This Weekend's Message: God's Love Through Us

2 Timothy 1:11-18
Have you ever felt as though you made a real difference in someone's life? Have you ever walked away from an encounter with someone, being significantly impacted by something they said or did?

If we believe that God created us, then we must believe it was for a reason. If we believe God created us for a reason, it seems that seeking out that reason would be a priority for us. Unfortunately, I am guilty far too often of being so focused on my life and my plans, that I lose sight of God's plan for using my life in the life of others.

This weekend we are going to look at the wonderful opportunity God has given us to partner with Him in ministry through Jesus Christ. We will also be reassured as we see that God also partners with others as they minister to us!

Have a great rest of your week. See ya Sunday,

Jeff

Fourth Annual LBF Chili Cook-off Run-down

The Fourth Annual LBF Chili Cook-off was this past Sunday and it did not disappoint! The chili was incredible and the Worship Center was crowded. Below are some fun details about the event: 

1. 32 different kinds of chilis were entered. 
2. Over 2,500 samples of chili were tasted.
3. Over 1,500 spoons were licked clean. 
4. Over 35 plates of cornbread were consumed. 
5. Over 320 ice cream sandwiches were devoured. 
6. 2 ½ bottles of antacids were popped. 

And congratulations to the three winners of the Chili Cook-off:

• Best Chili, Judge’s Choice – “The Real Deal – This ain’t your grandma’s chili!,” Darrol and Jan Irvin
• Best Chili, People’s Choice – “Arabian Nights Chili,” Brian El-Mahmoud  
• Most Creative Chili Name – “Barking Frog Chili,” Mike and Pat Cloud

Thank you to all those who entered their chili into the competition and to those who attended! And a special thank you to all the amazing volunteers that worked so hard to make the Cook-Off run so smoothly!  We could not have done it without you! It truly was an LBF family event. 

 

If you took pictures during the event, please be sure to post them on LBF's facebook page!

Reflections: January 24, 2010

This week's Reflection by Gary Keith, Executive & Teaching Pastor

Paul writes in Ephesians 5, "Imitate God in everything you do...Live a life filled with love." Now there are some obvious things we cannot imitate God in. Take, for example, His omnipresence or His omnipotence. We can't mimic or imitate those parts of God, but we can imitate His character. Paul is very bold in his writing to the churches in Ephesus. He challenges his readers as he challenges himself to live a life of sacrificial love.

 

Why is this so important? Because people are watching. If a person who professes a belief in Christ does not live a life that reflects any of the values of Christ, would you want to embrace that belief for yourself? Do you know people who say they believe something, but it has no affect on their daily life? Would you want to embrace that belief even though it makes no difference to them? Why or why not?

 

As we learn to "love out loud," I challenge us to consider seriously the connection between what we say we believe and how we actually live. Imitate God in everything you do! That should keep us busy for awhile.

Celebrating Baptism at LBF

This past weekend, we had the honor of baptizing eight people. Their faith stories were varied and unique, but all shared the common thread of Jesus as Lord and Savior. Their public declaration of baptism is for the encouragement of us all. We are reminded of God’s love and power in our lives as we hear how God has worked in their lives. We remember again how Christ has washed our sins away, how we are a brand-new creation in Him (Acts 22:16). Please congratulate Samantha Bruce; Andrea King; Ashley Herndon; Justin, Jordyn, and Ben Riegsecker; Mark Olson; and Dustin and Mason Heath.

 

   

This Weekend's Message: A Life of Love (Ephesians 5:1-20)

Who is your hero? Who is it that you respect so much that you want to model your life after? This week I've heard several people say they would model their life after Martin Luther King Jr. He has for sure been on our minds this week as we celebrated a holiday in his honor. But if you had the chance to pick anyone to model your life after, who would it be?

As we continue our series this week about loving people out loud, we will look at what it means to live a life of love. So far in this series we have taken a look at the love of Christ for us and the truth that God has custom-designed me and loves me as I am. This week we will see how our life affects those who are watching us to learn what it means to be a Christian. Do people want to model their life after ours because of our life of love?

I'd love to hear from some of you who are going through the study, "Becoming a Contagious Christian." Post a comment and let me know what you are learning. I'd really love to see how God is growing you to "Love Out Loud."

