The FeliX Files: 2011

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Prospect Ridge Academy

As Isaac will be ready to attend kindergarten in the fall of 2011, we have spent much time thinking through what to do regarding his schooling. Last year, we heard about a new charter school that was in processes of being built in our area. As we did more research, we got excited about their approach to curriculum and education and really like the values this school holds and wants to instill into the children that attend. Luckily, Isaac got accepted and is now enrolled at PRA. Being a new charter school, there are many opportunities and needs for parents to get involved at PRA with their kids’ education and extra-curricular activities. We are still waiting patiently for the district to approve the final construction site for the school, but once it is built, we are looking for ways to be involved with sports, music, and hopefully even serving on the school board. Please pray that God would guide us to the areas were we can have the greatest impact in this school and in children’s lives.

PRA Website:
http://prospectridgeacademy.org/

Watermark Community Church

Once we moved back to Colorado from New Zealand, we spent time praying for God to lead us to a vibrant and gospel-centered church with an emphasis on engaging in the community with a Christ-like love and service. We are so very thankful that God has led us to Watermark Community Church. Watermark is a young church plant in Broomfield, CO and part of the Acts 29 church planting network. The network was started by Mars Hill Church in Seattle and has grown to include church plants around the world. “Watermark Church's Mission is to participate in God's passion to transform lives and the city through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The vision is to see a new community formed that is passionately pursuing God’s glory, changed lives, and serving the lost and hurting” (quoted from website). Maybe starting new things is just in our blood… but we’re excited to be a part of helping pioneer this local movement of faith. We are eager to use our God-given gifts, abilities, and experiences to serve in and through our new church home!

Related Websites:

www.watermarkdenver.org

www.acts29network.org

Investing In Our Community

commūnitās (n) < Latin - a community; public spirit, a sense of duty and willingness to serve one’s community.

It was only 7-1/2 months ago that we completed our overseas mission, packed up our bags, and left our ‘New Zealand lives’ behind. It can be hard letting go of a place you’ve dwelt in, gotten to know, and developed community in. This has been true for us. But on the other hand, there has been excitement, novelty, and joy as we’ve returned to the United States and begun to establish ourselves amidst our new community in Broomfield, CO. Often, settling into a new community is a gradual process. It takes time and has its share of challenges and barriers as we seek out new friendships and ultimately work toward the goal of knowing others and being known. I’ve devoted this month’s blogging to sharing with you about some of the ways the Lord has led us to be involved with and serve our community. As always we are trusting the Lord to use these venues as channels for us to minister to and reach out to lost and hurting people around us. Pray that we would be salt and light Christ calls us to be while living in commūnitās.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Is He Really My Lord?

“… so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus…”
(Acts 20:24)

Joy comes from seeing the complete fulfillment of the specific purpose for which I was created and born again, not from successfully doing something of my own choosing. The joy our Lord experienced came from doing what the Father sent Him to do. And he says to us, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21). Have you received a ministry from the Lord? If so, you must be faithful to it—to consider your life valuable only for the purpose of fulfilling that ministry. Knowing that you have done what Jesus sent you to do, think how satisfying it will be to hear Him say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). We each have to find a niche in life, and spiritually we find it when we receive a ministry from the Lord. To do this we must have close fellowship with Jesus and must know Him as more than our personal Savior. And we must be willing to experience the full impact of Acts 9:16—” I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.”
“Do you love Me?” Then, “Feed My sheep” (John 21:17). He is not offering us a choice of how we can serve Him; He is asking for absolute loyalty to His commission, a faithfulness to what we discern when we are in the closest possible fellowship with God. If you have received a ministry from the Lord Jesus, you will know that the need is not the same as the call—the need is the opportunity to exercise the call. The call is to be faithful to the ministry you received when you were in true fellowship with Him. This does not imply that there is a whole series of differing ministries marked out for you. It does mean that you must be sensitive to what God has called you to do, and this may sometimes require ignoring demands for service in other areas.
[Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest—In Today’s Language]

Breathing Space

Respite (n) - a delay or cessation for a time, especially of anything distressing or trying; an interval of relief.

Sometimes, we all need to stop and take inventory of our lives. We need to pause and assess our spiritual, emotional, and physical condition. Over the past decade, we have been dedicated to pursuing lost students for Christ with but a few moments to step away from the mission and reflect on our journey and personal well-being. Needless to say, we’ve realized we are overdue for a such a time.
In the midst of this transition in our ministry assignments, we are using the next several months to seek some rest amidst the major changes and challenges we’ve encountered over the past few years. Before we report to our next assignment, we plan to spend some valuable time listening closely to the Lord, resting in Him, and seeking His direction for the days ahead.
We also find ourselves in a season where it has become important and necessary for us to reconnect with our ministry partners (so you might be hearing from us soon) and to build our team of financial partners.
Before God enables us to begin working in the new areas of our calling, please pray for us. Pray that we would experience a sweet time of refreshment, connection, transformation, adjustment, and fine-tuning in our walks with the Lord.