Quitting Facebook

So many of you have left Facebook. You're tired of the political rants, the negativity, the strong opinions, and your friend who checks in no matter where they are (eating at McDonalds, drinking coffee at Starbucks, resting at home). Troy Aikman, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Super Bowl Champion, MVP, etc (I'm clearly a Cowboy fan) said that Social media is "a race to the bottom." It's clearly all about us. I've learned too late in life that the more we focus on ourselves, the less satisfied we feel. And the more we’re consumed with the things of this earth, the more we feel empty on the inside. Some sociologists point to technology and social media as significant factors in our constant unhappiness.

What was once a tool to use to get in touch with friends and family from far away has turned into a tool to actually lessen your influence, a tool to share opinions without a relationship and a tool to sometimes actually depress others. 

As seen in the last year or so, many people have gotten rid of Facebook. They're tired of waking up to mindless banter. They thought the best way to address this is to rid of it. But here's my challenge to you: Don't. Don't delete your Facebook account on account of other's Facebook usage. Change the game

What the world needs now, more than ever, is positivity, hope and love. This is possible on Social Media. I've had mornings where I saw great encouraging quotes, funny family pics or birthday or anniversary wishes that changed my day. As a Christian, I believe we can use this as a tool to share the hope we have in Christ but......we have to be careful here. I will never 'shove my faith down someone's throat.' Jesus, Himself, never pushed Himself on anyone. He loved them as they've never been loved before (He died for them!) and He constantly met them where they were. No sinner was too lost for Christ. Everyone He encountered left different. He never judged anyone to come to Him, He loved them enough for them to want to come to Him. We should follow that example. 

So that's my challenge, post on Social Media through the eyes of Christ.

Would He like what you're posting? Is your post pushing people to Him or away? Is your life outside of Facebook one that would draw someone to read your posts? 

Rick Warren said, "If the whole world needs Jesus, then you must share the Good News. To keep it a secret would be criminal. If you knew the cure for Alzheimer’s or AIDS or cancer and you didn’t share it, that would be criminal. But we have something even better than a cure for disease. We know the cure for the human heart and the deepest needs of mankind. They need a Savior. They need forgiveness. They need their past forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in Heaven. We cannot hold it back. We have to share it."
 
Rich Pancoast
Getting the Most Out of Marriage

Is your marriage everything you imagined it would be? Does it scare you or excite you when you see the remainder of your future with this particular person? You don't have to answer that here.

My wife and I spend a lot of time with other couples. We do premarital counseling and run couple's groups. We also have many married couples as close friends.  We've seen the good and the bad. I ask a lot of questions. I'm fascinated by relationships and how they work - or don't. 

The biggest thing I've seen is based on the 'reap what you sow' principle. Most of the time, our outward expectation doesn't match our inward effort. I've learned that when we don't like what we're getting out of our relationship we need to check what we're putting into our relationship. Many of us spend so little time with each other and wonder why it's not working. Our priorities have become work, money, TV, video games, hobbies, other friends or even our children (over our spouse). then we wonder what happened. 

Nothing works without effort. The things we care about the most need the most time put into them. It's been said, "Show me your calendar and I'll tell you what's most important in your life." Most of us need to schedule work, meals, and sleep. Some of us schedule important things like our quiet time with God (reading scripture and praying), time with the kids, or even exercise time (gym or home), Then the schedule becomes fuzzy. What is the next priority? What's most important? If you're married, I would highly recommend putting your spouse here. The kids will understand. In fact, when they get older they'll appreciate it and use it as an example for them when they get married. 

I hate seeing marriages fall apart. Too many of them do. Based on the conversations I've had, many of them stem from a lack of time together or a lack of effort.

I see a future with my wife and I'm excited about it. I see us in rocking chairs in our sun room reading and I can't wait (may not be so appealing to some of you). But I know I have to do my part. Time + effort = benefits. 

When is the last time you and your spouse spent quality time together? Went on a date? Got away? Schedule it today and reap the benefits.

 

 

Rich Pancoast
Don't Preach What They Can't See In Action

GUEST BLOGGER: Josh Vescovi

Josh had the opportunity to serve News Release Basketball. This organization travels mainly throughout Europe to run basketball camps and to play against professional and club teams all while sharing the GOOD NEWS of JESUS CHRIST. Based out of the USA, their mission is to present the good news of Jesus Christ and develop disciples of our Lord by building Christ-centered relationships using the sport of basketball. 

