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Dear Joel,
Do you feel connected to Mountain Bible Church?
Are you connected to a group of believers who know you and care for
you and your family? If you hesitate at all in answering
those questions consider joining a Connection Group this Fall!
I know you're busy, and life is hectic, but this time might just
bring the calmness you need!!!
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Should I Help? 
I love
Christ's church - warts and all. I suppose that's because I'm a
bit 'warty' at times myself. That said, it is just such
'fallenness' that keeps Christ's kids appropriately humbled toward
God and sensitive to the struggling among us. Have you ever
been the recipient of caring, loving assistance from the church at
key points of need in your life? I have, on more than one
occasion. It is a beautiful, moving experience to be
generously, unconditionally considered by others - many whom you
barely know. Undoubtedly, assisting others in need is an
integral strand comprising the DNA of all Biblical, New Testament
churches. Mountain Bible is no exception.
That said, in striving to help the needy in our church, we are wise
to not check our brains at the door. This happens quite naturally for
Christians confronted with glaring need that we strongly desire to
meet - and possibility have the ability to meet as
well. Emotion-driven decisions, however, can generate a
'ready, shoot, aim' mentality in us all - and in such cases, the
ammunition rarely hits its intended mark. Someone typically
gets hurt in the process.
Let's consider a case in point. In Payson, we are realizing our
fair share of the world-wide financial recession. A large
percentage of our local economy is tied to the building
industry...one of the most depressed industries in the nation.
Consequently, many fine craftsmen in the Mountain Bible family are
finding work to be painfully scarce. The flip-side of this
dreary equation is that the majority of MBC'ers are homeowners and,
recession or not; homes have problems. This is where sagging
industry meets legitimate need...potentially resulting in an
encouraging blessing for all involved; but not necessarily.
Sometimes discouragement and desperation cause people to exaggerate
their abilities and make unrealistic promises. Even
church folk - at Mountain Bible? Even church folk.
Even at Mountain Bible. So what should we do? Distrust
everyone and cease trying to help? No...but use wisdom when
evaluating how to try and help others in need.
Let me leave
you with several key principles to employ when deciding whether to
offer business opportunities to those in financial need:
1) Ask whether or not you can afford to
contribute to their need in the form of a financial gift. If
you can and choose to, give without any future expectation(even
if they have expressed the desire to pay you back). If you are not
able to give this way; don't. Understanding what can and can't
be done from the beginning protects both giver and receiver from
further frustration and conflict in the future.
2) If you can help ease a financial
burden through offering a Christian brother or sister in need a job
opportunity, keep the following principles in mind before
offering:
i. Is this person qualified to do the
work I need done? They may say they are because they are
desperate financially, but what steps have I taken to verify they are
able to complete the job to my satisfaction?
ii. Are they licensed or bonded for the
kind of work I'm seeking them to perform? Whether licensed or not,
have I taken time to view the quality of craftsmanship they have
displayed in previous work done? Have I sought and checked
references?
iii.
Have we agreed, before hand, on a price for the job? Is it
clear from the start that the money will be paid once the work is
satisfactorily completed, and only then?
iv. Have I secured the necessary
materials for the job...or gone with the person to pick out and pay
for what is needed? This is best if at all possible. Be
careful, however, allowing a worker to put the materials on
their personal account at a local hardware store or lumber
yard. This may seem secure, but if the materials were charged
in your name and the worker fails to pay at the end of the month, the
supplier can even file a lien on your property for the cost of the
material!
John 17 represents Jesus longest recorded prayer and His final words
before He was arrested and taken to the cross. Thus, whatever
Jesus chose to underscore in this prayer is crucially
important. It just so happens that his primary concern for his
apostle team and the future church was that they be unified; unified
around the gospel message - unified in relationships with one
another. One principle way we build and maintain unity in the
church is through sacrificially helping others in need. One
principle way we destroy unity in the church is through not using
wisdom when we seek to assist others. As hard economic times
continue, seek to increasingly help and serve others...particularly
others in the MBC family. By extending help wisely, you will be
a blessing to many in need and, equally important, a protector of
unity in Christ's precious church.
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Women's Ministry
WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDIES have just begun. It is not too late to join
in. There are two evening classes for working gals and the
daytime classes are held on Thursdays morning. If you have not
yet registered, you may still come on Thursday morning to join a
class in study or call for time/place of evening class. For
more information, please call Cindy Diehl at 474-4894 or Kathy Pirch
at 474-2004. We are pleased to welcome Raenel Mathews to the
team of Bible Study Coordinators.
