose from the dead, ascended into Heaven, sent the gift of the Holy Spirit to baptize and fill believers, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and is coming again to judge the living and the dead and reign forever.
We believe that human beings were made in God's image, have fallen due to sin, need a Savior, and must individually receive the free gift of God's grace and mercy in Jesus Christ and make Him Lord of their lives in order to be saved and inherit eternal life.
We believe that the kingdom of God is both present and future and is the reign of Jesus Christ in the lives of people, in the church, and in the world.
We believe that the local church is an autonomous body of believers in Jesus Christ who gather to worship, serve, proclaim the Kingdom message, and fellowship with each other, that the two ordinances of the church are believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper, and that every member of the body is a priest before God, called into covenant with the other members, and called and gifted for ministry. The leaders and equippers of the ministers are called pastors.
We believe that Christians are called to live by biblical standards of morality and ethics and that it is the role of the local church to teach godly principles, aid in spiritual growth, and provide accountability relationships for its members.
We believe that the local church and its members are part of a larger, universal body of believers comprising all who have ever followed Jesus and that it must cooperate with other Christians of like mind and purpose in the mission of God in the world.

Vision/Dream for 2020 – A Picture of the Future

We are a HUB for ministries that touch and transform our community.

Reaching our community for Christ through ministries such as counseling, addiction reclamation, food and nutrition ministries, children's ministries, job creation, and manufacturing.

We SEE the community (community development) – Support, Encourage, Equip

We support the people of our community in their own efforts to build community.

We encourage them through our involvement and through the gospel.

We equip them to build by partnering with them.

We GATHER as multiple congregations in one facility and in multiple locations to be the church.

We have 10 or more worship gatherings on site reaching diverse groups.

We plant congregations off site that remain a part of our church.

We gather from time to time as one body.

We SCATTER as we send our members into the entire world and remain connected to them.

We intentionally train send, and support our members in going out into the world on mission.

Goals

We did not finish this process. We did develop some goals for a couple of these areas for 2020 and several for the year 2010. It was felt that one of the goals that would be necessary to accomplish and finance our vision would be to increase the size of our base. This will require more work and another meeting or two.

Increase our level of membership involvement/engagement in ministry to 100%.
- Every member part of a ministry TEAM – even for solo ministries, people will gather a team for support, accountability, and prayer. This will also serve to involve every member in a small group since this team will engage in all the purposes of the local church. – Target: 2010
- Method – Action Plans
  - Celebration – We must recognize each ministry, inside and outside the church and celebrate it.
  - Invitation – One person invites another to join in.
  - Equipping – We must develop a process for moving people from spectators to full participants in ministry.
- By 2020, 100% of the members will continue to be engaged in ministry teams and people will be coming to BT/FOJ for the purpose of engaging.
Develop a clear process of discipleship and ministry training by 2010.
Increase our capacity.
- By 2010 – an average attendance of 100 in all the worship gatherings sponsored by our church.
- By 2020 – an average attendance of 2020 in all the worship gatherings sponsored by our church.
- By 2010 – Increase our giving (stabilize) at $120,000 per year.

2009-01-25T07:29:00.001-08:00

What are we trying to do with 2020 and with STEP UP?

Review of both processes

Review of Pressing Needs

Introduction of Financial Peace University

Why the Vision Thing?

Vision Question: "If God placed a dream deep inside you and that dream became a reality, would the world become a better place?" - Erwin Raphael McManus

For 2020 VISION:

13% 87%

REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NEAR. - So what are we about if it is not to call people to life change under God's new big deal?

Two Big Dates: 2020 in just 11 years + 1 month & Age 55 (AARP and Hometown Buffet next year)

We must develop a positive and bold strategy to proclaim good news of God's Kingdom and call people to life change.

God has placed us …

Inner city

New generation

A strange pastor

Worldwide turmoil

Concern for the poor

ADD church

Multiple Everything!

Plant Churches Where We Are – Cultural/Language – Cyber – Age

FOCUS Groups that Reflect Our Values and Corporate Culture

The Young

The Poor

The Broken

The Dreamers

CORE Calling: The Great Commandment (Our Ethical Calling), The Great Commission (Our Doctrinal Calling), The Spirit Upon Us (Our Missional Calling).

We need

A Mission Statement:
To call people to life change and participation in God's Kingdom through the message of Good News in Jesus Christ

A Statement of Core Values:

We value people: The Fellowship of Joy is a friendly and welcoming community of faith
We value the Word of God: The Fellowship of Joy seeks to present Bible truths in a clear, practical, and interesting manner.
We value human dignity and freedom as well as Biblical morality: The Fellowship of Joy is a church that is accepting and non-judgmental without compromising on crucial moral issues or spiritual truth.
We value grace: The Fellowship of Joy is joyful and fun in its practice of spiritual growth and ministry in an atmosphere of grace.
We value relationships: The Fellowship of Joy is a community where people find deep and fulfilling friendships.
We value our heritage: The Fellowship of Joy at Baptist Temple is a Baptist church and is committed to the priesthood of the believer, the autonomy of the local church, and partnership with other churches in the cause of worldwide missions.
We value the Mission of God in our own city and around the world: The Fellowship of Joy is "missional" and engaged in the life of the community as an agent of God's transformation with a spirit of excitement and action.

Deep Beliefs:

We believe in the Triune God – Father Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the authority and reliability of the Bible.
We believe that Jesus was miraculously conceived, lived a holy life, called men and women to repentance, died for our sins, arose from the dead, ascended into Heaven, sent the gift of the Holy Spirit to baptize and fill believers, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and is coming again to judge the living and the dead and reign forever.
We believe that human beings were made in God's image, have fallen due to sin, need a Savior, and must individually receive the free gift of God's grace and mercy in Jesus Christ and make Him Lord of their lives in order to be saved and inherit eternal life.
We believe that the kingdom of God is both present and future and is the reign of Jesus Christ in the lives of people, in the church, and in the world.
We believe that the local church is an autonomous body of believers in Jesus Christ who gather to worship, serve, proclaim the Kingdom message, and fellowship with each other, that the two ordinances of the church are believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper, and that every member of the body is a priest before God, called into covenant with the other members, and called and gifted for ministry. The leaders and equippers of the ministers are called pastors.
We believe that Christians are called to live by biblical standards of morality and ethics and that it is the role of the local church to teach godly principles, aid in spiritual growth, and provide accountability relationships for its members.
We believe that the local church and its members are part of a larger, universal body of believers comprising all who have ever followed Jesus and that it must cooperate with other Christians of like mind and purpose in the mission of God in the world.

Vision/Dream for 2020

Describe the community and the world today:

What is the role of our church in the community and the world today?

What would we like to see our community, city, nation, world look like in 2015? 2020?

Community City Nation World

What will be our role in that transformation?

Goals

Overall Goals:

Goal Categories:

Specific Goals

What are our goals for our facilities, organization, ministries, and programs to achieve these goals?

Strategies – Action Plans:

(6) A Strategy to Get There.

2009-01-25T07:27:00.001-08:00

Bible Study/Discussion on Vision

Genesis 15:1 - After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. Q and A: What was the purpose of God's vision to Abram?

Genesis 46: - And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!" "Here I am," he replied. 3 - "I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. Q and A: What was the purpose of God's vision to Israel?

I Samuel 3:1 - The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions . 15 - Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, Q and A: Why was Samuel afraid?

Psalm 18:19 - Once you spoke in a vision, to your faithful people you said: "I have bestowed strength on a warrior; I have exalted a young man from among the people. Q and A: How had this vision affected David's life?

Jeremiah 23:16 - This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. Q and A: What is the caution here about vision? Are all visions from God?

Lamentations 2:9 - … the law is no more, and her prophets no longer find visions from the LORD. Q and A: What is the lament here? How tragic is it when there is no vision?

Ezekiel 1:1 - In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. Q and A: What is the great vision here?

Ezekiel 11: 23 - The glory of the LORD went up from within the city and stopped above the mountain east of it. 24 - The Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the exiles in Babylonia in the vision given by the Spirit of God. Then the vision I had seen went up from me, 25 - and I told the exiles everything the LORD had shown me. Q and A: Why was this a timely thing?

Ezekiel 12:27 - "Son of man, the house of Israel is saying, 'The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.' Q and A: What does this say to us about having a long term vision?

Daniel 2:19 - During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven. Q and A: How did Daniel respond to the vision from God

Daniel 7: 20 - While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the LORD my God for his holy hill- 21 - while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 - He instructed me and said to me, "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. Q and A: What can we learn from Daniel's description of his vision experience?

Daniel 9:23 - As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision: Q and A: What can we learn about God's responsiveness to prayer?

Joel 2:28 (quoted by Peter in Acts 20) -] "And afterward, 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. Q and A: What about vision and Spirit?

Acts 9-10 – From the Bible Q and A: Discussion of the role of visions in the expansion of missions

Acts 18: 8 - Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. 9 - One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 - For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." Q and A: What sort of vision/purpose was this?

Acts 26: 18 - … to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' 19 - "So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 - First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. Q and A: What does Paul's example teach us about what we are to do with a vision from God?

2009-01-17T17:53:00.001-08:00

STEP UP DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS: Week of January 19-25

January 19 -(Mat 7:24 KJV) "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock" - There are two steps to the process of preparing for a wise and productive life in the Kingdom of God. The first is to hear. The second is to do. Hearers who are not doers gain nothing. Doers who do not first hear, end up doing the wrong thing recklessly, People who build rock solid foundations for their lives both hear and do. What steps are you taking to more clearly, effectively, and deeply hear the Word of God? What kingdom truths are you practicing daily?

January 20 - "(Mat 7:25a KJV) "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house;" - Rain will descend upon the righteous. Floods will come., Winds will blow and beat upon our lives. Count on trouble. Hard times are common for humanity. Christianity offers no exemptions or bypasses. We share a common humanity with all others on this planet. The difference in our lives is not that we have more protection from hardship. It is that we are prepared and equipped to withstand the storms of life. What are you hearing and doing to prepare for life's storms?

January 21 - (Mat 7:25b KJV) ".. and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.." - The house of the kingdom person is not subject to the storms. The kingdom person, who hears and does the words of Jesus, is equipped to stand and withstand at a deeper level. We might be shaken. We are sometimes discouraged. We often forget what we have already understood once, but we cannot be utterly destroyed by hurt, pain, or trials. Your only real hope in this world is Jesus. Everything else may fail, but what is founded on Him will last.

