Facedown....

Facedown – Who knew that Dave Walden had the perfect body for planking?

The Men of Tiffany Fellowship Church recently had the opportunity to attend the District Men’s Retreat at the Lake Maurer campground in Excelsior Springs. To say the least, all in attendance had a fantastic time in fellowship and getting facedown before the Lord in more ways than one!

We gathered together and began our event with the study of various Scripture passages that emphasized people being facedown before the Lord and the circumstances that led them there. This time was followed by an awesome lunch and the fulfillment of a challenge to go planking or get facedown with our afternoon free-time.

After a fun filled day, we did what comes natural at any Men’s retreat and fellowshipped over another great meal followed by incredible worship, devotions in faith principles, and anointed altar prayer. If you missed out on the events or were unable to attend, be sure to meet with any of the men that went and they will surely tell of the fun and transformation, or even share some of the study with you. Check in with Tiffany Fellowship guys: Pat Edins, Ed Fenn, Brian Main, Jerry peters, and Dave Walden or myself.

Great appreciation goes out to Pastor Les Clark for his outstanding leadership of District Men’s events, Rev. John Palmer from Emerge Ministries for his leading of our Facedown emphasis, and District Superintendant Ray Brewer for his support of fellowship and encouragement to men in the Northern Missouri District. Of course there are many more behind the scenes that did an awesome job and our thanks goes to them as well.

Planking may be the latest picture taking craze, but getting facedown has been around for ages, just check your Bible!

Praying for your best,
Pastor Warren

Cold hands, warm heart....

I am so glad warmer weather is finally here. As usual, for the next 3-4 months there is a high chance-ability (Like that non-word?) that people will not be saying, “wow, your hands are cold!” Of course I have given several responses over the years such as, “Refreshing isn’t it,” or “Yea, warm me up,” or the old standard “Cold hands, warm heart.”

Well, it appears that the latter response may actually be somewhat on track!

Here are a few sources that speak to that:

In cold weather, blood goes away from the hands and feet to protect the brain and main parts of the body. Then your hands will be cold but your heart will be warm. TheEnglishClub.com

Having cold hands even when you're not in a cold environment is common. Often, having cold hands is a part of your body's natural response to regulate your body temperature and shouldn't be cause for concern. The Mayo Clinic

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Ok, so that was just a little warm hearted information to ponder during the cold hand reprieve.

Check out my ride....

A few weeks back the second round of the Moto GP World Championship was held in Spain. It was reported that King Juan Carlos attended the race and decided to take a tour of pit lane on his own schedule that unfortunately coincided with the riders heading out for track time. As with kings being used to going where they want, when they want, it is reported that he had a near brush with a snarling Moto GP bike leaving a team garage.

Reports said that the race commission apologized for the incident, even though most people know you have to be on your toes in pit lane, royalty or not. Someone mentioned that if he had been wearing a crown to identify himself, perhaps he would have been given time to clear the lane before the release of the riders.

Well, it seems that if the king really wanted to be recognized, he should have been riding a donkey! That’s right, Pastor Barry Clair mentioned in his message for Palm Sunday that Jesus as King and other biblical kings always rode donkeys and mules.

2 Samuel 16:2 The king asked Ziba, “Why have you brought these?” Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride on...”

1 Kings 1:38 So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the king’s bodyguard took Solomon down to Gihon Spring, with Solomon riding on King David’s own mule.

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.

John 12:14-15 Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt.”

So there you have it... Jesus is King and other kings should follow his lead in more ways than one. Also, if they tour pit lane in style, make sure the royal scoopers clean up before the riders take to the track!