We're
looking for Christmas
Tea Hostesses:
The 2010
Christmas Tea will be held Saturday, December 4th with the theme
"An
English Christmas".Serving as a hostess at this
event is a delightful experience! If you would enjoy this
experience (or for more information),please contact Michele Ensign
via email at mensign48@yahoo.comor phone
928-472-2293 (h), or 602-882-0682 (c). Michele will need the
following information----Your name, Email address, Mailing address,
Home and/or Cell phone. Hostess training will be provided at a
later date.
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 Our first family night was a blast. We learned
how important it is to share faith at home.
The Varner family demonstrated to us what family night at their house
looks like, and we had some delicious ice cream sundaes!!!
The winners of the Sundae contest were:
· Cole Goldman - Tallest
Sundae
· Brandon Moore - Best
Tasting
· Johnson family - Best
Looking
I remember when I realized my family was Job #1. It was when
the doctor handed me Jordyn. It was amazing, a 6 lb baby
girl. I loved Johnna and I loved my parents but when the doctor
handed Jordyn to me it was a new kind of love. I had never felt
anything like it!!! I had this feeling of overwhelming
responsibility for another life. I know this comes from
God. I knew then, that our #1 Job was to clothe her, feed her,
and take care of her every need.
One of her most important needs as she has grown is her faith
development and spiritual growth. And guess who is responsible
for that??? That's right! Johnna and I, Mom and
Dad. (Deuteronomy 6:5-9) 
"You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your
soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves
wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today. Repeat
them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you
are at home and when you are always on a journey, when you are lying
down and when you are getting up again. Tie them to your hands
as a reminder, and wear them on your forehead. Write them on
the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
You know as parents we sometimes think if we take our kids to church
and put them in Sunday school we can check that box of taking care of
their spiritual needs.
Here are some statistics I have found that are kind of scary.
Less than 10% of parents regularly attend church with their kids,
read their Bible together, pray together (other than at meal time) or
participate in an act of service as a family.
Only 28% of churched youth have talked with mom about faith.
13% have talked with dad and finally 69-94% of churched children are
leaving the church shortly after they graduate from High School.
Its tempting to blame this on our culture or it is all
"Hollywood's fault". But the Bible is clear that it
is home where faith is nurtured and passed on from generation to
generation.
Here is another statistic; the young people surveyed ask why they
stayed faithful. Moms are the #1 influence in the lives of
their kids when it comes to faith. Dads are a close
second. No one else comes close.
Kids who have an active faith relationship with Christ are far less
likely to be involved in "at risk" behaviors.
Here is how we can help. We want to partner with you, giving
you the tools and helping to teach faith at home. Your family
is Job #1. I am here to help you, call me any time 978-0677.
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 Fall is in the air, ( although it is not official
until the 22nd ). LONGHORN football is underway and off to a
great start. What a great time of year in this mountain paradise town
that we live in!
The youth's mall trip last month must have seemed like an invasion to
the valley mall attendees. Over 40 of us had a great time of shopping
(or just people watching) at Chandler Mall. Finishing up with a stop
at Lo Lo's Chicken and Waffles in Scottsdale was a wonderful and
tasty ending to a fantastic day. In case you are wondering... we did
NOT lose anyone!
I would like to thank ALL of the students and adults who helped with
Youth Sunday. I want everyone to know how much joy it brings the
students to be involved in the Church! Thank you also to the
congregation for allowing us to worship the Lord with you and be a
part of the logistics of the service. Organizing a Youth Sunday is a
big reminder to me of what a great job the Deacons and Ushers do in
making every Sunday service run smooth! As a matter of fact I would
like to thank EVERYONE who works Sunday mornings to make MBC such a
wonderful place to attend!
What a great time we had at the first of many " My Family Job
One " nights. We had over 90 people come and find encouragement,
ideas, resources, and ice cream. Thanks to Mark Kyle for a wonderful
event that promises to be a great way of involving the parents of
today's youth in the spiritual foundation and growth of their
children. Make sure to keep an eye out for the next one and be sure
to attend!
The month of September brings only a couple of events for the Youth
Department. (listed below). Please be in prayer for the youth
camps in 2011. Meetings are starting and planning is underway to
reach the students that will be attending both winter and summer
camps.