Gary

The Fourth Annual LBF Chili Cook-off is on!

The Chili Cook-off is on! This coming Sunday at 5 p.m. Check out the line up:

Turkey Chili Soup, Brayden's Favorite Chili, Upland Chili, L.B.F.C. (Life's Best Firey Chili), Dave's Toenail Chili, Barking Frog Chili, Nadine's Lean & Mean Beans!...Got Frijoles?, Bunch of Love, Plain Jane Chili, The Italian Connection, Arabian Nights, Gillis Chili, Mimi's Masterpiece, Roxanne's Rockin' Chili, Leviticus, Gimmymore Chili, Just Good Chili, Frilly Chili & Chili Willy, Jorge's Chillin' Chili Blanco, Hollita's Best, BFF Chili, Little Dogs Chili, Rockin' Veggie Chili, Smoked Brisket Chili, Holy Mole, Sillie Chilie, Magnificent Chili, Persian Chili.

If you weren't counting, that's 28 chilis! And the title is up for grabs this year! Two-time defending champ, Christian Guynes with his "Dad's Chili," is at college in Chico. Lucky for you! That's leaving a big hole in the lineup.

Join us and bring a pan of cornbread! You can taste each chili and vote on your favorite, as well as the one with the most creative name. We've got drinks and ice-cream sandwiches covered. Reach out and invite a friend!

This Weekend's Message: Loved As I Am

As we continue our series Love Out Loud, we are going to look at how we can "love out loud" in a way that communicates the truth of how God sees His creation. We are going to look at some of the lies that keep us looking at the billboards rather than appreciating who God has made us to be. Come this weekend, ready for God to move on your heart and communicate His deep passion for you. Get ready to love out loud!

Jeff

Reflections: January 10, 2010

This week I mentioned a time in my life when I was in the "secret service" for the Lord. I think we can fall into a routine of being thankful for our own salvation and the grace we experience from God. But this routine can lead us to forget about the people in our neighborhood, or the people at work, or the people at school who need Jesus.

 

Looking at the life of the apostle Paul can shake us up a bit and, well, it should. He is a good example of someone who was not in the "secret service" for the Lord and who "loved out loud." And why was that? Well one of the biggest reasons had to do with his understanding of the love of Christ for him and for all people (2 Corinthians 5:14). My prayer this week is that that same understanding of the love that compelled Paul would compel us to "love out loud." 

This Weekend's Message: Persuasive Love

This Sunday starts our new six-week series, "Love Out Loud." This is a series designed around what our Leadership Community (LC) believed they would like to learn about. We have been loved by God through Christ in the most complete and grace-filled way we will ever be loved. I don't believe any human experience of love will come close to the love we have through Jesus. But once we understand that, what are we to do with it? What does it mean to "love out loud?" This Sunday we start learning the answer to that question together.

As a way to bring further depth to this series some Home Groups will be using a study book called, "Becoming a Contagious Christian." This study in the Home Groups will help equip you as you learn to "love out loud."  If you are one of the Home Groups using this book, be sure to have the leader pick up the books and a DVD this Sunday; look for Phil right outside of the Worship Center.

Pastor Gary

Reflections: January 3, 2010

This week's "Reflection" by Jeff Taylor, Pastor of Teaching & Worship

 

To be the church is seriously an issue I wrestle with on some significant levels. First, I consider what being the church means in relationship to my family. As I strive to put them first I have to consider how my attitude and life reflects the love of Jesus to them on a daily basis. Is the patience that I display to my kids the kind that will cause them to go and tell their friends that they know I love Jesus because of the way I love them? Does my communication with my wife demonstrate to her the adoration that her heavenly Father has for her, or does it cause her to question how valuable she is? Far too often I am afraid I fall short, but knowing the call that I have to be the church and make disciples of my family gives me the resolve to work each day to treat them in a way that they can see the heart of Jesus through me.

The same can be asked of our friendships, our attitudes on the job, and in our conflicts. Does what we present to the world cause them to desire to know more about Jesus, or does it cause us to blend in and add to the 40% of Americans who say they have never known a Christian?

This week I ask you to join me in seriously evaluating what your life calls others to believe about you, and about God.