 - Over $101,000 has been pledged to accomplish the First Link beginning in mid-September ... PTL!
- Teams serving all weekend services will be recruited and trained in the next few months.
- There is continued excitement of reaching the 150,000 in our area who don't attend church.
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By Grant Edwards
I don't want to walk alone in my Christian faith. I want to walk with you.  I've met Christians who believe they don't need other Christians- at least that's what I see by observing their actions. It is too easy to think that "going it alone" is best. Many believers do not have accountable, confessionable (not a word but you get the drift), and relationable (apologies again!) faith. Recently I was reading a study by Christian sociologist George Barna. His report stated that of those who consider themselves Christian in America today - 53% have distanced themselves from church! His report concludes with the following quote ...
... God uses people's pain - and their own immaturity, in some cases - to reshape us. There is no denying that many churchgoers get wounded by the insensitive or ignorant actions of others in the church. Steven Mansfield (in his book ReChurch) points out, though, that those instances are opportunities for us to love others who, like ourselves, are simply "flawed sinners." Fleeing from the source of pain and suffering, rather than addressing and overcoming it, leaves us wounded and bitter, and does nothing to enhance our lives or those of the people responsible for that suffering.
If God's plan for me to be fully His and walking completely in the Spirit, includes you, then I want to walk with you - though, admittedly, I sometimes would like someone else! I need relationable, confessionable, and accountable relationships. These relationships are tough and often frustrating but the joy of growth in Jesus is worth it!
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 The Kitten Let me introduce myself: I am Emily Edwards' dog. My name is Chloe. I'm part poodle and part Silky Terrier or what they call a SilkyPoo! Talk about an identity crisis!
Recently I visited my grandpa and grandma Edwards home and found that their house had been taken over by a kitten. They said it was a Siberian kitten named "Sasha".
I would like to request prayers for Grant and Barbara Edwards. It seems that Grandma Edwards is so smitten that she has lost all reasonable sense. The kitten claws things, meows loudly, and generally thinks it is in charge of the house - and my Grandma doesn't even know how deceiving this kitten can be. I'm also disappointed with Grandpa Grant; he allows such behavior in his house and he is a pastor!
To be honest I'm thinking of leaving the Edwards household. I may just leave and find a house that is more to my liking. I want a grandma and grandpa who will make me the priority and overlook my shortcomings the way they do that silly kitten. Just because the kitten learned to use a cat box its first day at the Edwards house and it took me a year and a half and I still have a few accidents - doesn't mean that they shouldn't swat the kitten like they do me. That's favoritism!
Ok, one last point. The last time I visited I was barking at and chasing the kitten like I do every time that I get a chance. And you know what happened? The kitten scratched my nose. I was at the Edwards house first; why do I have to make room for a kitten, especially one that scratches my nose? Favoritism, favoritism! Or in my language, "Howwllllll - that kitten has sharp claws."
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