Sunday Reflections - November 18, 2016

HEY EVERYONE, IT’S ALMOST THANKSGIVING!

Hello Deer Flat Family,

Maybe, like me, you’ve heard this saying before: “When you see the lights going up and the Christmas music playing in the stores, you know that Thanksgiving is just around the corner.”  It’s coming at us fast.  So, I’m thinking about it and here’s a few of my thoughts…

* Where has the time gone?

* I love Thanksgiving – friends, family, food, fun, football, Christmas lights, and the beginning of Advent.

* There’s nothing like a great turkey sandwich made from the leftovers on the softest bread in the world, followed by a small piece of pumpkin pie with just a hint of whipped cream.

* I hope these people help us with the dishes before they walk out the door.

* How thankful have I been throughout this year? I found myself answering, “I’m really thankful the election season is over! REALLY THANKFUL!”

* I can get my green bean casserole fix and move on.

Okay, enough of my thoughts. What about yours? Have you been living with gratitude this year? Let’s talk about that for a minute. A grateful heart is a true blessing. It’s the ability to give God praise in the good times and the not so good times. The Psalmist declared, "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart." Ps. 30:12

Gratitude means thankfulness, counting your blessings, noticing simple pleasures, and acknowledging everything that you receive. It means learning to live your life as if everything were a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much you’ve been given. Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present. In addition, behavioral and psychological research has shown the surprising life improvements that can stem from the practice of gratitude. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress.

Gratitude is a powerful thing. In fact, if you’re not careful with it, it will change your life. I’ll be talking to you more about it this Sunday as we look at one of the most poignant stories in the Gospel. The power of gratitude is amazing. That kind of an attitude gets God’s attention. I can’t wait to share it with you this Sunday.

Speaking of grateful – we would be so thankful if we had some capable VOLUNTEERS to help us in the Children’s area. We are in need of a couple of teachers for elementary level boys. If you have an interest, please don’t hesitate to see our Children’s Ministry Director, Julie Walker, or her assistant Larissa Esparza. They would be so encouraged and you would be so blessed.

We are headed into one of the greatest seasons of the year – Thanksgiving and Advent. We have an outstanding Musical Program being presented on December 4 and then a double good Children’s Program being presented December 11, during Second Hour.

I hope you’ll join me in reaching out and inviting friends, neighbors & family to an unforgettable Sunday at Deer Flat!

Loving You and Loving Him,

Pastor D

PS - Deer Flat Youth will be going to Cuba in June of 2017.  Are you called to go? Is your youth interested?  Please come to an informational meeting November 20^th in the downstairs Youth Room at the conclusion of the 2^nd service. For more information, call Heather Webster at 208-899-0586.

Sunday Reflections - November 11, 2016

DAVID DOLAN AND DAD

Hello Deer Flat Family,

There’s a verse in the Bible that I’ve been drawn to over the past week. "Weeping may last for the night but joy comes with the morning." It’s a reminder that the season, the situation or the hardship we’re in will not last forever. The “night” represents the harder times in life; the trials, meaning only a season of our life--while “morning” represents the time when that difficult time has passed.

Life certainly does include times of weeping - even in the lives of the most faithful. Sometimes it happens because our misdeeds have incurred God's anger, and sometimes just because of suffering that comes from living in a fallen world, it comes to an end. Morning stands for the time when God gives relief; it might not arrive until the last day, but it will surely come. "Morning” comes after the night, therefore joy comes after weeping--and as a believer there is True, Pure Joy because of our hope in God; that Joy comes from His Sovereignty, His Power, and His Faithfulness. He has promised He will see us through the hard times.

Do you remember the song, "Trading My Sorrows:"

I'm trading my sorrows

I'm trading my shame

I'm laying them down

For the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness

I'm trading my pain

I'm laying them down

For the joy of the Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord

Yes yes Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord

Yes yes Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord

Yes yes Lord Amen

I am pressed but not crushed

Persecuted not abandoned

Struck down but not destroyed

I am blessed beyond the curse

For His promise will endure

That His joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night

His joy comes with the morning

It's about laying whatever we are going through in life down before the Lord, trading your sickness, your pain, your sorrow, laying them down for the Joy of the Lord--God is Faithful! no matter what you are going through. He is Faithful to heal, to provide. I’ve been finding this to be so true with the departure of Dad. What joy comes in the midst of sorrow.  God is so good! May you just put your God-given faith in Him and experience pure Joy in your day, in your season, in your life.

