Sunday Reflections - March 2, 2016

SOME IMPORTANT THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS WEEK

1. CAMP CASCADE - THE BEST WEEK OF YOUR LIFE…

Summer camping involves high adventure, lots of fun, great food and excellent speakers who understand and respect high school, middle school and elementary kids. At Camp Cascade, kids are treated to wonderful facilities and a healthy environment.

Our camping program has grown in recent years. The experience, however, is the same — kids getting away from the pressures of everyday life, having fun with friends and great leaders, and hearing the message of God's love in terms they can understand. And the different camps at Camp Cascade are open to kids who often are overlooked: those from financially strapped homes, kids with disabilities and at-risk youth.

Each year, 100’s of kids around the Treasure Valley spend a week or a weekend at camp, having an experience that many describe as the best of their lives.

During a week full of adventure, kids are given the chance to build strong friendships, hear the message of Christ’s unconditional love for them and have someone walk alongside them as they take their first steps in pursuing a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Deer Flat has been so fortunate to own Camp Cascade. Our camp Managers, Chuck and Cindy Vincent, do an outstanding job year ‘round hosting various groups, camps, family reunions and specialty weekends. As you can imagine it takes real effort to keep the camp in good shape. Care for the buildings, landscape, upgrades, remodels and other projects are a part of having a camp.

This is where you can be a HUGE blessing.

This Sunday afternoon is our Camp Cascade Auction. It takes place at Deer Flat at 3:00 p.m. This is an avenue that helps us offset the cost of operating Camp Cascade. I want to ask you to help make this year's auction a true success.

There will be both a live and silent auction. There have been some wonderful things donated, and beyond that, we will have some fun. If you have children or a student, if you have grandkids or love to see lives changed, then I would ask you to make this a priority for Sunday afternoon. Your participation will lead to changed lives!  How great is that!

2. I will be at Deer Flat this weekend and can’t wait to see you!  

We’ll be looking at a very significant set of verses from 1 Peter 5.

3. SLEEP IN THIS WEEKEND – TIME CHANGE ISN’T UNTIL NEXT WEEKEND!

Loving you and Him…

Pastor D

Sunday Reflections - February 18, 2016

YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

THIS SUNDAY AT DEER FLAT!

I just returned this week from walking in the land of the Bible. One of my absolute favorite places in Israel is the northern section, known as the Galilee. While I was there I had a chance to revisit the ancient dust where a guy named Peter lived and walked. I’ve been thinking much about this Peter as I have been reading through his letters that he wrote to first century followers of Jesus, that found their way into our Bible.

Who was he? We know Peter was a fisherman. He was born in a small town called Bethsaida on the lakeside of Galilee, and he moved later to Capernaum, Jesus headquarters, and continued in his occupation. He had a brother named Andrew, and his dad was named Jonah or John. His Hebrew name was Shimón Bar Jonah; Simon, son of Jonah. Even Jesus referred to him as such.

We know that Peter was married. He had a wife. He had a mother-in-law who lived with them, according to Mark, chapter 1. And his wife is also mentioned not only in Mark, chapter 1, but in 1 Corinthians, chapter 9.

Now, if you are making Peter out to be the first pope, that's an interesting fact you're going to have to deal with: because that means the first pope was married. He was also a leader among the twelve. Every time there's a list in the New Testament of the earliest followers of Christ --- Peter is always listed as number one on the list.

So, he was the leader of the twelve, and he is the leader in the book of Acts. In the first twelve chapters of the book of Acts, Peter is the dominate figure. He's the one who starts things. He's the one who initiates things. He was the leader of the pack.

There is more written about Peter in the four gospels than any of the other followers of Christ. In fact, the only other person that is written more about in the four gospels is Jesus himself. But before Peter was ever a leader, before anything was ever written about him, he was first and foremost an ordinary guy who had an unforgettable encounter with the King of Kings that left him forever changed. 

We’ll be taking another look at Peter and his letter to us this Sunday. I can tell you, it’s going to be a great morning! I can’t wait to see you! I’ve missed you much, kept you in my heart and in my prayers. Thank you for your love and faithfulness to Christ and His Church. We’ll close out our morning sharing Communion together at the Lord’s table.

