Wow, wow, wow...

I am a horrible blogger.  With work, school, and a home to take care of, I honestly have had no time to update my blog or even visit blogs.  Something that HAS been on my heart to share is this new series It Matters that we have started at FRC.  

Pastor Troy is teaching on several things that Matter in our walk as believers.  For example, Giving- It Matters.  The Church/Repentance- It Matters.  You- Matter.  Gratitude- It Matters. Sharing the Faith- It Matters.  That is the series in a nutshell.  

Before the series started, Heredes and I were invited to a very special banquet that just totally blew my mind.  All those invited were placed on the stage.  Heredes and I met a wonderful couple- she was just like Heredes, the husband was just like me.  We had a nice dinner, dessert, and coffee.  As we all faced the empty seats in the auditorium, we watched a slide show of the history of FRC.  We heard Pastor Troy speak from his heart, and we saw a few members share their stories.  Of course I teared up.  There is nothing more powerful than hearing the stories of people's lives being changed by an awesome, awesome God and to know that He would choose to use the church to be a part of those moments is an honor.  I am so thankful to be part of FRC.  

We also had our Quarterly Staff Meeting on May 6 2008.  We went through some assignments each ministry was given by Pastor Troy.  For example, children's ministry had C.B. Smith Park and we had to observe things our ministry is doing or is not doing in relation to what we learn from the park and two leadership principles.  It is so hard for me to explain in detail what Pr. Troy spoke about because- well you just had to be there.  But in a nutshell- God wants us to live up to our God given potential.  We live out our Ethos (thinking, collaboration, diversity, movement, potential) to get to our goal: 50 campuses, 100,000 people and $150,000,000 giving which is the motivation to reach our Mission: partnering with people to Reach their God potential.  

I loved hearing: we are not here to tolerate people but to EMBRACE all types of people so in part we can partner with them and show them God's amazing love and they in part can reach their God potential.  Embrace- for me so hard but how beautifully stated and how true.  To Embrace.  

In the battle of this mission we are to put the whole armor of God.  Three things we may feel while running this race:  You will feel attacked, overwhelmed and insecure.  But what will I (Marcy) do to overcome those feelings and rise above them to continue in reaching the mission and goal???  Well, I have to be in the word, in prayer, and preparing my mind to not hear the lies satan throws at me.  

Thank you Pastor Troy for what you taught us that night and how you are humbled and surrendered for God to work through you.  My thoughts eat me away sometimes and it was just great to be challenged to not give up, not give in, but be strengthen and fight back.  

I don't know where you are at this point in your life, but know God loves you, He made you just the way He wanted you to be, and He truly has provided a way out for all of us when we face great temptations.  Share your thoughts- leave a comment.