January 22 - "(Mat 7:26a KJV) "And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man," The difference between the wise man and the fool is not what he hears, but what he does with what he hears. Jesus is not here condemning the person who has never heard. He is passing an indictment on the one who has been privileged to hear the word and has chosen to ignore it. Are you in danger of foolish living because you are not acting one what you already know to do?

January 23 - "(Mat 7:26 KJV) "... which built his house upon the sand:" The antithesis of wisdom is the foolishness of building a wonderful structure on a foundation of sand. Sand, by its nature, shifts. So do the philosophies and ideologies of this world. The words of Jesus endure and cause us to endure. Perhaps you have been subject the the fads and passing fantasies of our times which change many times within a generation. What is in your life that is so shaky you cannot count on it in a storm? What will you do about it?

January 24 - (Mat 7:27a KJV) " And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell:." - We have all seen lives, ministries, and institutions fall for lack of foundation. The same storms that test and refine people of faith, cause others to crumble. Storms don't have to destroy us. We can overcome. But we must do so by solidifying our lives at the foundational level. Nothing else will do. There is something you can do today about this and you know what it is?

January 25 - (Mat 7:27 KJV) "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." When you fall spiritually you fall significantly. It's a great fall. Some storms are mild, but sooner or later we will all face a humdinger and when that happens, there will be no time to prepare. Only what you have previously invested in Kingdom values will be of any use to you at that time. What will you hear and do today to prepare for tomorrow?

2009-01-03T20:27:00.001-08:00

STEP UP

STEP UP is a visioning process for the Fellowship of Joy at Baptist Temple church of Fresno, CA. STEP UP is a call to Step Up to the plate and hit a home run for God as one of our members told me Sunday. It is also a capital development campaign, but it is much MORE. It is a time of revival and renewal of our lives, our dreams, and our commitments to Jesus Christ. STEP UP is an opportunity to pray and seek God for miracles in our church, our community, our personal relationships with God, our ministries, and our own finances as we develop sound principles of personal stewardship. STEP UP is an opportunity to serve, commit, and give sacrificially. STEP UP is a bold initiative to clarify our church's VISION, launch a bold strategy, makes some improvements to our facilities, and solidify our financial base so that we can more effectively fulfill our mission in the city.

S – Seek God to See a vision and Save room for God to work in your life. In Luke 7:11-17, Jesus interrupts a funeral to bring hope and life. May He interrupt us all as we see things the same old way, seek the same old answers and crowd Him out of our lives. "Don't cry," He says as He brings hope and life. SEEK, SEE, and SAVE!

T – Think differently about God, life, and money and Tune your life anew to the Spirit and God's possibilities. In Luke 7:18-35, Jesus calls us to think differently about values, about greatness, and about how His mission is accomplished in the earth. The movement of His Spirit shatters all preconceived notions and leads us to a new plane of thinking. THINK AND TUNE!

E – Eliminate the waste and debt in our lives and Extend our influence as citizens of God's new Kingdom. In Matthew 11:20-30, Jesus pronounces woes upon those have squandered their opportunities for participation in the Kingdom, but welcomes those who are unlikely candidates for greatness to come into His rest and fulfillment. Life in the Kingdom means we turn our backs on some of our old values and old way and embrace a new adventure of grace. We take on the yoke of Christ and find that His burden is light! Eliminate and Extend.

P – Plan your giving. Plan your life. In Luke 7:36-50 Jesus was anointed by a woman who made great sacrifices to give of who she was and what she possessed to honor Him and bless Him. She gave because of the joy of forgiveness and grace in her heart – and she planned it. What great dream has God planted in your heart that, if it were accomplished, would advance the Kingdom of God? Plan and Plan

U – Understand the times and Understand what you must do. In Matthew 12:22-39 and Mark 3:20-30 – What do you do when the Kingdom comes upon you and you experience great deliverance from God? These are times of decision that call for commitment. Understand the times and what must be done.

P – Put your time, talents, and money where your beliefs are. Commitment Sunday. It is time to act. Put Up or …

THIS MONTH WITH STEP UP (Campaign begins in February)

Soup and Seek: Step Up and 20/20 Vision Bible Study

Sunday, January 04, 2009 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Same Bible Study on Sunday at 9:30 A.M. and Tuesday at 7:00 P.M.

Doctrine, By Laws, and Strategy Study Group

Tuesday, January 06, 2009 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM

Step Up and 20/20 Vision Bible Study

Tuesday, January 06, 2009 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Two Gates Matthew 7:13-14, Vision Focus: Deep Beliefs 2

Sunday, January 11, 2009 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM

First Banquet Letter and Brochure

Monday, January 12, 2009

Fruit, Matthew 7:15-24, Vision Focus: Deep Beliefs 3

Sunday, January 18, 2009 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM

Church Retreat

Friday, January 23, 2009 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

12638 Cumorah Dr. Clovis, CA. 93619

Church Retreat

Saturday, January 24, 2009 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

12638 Cumorah Dr. Clovis, CA. 93619

Build a Strong Building, Matthew 7:24-29, Vision Focus: Strategy

Sunday, January 25, 2009 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

Vision and 20/20 Goals Report to the church

Sunday, January 25, 2009 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

STEP UP TEAMS

Each team has its own goals, tasks, and dates. Each will be given a set of specific instructions.

Staff and Existing Leadership – Develop a budget and goals for the campaign lead the church to adopt a 2020 vision (Vision Statement, Mission, Purpose , Core Values, By Laws, and a 10-11 year Strategy Plan,)
Visitation Team - 4 Teams to visit, pray with, and encourage each family in the church.
Prayer and Small Groups Team – Organize, train, and equip groups to pray during STEP UP
Themes Team - Design and decorate the church and help create a logo .
Materials Team– Help us get it all together, fold, stuff, address, copy, cut, sort.
Testimonies Team – Bring people to the platform who can testify to God's faithfulness and the joy of participating in His work.
Web Team – Develop and implement website and email strategy .
Commitment and Follow-Up Team – Oversee this key part of the campaign process. Lead the church through the times of commitment and follow up process.
Banquet and Program Team – Arrange a great culminating event with food, entertainment, and inspiration on or around Commitment Sunday.

Step Up Devotions for January 5-11

2009-01-03T15:21:00.001-08:00

Monday – January 5 – "Ask and it will be given you." (Matthew 7:7a, NKJV) – At the risk of seeming obvious, have you asked God for anything lately? Have you with some heart for a pure motive and unselfish desire asked for Him to supply your needs, lead you according to His purposes, given you strength and wisdom to become all He wants you to be, and to help you delight in Him so that He may give you the desires of your heart? "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4 - NIV)" That being in place, perhaps the word in James 4:2 is operative; "You do not have, because you do not ask God. (NIV). As a community of believers, as individual members of the church, and as individuals before God, it behooves us to learn to ask.

Tuesday – January 6 – "Seek and you will find." (Matthew 7:7b, NKJV) – Emily Daniels, my high school Sunday school teacher used to remind us to put legs on our prayers. I always wondered if that was a bit unspiritual until I realized it was very true. God expects us to seek after what He is supplying for us. He hides treasures in odd places. He invites us to participate in His provision. He calls us into a mystical and practical partnership. Where are you seeking for God's best? What are you seeking? How are you seeking? Are you limited what Good can provide for you and do through you by refusing to seek diligently and turn over all the rocks? Embrace the promise of more today and find God's best.

Wednesday – January 7 – "Knock and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7c, NKJV) – All of the imperatives in this verse describe continuous action: Keep on asking. Keep on receiving. Keep on knocking. By the time we get to knocking, it is obvious without even knowing the verb structure that persistence is the key to laying hold of the promises of God. We cannot stop short of our goals. We dare not quit before the finish line. To do so would be to diminish the meaning of all past efforts, prayers, and discipline. Our quest is a lifetime process, not a quick and easy fix. We are called to step up and to keep stepping up. My wife once hired a young man, not because his resume was impressive or because he was an outstanding candidate for the job, but because he proved his desire to do that particular job by coming in several times a week to inquire about it. God wants us to deeply desire His best and to demonstrate that desire with persistence.

Thursday – January 8 – "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:11) – God is good. That is a theological fact. We are sinners, broken by the fall. That is also a fact. But even as sinners, we know how to give good gifts to our children. How much more will a God who is 100% good give good gifts to His children whom He loves? We are His children. He loves us. He wants to give His best to us. He is waiting for our to do our part for own good so that we will not just be receptacles of blessings, but participants in His purpose. It is about the character of God and the love He has for us.

Friday – January 9 – "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12) – If God were a man, this is how He would treat us. It is how He treats us. It is also how He mandates that we treat each other. It is a positive command to be proactive, not a caution of restraint. It is the essence of all He has ever sought to reveal through the scriptures. It is what makes God's people salt and light. It is the secret of true prosperity and fulfillment. It is the Golden Rule. How will you go out of your way today to observe it?

Saturday – January 10 - "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." (Matthew 7:13, NIV) – Destruction is easy. It is the path of least resistance. The call to step up to call of God is a call to reject the easy path, to shun the downhill slide, and to despise call to mediocrity. God has no interest in our earthly comfort zones or addiction to convenience. He values those qualities little in our lives or churches where we often value them much. Whether Jesus is speaking of the destruction of our eternal souls, of our dreams, or our earthly lives, the principle holds. It is easy to get shipwrecked by esteeming ease about all other values. Could we decide today to be suspicious of every broad path and path to which the masses flock? If we see the crowds gathering, let us look further for a path of life.

Sunday - January 11 – "But small is the gate and narrows the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:14, NIV) You will be in a distinct minority to the extent to which you choose the path of life. It is a gate you may have to squeeze and contort yourself to get through. You will not shape it. It will shape you. Most people are intimidated by the potential of being odd or out of step with the crowd. But when we step up to God's plate, we often stand alone. Life, in all its dimensions, fullness, and implications is experienced only by a few who are willing to be different and to fit into some pretty tight places for God. But once through the gate, it is the path of greatest freedom and joy. We wonder why we didn't choose it all along.

2008-12-29T20:05:00.001-08:00

STEP UP

STEP UP is a call to Step Up to the plate and hit a home run for God as one of our members told me Sunday.

It is a capital development campaign, but it is much MORE.

It is a time of revival and renewal of our lives, our dreams, and our commitments to Jesus Christ.

STEP UP is an opportunity to pray and seek God for miracles in our church, our community, our personal relationships with God, our ministries, and our own finances as we develop sound principles of personal stewardship.

STEP UP is an opportunity to serve, commit, and give sacrificially.