Between now and then, would you take the time to invite someone to experience Deer Flat with you? Especially if you know someone who is dealing with difficult people. You’ll be amazed what Peter has to say about this.

Loving You and Him,

Pastor D

PS - If you are a lady between 18 & 102, don't forget to sign up for Women's Retreat! Registration deadline is February 25th REGISTER HERE

Sunday Reflections - January 28, 2016

Hello Deer Flat Family,

I’m still reminiscing over last Sunday. Talk about a weird morning for me! As so many of you know, our power was out last week, so we weren’t about to have church. I’ve heard from so many of you, and I’ve been so thrilled that the common denominator of our flock is this: "We are so disappointed that we aren’t having church today. We were so looking forward to a great morning!”  This tells me something very important: If Deer Flat Church ever ceased to exist, there would be a true sense of loss. All of that to say, God’s Church out here in the middle of the field of dreams is making a difference!

Our efforts to get the word out to the congregation were quite successful. However there were a few we missed. Here’s some of the comments that came to me this week…

…Pastor Dave, we showed up and thought that the Rapture had happened and we missed it.

…We thought that the Time Change Sunday happened earlier than usual

…We don’t have email

…We don’t check our emails on Sunday Morning

…Can we still leave our offering?

…What church would you recommend we attend today?

…Pastor Dave, we can wear coats – no problem, we can get by with candles – no problem, we can sing without any instruments – no problem, we can get by with no sound and power point – no problem. HOWEVER, if there’s no coffee available, we totally support not having a service!

I’m so glad to tell you that WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO AN OUTSTANDING MORNING THIS SUNDAY AT DEER FLAT CHURCH. In the same way you helped us get the word out about no church last week, help us spread the word about this Sunday to all of those you know would value and appreciate a fresh encounter with the Living God! 

I so missed being with you myself. I can’t wait to see you this Sunday. I was reminded again about how much I LOVE MY CHURCH!

Because we missed last week, would you help us close out January right on track with our financial need for the month? You guys always do an outstanding job of standing by the church financially!  Thank you for your dedicated support and faithfulness. I’m so fortunate to pastor such a great flock of folks like you!

Loving You and Him,

Pastor D

Sunday Reflections - January 20, 2016

IT’S A NEW YEAR – IT’S A NEW OPPORTUNITY

I can hardly believe that we’re headed into the fourth week of January. The time seems to be passing me like I’m in the slow lane. But, here’s the deal: We have a chance to seize hold of a year full of opportunities! This is true for you, for me and certainly for Deer Flat Church.

I read a statement early this week that still is impacting me. Here it is: “This year, we will open the book of our life. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is 'A Whole New Year.'"

Did you know that every difficulty, challenge, problem, hardship and disappointment includes a chance for an “upgrade”? It’s true. One of the principles I’ve determined to live by is to endeavor to see my situations from God’s perspective, not mine. My problems are not the issue. My perspective is. I find it interesting that we put such a value on diamonds. Do you know how a diamond is made? Diamonds are made in an environment that has 3 basic elements: Time+Heat+Pressure = Diamond.  God is making an amazing diamond of you!

Can you tell what I’m getting at? Believe it or not, this stuff is all over the Bible. Let me show you just one example. Paul writes to a group of Believers in the city of Corinth. 2 Cor. 4

“But we have this treasure (the Gospel) in jars of clay (our fragile, cracked pot lives) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body… Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Paul is emphasizing the opportunities that await us in the midst of our challenges. Our focus this month is, “Getting Your House In Order.”  What does that look like for you? What would you like to have happen in your life this year? What would you like to do, to accomplish? What good would you like to attract into your life? What particular areas of growth would you like to have happen in you? What blocks, or character defects, would you like to have removed?

What would you like to attain this year? Little things, big things? Where would you like to go? What would you like to have happen in your friendships and relationally? What would you like to have happen in your family life?

What problems would you like to see solved? What decisions would you like to make? What would you like to have happen in your career?

