When my daughter was four she had an interest in science. With Christian programming on science very limited, we rented some secular science movies. Most of the information in the movies was acceptable for her viewing; however, I noticed that every chance given they would slip in evolution based theories. I trained my daughter to yell “that’s garbage” loudly at the TV whenever she heard un-factual things spoken. This was my way of knowing that she was being a responsible viewer and not picking up on the “garbage” and processing the information as a fact.

This exercise worked great until she began attending a Christian preschool, one day during dinosaur week, the teacher read a book about dinosaurs, the opening line was “Millions of years ago…”. My daughter immediately screamed out “that’s garbage”. Needless to say she was taken out of the room. While talking to her about respect, (at four years old), she said, “why was my teacher reading that to us, it was a lie”. I consulted with the teacher who admitted that she had no knowledge of the Christian view point on the beginning of the earth. This is a classic example of someone who has adopted the worldview of evolution and didn’t even realize it.

Cathy

“I have no compelling desire to go to church. I wish I did, but I don’t…The more my interest in Christ has grown, the more my interest in church has lessened. I think that’s a terrible state of affairs. I wish it weren’t so. But it is. And I ask myself, why? …After talking with thousands of churchgoing people and looking under the surface of their lives to see what is really going on beneath, I don’t believe (with few exceptions) that the church in America is doing what God most wants done in the depths of people’s lives. We’re not reaching deep enough. We’re not penetrating the denial that keeps our worst sins and most terrifying fears out of sight…”

“Church as I know it usually leaves deep parts of me dormant, unawakened, maybe it’s familiarity, the predictability of pattern and content that I find boring…My hunger for truth…is rarely satisfied.”

Larry’s book raises many questions, which I’m sure many pastors will find threatening and irritating. For me, it stirred a desire for a healthier fellowship. A church that does not leave people stranded in the shallow end of Christianity, but one where the gentle rain from Heaven refreshes our spirits and sometimes — lightening strikes dry, thirsty hearts illuminating our need for forgiveness and healing and direction. One that Larry might even enjoy! What do you think?

Gary
Fort Myers Vineyard Christian Fellowship
(A Fort Myers Church)

Steve set up a pretty cool Burning Bush scenario when God spoke to Moses about going to see Pharaoh. One little girl said, “That doesn’t look anything like a fire.” The little boy behind her quickly added, “But thanks for the effort!”

Steve, who was hidden, was the voice of God. One little guy says, “That’s not God- that’s Pastor Steve!”.
I was (Susan) trying to explain what an Israelite is. “We’re called Floridians because we live in Florida. We’re called American because we live in America. So where did the Israelites live?” One boy yelled, “In the desert!”, to which another boy quickly added, “Texas!”.

Earl Morris did a great job as a really mean Pharaoh. At one point, he said “No” so sternly that a little girl began to cry! As the plagues kept coming at the Egyptians, Pharoah continued to be negative. Steve asked the kids, “Have you ever met anyone so stubborn?” A little one next to me said, “Yeah, my mother!”.

A little later, Pharoah says that only the women and children could stay in Egypt- the men had to go. Steve asked if that would be good. One boy said, “You can take my dad- that would be good.”

When we reviewed how mean Pharoah was, one girl said, “His heart had been surgically removed!”.

Right after the Israelites painted the lamb’s blood on the door posts, God told them they would have to leave Egypt very quickly. They had no time to pack up everything. The kids were asked what they would take in a situation like that. “My laptop.” “My DS.” “My MP3 Player.” “Not my sister!”

When last night’s Bible lesson was over, one little guy said, “Can we start that all over again?”.

But it wasn’t all fun and games: last night they were asked to pray for their families. Kathy Morris asked for any special requests. “For a Make-A-Wish Partner named Max.” “For my little brother who needs heart surgery.” None of us were prepared for that.

Please help us pray for the needs of some of our littlest family members.

