Update on "Realize the Dream"

Last week I bemoaned the participation level of our capital funds campaign  "Realize the Dream." That solicited a lot of great testimonies from those who made committments that were prayerful but a stretch for their present circumstances. Some of these were amazing. In each case not only did God provide the ability to pay their committment to the campaign, but gave them an abundance above and beyond that amount. How sad then that some were advising people with fixed incomes to not participate in the campaign. I am sure people like this have the best intentions, but their advice rob those who listen a tremendous blessing. It's like telling a hungry person who has only a ration of minnows with which to fish to eat the minnows and not waste them by placing them on a hook and casting them where they might catch a real meal. Even fishing takes faith.

Now the good news. I am happy to say that "First Fruits Sunday" yielded wonderful results. The total in cash was over $263,000. When non-cash contributions are converted this amount could easily soar over $300,000. That's is a huge beginning considering it is more than 10% of the entire 3 year campaign. I want to thank everyone again who participated. Everyone who made phone calls, stuffed envelopes, attended meetings and picked up cards did so with a great spirit of cooperation. Now let's watch together how God leads from this point on. It may not be exactly how I mapped it out, but then it rarely is. 

In His Shadow,

PK    

Comments

[angela]

That is great! I cannot wait to see what all God has in store along the way. A three year period is just so hard to tell. I am sure God will lay it on peoples hearts to give more in areas that they were not even aware of. I love living on the faith of trust and obedience then we just sit back and watch how amazing God is. How amazing His work is and how mindful He is of us but always in His way and His time. Let's pop up some popcorn and take a front row seat to His greatness as we watch and wait.
Blessings,
Angela

[Nancy Farris]

Pastor Ken:

So sorry to hear of the death of your friend I could tell
you were sad and why not even Jesus was sad at times-Since we made our commitment to Realize the Dream wierd things have begun happening we paid off our Motor Home, got a raise in Medicare and I've made some money working in Mothers day out - God is so good!!!
I just wanted to tell You..

Nancy Farris

[Becky Benefield]

When I recall my convictions on giving many, many years ago, my mother poihted out to me Malachi, chapter 3. As a single parent with little income, she taught me how to take God at His word; therefore, my husband and I did just that early on in our marriage. To this day after seventeen years of giving, God has kept His promise. We have NEVER missed nor regretted any monetary gift to the church, and we vehemently believe that it is an HONOR to give where God is at work. If one is cognizant of circumstances alone, that is when his situation seems unstable. Reality. Just like Peter when he walked on water. As soon as he took his eyes off of Jesus, he began to sink. We need not think of just a building nor our finances nor our erratic economy. We need to believe what God can do through our obedience because nothing is impossible with Him (Matthew 20:26). He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works within US! (Ephesians 4:20) If only we could trust Him with that second mile....

[Becky Benefield]

Regrettably, I grovelled beneath my standards as an English teacher and did not proofread my careless keyboarding at 1:30 in the morning (GASP!); therefore, in response to my previous post, allow me to correct myself before I erroneously bemuse your faithful blog readers with my grievous blunder. The scripture quoted in my post is from Malachi 3:8-12, Matthew 19:26, and Ephesians 3:20. I now humbly bow my head in great humiliation and shame...LOL.

[Ken Duggan]

Wow, Becky, coming up with such impressive vocabulay in the "wee hours" of the morning. I am very impressed. Would you like to write my next sermon?
Pastor Ken

[Becky Benefield]

I will proofread it for you.