Write it down. Take some time, and write it down - as an affirmation of you, your life, and your ability to choose. Then lay it before God, and turn Him loose to help you get those things in order.  He’s going to give you many opportunities to become more like Jesus this year. Let’s get serious about this being the greatest year of our lives! Remember, you’re filling the empty pages this year with what you want to write.

I’ll be talking more about this on Sunday. By the way, thank you for doing such an outstanding job inviting friends! I’ve had such a great time meeting so many new people during these weeks of January. I love meeting your friends and neighbors. I can’t wait to see you this Sunday. Come expecting a great day! I love my church!

Pastor D

Sunday Reflections - January 7, 2016

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

We all are familiar with special occasions that mark our lives. It may be a birthday, a wedding, an anniversary, an achievement, a promotion or various other things that set that moment apart from the daily routine. Such is the occasion for Pastor Bruce Johnson. As so many of you know, 

Dr. Bruce and Bonnie have given their lives to serving the Body of Christ through pastoring and teaching. Their ministry across the years has been nothing short of significant.

Bruce has served the flock at Deer Flat for over twelve years. His service to the Lord and the people is a beautiful picture of faithfulness. The amount of miles he’s driven, classes taught, sermons preached, funerals conducted, weddings officiated, counseling sessions invested and prayers prayed is probably something that only heaven has recorded. Here’s what I know… it was a lot, and it was done with a servant's heart!

He and Bonnie have been a team and they have given so freely of themselves to care for and shepherd people. Dr. Bruce is transitioning from part time staff to a volunteer shepherd. He is really looking forward to having a chance to write and create good resource materials for teaching and tracts for witnessing. We are most fortunate to have Bruce and Bonnie continue as part of the flock. I have been so grateful for Dr. Bruce’s wonderful, supportive spirit. He’s been an outstanding teammate.

We want to celebrate and appreciate he and Bonnie on Sunday, January 17^th in the morning services.  I hope you’ll take this month and let them know what a huge blessing they are and to thank them for their selfless service. All of us are better because of them!

Another special occasion is having Rabbi Jeremy Gimpel with us on Tuesday evening at 

7:00 pm. Jeremy comes to us from Israel. Along with being a Rabbi, Jeremy is also an officer with the Israel Defense Force, an attorney, a father and a husband. He is a sought after speaker and he will be speaking about Current events happening in Israel in view of the End Times. You will find this to be one of those unforgettable evenings. Join me in reaching out and inviting friends and neighbors. There will be an offering taken, so come prepared to give. Childcare for Nursery through Kindergarten will be available!

Finally, every Sunday is a special occasion at Deer Flat. This Sunday is no exception. I can’t wait to see you. Come expecting a great morning.

Loving you and Him,

Pastor D

PS - Just a quick reminder that there are two Financial Peace University (FPU) classes beginning this month. We greatly encourage you to take a look at attending one of these classes to help with "Getting Your House In Order". You will be amazed how great it feels to start getting out of debt. If you would like to attend, please REGISTER HERE.

Sunday Reflections - December 30, 2015

Year End Reflections

Hello Deer Flat Family,

I just wanted to grab a few minutes of your time and let you know how grateful to God I am for His incredible goodness to Deer Flat Church during this past year. As I reminisced for a bit I had so many great reminders of the hand of God being extended to our flock in so many areas, for instance:

Growing Number of New People – You’ve seen it happening and so have I. The Deer Flat family does an amazing job inviting friends! Beyond that, God continues to draw people through the doors.  We have enjoyed wonderful growth during 2015.

New Followers – With the new attenders, there comes many new followers of Christ. We have had no shortage of people dedicating their lives to the Kingdom of God and becoming new Christians.  What is greater than this?

Many Answers To Prayer – Week after week people submit prayer requests. There has been no shortage of people and circumstances to pray over. Week after week, we as a Staff have met together and prayed. Time after time so many in our congregation have interceded and prayed over the needs.  And we have rejoiced about the many answers that have come. God has certainly been good to us in His response to our prayers. Thank you for praying!

Health and Life – Have you ever stood in the lobby between services? You watch people and you can feel the life happening in the flock. You can see that God has blessed us with some wonderful levels of health in all of the areas of Deer Flat Church. Children, Youth, Adult, Celebrate Recovery, Life Groups, Volunteers, and so much more have enjoyed healthy ministries and God’s blessings.

