God's Transforming Power

It's amazing to witness and to hear how God has transformed a life. The Lord delights in changing lives and giving new life to those who will hand over their lives to Him. Be blessed as you meet our friend Kevin and hear about the amazing things Jesus has done in his life!

You can listen in right here.

No Questions

Do you ever tell the LORD, "Who me? ... But I couldn't ... You don't really want me to ..." That is exactly what Mo did in Exodus chapter 4. You see God had called him to go to Pharaoh have a little chat and then lead God's people out of Egypt. Mo's response to God is so like ours... "Oh, uh I can't ... (you fill in what God wants you to do here) because ... (you can fill in your own reason here)." Did God ask Mo for an excuse? No. Did God as Mo to question? No. Did God ask Mo to go? Yes! Often when God speaks to us we say, "Uh... but... really... did you think about... I'm not sure..." Let's knock it off! When God speaks, just say Yes! No questions. So what you think you can't - God obviously thinks you can otherwise He wouldn't of asked. You may not be adequate in and of yourself, but with the power of God's Holy Spirit in you, you are more than adequate to do whatever God asks you to do. So next time God asks you to do something don't say, "But..." rather say, "Yes!" "...We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37

New CountrysideBLOG.com

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His Adventure

I love adventures and surprises because you never know what is going to happen next. Do you ever feel like you want to get away from the normalcy of everyday life and take an adventure? Well, a few weeks back I was praying with a friend and she used an interesting phrase in talking with the LORD. She thanked the LORD for letting us be a part of HIS ADVENTURE. I thought that was a wonderful, empowering and exciting way to phrase our walk with the LORD!

The LORD tells us in His Word that He will lead us step by step (Proverbs 3:6, Psalm 119:105). He also tells us that He is both the Author and the Perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). So why is it that I have such a hard time trusting in the LORD day to day? Why do I worry? - I guess because I am human, but actually because I am trying to have my own adventure instead of living in God's adventure. You see God's plans are so much better than mine - His adventure has a better storyline than mine. His adventure has better characters than mine. His adventure has a better setting than mine. His adventure even has better hair, make-up, and clothing than mine. His adventure is so grand, why do I think my adventure is even worth comparing?

Are you looking for some excitement? Are you feeling a little dull? Are you uncertain of your future or tired of trying to figure it out? Give up trying to make your own adventure for your life and start living (really living) - live in HIS ADVENTURE!

Jesus Feast

Feasting with Jesus -- the Marriage Supper of the Lamb is certainly worth waiting for. Yet, what about now? In the reality which is Jesus, shouldn't we be able to feast now? The meal that He left us, the bread and the wine, isn't there more than what can often be snacky-symbolism? The very name we often give it, communion (common-union), doesn't that just sound like something we long for in Jesus and with Jesus-like people?

We've enjoyed 'Jesus Feasting' in smaller settings, but this is the first time we've been able to invite the whole of Countryside to feast together in Jesus. Set aside the evening of Sunday, April 30. Let's see Jesus together.

Very early in the morning

As I was sitting, worshipping and praying during Morning Worship this morning, I was reminded again, what a great opportunity the Lord has given us in this place, and among the people we call Countryside. I watched as a mom of a fairly young boy came in about 6:30 (yes, that's in the morning), with her kid bundled up in a blanket, so that they could join the Body in prayer and communion before the Lord.

Oh, I know the realities of a warm bed beckoning and the inconveniences associated with getting kids out of bed at virtually any hour. Yet, peacefully, and certainly not for the first time, mom came and met the Lord here. And her son (more asleep than awake this time around, but not always) was blessed in more ways that he can count at this point in his life. Blessed by parents who want more of the Lord. Blessed by parents who desire to be an example to their son about faith. Blessed by parents who desire to make some effort of devotion, no matter how small, to train their child in the Lord. All the while, their son looks on and, as Paul admonishes, can be glad in blissful oblivion that he is being raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. --Mark 1:35

Testimonies

“Testimony: An assertion offering firsthand authentication of a fact; something given or done as an expression of esteem; something that recommends (or expresses commendation) of a person or thing as worthy or desirable; something that serves as evidence”

It has been a blessing to hear from those in the Body in the last weeks who have praised the Lord through the evidence that they have offered of God’s love and His grace in their testimony. We’d like you to share yours too, perhaps here on the blog, or during a service at Countryside.

Please send your testimony (it could be about how you’ve come to know the Lord, or perhaps about the amazing things that Jesus is doing in your life), in 1,000 words or less, to testimony@countrysidefellowship.com. If you are looking for examples of what others have encouraged the Body at Countryside with, check out Cameron Sweeney’s or Terry Odle’s testimonies below.

Free, free, free

In Jesus we are free. We're not free to be in further bondage, or a different kind of bondange, we're free to just be free. Listen to a few of the things Paul says about this very thing:

Galatians 1:6-7 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 2:4-5 because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.
Galatians 2:15-16 “We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ 16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
Galatians 3:2-3 Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?
Galatians 3:25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Galatians 5:13-14 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:16-18 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

"Fly, be free." -- Mork from Ork

Mark Now Available on MP3 Audio Commentary

The book of Mark is now available on MP3. Pick up your copy today in the Encouraging Words Boodstore.