STEP UP is a bold initiative to clarify our church's VISION, launch a bold strategy, makes some improvements to our facilities, and solidify our financial base so that we can more effectively fulfill our mission in the city.

The following projects will be funded in order of priority through the pledges and gifts of our people and community:

Debt Retirement - $60,000

Bathroom Renovation and Beautification – Amount to be announced

Renovation of the Praise Chapel and Room 16 as funds allow

Development of Reserves for ministry, mission, and operation

What Does STEP UP Stand For?

STEP

S –
Seek God to See a vision and Save room for God to work in your life. In Luke 7:11-17, Jesus interrupts a funeral to bring hope and life. May He interrupt us all as we see things the same old way, seek the same old answers and crowd Him out of our lives. "Don't cry," He says as He brings hope and life. SEEK, SEE, and SAVE!

T –
Think differently about God, life, and money and Tune your life anew to the Spirit and God's possibilities. In Luke 7:18-35, Jesus calls us to think differently about values, about greatness, and about how His mission is accomplished in the earth. The movement of His Spirit shatters all preconceived notions and leads us to a new plane of thinking. THINK AND TUNE!

E –
Eliminate the waste and debt in our lives and
Extend our influence as citizens of God's new Kingdom. In Matthew 11:20-30, Jesus pronounces woes upon those have squandered their opportunities for participation in the Kingdom, but welcomes those who are unlikely candidates for greatness to come into His rest and fulfillment. Life in the Kingdom means we turn our backs on some of our old values and old way and embrace a new adventure of grace. We take on the yoke of Christ and find that His burden is light! Eliminate and Extend.

P –
Plan your giving. Plan your life. In Luke 7:36-50 Jesus was anointed by a woman who made great sacrifices to give of who she was and what she possessed to honor Him and bless Him. She gave because of the joy of forgiveness and grace in her heart – and she planned it. What great dream has God planted in your heart that, if it were accomplished, would advance the Kingdom of God? Plan and Plan

U –
Understand the times and Understand what you must do. In Matthew 12:22-39 and Mark 3:20-30 – What do you do when the Kingdom comes upon you and you experience great deliverance from God? These are times of decision that call for commitment. Understand the times and what must be done.

P –
Put your time, talents, and money where your beliefs are. Commitment Sunday. It is time to act. Put Up or …

Time Line

January 4 and February 1 – Pastor's Bible studies are devoted to "Soup and Seek," applying the scriptures to our mission, vision, and strategy. (Pastor)

January - Team Meetings will be brief reports at the beginning of the services and during Sunday afternoon "Soup and Seek" times. Web site goes online and emails begin (Web Team)

January 6, 13, 20, 27 – Doctrine, By-Laws, and Strategy Study Group meets at 6:00 P.M. – Open to all. (Pastor's 6:30 Bible Study will move to 6:45 P.M. for those weeks).

January 12 – First invitation letter for banquet is mailed to community friends (Materials Support Team)

January 23 and 24 – Vision Retreat at the home of Tom and Andrea Sims – 12638 Cumorah Drive, Clovis, 93619 – Take Shaw past Wild Water Adventures. Take the last left before Academy (Greewood). Turn right on Cumorah. Turn left into the second driveway. Outcome: Mission, Vision, and Core Values Statements, Bylaws, Statement of Beliefs, and Basic Strategy Plan for 2020. (Pastor & All)

January 25 – First Vision Report and STEP UP goals to the church. (Pastor)

February 4 - Vision Report and STEP goals adopted. (Pastor) Church starts to see artwork, decorations, reminders, logos, posters, and other thematic reminders of STEP UP ( Themes Team) .

February 6-8 – Weekend of Prayer & Fasting and Campaign Kick-Off rally. (All)

February 9, 16, 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30 – STEP UP mailings, including letters, devotionals, and other materials. (Materials Support Team & Commitment and Follow Up Team).

February 9 14 – STEP UP visits in homes to (1) enlist prayer, ask for prayer requests, and pray with the families of our church, (2) enlist their participation, (3) explain the Vision of the church and the goals of STEP UP, (4) enlist them in prayer/study groups. (Visitation Team). Small Groups are formed or identified (if already meeting) to pray weekly in person or by phone for STEP UP and for each other (Prayer and Small Group Team)

February 15, 22, March 1, 8, 15, and 22 – The SIX Sundays of STEP UP (a different letter for each.) Testimonies in the services (Testimonies Team), Small groups meet during the week. Weekly emails of encouragement are sent.

March 22 – Dinner or Luncheon STEP UP Banquet and possibly, fund raiser with entertainment and inspiration. (Banquet and Program Team) It is also Commitment Sunday. Follow up begins. (Commitment and Follow Up Team)

March 29 – Palm Sunday – We celebrate the results, worship the Lord, and plan for a High Attendance Day on Easter, April 5 & second BIG DAY April 12.

STEP UP TEAMS

Each team has its own goals, tasks, and dates. Each will be given a set of specific instructions.

Staff and Existing Leadership – Develop a budget and set of goals for the campaign to be adopted by the church and lead the church to adopt a 2020 vision (Vision Statement, Mission Statement, Purpose Statements, Core Values, By Laws, and a 10-11 year Strategy Plan,)
Visitation Team - 4 Teams to visit, pray with, and encourage each family in the church.
Prayer and Small Groups Team – Organize, train, and equip groups to pray during STEP UP
Themes Team (the only team that rhymes) – Design and decorate the church and help create a logo for the campaign.
Materials Team– Help us get it all together, fold, stuff, address, copy, cut, sort.
Testimonies Team – Bring people to the platform who can testify to God's faithfulness and the joy of participating in His work.
Web Team – Develop and implement a website and email strategy for the campaign.
Commitment and Follow-Up Team – Oversee this key part of the campaign process. Lead the church through the times of commitment and follow up process.
Banquet and Program Team – Arrange a great culminating event with food, entertainment, and inspiration on or around Commitment Sunday.

People are excited and have started signing up for teams.

Which team (s) excites you enough to want to join and/or help lead it in its mission?

It will take God working through all of us and praying diligently to accomplish all God has in store.

We want to include our church partners in this process and in the teams leadership (Hmong Baptist Church and Iglesia Nueva Vida) to whatever extent they are willing.

ONE MORE THING – OUR BUDGET FOR THIS IS LOW.

2008-02-07T21:35:00.000-08:00

Click for more details!

Forgetting Valentine's Day

2008-02-07T21:33:00.000-08:00

Did you forget Valentine's Day? We can help. Last Minute Ideas!

2007-11-23T12:46:00.001-08:00

THE LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS 2007 CATALOG IS NOW ONLINE!

As always, it’s packed with great deals and new releases just for you! Just click on the catalog image or one of the links below to check it out.

Shop online, save money, and help support the Fellowship of Joy, Baptist Temple

Shop, Save, and Support

2007-11-23T11:15:00.001-08:00

Invest in the Transformation of Our City

2007-11-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your support of the ministry of the Fellowship of Joy!

News for Saturday

2007-09-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder for all who wish to be informed about this great story and opportunity:

If you missed the article, read it here:

Justice for All

For more information on Pre-Paid Legal services, click picture or go to my site.

If you are interested in Identity Theft protection, check out the IdentityTheft Shield site.

If you are interested in referring others or developing your own business as a Pre-Paid Legal Independent Associate, go to the

One of Our Sponsors

2007-09-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

Promise Keepers Information

2007-08-11T21:26:00.000-07:00


Speakers

Rick Rigsby	Bob Cornuke	Mike Silva	James Ryle	Larry Jackson

Special Guest			Worship

Comedian Brad Stine			PK7

2007 Sponsors

Register

	$79
	$59

Three Easy Ways to Register!

1) Online:

This option saves PK valuable dollars. Simply click on the appropriate button above.

2) Phone:

1-866-PROMISE (8:00am-8:00pm, M-F, MT)

NOTE: A $2.50 administrative fee will added to your registration if you choose to purchase your wristband over the phone.

3) Mail:

Download this form, fill it out and mail it to us.

Additional Resources

2007-08-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

The fellowship of Joy - August 5, 2007

6 Congregations – 1 in Christ

Hmong Baptist Church of Fresno (the oldest and largest in the nation), Iglesia Nueva Vida, Baptist Temple (host), Three Angels SDA and …

Now with a mission/satellite in Stratford meeting at 6:00 P.M. on Sundays – the Church with No Name in Stratford

New Church with us on Sundays at 3:00 P.M. – Word of Life Ministries INC. – Pastor Calvin Bynom

New Staff Member – Andrea Sims, Business Manager and Director of Non-Profit Development (on the job and subject to a call of the church on August 26).

We are also the sponsor of NEW LIFE MINISTRIES – Pastor Darryl Curry, Director and The TEMPLE SKATE CHURCH – Pastor Bill Tucker

MEN! – Register for Promise Keepers today by calling 1-866-PROMISE or online at http://www.promisekeepers.org/conferences/fresno-ca - $79 for adults, $59 for youth.

Property News – Room 16 has been thoroughly remodeled. The nursery area is now exclusively to be used for children’s ministries. All other classes and meetings can use the Long Room. We have new phones in the office and lots of things are in the works.

Work Day on the Building and Grounds – September 8, 8:00 – 11:00 A.M.

Equip Biblical Institute: FALL 2007

Begins Sept. 12 and 13

Now receiving applications and class enrollment! Cut off date, Sept. 7

CLASS INFORMATION:

1. Communication Dynamics 217 (10 Sessions)

Location: Fellowship of Joy

4141 Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93726 229-9379 or 647-2203

Wednesdays, 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. Begin, September 12, 2007

Instructor: Pastor Tom Sims

2. New Testament Survey 104 (10 sessions)

Location: Grace Community Church

17755 Rd. 26, Madera, CA 93638 674-1172

Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:15 p.m. Begins September 13 , 2007

Instructor: Pastor Sean Peifer

Each class costs $150.00 Including books. Class fee due with class enrollment. (Note: By being directly responsible for the enrollment

of another student, you will receive a 50% discount on tuition)

First time students must also fill out an application for EBI Mid-Valley at no charge.

Go to www.shadowmountain.org/ebi for more information on the Equip Bible Institute. EBI MV is affiliated with Southern California Bible College and Seminary, the Shadow Mountain Community Church pastored by Dr. David Jeremiah, El Cajon, CA., and the California Southern Baptist Convention.

