The Fellowship of Joy

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'...

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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, Fr...

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.

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...

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./

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!

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 .

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 catal...

(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 ...

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, 200...

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.

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...

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. C hasing 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 Bib...