Garden Sacrifices and Burnt Offerings BBQ

It's here again! This Sunday we're holding the Garden Sacrifices and Burnt Offerings BBQ, following the morning worship service. Come enjoy the food as we gather together for a wonderful time of fellowship.

Oh so very deep and wide

We cannot have a relationship with our christology — we can have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our soteriology cannot save us from our sins — our Savior can.

Our ecclesiology does not make us one — the Lord of the Church does.

Our eschatology will not transform this flawed universe — Jesus the King of kings and Prince of Peace will do that.

And, no matter how much we love theology — it will never love us back.

— from a forthcoming book by Mark Allen Powell, as quoted by Scot McKnight, The Jesus Creed, pg 190

Spring Cleaning

Contagious?

Are you contagious? I know, I know - a lot of people have been sick this year at the Fellowship, but that is not what I am talking about. I want to know - Are you contagious for Jesus? Are you infectious with His love?

You see I have been wondering - Do people catch Jesus from me? If you stop and really ask yourself this question the answer may challenge you to become contagious - even infectious. You know, I really wonder... When people catch my attitudes - would they belong to Jesus? When people see my actions - would they belong to Jesus? When people hear my words - would they belong to Jesus? If people could read my mind (Thank God they can't at times!) - would my thoughts be those that Jesus would of had? How would you answer those questions about yourself? Hmmm...

The thing is this - we are all contagious, but what are we passing on to others? So think about it - instead of just being contagious, be contagious with Jesus because Jesus is a wonderful thing to catch!

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..." Colossians 3:15

Easter Week at Countryside

Sunday, April 9 - Palm Sunday - Triumphal Entry
Nisan 10, Lamb Selected
Matthew 21:1-11
Exodus 12:3-5
Psalm 118:25-26
Zechariah 9:9

Monday, April 10
Nisan 11
Matthew 21:10-17

Tuesday, April 11
Nisan 12
Mark 11:27-13:37

Wednesday, April 12 - Last Supper
Nisan 13, Passover Eve
John 13:1-30
Luke 22:7-23
Zechariah 11:12-13

Thursday, April 13 - Crucifixion
Nisan 14, Passover
Matthew 27:1-66
Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm 22

Friday, April 14 - Good Friday
Nisan 15, Feast of Unleavened Bread
Isaiah 53
Exodus 12:15-20
Leviticus 23:4-6

Saturday, April 15
Nisan 16, Sabbath
John 19:38-42
Leviticus 23:3

Sunday, April 16 - Resurrection Day
Nisan 17, Feast of First Fruits
John 20:1-31
Leviticus 23:9-14
1 Corinthians 15

The dates of the Jewish calendar don’t necessarily coincide with our calendar every year. The Jewish dates that you see are those that would have been the year of Christ’s crucifixion.

Easter at Countryside

Come unto Me...

Last Sunday, Cameron Sweeney shared with the Fellowship a short testimony about what the Lord has been doing in her life. As a Body, we have an opportunity to be encouraged by the Lord when we share what Jesus has done and is doing in our lives. We also have the privilege of encouraging and spurring others on towards love and good deeds as we acknowledge the great things God has done and bear witness to His hand on each of our lives.

Listen to Cameron’s testimony by clicking here: Be encouraged!

The Lord Bless You!

Family Campout 2006

Mark you calendars for this year’s Family Campout.

Keep your eyes peeled for more information.

Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time is here again. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead this Saturday night.

Jesus transforms us...

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony… Revelation 12:11

A couple of weeks ago, Terry Odle shared with Countryside his testimony. Terry recently gave his life to the Lord and has experienced a wonderful transformation since his encounter with Jesus. As a Fellowship we were built up by the obvious faithfulness and love shown to Terry by God. You can listen in by clicking on this link: Terry Odle

It’d be our prayer that you too would be encouraged and built up by listening to Terry’s testimony. May you find that God has truly been with you and faithful to you thus far...

May God Bless you!

Father's House THIS SUNDAY!

Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. — Psalm 134:1-2

This Sunday Night, 7:00 p.m.

in the Sanctuary

One of the greatest privileges we have as children of God is the opportunity and ability to minister to the LORD through worship. So, we’ll be gathering this Sunday specifically to bless and seek the LORD in worship. As we pour our hearts out to the LORD, we’re given the freedom to express our love for Jesus. That could mean anything from being moved to stand with our hands raised or to kneel in reverence. Whatever form our worship takes, it’ll be our desire to allow His Spirit to freely move in and upon us so that we lovingly touch His heart and bless His Name. Father's House begins at 7:00 this Sunday night. This service is an excellent opportunity to teach our younger, school aged kids what a joy it is to worship our King. So, come and we'll minister to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.