Application packets (first time students) and separate class enrollment forms (for returning students) are available at Grace Community Church, Fellowship of Joy, and also at The Word Christian Store in Madera. Contact Pastor Randy Brannon, Director of the EBI Mid-Valley at 674-1172, OR Pastor Tom Sims, Assistant Director of EBI Mid-Valley at 229-9379 if you have questions.

Ephesians 4:12 : “Equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to the building up of the body of Christ”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Equip Bible Institute of the Mid-Valley

A ministry of education for all believers who desire to grow in their knowledge and application of God’s Word

Hmong Baptist Church, Iglesia Nueva Vida - Pastor Carlos: 275-6000, Baptist Temple Church: 559-229-937 Pastor Tom:647-2203, Pastor Jack 355-7361 Tomsims1@compuserve.com www.fresnojoy.com Pastor’s Main Blog: www.pastortomsims.com , News from BT at: http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com, Spanish- English Worship (2 churches) at 10:00 A.M. English Worship and Children’s Church at 11:00 A.M., Hmong Worship and Bible Study after English Services, Skate Church – Tuesday night., Bible Studies almost every day!

Pastor Jack’s Evening Service at 6:00 P.M., is taking a break till September.

Message from Jonah 1 - Running from God

When the Word of the Lord comes to you, which way do you go?

God called and Jonah chose to FLEE – Key Principle – You Can CHOOSE

F = FROM God

L = LUNACY of the whole idea

E = EFFECT on others

E = EVIDENT to anyone and everyone

F - FEAR - We fear what we don't know and what we do know.
L - LISTENING to the wrong voice within
E - EGO that has gotten out-of-control.
E - EFFORT - We just don't want to give it.

The Lord sent a STORM and Jonah went to SLEEP – Key Principle – You Could LOSE

S - SINKING SAILOR SYNDROME - You could go down.
T - TEMPESTS - Sometimes rocking on the waves gets attention.
O - OUTCRY - Sometimes others notice first and cry out to you.
R - REBUKE - Sometimes those same people come to you and speak truth.
M - MAYBE God will help attitudes around you.

S = SLEEP, but not as Jesus did.

L = LYING to self and others

E = ESCAPE is not possible. “Who are you”

E = EJECTION is the only option.

P = PEACE comes through surrender.

The Lord prepared a FISH. – Key Principle - Join the CRUISE

F = FIRST conversions of Jonah were on the ship.

I = IN the water and going down.

S = Sovereign God

H = HEAVENLY intervention.

Follow Me

2007-04-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

Good Video

Post-Easter News

2007-04-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

We received news this morning of the death of Virginia Dill. Virginia was a long time member of Baptist Temple. I officiagted her husband, Eldon's service years ago. She was a stalwart prayer warrior for our church and a cheerful spirit. I will miss her. She had been homebound for quite a while at Senior Citizen Village due to osteoporosis. Her mind and spirit remained keen till the end. The service will most likely be next Monday.

It was a joy to welcome new members over the last couple of weeks:

Shayre Zamora came by statement.
Jeff Sims cam on profession of faith seeking believers' baptism.
Charles Johnson came by letter from a sister church.

Finally, we opened a men's discipleship home on Saturday - just in time. God is working through New Hope ministries under the direction of pastor Darryl Curry.

News for the Week Ending March 24

2007-03-24T15:46:00.000-07:00

We let one house go for the men's home this week and immediately, two more opportunities opened up as possibilities about two blocks from the church. pray for God's guidance and provision. We feel that God was protecting us in the first home. The best choice, in our opinion is a 4 bedroom house on Ashlan with a huge family room for Bible studies, a double size (two lots) yard, an office in the big garage, and a lot of room. The rent is $1200 per month. The only draw back is that it has a pool.

Some might say, "What draw back?"

We can cover the rent with what the men contribute and earn and our insurance company will write a rider for it.

The new air/heating system for the office will be installed next week.

John Munoz has been doing a great job on the grounds and in keeping the building nice and clean. Thanks, John!

This tear's Good Friday service will be at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Good Friday, April 6 at Noon. There is an opportunity for those who'd like to sing in the choir. Rehearsal is at 11:00 A.M.. See Pastor Tom to get a copy of the music.

Pastor Tom will be proposing soon that Andrea Sims be brought on staff as Director of Non-Profit Development and Business Manager - title and compensation to be worked out (and raised from unknown sources). Pray about this. Yes. Andrea is Mrs. Sims !

Pastor Jack's father is in the last stages of his earthly journey. pray for John, Jack, Harriet (Jack's sister) and the entire family.

Pastor Randy Maynard's father died in Kentucky. Randy is pastor of Cornelia Ave Baptist Church and a good friend of Pastor Tom's and of this church and its staff.

Ruth Forrest has been very ill at her daughter Linda's home. Pray for her. Falma Parker has not been feeling well for several weeks. She had surgery about 3 weeks ago to service a pacemaker.

We n ow have children's church during the morning service. The kids stay for the songs and are then dismissed.

Here is a rough outline of Sunday's sermon:

Romans 13 -- From the NIV

Submit to Authority

1 - Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 - Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 - For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.

From the Message

1-3 - Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it's God's order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you're irresponsible to the state, then you're irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you're trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear.

Honor God’s Civil Servants

4 - For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 - Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

From the Message

3-5 - Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you'll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you're breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren't there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That's why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it's the right way to live.

Pay Your Taxes

6 - This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 - Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

From the Message

6-7 - That's also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.

Pay Your Debts – The Greatest Debt Is Love

8 - Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9 - The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."10 - Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

From the Message

8-10 - Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along. The law code—don't sleep with another person's spouse, don't take someone's life, don't take what isn't yours, don't always be wanting what you don't have, and any other "don't" you can think of—finally adds up to this: Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can't go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love

Keep The Time in Mind

11 - And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 - The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 - Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 - Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

From the Message

11-14 - But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!

2007-03-18T16:56:00.000-07:00

Christian Books

Friday Update - March 16, 2007

2007-03-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

Pastor Tom will bring important messages at the morning and evening services this Sunday on the church's mission and vision.

It has been a busy week at the Fellowship of Joy - at least for me.

A few updates:

We are negotiating with a possible landlord for a new men's home under the auspices of the church and New Hope Ministries.

Pastor Jack's father is out of intensive care and will soon be transfered to a rest home.

Mike Lenhof needs prayers for a room at a rehabbilitation place where he can continue to regain his motor functions. He is alert and aware.

Falma Parker is undergoing some tests and needs our prayers.

Please be in prayer for:

The family of Alan McWhorter who passed away earlier this week. Alan is the son of Month & Bev McWhorter and brother of Randy McWhorter. If you would like to send a card here are addresses:

Monty & Bev McWhorter

2240 E. Brandywine Lane, Fresno, CA 93720

Randy McWhorter

c/o CSBC

678 E. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710

Association News

ESL (English as a Second Language) -- Learn to teach English as a Second Language as a Mission Outreach. This workshop is to help train and equip believers to share the love of Christ with people in our communities whose first language is not English. Share in the joy of teaching and showing Christs's love with international students, migrant workers or visiting family members.

Location: Copper Springs Church, 1365 Fifth St, Clovis
Dates/Times: Thursday May 3, 5:30 pm-9:30 pm; Friday May 4 5:50 pm - 9:30 pm; Saturday May 5, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Trainer: Monta Jo Erikson, CA SB Literacy Missions Coordinator
Cost: $35/person or $45/couple (includes manual, continental breakfast, and lunch on Saturday)

Registration will be accepted until April 3 at the Mid-Valley Association office via email at mvsba@yahoo.com or phone at 297-5550.

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions

In 2005, Mid-Valley churches gave $38,000 to support North American mission efforts. Gregg Farah, church planting missionary in New York City, speaks of the impact of this offering, "I know of at least 21.5 million reasons to give to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions! That's the number of people we are praying will find a church home in our community. Without funding through the Annie Armstrong offering, we would never have started a church in the heart of New York City!" Find resources to promote the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering here.

Church Mission Leaders - Next meeting will be Thursday April 12, 2007 6:00PM - 8:00PM at the Mid-Valley office. This Missions Priority Action Team is open to all who share a passion for Great Commision action through local churches.

Mid-Valley Children's Camps 2007:

Teen Camp, Our Space.Com -- God's Network, June 17-20, for students who have completed grades 6th-8th. Cost $135.

Children's Camp, Bible Bee -- The Challenge, June 20-23, for students who have completed grades 3rd-5th. Cost $100.

At camp in 2007 Larry Bubb, House Band, volleyball and soccer clinics, polar bear swimming challenge, mission projects, bible study, building networks of friends, great food, experiencing God in Creation, meeting Jesus face to face. For more information contact MV office at 297-5550 or Pastor Lee Yarbrough, Camp Director at 584-7255 or check out www.campideas.blogspot.com. Camp registration forms, medical forms and counselor forms will be mailed to churches this week and available on our web site next week.

Men's Fraternity Workshop - This event is for men's leaders and pastors who are looking for an excellent option to spiritually challenge men through a weekly men's gathering. Men's Fraternity is a proven men's resource that helps churches begin or revitalize their men's ministry. March 24, 2007 from 9:00AM to Noon at the Ministry Resoure Center, 678 E Shaw in Fresno. Register Here.

Association VBS Workshop

This event will provide VBS workers a winning game plan afor Mid-Valley Churches in reaching children and families for Jesus Christ through VBS. This workshop is a forum for VBS workers to learn effective strategies, resources, share ideas, and build momentum toward an effective VBS.

Workshop Coordinator: Susie Mendez

Location: Crosspoint Church, 2518 N. Cedar Avenue (on Cedar, south of Shields)

Date/Time: Saturday, April 28, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Cost: $5/person (includes continental breakfast and lunch)

Lunchtime Leadership
Series - Pastors and ministerial staff meet at Cross Point Church from 11:30AM to 1:15PM. Bring a lunch. Willow Creek Summit DVD and discussion.

Thursday, March 22, 11:30-1:15 pm "Tribal Warfare" by Peg Neuhauser
Thursday, April 12, 11:30-1:15 pm " When Business Thinking Fails the Church" by Jim Collins

The fellowship of Joy - March 18, 2007 - Both Services

4 Congregations – 1 in Christ

Hmong Baptist Church, Iglesia Nueva Vida (Pastor Carlos: 275-6000)

Set Free Ministries, Baptist Temple Church: 559-229-9379 Pastor Tom: 559-647-2203, Pastor Jack 559-355-7361

Tomsims1@compuserve.com www.fresnojoy.com

Pastor’s Main Blog: www.pastortomsims.com

News from BT at: http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com

Check out the Skate Church web site: http://templesk8.zoomshare.com/

10:00 A.M. English Songs – Bilingual Service

Yes, Lord, Yes - Yes, Lord, yes to Your will and to Your Way.

