How is God stretching you?

The month of June has become a favorite of mine for one simple reason - the ONE PRAYER series. If you aren't familiar with One Prayer you can read more about it here - www.oneprayer.com.

For our church family the One Prayer series has been a time when we are able to deal with a variety of topics in a whole new way. This year's theme is God is... As we have been looking at what God is we as a fellowship have been tacking to the cross each Sunday things that God has taught us during that message. It has been really neat to see the cross begin to fill and this is the LAST week of One Prayer for this year so I am hoping this Sunday we cover the cross with our prayers and desires.

I believe that God has used this series the past two years to stretch and cause to intentionally look at various opportunities in ways that never had before. I know that God has spoken to me and has continued to pour and unwrap His vision for our church into me. God is up to something HUGE and I am EXCITED beyond belief to be a part of it!! How is God stretching you? What has He been teaching you lately? I would love to hear about it...leave me a comment and let me know...

Smoak's Signals...

+ Yesterday was in one word - AWESOME
+ God brought a message that touched ALOT of lives - excited about the vision that He is revealing
+ We had an EXCELLENT VBS last week - enrollment of 139 - avg. attendance 110
+ The volunteers at CBC are out of this world
+ The worship Sunday was AMAZING - love Jesus Messiah - Mark hit it out of the park
+ Nothing like seeing a bunch of children cut the ribbon to the new building that was built to reach families just like theirs
+ New youth facility opens Wednesday night - excited to see what God is going to do through that ministry
+ New building built and dedicated, new youth facility renovated 95% ready to open Wednesday night, now on the children's facilities that will open Sunday September 6th
+ Looking forward to getting away and spending some time with Amanda and Andrew and our extended family this week. It has been a long year!
+ Looking forward to seeing ALL that God has in store for this week.

It is FINISHED

Have you ever just had one of those moments when something you have worked so long and hard on is finally finished and you want to CELEBRATE like crazy?

Well at CBC that is exactly what we did yesterday. We celebrated God's faithfulness as we dedicated our New Fellowship and Ministries Center. It was truly an awesome day and we saw God do some mighty things in MANY peoples lives.

I am going to post more on our dedication service along with some pics so be on the look out...Make it a GREAT Monday!

What I've been learning

We've all had those Aha moments. Those moments in our lives when a truth that we have known, and clung to for years seems to have some new found meaning. Perhaps it is just that we have needed it in a different way, or that there is a new experience that we are dealing that causes us to look at things in a whole new light. These past few days God has really been teaching me through 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 -

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made
perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I have heard this scripture thousands of times, I have even preached on it, yet for some reason as I read it during my QT the other day it came alive with new meaning. This summer I am praying for a new fresh vision from God, and as He has been giving it to me and I have been unpacking it and working on how to cast it to the church I have seen a need now more than ever to TRUST in His strength in my ministry and my own personal life. What about you, are you truly TRUSTING in His strength or are you relying on your power?

Smoak Signals...

Wow, I can't believe that it has been a week since I last posted! Man, how time flies.

+ Awesome worship experience yesterday!
+ Steven Furtick preached at CBC yesterday via the ONE PRAYER series
+ Great message, wonderful time of response by our congregation
+ Really looking forward to next week and our dedication service for our new Fellowship and Ministries Center
+ A very busy week ahead...VBS, dedication service preparation, as you can tell it is going to be one of those weeks!

I pray that God would use each of you in a MIGHTY way this week to impact His kingdom!

Happy Birthday...

Today one of the most precious people in the world celebrates her 31st birthday! That's right today is Amanda's birthday, and to say that she means the world to me would be an understatement! She is the best wife I could have ever asked for, and I thank God daily for giving me a partner in ministry, that LOVES God more than she loves me!

Amanda I hope that you have an AWESOME day and know that I love you more today than ever before!!!

Sunday Insight...

This week begins an AWESOME journey for our church. We will be joining with churches from all across the US and from around the world as we participate in the ONE PRAYER series. This year we are simply going to finish the this simple statement -

God is...

My message for Sunday centers around a truth that we all know and sometimes understand, but often forget. God is...FAITHFUL.

The question I want you to chew on is -

Are you willing trust God even if the outcome is NOT what you desire?

Smoak's Signals

+ GREAT weekend!! I got spend some time with Amanda and Andrew and my wonderful mother-in-law.
+ Enjoyed hanging out with Ducharme family Sat. for Kimberlin's birthday! Glad they have a pool - because it is OFFICIALLY summer in SC!
+ Awesome day at CBC.
+ Enjoyed the worship
+The message was the perfect explanation point to a GREAT series!
+ We kicked off our Super Sunday's last night and had an awesome attendance and a GREAT time of fun and fellowship!
+ This is going to be a busy week, but I can hardly wait to see all that God has in store.
+ I am SO thankful for God's AMAZING blessings on my life - how in the world did I ever get so fortunate!
+ I thank God for the simply Amazing church that God gives me the privilege to serve each day. I stand in awe that He allows me to be a part of what He is doing in Neeses.
+ Sometime this week, look back at what you were BEFORE you met Christ, and reflect on just how far you have come AFTER your conversion experience!

Celebrate ALL that God is doing as you seek to SERVE Him daily!