Spiritual Growth – Beyond numerical growth has been something so significant that has taken place, and that is the spiritual growth happening in the lives of our kids, students and adults. People have moved forward in their love for God and their knowledge of His Word. There is a climate of spiritual education and hunger that is definitely a part of Deer Flat. I am so grateful to God for creating this passion to know Him and His Word better than we do.

Time doesn’t permit me to cover all of the things that have made this year significant, but we praise God for His goodness for each of these and more. While we have much to rejoice over, there still remains some very real needs. I’ll close with just a couple…

Upgrading the Prayer Life of Deer Flat – This is an area that needs and deserves our attention. I think we can improve and raise the importance of the role of prayer in the life of the church. I’ll be talking more about this as we head into 2016. However there is a prayer opportunity every Sunday from 8-9 am in room 13. If you arrive early enough, your time of intercession will truly make a difference.

Spiritual Formation – With the amount of new people and new believers, I’d like to step up our investment into these lives and help people really get anchored in their faith. Nothing beats High Impact Low Maintenance converts.

Both of these areas will require leaders who share a passion for these arenas. As opportunity is provided, I hope you’ll dedicate yourself to help us take these needs to some new levels.

There are a few dates that you need to be aware of coming up:

December 31st - last day to give and have it count toward your 2015 taxes. The office will be closed, but as long as you have it postmarked by tomorrow or give online before midnight tomorrow night, it will still count for 2015.

Tuesday, January 12th at 7 pm - Jeremy Gimpel, The flyers last week listed the incorrect time! It is truly 7 pm and not 6 pm as listed on the insert. Please plan to join us for a great evening.

Tuesday, January 26th - Financial Peace University - classes will be held at 7 pm beginning the 26th at City Pointe in Caldwell. REGISTER HERE

Sunday, January 31st - Financial Peace University - classes will be held at 9:30 am in Room 19 at Deer Flat Church. REGISTER HERE

Remember, this Sunday only, one service at 10:30 am. I can’t wait to see you! Come expecting a tremendous Lord’s Day.

Loving You and Him!

Pastor D

Sunday Reflections - December 22, 2015

A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER

    Like every Christmas, one of the most significant aspects is our ability to remember. We tell and retell the story so that it will NEVER be forgotten – GOD CAME INTO OUR WORLD AS A BABE IN THE MANGER. Here’s one more prayer to enjoy from one of my most favored books, Valley of Vision. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Lord Jesus,

I am blind, be thou my light,

ignorant, be thou my wisdom,

self-willed, be thou my mind.

Open my ear to grasp quickly thy Spirit’s voice,

and delightfully run after his beckoning hand;

Melt my conscience that no hardness remain,

make it alive to evil’s slightest touch;

When Satan approaches may I flee to thy wounds,

and there cease to tremble at all alarms.

Be my good shepherd to lead me into

the green pastures of thy Word,

and cause me to lie down beside the rivers of its comforts.

Fill me with peace, that no disquieting worldly gales

may ruffle the calm surface of my soul.

Thy cross was upraised to be my refuge,

Thy blood streamed forth to wash me clean,

Thy death occurred to give me a surety,

Thy name is my property to save me,

By thee all heaven is poured into my heart,

but it is too narrow to comprehend thy love.

I was a stranger, an outcast, a slave, a rebel,

but thy cross has brought me near,

has softened my heart,

has made me thy Father’s child,

has admitted me to thy family,

has made me joint-heir with thyself.

O that I may love thee as thou lovest me,

that I may walk worthy of thee, my Lord,

that I may reflect the image of heaven’s first-born.

May I always see thy beauty with the clear eye of faith,

and feel the power of thy Spirit in my heart,

for unless he move mightily in me

no inward fire will be kindled. Amen!

REMEMBER: 

1) Christmas Eve service Thursday at 6 pm 

2) Combined Family service this Sunday at 10:30 am 

3) Jer and I, along with all of the Staff, are loving you and thanking God for you. I can’t wait to see you. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I love my church!

Pastor D