Yes, Lord, yes. I will trust You and obey. When Your Spirit speaks to me

With my whole heart, I’ll agree, And my answer will be Yes, Lord, yes.

Shout to the Lord (See 11:15 A.M.)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11:15 A.M. Order of Worship – English Service

We Have Come Into His House

We have come into His house And gathered in His Name to worship Him. (3x)

Chorus: Worship Him, Christ, the Lord.

(v2 : Let us lift up holy hands and magnify His Name and worship Him.)

(v3: So forget about yourself and magnify His Name and worship Him.)

On Eagles Wings

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord Who abide in His shadow for life,

Say to the Lord: 'My refuge, My God in whom I trust!'

Chorus: And He will raise you up on eagles' wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun,And hold you in the palm of His hand.

The snare of the fowler will never capture you, and famine will bring you no fear:
Under His wings your refuge, His faithfulness your shield. Chorus

You need not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day;
Though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come. Chorus

For to His angels He's given a command

To guard you in all of your ways' upon their hands

They will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. Chorus

Shout to the Lord

My Jesus, my Savior Lord, There is none like you
All of my days I want to praise The wonders of Your mighty love

My Comfort, my Shelter, Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am never cease to worship You

Shout to the Lord all the earth let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have In You

©1993, Darlene Zschech/Hillsongs, CCLI363739

New Air-Conditioner/Heater Coming

2007-03-12T18:56:00.000-07:00

Because of some designated capital gifts to the church, specifically in memory of Caryl Borges, we are going to be able to replace the worn-out, non-operational air conditioning and heating unity for the offices in the West wing. That is good news.

Salvation Through Christ: A Matter of FAITH

2007-03-11T16:00:00.000-07:00

I post this for two purposes:

(1) To share my faith.
(2) to help you share yours.

Salvation Through Christ: A Matter of FAITH

What do you think it takes for someone to get to heaven? Is it luck? Good deeds? Nothing at all? Or is there something more? The Bible has the real answer to this question. It's a matter of FAITH.

F stands for FORGIVENESS. We cannot have eternal life without God's forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7a says, "In Him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins."

A is for AVAILABLE. Forgiveness is available for all. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." But forgiveness is not automatic. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven," says Matthew 7:21a.

I is for IMPOSSIBLE. It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven because of who He is and because of who we are. God is loving and just, but His judgment is against sin. James 2:13a says, "Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful." We are sinful people. Romans 3:23 tells us, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

T is for TURN. To turn means to repent. We can repent - or turn - from our sin and from ourselves. "But unless you repent, you too will all perish," Luke 13:3b says. We can also turn to Someone. Trust Christ alone. Romans 10:9 tells us how: "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

H is for HEAVEN. Heaven is eternal life. Here, that means life "to the full:" "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10b)." In the hereafter, it means the promise of heaven: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:3)."

So how can a person have God's forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord? By trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness. Take the step of faith described by another meaning of FAITH: Forsaking All I Trust Him.

You do this through a simple prayer reflecting your desire for Christ to change your life. You don't need fancy words - only an honest heart. You can pray something like this:

Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and have displeased You in many ways. I believe You died for my sin, and only through faith in Your death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I want to turn from my sin and ask You to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day on, I will follow You by living a life that pleases You. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen.

Accepting Christ is just the beginning of a wonderful adventure with God! Get to know Him better in a number of ways:

Follow Christ's example in baptism.
Join a church where you can worship God and grow in your faith.
In your church, get involved in Sunday School and Bible study.
Begin a daily personal worship experience with God where you study the Bible and pray.

We’d love to hear from you - Please feel free to ask us any questions you have about becoming a Christian, or tell us about your decision to follow Jesus Christ. Please let us know how we can serve you. Send us your comments.

If you are not ready to contact us now, you may enjoy viewing this presentation of Jesus Christ's influence.

Pastors and church leaders, visit FAITH on LifeWay.com for more information about the FAITH Sunday School Evangelism Strategy®.

Most of You Made It

2007-03-11T15:26:00.000-07:00

Most of you got the word that Daylight Savings Time came early. One couple arrived at 12:10 thinking they were 5 minutes early. It happens.

I associated revenge with empowering people to do evil and protecting them against the redemptive brick wall of God's wrath - postpoing repentence. It is also a form of codependency because we give other people control of our lives. The answer: always use the trump card of good in response to evil.

I will be presenting some of our vision and goal statements next Sunday evening at 6:00 P.M./

Spring Forward

2007-03-10T14:44:00.000-08:00

Remember that Daylight Savings Time starts early this year. So spring forward to tonight. It is a ritual at our house to set all the clocks after dinner.

Here is my Springtime poem:

Remember when you go to bed
To set your clock an hour ahead.

I have one for Fall too, but that will have to wait.

See you in church ON TIME!

Welcome to BlogVille

2007-03-09T21:20:00.000-08:00

It is always good to see our folks posting new blogs. Introducing Darla's latest offering. Read it!

I like the title: You Only Get One Dress Rehearsal Anita Pili

While you are at it, check out Beamon's Emporium.

In case you missed my article on Bill Tucker's new efforts, read it at The Entrepreneur's Table.

Developing a Vision

2007-03-09T19:03:00.002-08:00

I have been working now for a while to help crystallize a vision and mission statement for BT -the Fellowship of Joy.

Here are some of my most recent notes for us to toss around:

Mission/Purpose:
Our mission is the transformation of individuals, families, and communities through the whole gospel of the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ.

Goals

Call and equip individuals, families, and communities to a life of significance and commitment to Jesus Christ.
Equip followers of Jesus Christ to engage in passion based ministries through the gifts that God has given them.
Develop and cultivate a culture of awe, wonder, and joy.
Birth and encourage bold initiatives and community collaboratives for the Kingdom of God.
Integrate local and global awareness, prayer, and action for the Kingdom of God.

Strategy

Nurture the faith family at the core of this ministry and promulgate a culture of awe, wonder, joy, love, and mission through warm and relevant worship, fellowship, and teaching.
Be a catalyst for collaborative efforts, partnerships, and strategic relationships that bring together human and material resources for the sake of multiplying influence, effectiveness, and impact in the community.
Practice stewardship of the facilities owned by the church so that they receive maximum effective use in kingdom building and supporting efforts.
Develop multiple congregations in one locations and multiple locations for the central congregation.
Serve as an incubator for fresh ideas, entrepreneurial initiatives, and bold ventures for wholistic (spelled this way intentionally) gospel ministry and proclamation.
Engage in community development wherever we have a location.
Use Internet technology to build and nurture communities online and in real time.
Train and coach "home-grown" pastoral leadership for ministry expansion and church planting.

Unique Values

We value the holiness of the ordinary.
We value the uniqueness of every person in the image of God.
We value spontaneity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
We value the poor and wounded and seek to provide a place for them at the table.
We value the interaction of many cultures and peoples in a fellowship of grace and acceptance where our differences are honored and our oneness is celebrated.
We value joy, laughter, and human warmth.
We value the insights God gives to each member of the Body individually and in groups as we gather around the scriptures and seek God together.

Core Beliefs

We are Baptists in faith and practice and those beliefs that are historically common to Baptists are ours as well.
We confess Jesus Christ as Lord, who is the second Person of the Holy Trinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit, who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died for our sins of His own volition, was raised from the dead, ascended into Heaven, and is coming again in glory to reign forever and ever.
We believe in the message of salvation by grace through faith, regeneration by the power of the Holy Spirit, and sanctification as we become more Christlike in the step by step process of holiness.
We believe that salvation is accompanied by turning from a life of sin to one of following Jesus Christ and is demonstrated through believer's baptism by immersion and celebrated regularly through the Lord's Supper.
We believe that church membership is a willing covenant relationship between members of the Body of Christ in a local place.
We believe that the Bible is our authority in matters of faith, that Jesus Christ is the interpreter of the scriptures, and that every believer in Christ is competent to consult the Bible as a priest to God and to others.
We believe that the local church is autonomous and under the direct Lordship of Jesus Christ who calls His under-shepherds to provide leadership and care for its members as they care for each other and reach out to a world in need with His gospel of grace.
We believe that the core message of the gospel is the Kingdom of God and that God's Kingdom is the reign of love, grace, and peace through Jesus Christ.

Sermon Preview for March 11

2007-03-09T19:03:00.001-08:00

(Rom 12:17- 21, KJV) Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

1.The law of retribution is repealed. (17)

•God's math is “Evil for evil does not equal good.”

•God's sociology - This sets us apart from everyone else.

2.Right living replaces it – Do your best to live in peace. (18)

•Question #1 – What is within my power?

•Question #2 – Have I limited question #1?

3.Revenge is rejected. (19)

•It is not your responsibility. You are relieved.

•It is not your right.

•You are not good at it. You will mess it up.

4.Reaction is replaced by proactive response-driven living. (20)

•Goodness is always your choice.

•Grace is always your motivation.

5.Reach for the “upper hand.” (21)

•It places you in the winner's circle.

•It places you in the center of God's will.

Changes

2007-03-09T18:57:00.000-08:00

The Fellowship of Joy has entered into a new partnership ministry with Darryl Curry, one of our members and pastor of the Grafitti ministry. His New Hope Ministries will be incorporated into ours with a board of our members and others and we are in the process of opening a men's home for discipleship and recovery through Jesus Christ.

lately, we have reassessed our sponsorship of Set Free Ministries and have prayerfully and carefully come to the conclusion that we will be helping them launch out on their own and removing ourselves from responsibility and oversight over them. Below is the letter I wrote to them this week and they receieved graciously:

Baptist Temple – The Fellowship of Joy

4141 N Fresno St., Fresno, CA. 93619

www.fresnojoy.com

559-229-9379

From the Desk of Tom Sims, Senior Pastor

www.pastortomsims.com

tomsims1@compuserve.com

Set Free Ministries – Fresno

4141 N. Fresno St.

Fresno, CA. 93726

Attention: Pastor David Zamora

March 8, 2007

Dear Pastor David,

It is with a combination of sadness, gratitude, and finality that Baptist Temple has decided to terminate its sponsorship relationship with Set Free. We are grateful for our partnership over these years and gratified at the lives we have been able to touch together. We are saddened to have to bring this to an end and hopeful that the ministry will continue and be centered in God's will and purpose.

