Love Your Church!!

You know as I sit in my office today and think about the last few weeks of ministry. I think of the hustle and bustle of getting things done. I think about our Children's ministry on the 7th of December. I think about our Contatta last week, and I think about our services yesterday. I am completely overwhelmed by the things that God is doing. What a great job Charlotte does with our kids!! What a great, dedicated, choir we have. Many churches across the country do not have the resourses to even have a choir. Joyce really works hard at pulling them together. I am so thankful for these two, and their leadership and direction. If you agree take time to thank them in a quick note this week!!

I have been doing youth ministry for 12 years now and I can see God doing great things in the lives of our young people. I have been here at Gospel Tabernacle for 7 years this February!! I have seen God do great things in our church as well. We have some Great... I mean Great people that attend this church. Most of which are involved in ministry. These are the people that make the church what it is. The church not only takes on the personality of the Pastor and staff, but also the people that are doing ministry.

This Holiday season I am so proud of each one that has worked so hard this year to make this chruch (Gospel Tabernacle) Great!! God's Kingdom is advancing in this area! He is faithful and He has a perfect plan for this church. I love our church.... Can you say that you do as well?? If not, get involved, forgive those that have wronged you and move forward into ministry. Encourage those in leadership to move forward in advance!! Remember, it is not about us, it's about how He wants to use us to see His will done and the Kingdom pressing forward this coming year!! Will you do your part along side of us?? I trust that you are already and you will continue!

Blessings,
Pastor Carl

I Am Soooooo Ready for Christmas....

I can hardly believe that another year is gone and this Christmas day 2008 is upon us. When I think about Christmas I think of all of the fun things that we do, some together and some by ourselves.

It can be crazy around black Friday and you had better stand clear or you could get run over and even hurt badly when the doors open. Or you can be like me... I ran to Wal-Mart last night to shop for my precious wifey!! I had no clue what I was after, but I got the job done. I think that she will be very happy this year! I cannot tell you what I got her yet for fear that she will find out! I do think that she will be suprised and happy though. Her joy helps me to be encouraged, and my kids on Christmas morning are amazing! I love to see their joy as they open their gifts from us. I really believe in the reason for this season in our lives and our kids know that these gifts are for them from us and we are celebrating the birth of the greatest Man to ever walk the earth. He is the one that has changed everything!

I downloaded the Christmas album by Faith Hill this year and the song that struck me was "A Baby Changes Everything." You can see a video of it here. This song moves me! There is so much truth here that I wish people would stop and hear the message this Christmas!! He has changed my "everything" in my life and I am so grateful for that truth that has changed me.

This Christmas before my family opens their gifts we will take time to make sure that our kids know the WHY of this great season. I pray that you will do the same. Don't leave the greatest gift out of your family's Christmas!! He is so near and so precious to us.

Blessings,
Pastor Carl

No internet for you!

I sit here in my office this morning with tons to do but no internet service to work with! I have upgraded our service to a higher speed but they shut us off until they can switch it over. They said that they will have it done by Monday!! One of my first questions was will there be any downtime?? O, absolutely not sir, you should be able to plug your new modem in and be fine! Well, not so in this case! They have to send a tech into town to do the switchover! And here we wait! O, well! We will wait..... and wait.............. that's all we can do for now!