This Sunday – Special Guest David Dolan.  Do me a favor and think of who you need to invite to an unforgettable morning at Deer Flat. 

I can’t wait to see you.  And, thank you again for all of you who have loved us and prayed for us during this time of loss.  Don’t know what we’d do without you!

Loving You and Loving Him,

Pastor D

One more thing:

OPERATION GUARDian Angel

We would like to honor and serve those who GUARD our freedoms this Christmas by celebrating the families in the 124th Fighter Wing at Gowen in Boise.  As you heard last Sunday, there are so many different dynamics when a loved one is deployed. We will still have over 100 airmen & women from Gowen deployed this Christmas.  If you would like to help honor them, please stop by the tree in the lobby and pick up a tag to purchase a gift for a child.  If you would like to make a donation, please mark it “Operation GUARDian Angel”.

For more information, please contact Jessi at jessisams@deerflat.org or 880-2897.

Sunday Reflection - November 3, 2016

SOME GREAT THINGS HAPPENING AT DEER FLAT

THAT YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS!

I’ll get right to it…

#1. THIS SUNDAY – We’re going to take some time to honor those who have served our Nation and who provided us the freedoms that we enjoy, including the ability to gather and worship without worry. Veterans are everywhere; we stand behind them in the grocery store line, sit next to them in the waiting room and worship beside them in church every week. Their fraternity is made up of courage, tenacity, and strength. Across the years of being involved in war, they have reflected heights of human charity; standing in the line of fire for one another, risking their lives for civilians and comrades alike.

There is a very serious crisis happening among our Veterans. 22 Veterans a day are taking their lives. That’s 1 every 65 minutes, a rate higher than any other recorded in our nation's history. Suicide is currently the leading cause of death among our troops, those men and women we ask God to bless. We get a chance to hear some sharing from the heart from several of our Deer Flat Vets. This will be a God honoring morning and one that you’ll feel so good about inviting a friend, especially if they have served our country.

#2. NEXT SUNDAY: NOVEMBER 13 – Special Guest David Dolan will be speaking both hours. You’re going to love his heart for God and his insights regarding the future. David is an accomplished journalist who served as the CBS News correspondent in Jerusalem, reported for Moody Broadcasting, was a regular with Zola Levitt and has authored several books. Two things: 1) Don’t Miss This!  2) Bring a Friend!

#3. AN HOUR OF PRAYER FOR OUR NATION – I’m asking you to join me at 5 pm this Sunday for an hour of intercession on behalf of our upcoming election and this really important decision. This hour will go by fast. No boredom. Your investment in seeking God’s Will for our Nation will make a difference. I hope you’ll carve out the time for this time of prayer. I know that God will hear us!

#4. SLEEP A LITTLE LONGER – Yep, it’s Time Change Sunday. Turn that clock back an hour and enjoy that extended sleep. Here’s what will happen – 1) You’ll be in a better mood and 2) You’ll stay awake for the whole service!

I can’t wait to see you this Lord’s Day. Come expecting a fresh encounter with the Living God! I’m thanking God for you today. I LOVE MY CHURCH!

Loving You and Loving Him,

Pastor D

Holiday Schedule

Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 24th - Office Closed

Christmas Musical - Sunday, December 4th at 9 am and 11 am

     No adult Sunday classes either hour

     KidZone - Regular classes first hour

     No KidzChurch second service - join your families in the Worship Center

     No God, Life & Other Stuff for Middle School Students

Children's Christmas Program - Sunday, December 11th at 11 am

Christmas Eve - No Service

Christmas Day - Sunday, December 25th at 10:30 am (One Service)

New Year's Day - Sunday, January 1st at 10:30 am (One Service)

The Office will be closed on Monday, December 26th and Monday, January 2nd