The Church Directory

Do List

Write letter for Church Directory.
Develop "The Plan"
Plan Mission and Ministry Night
Prepare for Men's Bible Study
Prepare for Wednesday Night Bible Study
Work on Sermon
Write Article for Newsletter
Do Andy's Update
Blog
Promote Spring Bible Conference
Call  L.I.
Call C. L
Call M.W.
Call J. P.
Prepare for Staff Meeting

To Save A Life

Last Friday night our new Young Adult Sunday School Class was out on a group Valentine’s date. While we were laughing it up - about to eat our dinner, a lady at the next table began to choke. She was turning purple, and without a doubt dying quickly. Three of our guys, Josh, Kyle, and Desmond rushed to her aid, and thanks to their fast thinking she is alive today. In fact Kyle (an officer on the Tulsa PD) talked to her a few nights ago, and she said she was 95 years old, doing fine, and thankful to be alive.



I used this as an illustration last Sunday in my sermon to drive home the point that we all need to be ready to step in and save a life. My thoughts however don’t just end at saving a physical life. I am thinking more in line of sharing Jesus with our friends, family and neighbors so they might believe in Him and have eternal life. The lady who was saved on Friday night will like all of us someday knock at deaths door again.


What if our three guys would have said:


• No, saving that lady choking is not our responsibility.


• What if Kyle would have refused because he wasn’t on duty?


It would have been unthinkable to let her perish because we were busy doing our own thing.


What a great snap-shot what is happening in many of our churches today. We are busy having our parties, events, and programs, and people around us are dying without Christ…every day.

I am sure God will give you the opportunity to share your faith this week.  Be bold and courageous, and sieze that opportunity.

aj

Unity

And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said,
"Sovereign Lord"...

Acts 4:24

Let me just say...and I can because it's my blog...I am excited about many things at Riverview right now, but the one thing I am most excited about is the sense of unity and harmony in the church.  Even though we have gone to 2 Worship Services and 2 Sunday Schools UNITY is increasing.  Why?  Because unity in the Body of Christ is not about proximity to one another.  It is about relationship with Jesus, and His people.

Philippians 1:7

It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

Paul loved the Philippian Church like no other, and even though he was in prison in Rome their live did not diminish.  In fact it grew.

Philippians 1:8

ForGod is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.

An old friend of mine at my church in Blackwell...whom I love with great affection, used to always say, "It's about the love Andy, it's all about the love."  THE LOVE is the love of Jesus we have for one another.

On top of this please know that it begins with the pastoral staff at RBC.  We love each other.  I am so blessed to serve with the people God has placed in our fellowship.  Each of them are gifted specially for the ministry God has called them to at Riverview, they are committed to God and this church to the Nth degree, and they love you too.

What an awesome church.  Not because we have the best programs, buildings, or events.  It's because we got the love baby...we got the love.

Love,  Andy

PS - I didn't make the connection to Valentines day until right now.  Cool.

Pressure

Today I feel pressure.  It seems I have much more to do than I have time...pressure.  It is easy to get caught up in the "busyness" of life and ministry, but I have to discipline myself to not neglect the MOST IMPORTANT THING:  Time with Jesus.

Luke 10:41-42

But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

I know many of you can relate, and the truth is...we can't wish our way to a quiet time, and focusing on God and the things of God won't fall into our laps like an apple falling from a tree.  We will have to work for it.  I am going to stop everything right now and seek the Lord.  Everything I HAVE to do will be right here on my desk when I get back, the world will still be spinning, and I won't be any further behind than I am right now.  The only difference is, I will have quenched a thirst that is only satisfied in Christ.

Slow down, and have a great day.

aj