leopards really can't change their spots

I received two calls this week from children's pastors on opposite coasts with the same situation. Someone on their staff had decided not to be a team player and the question was the same, should they be fired??

Both of these team members exhibited a pattern of negativity over several months that was addressed. Accountability was put in place, but unfortunately as the old saying goes, a leopard can't change it's spots.

As I spoke to both of these leaders it was clear they chose to do everything they could to help the team members turn from their negative ways and choose to be team players. Both leaders made sure there was an opportunity to heal any and all hurts. I respect that so much! They wanted to do "whatever it takes" to help these sisters in Christ have the opportunity to change. Unfortunately not all leaders choose this path. I am so honored to call both of these amazing leaders friends. It's always difficult to release team members, but taking the extra steps to be Jesus with skin in the process is always the best (and most healthy) way to go.

Hurricane Response

Just the church being the church.......THANK YOU Jesus!!

Hurricane Ike Relief
Hey BAF

We have an opportunity to make a difference for the people who have been hit by Hurricane Ike. There is a need for bottled water and non-perishable food items for most of the people in the city of Houston. Now is the time for the body of Christ to be the Body! Doyles Oil Field Equipment and Wilcox Furniture have teamed up to help in this crisis. Let’s reach out and help them together by dropping off the following items at Wilcox Furniture in the Sunrise Mall Parking lot between 12-10 pm Wednesday through Friday:

-Bottled Water
-Gatorade
-Bread
-Peanut Butter
-Tuna
-Chili
-Ramen Noodles
-Soup
-Corn/Flour Tortillas
-Refried Beans
-Diapers
-Baby Wipes
-Candles
-Matches

Also needed are people to man the trucks during these loading sessions. People will only be needed in 30 minute increments. To volunteer contact.
Joe Windover

Pastor Bil Cornelius
Bay Area Fellowship

Wow! I am totally blown away by the incredible response from the BAF family. My husband and I have only been part of this amazing community for 2 months and I feel truly blessed. Thank you for being the church! Because of you, God is being made famous right here in Corpus Christi and all over the Houston area!

Ike took a hike...

I can't believe I am writing this in sunny weather with no hurricane damage. The early reports looked like we were going to see the eye with our very own eyes, but you never know what a hurricane will do, there's a statement huh?!? Just change hurricane to God and it's a great blog post....

God can not be boxed in, we can not guess or know what He is up to. One of my favorite things to say (I wish I knew who I heard it from first so I could give credit where credit is due), is "When God causes a wave, grab your surfboard and enjoy the ride!" Crazy thing is I used to say that when I lived in Michigan and didn't own a surfboard. Now, in S. Texas we own 6 surfboards and I understand that little ditty a bit better!! I am really embracing what it means to enjoy the ride!! God is causing a big wave and I am ready to grab the board! Where will it take me??? I have no idea, I just want to glorify God wherever I go!!

Eeeek......IKE!!

If you have a minute, could you please pray for hurricane Ike to weaken? Corpus Christi is supposed to get a direct hit at this point, but you never know with a hurricane. Only God knows!!! Please pray that God will protect us and that we will have safe travels as we evacuate.

My husband wants to surf before we leave, I guess you could say we are really new at this hurricane thing!

Thanks for your prayers!

Psalm 91

About a year ago a friend called me and asked me to pray with them for each high school football game. Pray for the players and coaches from both teams to know Jesus as their Savior, to be safe as they play (no injuries), and to enjoy each game.

I shared with my little prayer warrior a great Psalm to pray, Psalm 91. So each week for 14 weeks my friend walked the football field and prayed Psalm 91. It didn't stop there, my friend printed out Psalm 91, laminated it and put in on the visor of their truck so they would never forget to pray for the players and coaches.

Well, football season ended, but the prayers have never stopped and this year on the first football Friday I received a call from my friend. Psalm 91 right Stacey?!?!! Absolutely!!

We drove together to the first game, it was 2 1/2 hours away and my friend showed me a stack of laminated cards. Yep, you guessed it! My friend printed Psalm 91 out for each player on the team. I was handed one with all the "you's" changed to my son's name. My friend was so excited but a little nervous to hand out each one not knowing if the family they were giving it to was even a believer! What a bold Jesus thing to do! I love to see people just be obedient to God's call on their life!

What a sweet aroma to our amazing God.

the orchard blog

Orchard Valley Community Church in Aurora, IL is utilizing "Twitter" to help their church community experience prayer rhythms. Scott Hodge, lead pastor, taught on the spiritual practice of prayer rhythms and is now providing a tool to help people grow in their relationship with Christ. I am personally loving each "tweet." I stop what I am doing and just pray, refreshing, awesome, amazing, sign up for twitter and check out the blog. Here is this mornings prayer........

Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights. (Psalm 148:1)

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy Name. (Psalm 103:1)

Yet another said, ‘I will follow you, sir; but let me first say good-bye to my people at home.’ To him Jesus said, ‘No one who sets his hand to the plough and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’ (Luke 9:61-62)

O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into my heart your greatest gift which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to the beginning of his day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purposes; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.