It is not necessary to state all the reasons prompting this decision, but some of them include:

•An inability for us to give adequate oversight, guidance, and accountability to the ministry's top leadership.

•A sense that we have given as much as we are able to give at this time in terms of resources, leadership, and support. The financial and administrative burdens have become more than we can continue to carry as well as the wear and tear on our facilities and public relations.

•A parting of theological and philosophical ways with regard to leadership styles and lifestyle decisions on the part of the leadership. We say this without judgment or condemnation. We simply have differences in this area that cannot be resolved at this time.

Having said that, we will continue to pray for Set Free and for you and will encourage those who volunteer from our staff and membership in your ministry to continue to do so as God leads – specifically in Bible Study. That will be up to you and to them after the 30 day period.

We want to be fair in this matter of withdrawal, but we need to ask the Set Free Church to locate another meeting place within 30 days of the receipt of this letter. If more time is needed and requested in writing, that can be negotiated with me and with the help of our Director of Missions and Director of Ministries with rent and in-kind as compensation for use. Upon vacating use of the property within the agreed upon time, we will need to receive the keys that have been issued and any that have been copied. We will also need keys to the office for Set Free that you may have made. Please leave any areas you have occupied clean. We will also ask that you cease to use our Federal Tax ID number on your bank accounts. We understand that this may necessitate opening new accounts. Please change your address with correspondents and take any other steps necessary to disassociate Set Free with the ministry of Baptist Temple.

Baptist Temple will forgive any back rent from Set Free, the months of residence of the men's home, and the rehearsals of B.U.S.T.. We will also, as a gesture of good will, pay the men's home a sum of $500 for services rendered in our graffiti ministry. Continuation of that program in the future is a matter of negotiation between the leadership of our ministries and shall be compensated on an agreed upon basis. Until the end of the thirty days, participation will be considered as in place of rent. If this is not acceptable, we will calculate the cost of rent over the period of time the facilities have been occupied, damages, wear and tear and other expenses and our obligations to you for services rendered and submit to arbitration.

It is our hope and prayer that Set Free Fresno will be able to continue to reclaim lost lives and that you, our brother, will find the healing, grace, and victory that God has in store for you. We say this out of friendship and brotherhood.

I am sure that our future relations can be as cordial and cooperative as they have been in the past. For now, however, it is time to end this phase of our relationship and forge a new one.

All of God's best to you.

Sincerely,

Tom Sims, Senior Pastor

Dreaming Together about Hubs

2007-03-08T07:24:00.000-08:00

The hub of most community shopping centers is the grocery store. Our's, the former Gong's market and most recently, Save-a-Lot has been closed for nearly two years. Now the Round Table pizza joint is closing and it all look ominous - or hopeful, depending upon one's perspective.

What started as a simple, "what-if" escalated into a major dream session at last night's meeting of "The Entrepreneur's Table" and melding into the "Chasing Daylight" study.

It seems that sanctified imaginations were liberated to consider all the possibilities for ministry and c ommunity based commerce for that center.

Where will the money come from if God leads us this way? It will come from whewre money always comes from - GREAT IDEAS moved by the Holy Spirit.

Good Sunday

2007-03-04T17:16:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Sunday of worship and fellowship at the Fellowship of Joy. As we celebrated communion together in both morning services (and will in the evening service in a little while), the Spirit of the Living God was with us and we sensed His presence. Attendance was good and the love of God was evident in our love for each other.

The word on our friend, Favius from Polecat Hollow can be found here - at least as much as I have written so far. I am in the process of melding two books together - "At Home in Polecat Hollow" and "The Confidence Factor." Pray for me.

I featured one of our members, Bill Tucker at the Entrepreneur's Table today. Read about it here:
Bill Tucker's New Blog.

One of my assignments is the help crystalize the vision and mission of our church for the purpose of presenting it in the community. Im do much of this in preaching. I will keep updating you on the process.

I hope to see many of you Wednesday at 6 PM at the Entreperneur's Table and others at Chasing Daylight at 7:15 PM.

Church Bulletin for Sunday, March 4

2007-03-02T16:43:00.000-08:00

The fellowship of Joy

March 4, 2007 - Bulletin for Both Services

4 Congregations – 1 in Christ

Hmong Baptist Church

Iglesia Nueva Vida

(Pastor Carlos: 275-6000)

Set Free Ministries, Baptist Temple Church: 559-229-9379 Pastor Tom: 559-647-2203

Pastor Jack 559-355-7361

Tomsims1@compuserve.com www.fresnojoy.com

Pastor’s Main Blog: www.pastortomsims.com

News from BT at: http://fresnojoy.blogspot.com

Spanish- English Worship (2 churches) at 10:00 A.M. English Worship and Children’s Church at 11:00 A.M., Hmong Worship and Bible Study after English Services, Skate Church at 3:00 P.M., Pastor Jack’s Evening Service at 6:00 P.M.

Chasing Daylight - A Bible Study - on the Life of Jonathan with Erwin McManus

There is still some time to catch up! Wednesday – 7:15 P.M. –Baptist Temple Campus

Plan now for Children’s and Youth Camps - THE BUZZ

OurSpace.com—God’s Network - Teens —June 17—20—students who have completed 6th—8th grades—$135

Bible Bee—The Challenge - Children —June 20-23—students who have completed 3rd-5th grades—$100

Featuring - Larry Bubb, House Band, Soccer & Basketball Clinics, Polar Bear Swimming, Mission Projects, Bible Study, Networks of Friends, Great Food, Great Outdoors, Experiencing God in Creation Meet Jesus Face to Face.

Bible Studies throughout the week at church, in public places, and in homes. Sunday mornings at 9:30 A.M., Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at Set Free Men’s Home, Tuesday noon at church, Thursday nights at church and at the Douglass’ home, Tuesday night at Denny’s, Thursday mornings at Starbucks. Call, see schedule on table, or check website.

Check out the Skate Church web site: http://templesk8.zoomshare.com/

The Entrepreneur’s Table – Wed @ 6 PM

A round table, resource, networking, leads, and study group for spiritual, social, and business entrepreneurs. Come to encourage and be encouraged. Bring your own dinner if you like. Pass out cards. Hear and share about business opportunities.- http://theentrepreneurstable.com

Romans 12:16 (NIV) –16 - Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Pursue Harmony.

The Lifestyle Factor
The One Another Principle

Practice Humility.

A Matter of Association
A Matter of Attitude

10:00 A.M. English Songs – Bilingual Service

Christ for Me

Christ for me! Yes, it’s Christ for me. He’s my Savior, my Lord and King.

I’m so happy I shout and sing. Christ for me! Yes, it’s Christ for me.

Every day as I go my way, yes, it’s Christ for me.

Into My Heart

Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Come in today, come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus. (3x) – no turning back, no turning back.

I have decided to live like Jesus. (3x) – no turning back, no turning back.

I have decided to walk with Jesus (3x) – no turning back, no turning back.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11:15 A.M. Order of Worship – English Service

Welcome and Announcements – Pastors - Invocation – Pastor Jack

Christ for Me

Christ for me! Yes, it’s Christ for me. He’s my Savior, my Lord and King.

I’m so happy I shout and sing. Christ for me! Yes, it’s Christ for me.

Every day as I go my way, yes, it’s Christ for me.

Praise His Name. I will follow Him. He is leading me through the strife,

He’s my Master and Lord of life. I will sing of His love for me.

Every day and in every way I will praise His Name!

Every day, every breath I take. I will serve Him with all my heart,

Love Him deeply and do my part. He will be, the dearest Name to me.

Jesus, Master, my life is Yours and it’s Christ for me!

© v1. 1969, Singsperation Music, ccli363729 © v 2&3– 2007, Tom Sims used by permission

Into My Heart

Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Come in today, come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Alleluia, Alleluia. Come dwell in our lives, Lord Jesus.

Come quickly we pray. Come have Your own way.

Come dwell in our lives, Lord Jesus.

© 1952, HopePublishing, ccli363739 v2 – ©  v2 - 2007, Tom Sims used by permission

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus. (3x) – no turning back, no turning back.

I have decided to live like Jesus. (3x) – no turning back, no turning back.

I have decided to walk with Jesus (3x) – no turning back, no turning back.

I have decided to talk with Jesus. (3x) – no turning back, no turning back.

Prayer in Unison

Lord Jesus, this day we affirm our decision to follow You.

To seek to live as You lived, to walk where You walk,

And to talk with You every day and never leave Your side.

Our deepest desire is to follow You wherever You go.

Lead us in the paths of righteousness for Your sake,

For we are Your people. Amen.

Though none go with me, still I will follow (3x) No turning back (2x)

I’ll follow You, Lord, where You may lead me. (3x) No turning (2x)

Prayer Time – Pastor Jack,  Solo – Make Me a Servant

Children’s Sermon – Pastor Tom, Offering

Sermon – Pastor Tom – followed by The Lord’s Supper

H. B. London in Fresno

2007-02-28T16:01:00.000-08:00

Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Forum

H.B. London

Sponsored by the Fresno-Clovis Pastor Clusters and One by One Leadership

March 13, 2007

8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cornerstone Conference Center

Fulton between E. Stanislaus and Calaveras in Downtown Fresno

H.B. London is returning on March 13th at the request of many pastors following a very successful gathering last year.

London is a pastor to pastors across the nation, caring for and ministering to pastors who are facing the challenges of a changing world and church life. Last year he spoke to the heart of the pastors and their challenges in ministry; this year he will go deeper into Sustaining Pastoral Excellence. Come join Pastors and pastoral staff members from across the Valley for this outstanding opportunity to learn how to sustain pastoral excellence throughout the year.

Keynote Speaker: H.B. London, Jr.
H.B. London is the vice president of Ministry Outreach/Pastoral Ministries for Focus of the family. He has spent 31 years in the pastorate plus had his own TV and radio show during that time. He communicates with thousands of pastors and church leaders each week through “The Pastor’s Weekly Briefing” and produces a bimonthly Pastor to Pastor cassette and newsletter. He speaks to the heart and needs of the pastoral leaders. H.B. London will speak on areas that you as a pastor face everyday, including the struggle for inner balance, optimizing stress, leading a healthy lifestyle and many other critical issues.