No doubt, there will be more to share. I will keep you posted.

Susan

Vineyard Christian Fellowship
A Fort Myers Church.

I’m conflicted about what to do on these special days (Father’s Day, Mother’s Day) which the society in general has turned into major church events. Let me know how you feel. I will not post your personal comment or quote you without your permission.

We work with you for your joy (2 Corinthians 1:24)

Pastor Gary
Fort Myers Vineyard
Fort Myers Florida Churches

Will your worship persevere in tough times?

The Unquenchable Worshipper: Coming Back to the Heart of Worship By Matt Redman

Pastor Gary
Vineyard Christian Fellowship
Fort Myers Churches

You see, at that time, the Samaritans were basically hated by everyone. They had, at the least, a “scandalous reputation”. But think about it, as far back as I can remember (and I’m not a young lady) the term Samaritan has been associated with positive, kind and loving acts. We hear the term used on the evening news when the reporters cover stories like Katrina, the Tsunami and the current flooding in N. Dakota, as total strangers come to the rescue of those in need. Organizations whose primary focus is humanitarian (meeting practical needs) often have “Samaritan” in their title

Now, I don’t know exactly when the image changed but sometime after Jesus used the Samaritan in his parable they became “respectable”.

Here’s my point: If the actions of one man (we are not positive that this story was a reality or only used to make a point) can change the reputation of a whole group of people for generations to come – how important is it that we, as individuals, take care that our actions not only line up with what we say we believe, but even demonstrate what we say we believe. I am sobered to think that what I do today could have serious implications for my descendants as well as for my legacy as a Christian, both positively and/or negatively.

Whatever image others have of us could, with one simple act, be either marred or shinned. Philippians 2:15-16 “so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation’. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”

Cathy

Fort Myers Vineyard Christian Fellowship (Fort Myers Churches)

Jesus Christ, never traveled more than a couple hundred miles from his home. He never married, never attended college, never wrote a book, matter-of-fact, the only record we have of him writing, was in the sand, and no doubt the first rain washed that away. He died homeless and poor.

More songs have been sung to him and more books written about him than anyone who has lived on this planet. At least a hundred films have been made about him. There are even Jesus wrestling federations, such as Wrestling for Jesus, The Christian Wrestling Foundation and Ultimate Christian Wrestling.

The Scriptures record nearly forty specific miracles that Jesus performed. In Mark’s short Gospel alone, roughly one-third of the verses deal with miracles. The popular Jewish historian Josephus reported that Jesus was a “doer of wonderful works.” But it’s His resurrection that has captivated millions for the last 2000 years. Thomas Arnold (professor of modern history at Oxford), said “No one fact in the history of mankind…is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort” than the fact that “Christ died and rose from the dead.”

Gary
Fort Myers Vineyard Christian Fellowship (Fort Myers Churches)

If we consider another scripture, 1 Cor. 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”, we may get a better perspective. So with that in mind, my image of “not loving anything in the world” has changed somewhat. What about yours? Perhaps what John is trying to teach us is that finding our satisfaction and enjoyment and even “love” for anything other that Christ will result in death, whereas, finding our pleasure and satisfaction and even “love” in anything — only to the point that it can glorify God is acceptable, even good. In other words, God desires that we “love Him with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength, and that we love our neighbor as ourselves. The key is that we not tamper with, interrupt, or find another recipient for the love and allegiance which belongs to God alone.

Cathy
Fort Myers Vineyard Christian Fellowship (A Fort Myers Church)

On our new site, you will be able to stay current with what’s happening by checking out the Vineyard Blog for the latest updates.  You can also tell your friends to visit the site if they have any questions about the church.    If you have any questions or comments about the site let us know by adding a comment at the end of  this post or by using the contact page.    We look forward to the ministry that lies ahead for all of us and let us continue to pray not only for the Fort Myers Vineyard but for all the churches in Fort Myers who are serving the Lord.