-Chris
September
18th
All church fiesta (sponsored by La Roca)
September 22nd
2010 National See You At The Pole
September 24th
Diamondbacks Faith and Family Night
September
28th
MBC's day for Community Prayer
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Joel Wilson
Mountain Bible Church
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Dates to
Remember
MBC Women's
Camp -
Rough It
Sept 17-19
See Ya At
the Pole (Youth)
Sept. 22nd Football Field
Men's
Breakfast -
Sept. 24th, 6:15 am - Bldg C
MBC Diamondback Game & Jeremy Camp Concert
Friday, Sept. 24th, 6:40 pm
24/7 Prayer
Sept. 28th - MBC Day
(All Day)
METs Whole
Person Care Conference
Oct. 1-3
Women of
Faith Conference
Phoenix US Airways Oct 1-2
Communion -
Oct. 3rd
Membership
Class
Oct. 3rd, 3:00 pm - Bldg A
Prayer
Gathering
Oct. 7th, 7-8:15 pm - Bldg C
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A Note from Pastor Kraig
Men's Breakfast
Our men's breakfast will kick off on September 24 at 6:15
in building C. I am looking forward to what God is going to do
this year. We will be doing a new study by Joe Gibbs called a
Game Plan for Life. You may remember Joe as the winning coach of
three Super Bowl championships with the Washington Redskins or you may
associate him with his championship NASCAR teams. Either way,
coach Gibbs is a proven winner and he wants to help you win at the
biggest game of all ...LIFE! Coach Gibbs has assembled a team of
experts to tackle key areas of life; men such as Ravi Zacharias, Ken
Boa, Josh McDowell, Chuck Colson, and others. Joe Gibbs says
"without a game plan there will be no victory". Men I
hope you will join us for the biggest game of all. This study is
for all ages of men. Questions call pastor Kraig 472-7800
Kingdom
Builders (49ish plus age group)
If you are interested in renewing your wedding vows on November 14th at
3:00pm in building C please sign up with pastor Kraig
Concert with Mike Chamberlain (former news anchor man) on November 19th
at 7:00pm in building A.
New Members Orientation Class
October 3, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm in building A
New Men's
Study
Saturday mornings 8:00am at Small Café Studying "Wild at
Heart"
For more information call Gil Gabaldon 928-606-7012
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Women of Faith Conference
Join Penny For the Women of Faith Conference -
Friday Oct 1st and Saturday Oct 2nd.
Contact Penny DeGroot - 928-595-0354.
Cost is $99 (if 10 or more register, cost is $89).
Location is at the US Airways Center (same as last
year)
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Jovial Jokes from Jana
Baseball Jokes in honor of the Diamondback Game:
Where is the first baseball game in the Bible?
In the big inning, Eve stole first, Adam stole second. Cain struck out
Abel, and the Prodigal Son came home.
The Giants and the Angels were rained out.
One morning in elementary school, the students were going to a
geography class. The teacher wanted to show the students where cities
and states are.
The teacher asks the class, "Does anyone know where Pittsburgh
is?" Billy raises up his hand and says, "Yeah,
Pennsylvania!". The teacher replies, "Very good, Billy!, now
can anyone tell me were Detroit is?"
Suzy raises her hand and says, "That's in Michigan!" The
teacher again says, "Very good."
Trying to confuse the children, she now asks, "Where's Kansas
City?" Tommy raises his hand and says, "Oh Oh Pick me!!!, I
know?" The teacher says, "OK, Tommy where is Kansas
City?"
"Last place."
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Joel's Response to Jana's Joke Above
For many years I have stood by my children's home
state Royals through losing and the occasional win! I
guess I deserve the "Last place" joke however I did want to
set the record straight; the Kansas City Royals are not in last
place in the American League Central, the Cleveland Indians are (for
now). In fact the Royals have a better record then 5 other teams this
year including one from down south. Go Diamondbacks- you're
only 22 games out of first! That's the penant race I always watch
and I think it is safe to say Pittsburgh has it this year. However,
watch for a Rockies late season comeback!!!
I also deserve the ridicule because I often state
that the reason I know what year I was married on was, it was the same
year the Royals won the World Series, 1985.
Twenty Five blissful years ago! Happy
Anniversary next week honey! Remember, the Editor gets the last
word, but has yet to win an argument!
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