Registration fee is $30.00 includes a continental breakfast and lunch with guest speaker

Fermin Agustin Whittaker

*There will be no additional registration taken at the door*

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Reservation deadline is March 6th

Please detach the registration form and retain the above information

March 13, 2007

Special Guest Luncheon Speaker - Dr. Fermin Whitakker

11:45am-1:00pm

Fresno, Send reservations to: One by One Leadership -

1727 L Street, Fresno, CA. 93721

For further information contact Karen at 233-2000 x103

Name _________________________________________________
Phone _______________________

Address

_________________________________________

City_______________ Zip ____________

Church _________________________________________________
Email _______________________

*Make checks payable to One by One Leadership

Limited number of scholarships available for pastors

Begining February 20-21

2007-02-07T08:33:00.000-08:00

Tuesdays at Dennys (Shaw and Willow) -9:00 P.M.
Wednesdays at BT (4141 n Fresno St) - 7:15 P.M.
Thursdays at Starbucks (Ashlan and Cedar) - 7:00 A.M.

Skate Church

2007-02-02T12:26:00.000-08:00

You mst visit the BT - Temple Skate Church site and see the videos and pictures featuring our ministry.

Skate competition is coming up in March. Stay tuned.

Here are the favorite web sites from Skate Church:

Favorite Web Sites
The Temple Skate Church Video Dial Up
CSB Mission Project 2005

Pastor Toms Sims Web Site
Pastor Toms Sims Web Site

The Temple Skate Church Video High Broad Band
CSB Missions Project 2005

Toner Overnight.com
Quality Office Supplies Delivered Fast!

The Temple Skate Church Video Medium Broad Band
CSB Missions Project 2005

Baptist Temple Church,The Fellowship of Joy
This is our Churches Web Site!

Skate Church in Portland Oregon
Check out this cool Skate Church!

The Skate Church Video CSB Missions Project 2005 Download MPEG
Right click and save target to download only

Skate Church
Another cool Skate Church!

Message from Romans 8 with the State of the Church and call to Adventure

2006-11-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

Life in the Spirit – Romans 8:1-14 by Pastor Tom Sims

October 29, 2006 - Baptist Temple, The Fellowship of Joy

On October 29, I felt called to preach this message in my major series on Romans and sub-series on Life in the Spirit. Because of some critical issues in our church, I used our church’s situation as a primary means of illustrating these points from scripture. Because this message is so vital, I have preserved it and reproduced it for you. May it serve as a blessing and a challenge.

I. Life in the Spirit is Grace-Based.

1 -Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 - because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 - For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 - in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

There is no condemnation. That means no condemnation - none. People in Christ Jesus are free from the limitations of powerless law and impotent regulations. We have been liberated to live a new life on a higher plane than even the requirements of the law. We have been bound in the past to sin and death. Now we are bound only to Jesus Christ.
God’s requirements are satisfied. There is nothing we can add to what Jesus has done and nothing needs to be added. He is the sin offering and He has been successful in doing what nothing else could do.

Implications for our mission and ministry:

· This is the primary message the world needs today. We need to speak out against sin and for morality, but if that is all we do, we give an unbalanced and false message. The world will only know what we are against. The Christian message is so much more.

· There is a hunger in Fresno for this message of redemption, liberation, and freedom from condemnation.

· There are many needs in our city and God has placed us here for a purpose. We have been rated #1 in the nation for concentration of poverty. We have the highest concentration of churches in the state and the highest concentration of poverty in the nation – and much of that is within 1-3 miles of our church. Much greater is the spiritual poverty. We are the Methamphetamine capital of the nation. We have an alarming drop-out and teen pregnancy rate. With all these needs that God has placed us in the center of the city to address and care about, the number one need in every person’s life is to know that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus and freedom from the law of sin and death.

Are you aware of this reality in your life? You will never be free to pursue what is God’s best for you and the gracious riches of the life in store for you until you have stopped being a slave to the law of sin and death. Pray this prayer with me…”Lord Jesus, I give my life to You and receive your free gift of eternal life. I am Yours and Yours alone. Liberate me from sin and bind me only to You. Amen.” You are now enlisted in the service of sharing that good news with others.

II. Life in the Spirit is Desire-Driven

5 - Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 - The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 - the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 - Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

It is the result of a new mind-set. The old nature of sin is a dead end street. We will focus our minds on sin or we will focus them on what the Spirit desires. We are not Buddhists seeking to obliterate and annihilate desires. We are Christians, seeking, through the Spirit, transformed desires.
It results in submission. God wants to give us the desires of our hearts. As we submit to Him, He will plant His desires in us and can then trust us to give us what we want deep inside our Spirit filled lives.

Are you living in the adventure? Where are your passions and desires? Early next year, we will embark on a study called, “Chasing Daylight.” It is the story of Jonathan in the Bible who learned to sieze his Divine moment. Like Jonathan, the very thinking of the person who is led by the Spirit of God is on a different plane. We are always going for the manifestation of God and His will in every situation. Our desire to be about His purpose grows the more we know Him. We become God’s opportunists, quickly turning every challenge into an opportunity to seek His face and His leadership. We become passionate about His desires.

Implications for out mission and ministry:

· We are not here for ourselves. Not in this church and not as a church in this community. We are not here because this church meets our needs. That is not the essence of the call to be a part of a church. We are here because God has placed us here and because of what we can do together to transform our city and its desires.

· Survival is not our primary purpose. Like Esther, if we perish, we perish, but we must be about His purpose.

· Here are some alarming statistics. We need about an unrestricted $8500 a month to meet our bare-bones obligations as a church. That means: no secretary, no paid youth or children’s workers including nursery, no raises. However, it keeps our doors open.

· The reality: We made it in April after not making it for two months and going in the hole. May: just over $5000, June: less than $4800, July: $6840, August: $5000, September: $4431. We borrowed designated funds to keep from laying off the pastor, turning off the power, shutting down the water, defaulting on some loans, and losing our insurance. That money is still due and we need to keep going. When I tell you these things I also give a message of hope, so you lose the bluntness of it, but it is serious and we will have to make some choices and seek God.

· But what have we accomplished in the midst of all that? Look around at the many ministries and lives changed. We are growing in attendance. God is working in remarkable ways. I was astounded at the Association meeting last Saturday as ministries were noted. We have had a significant role in most of them either as sponsor, as sending people to be involved, through Jack’s leadership or my leadership, or by nurturing someone along the way. We truly are a mission center here in the heart of the city.

Graffiti Abatement – We are actually changing the way our neighborhood looks and the way people feel about where they live. We are doing it in the Name of Jesus and telling people about Him along the way. At the same time, we are working with youth who have offended the system and need to make restitution.
Skate Church – Over 25 kids are enrolled in this vital ministry. They are at-risk and now they are being touched with the gospel.
Jack’s Juvenile Hall chaplaincy and our church’s participation through him in the Christmas parities where 199 kids were saved last year, At Risk Ministries, the ARMS camps and so on.
We offered leadership in the Association Children’s Camp.
Significant ministry this summer and a potential church start in Stratford.
The opening of a neighborhood thrift store.
An excellent Vacation Bible School with many decisions for Christ.
Powerful impact on the lives of young men through the Set Free Training Center and sponsorship of the Set Free Church.
Hosting of a music ministry and a counseling center.
Hosting and board leadership for Christian Women’s Job Corp.
Leadership in the Association through online ministries and Networking/Fellowship.
Food ministry – temporarily on hold, but has been significant.
We are host to the Hmong Baptist Church and through them have sponsored over 200 churches around the world.
Powerful ministry in the Philippines through Florante Torres. Many are coming to Christ.
Our Cooperative Program gifts and prayers take us around the world.
We had an impact on India through the India Children’s Choir this summer.
Former members of our church are serving as pastors and staff members around the state.
We have a unique partnership with Iglesia Nueva Vida involving a joint bilingual worship service between both of our churches every Sunday at 10:00 A.M. No one in our city has anything quite like this.
One of our members graduated at Golden Gate Seminary through Seminary extension.
We co-sponsor and host Equip Bible Institute.

Only God could make all of this and more happen!

· That is what it is about and that is why we are here – not to survive, but to thrive, not for ourselves, but for the kingdom, not our kingdom, but God’s, not to enjoy earthly comforts, but to enjoy God together with God. Our city cannot afford to lose this church or its influence!

· We must seek what God desires. Some opportunities:

The Hmong are interested sharing the load and equity of this property.
We have some entrepreneurial possibilities.
We are growing again and will grow. But we need a sense of the passion and desire of God for this church. Pray with me this Wednesday (November 1) for a day of fasting and prayer. You don’t have to skip all your meals. Some of you cannot skip any. Some could skip all. But lay something aside as a kind of fast. I will be here from 2 to 5 PM. Perhaps you’d like to take an hour or more or less for focused prayer for our church and your pastor to have a keen sense of God’s desire for this church and this city.

III. Life in the Spirit is Spirit-Led

9 - You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 - But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 - And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

The vivid contrast between sin-control and Spirit-control. It is about who and what controls us. Is it sin or is it God through His Spirit? We belong to Jesus Christ. When we belong to Him, He directs us, but it seems a lot like our desires being fulfilled because He works from within us.
The vital contrast between death and life. We have been called to life, not death. The Spirit way is a living way.

Implications for out mission and ministry:

· We are not dead. We are living and God is using us. Pastor Johnny Mendez inspired the attendees at our Mid valley Southern Baptist Association’s annual meeting with this very sentiment. We are alive because we have been made alive in Christ.

· We are not controlled by the sinful nature, and that includes the discouraging circumstances in which we find ourselves. We are not problem driven; we are purpose driven.

· The hunger and poverty of this city need not dominate us in the sense that they defeat us. They are a part of our burden, but they are not signs of death.

· God has a plan and He will lead us. He knows what He wants to accomplish in and through us and will show us.

· We will be having two Solutions Summits on Tuesday nights, from 6:30 – 8:30 in November. The first will be on Election Day, November 7, next week. There we will explore some things we can do as a church and pray together about those solutions. The second will be November 21. There, we will offer some specific opportunities and suggestions for those of you who wish to undertake personal projects to earn money, a portion of which you can give back to the ministry. If you desire to be an entrepreneur for the Kingdom of God you need to come to both summits, but you will get some real tools and opportunities in the second.

· Our church must be a Spirit-led body.

Do you believe that you can be Spirit-led life? If you are a Christian, the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, just as He lives in this church. That gives you a great advantage. He is active in you, leading, guiding, equipping, filling, speaking to you and planting His desires in your heart, preparing you for greatness. Life in the Spirit is mystical. We need to turn off the distractions of negativity and listen to the still small voice, responding in confident faith to the call of God. Giving itself is a spiritual exercise of faith, an adventure of making yourself and your resources available to God for miraculous manifestations of His power. If you have not started giving through tithes, offerings, and special blessings of God, there is a great door of opportunity for you. If you have stopped, you can start again. If you are already doing all you can, ask God to bring new resources into your life with which you can participate more in His work. God is able and God will lead.