Ring ring, goes the alarm clock at 6:45am on Friday July, 21 2017. I slowly wake rubbing my eyes. Today's the day I leave to go to Denver for training camp with News Release Basketball before we head to Germany for a few weeks on a missions trip. I feel a little nervous, as I hate flying and having to fly alone only makes things even worse. But there's too much to do to get ready to think about my nerves too much. I get dressed and sprint for the door to make a final deposit at the bank ATM before heading off. We get into the car and I am super excited! As we get to the airport and I say my goodbyes to my wife, boys, and mother. I get to the terminal, snag a picture of the plane, send out a massive text and try to rest a little before boarding. 

I get on the plane and for 4 hours the seat belt sign never comes off. Service was minimal. It was a rocky ride the entire time. But I really felt the Lord with me at all time, I was much calmer then I ever anticipated I would be. I watched a movie called Courageous and I felt as I was trying my best to be just that! (great movie by the way!). 

I land in Denver and am greeted by Steve Sorensen, the director of News Release Basketball in the baggage claim area. He walks up and and says "now there's a guy that looks just like his picture!" I was extremely happy I made it and was united with Steve after so many weeks of calls and emails. I knew it was finally time to do God's work. 

We got to his house where I would be staying for the next six days of training camp and was greeted by his wife Gunilla. She was extremely friendly and welcoming! Had a sandwich and relaxed a little before all the players arrived the next day. 

I must say every one I encountered had so much joy and love, you could see the Lord in them greatly. Training camp was amazing. It was a long six days filled from morning to evening but I wouldn't have it any other way. We learned so much about what NRB is all about and what to expect in Germany and how to conduct camps, and tell our stories about how we came to Christ.

Then Thursday July 27, 2017 finally came, it was time to share Jesus in Europe and our two men's teams and our one women's team were ready to go. Again, that flying thing for me is tough. But once again I felt peace, I knew the Lord was with me. I really never felt like He wasn't. I truly felt closer to Him thoughout this time then I ever have.

We had a slight layover in Atlanta before we headed on a 9 hour flight to Frankfurt, Germany where we would take a four hour train ride to Lorrach, Germany where our first camp was. 

When we arrived to Lorrach we were greeted by some of the camp helpers and organizers including a gentleman named Marian. Little did I know that fast forward a week and the tears were gonna be impossible to hold back, and leaving Marian was gonna be one of the toughest things I would have to do. Man I love that guy! He truly is a man of God. 

So we meet who our hosts are going to be and mine, Johannes and his wife Sabina and their three boys, turned out to be some of the greatest people I would ever meet. We spent many hours talking about anything and everything, (yes including Donald Trump) haha. 

So camp starts in Lorrach and we get to meet all the kids and German helpers, and once again the whole experience was just truly amazing. I felt like family the whole time and felt loved by everyone. We met the kids that would be in our small groups. Every day we would have this thing called Power Hour where we tell a story that relates to the Bible and talk about it afterwards. My group of girls were great. They were very much into the conversations. 

Yes, this was a basketball camp and we did a lot of basketball things but we also sang worship songs and did little Bible studies. Jesus was our mission, not basketball. That was just a bonus.

We also played several games against pro teams throughout the week. Sadly, we went 1-2 for the week and 2-3 overall while in Germany but hey.

After one amazing week in Lorrach and seeing many kids come to Christ, it was time to leave and go to Munich, Germany where our second camp would be. I cried so much. It was so hard leaving those people. I remember Steve was with us the last day of camp and our last game. I ran over to tell him that I want to be back next year. I told Steve I am very serious. He put me on the roster for next year. 

After another 4 hour train ride we arrived in Munich on Sunday July 30th, 2017.

We were met at the train station by a gentleman named Andy who brought us right over to a nightclub in Munich, yes a nightclub lol!  But it wasn't being used as a nightclub when we arrived. It was being used for the ICF celebration where we met Patrick, one of the camp orginizers who like Marian, became one of my favorite people. Such an amazing worship experience I could never forget.

We had a team dinner afterwards with some of the German helpers for this weeks camp at the Hard Rock Cafe. We then did a little sightseeing and headed to the CVJM hostel that we were gonna be staying at for the week.

Once again, meeting the people and kids at the camp was amazing, I could honestly type for months explaining and talking about how awesome these few weeks were. So many kids came to Christ. It truly was an amazing camp.

Zach Jones was the lead of this Munich camp. He is a former NBA player. He now holds camps and talks about his faith. It was great getting to know him and see Christ in him. 

I will also mention this, I injured my back a few days before and ended up having to get it checked at the hospital. This amazing lady there named Nina took very good care of me. She also will be missed but lucky for me she won't be missed for long. She is moving to Boston and studying at Harvard in September for almost a year!!