IV. Life in the Spirit is Relational

12 - Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 - For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 - because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 - For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 - The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 - Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

We are sons of God and know it. You have an identity that nothing can duplicate, imitate, or frustrate. Your relationship with God through Jesus Christ defines you and His Spirit informs you.
We are heirs of God with all the benefits and responsibilities and co-heirs with Jesus Christ. We really do not have a shortage. God has it all and He will invest in us as we are willing to invest in His purposes.

Implications for out mission and ministry:

· We have an obligation. We cannot quit. We cannot close our doors. We cannot abandon our mission or our mission field.

· We are a family of servants, each related individually to God. We are the sort of family that everyone needs.

· Our presence in the city is God-ordained. We are here in the stead of other churches and Christians. Their participation and help is welcome, but we are not waiting for it. Perhaps He will lay it upon the heart of some of our brethren to come to our aid as we labor in the city. Perhaps not. Either way, we must remain faithful.

· As Jesus came to live among us, became poor for us and suffered on our behalf, He has also called us to share His suffering and struggle and part of that is His concern for the poor. We share the sufferings of Christ as we share the poverty of the poor in the city in which He has placed us. We don’t have to remain poor. Nor do those to whom we minister and with whom we share the liberating message of Christ, but I believe that lifting ourselves out of poverty is going to be related to lifting the people of our city out of their spiritual and physical poverty. Otherwise, there is no point to us being here. The Spiritual life is about relationships, first to God, and through Him to each other and to others.

Do you know who you really are? You are a member of the Body of Christ and a joint heir of God with Jesus Christ. You are extremely wealthy and together, as a Body, we have no need that is too great for God to meet. Individually, you have all you need to lead a victorious, Spirit-led and Spirit-filled life. Let’s get on with it.

Logging In from the True North

2006-09-19T20:26:00.000-07:00

Reports of my sojourn in Canada can be found at the Dream Factory.

In the meantime, the ministry continues under Pastor Jack's able leadership.

Pastor Tom's Travels

2006-09-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

Through the generosity of others, Pastor Tom (that is me) will be leaving Thrusday morning for Calagary, Alberta, Canada with the California Singing Churchmen. He will return late on September 22.

We had the privilege of having Curtis Alexander sing a set for us Sunday morning. During the same service we had a baby dedication for Pastor Carlos' grandson. It was a good day.

A Few Things

2006-08-29T15:06:00.000-07:00

We lost a valued member at BT.

Caryl Borges died Wednesday, August 23 at her home after a long battle with cancer.. Besides being a good friend and wonderful believer/member in our church, Caryl spent two years serving under the auspices of the International Mission Board as a volunteer missionary at our hospital in Yemen where she worked alongside the career missionaries who were martyred a few years ago. She was especially close to Dr. Martha Mears with who she would make Saturday house calls to the villages in outlying areas.Caryl fought cancer valiantly over the last few years, but in the end, embraced death with sweetness and anticipation of being with Jesus. She was surrounded by loved ones when she died and was remembered Saturday afternoon in a service at Baptist Temple.

Equip Bible Institute Classes begin September 9 – Pastor Tom will be teaching Theology 101. Applications are in the foyer.

Pastor Tom to Canada – 9/14-23 – CA. Singing Churchmen

Christian Women’s Job Corp News: Classes begin September 5 here at BT. Call Donna Cooper at 287-8763. CWJC is trying to raise money for air conditioning and heat in the East Wing. You can help their ministry by participating in one of two fund raisers: (1) Macy’s Community Day – October 26. Purchase discount tickets from Pastor Tom for $10 (2) Salad Luncheon and Silent Auction – September 30, at EV Free Church (The Bridge) 11:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M., $10 per ticket. See Pastor Tom or call Donna.

Pastor Tom is taking a study and relaxation break from meetings and administration for the next two weeks.

Curtis Alexander in Concert – Sunday, September 10 – 11:15

Sunday

10:00 A.M. - Bilingual Worship and Bible Study(some at 9:30)

11:00A.M.- Refreshments and Fellowship

11:15 A.M. English (Sanctuary)& Spanish (Long Room)Worship–

12:30 P.M. - Hmong Worship and Bible Study

6:00 P.M. - Evening Worship with Pastor Jack

Monday

10:00 A,M. - Darryl Curry’s Set Free Bible Study

Tuesday (Graffiti Ministry Day)

10:00 A,M. - Darryl Curry’s Set Free Bible Study

9:00 P.M. - Adult Bible Study – Denny’s (Willow and Shaw)

Wednesday

7:00 P.M. Skate Ministry and Bible Studies

8:15 P.M. - Pastor Tom’s Set Free Bible Study

Thursday (Graffiti Ministry Day)

6:00 A.M. - Men’s Prayer (Till 6:30 A.M.)

7:00 A.M. - Men’s Bible Study – Call 647-2203 for location .

2:00 P.M. Pastor Jack’s Set Free Bible Study

Saturday (Graffiti Ministry Day)

6:30 P.M. - Set Free Worship

India Children's Choir in Fresno

2006-07-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

We cordially invite you to attend. We also need to provide good guest housing and meals for 22 children and 8 adults for two nights. Your help would be appreciated. Contact Pastor Tom Sims at 559-647-2203 or tomsims1@compuserve.com.

The India Children's Choir
Wednesday, August 9
7:00 P.M.
Baptist Temple - The Fellowship of Joy
4141 N. Fresno Street between Ashlan and Dakota
559-229-9379
Sponsored by Bibles for the World

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE HMAR PEOPLE

The people of the Hmar tribe of Northeast India were fierce headhunters. In 1910, a missionary named Watkin Roberts sent a copy of the Gospel of John to a Hmar chief. The chief invited Roberts to come and explain the Scriptures. He went despite a ban by the British Colonial government to keep him out of the area, and five young tribesmen chose to follow the Lord Jesus. These converts grew in faith and became leaders of a new and growing church. Within two generations, the entire tribe was evangelized. Headhunting stopped and hearthunting became the fervent pursuit of the people. The children of the India Children's Choir are direct descendents of those who first believed.

Background of the Musical

The heritage of Northeast India tribal peoples is rich in artistry and meaning. Their music and dance have served over the centuries as the means of communicating this heritage, since the people had no written language to preserve their history. Their music is characterized by beautiful harmony, poetic word pictures and strong visual impact.

In the musical, Headhunters to Hearthunters, the children perform the ancient Lamlam (walking dance). Formerly, the words, rhythms and gestures marked headhunting victories. But now, the children perform the Lamlam as a transition from the ancient days of darkness to the glorious light of the Gospel; the words are not of headhunting but of the victory found in Christ for all who believe:

We are marching to our eternal destiny, And the breezes of Zion refresh us. We are the children of the king, and not afraid, We will walk together joyously!

Ronald K. Wells, composer and choral clinician, and his wife Mary Jane, traveled to Northeast India with Dr. Rochunga Pudaite and ministered to the Hmar Christians. While there, God impressed him with a desire to write a children’s musical drama to tell the amazing story of how God used a single copy of the Gospel of John to change the eternal destiny of a whole tribe.

The 2006 tour of the India Children’s Choir will mark the 12^th year of Mr. Well’s musical, and will also debut several songs from the choir’s upcoming new musical. Bibles For The World is honored to introduce musical composer and performer, Marc Profant. Through his artistry and talent, Marc breathes new life into the familiar but remarkable story of God’s transforming power.

2006-07-19T13:19:00.000-07:00

News from BT

2006-05-15T15:27:00.000-07:00

Skate Church is up and running. The Graffiti ministry is in full swing.

Geting It Done

2006-04-17T17:34:00.000-07:00

When it comes to reporting news, you have to start somewhere and you must assume that the first news is an introduction as well.

Given that, I am also aware that to put to much weight on the openning attempts at reporting can be awkward and daunting. So much so, that one never gets started.

So I'll start with plumbing and move up - I hope. Plumbing flows south, but we need something uplifting. Nevertheless, our plumbing at the Fellowship of Joy has been in a state of clog with brief periods of unclog. we hope to do something about that this Saturday, April 22 at 8 A.M. It's not too inspiring, I know, but you are invited to show up and lend a hand with a shovel or some other clean-up task.

It's a Workday.

In case you don't know the address it is 4141 N Fresno St - in Fresno at the corner of Hampton and Fresno between Ashlan and Dakota,

I am actualy excited about that AND ... about our Grafitti Abatement ministry in the community ( Read more at fresnojoy.com. ) and our Angel Food Ministry - also at fresnojoy.com .

There is more than one way to spread the love of Jesus!

News

2006-03-30T10:54:00.000-08:00

This is the Fresno Joy news blog.

We will activate it in a few days.

News from the Fellowship of Joy

What's happening in Fresno - The Walmat Hunger Initiative

STEP UP – Week One

STEP UP DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS for February 16-22

STEP UP DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS - Week of February 9-15

STEP UP DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS - Week of February 2-8

Report from the Retreat

Step Up Devotions for January 5-11

Forgetting Valentine's Day

Shop, Save, and Support

Invest in the Transformation of Our City

News for Saturday

Justice for All

One of Our Sponsors

Promise Keepers Information

Speakers

Special Guest

Worship

2007 Sponsors

Register

Three Easy Ways to Register!

Additional Resources

Equip Biblical Institute: FALL 2007

Begins Sept. 12 and 13

Location: Grace Community Church

Ephesians 4:12 : “Equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to the building up of the body of Christ”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Follow Me

Post-Easter News

News for the Week Ending March 24

From the Message

From the Message

From the Message

From the Message

From the Message

Friday Update - March 16, 2007

New Air-Conditioner/Heater Coming

Salvation Through Christ: A Matter of FAITH

Salvation Through Christ: A Matter of FAITH

Most of You Made It

Spring Forward

Welcome to BlogVille

Developing a Vision

Sermon Preview for March 11

Changes

Dreaming Together about Hubs

Good Sunday

Church Bulletin for Sunday, March 4

H. B. London in Fresno

Begining February 20-21

Skate Church

Message from Romans 8 with the State of the Church and call to Adventure

Logging In from the True North

Pastor Tom's Travels

A Few Things

India Children's Choir in Fresno

News from BT

Geting It Done

News

Ephesians 4:12 : “Equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to the building up of the body of Christ”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~