Well like I said, there is so so much more to say that I could go on for weeks but just know this: These few weeks were really great! I met so many amazing people and so many men and women of Christ. I was going on this trip to minister to people and yes that did happen a great deal but my heart was ministered and changed as well. I really felt God like I never did before. And it was awesome. I loved every second of it! 

See you next summer News Release, I love you guys!

Fellowship Church
Living On The Edge

There was once a guy who owned a small trucking firm, and was looking to employ a new driver. Three drivers sat nervously outside his office as they were called in for their interview one by one. When the first guy came out, the other two checked with him, “What did he ask you?”. The man replied, “He only asked one question. How close could I safely drive one of his trucks near the edge of a cliff.” “What did you say?” “I said I could get one of his trucks to within 3 meters of the edge, but I don’t think my answer was good enough." The second man went in, and was asked the same question. He answered “I could get one of your trucks within one meter of the edge.” But apparently that wasn’t good enough either. Finally, the last driver went in. The boss looked at him and asked the question. The man replied, “If I were driving one of your trucks, I wouldn’t go anywhere near the edge of a cliff!” He got the job.

Isn't this some of us? We, as followers of Jesus Christ, continue to “drive so close to the edge." We are so confident in our ability to stop something before it gets out of hand. We continue to put ourselves in dangerous situations knowing that the possible outcomes can affect us for years to come. 

Proverbs 6:27-28 says. Can a man scoop a flame into his lap  and not have his clothes catch on fire? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?

  • “I can have one more drink. I know my limit."
  • "I'm ok to drive."
  • "I can be alone with my girlfriend on a couch with the lights dim and nobody’s home and not do anything." 
  • "I can afford to buy all these lotto tickets because when I win….”
  • "It's only 2:00AM! We can stay out longer." (after 2AM decisions are usually not good ones)

None of the above is necessarily sin. but should we putting ourselves in these scenarios that can lead to it? 

Paul says in Romans 7:21, I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.

Sin has a way of sneaking up on us and controlling our thoughts. We are in a constant battle every day of our lives. Our surroundings (for the most part) will influence the easier decision. God will always influence you to make the correct decision, which is often the harder one. 

James 1:14-15  “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Sounds dangerous. It is. Ask anyone who has been in any trouble at all and where it all started. Most will tell you a story of them “dipping their toe” into something they shouldn’t have and things escalated from there. 

James 4:7 says,”So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” I know it sounds dramatic but it’s so true. RESIST-FLEE, RESIST-FLEE, RESIST-FLEE

How do you resist? There's help. First and foremost, go to the One who, in the end, wins. Go to God who promises to love us, to guide us and give us victory. Then surround yourself with His army, like-minded people who are pursuing Christ daily, who will protect you from bad decisions and do anything they can to help you. Where do you find these people? Well, there's a bunch of places, some unexpected. The more predictable places are at church on Sundays or at a Growth Group during the week. This is where I found my "army." Check out our variety of Growth Groups we are offering starting in October here.

Are you driving near the edge today? Are you dipping your toe where it doesn't belong? Are you all alone or do you have an army at your disposable?  

Rich Pancoast
Can I Have Your Attention Please?

Does anyone really ever have your full attention anymore? If I'm honest, I am rarely 100% involved in anything. I'm working on it but it's not easy! Some of you reading this are actually skimming through it and I'm ok with that. I get it.

We certainly live in an ADD world. It seems like everybody’s got Attention Deficit Disorder (some diagnosed by a doctor, some not yet diagnosed, but you know who I'm talking about) Our technology has left us constantly distracted which causes so many of us to no longer pay attention to the people around them.

How many people are sitting looking at their phone and texting when you enter a restaurant, your job, or even your home? Everyone's heads are always down, engrossed in these devices. (If you are currently with your head down reading this, please, at least, finish this blog.)

Several months ago, my wife and 2 children were driving when someone out of nowhere ran their car into us on the driver's side. The person would end up taking off. We were shocked. I never even thought to look at their license plate assuming for sure, they would pull over. No, they got right on the highway. We called the police and they stated how often this happens. (get license plates next time you're hit) But that's not the part of the story I want to share. My son who was 12 at the time (has since had a birthday) was so focused on his device in the backseat (driver's side) that 5 minutes after we were hit, he asked why we stopped. That scares me. (please do not bring this up to my son as not to embarrass him, just making a point). 

We, as a family, are putting more 'guardrails' on technology. For one, when we have company, we are not engrossed in anything other than our company. I'll say this for me....when someone is looking at their phone when I'm speaking, I feel disrespected. I'm sure it's not intentional but it really is how I feel. I'm sure some of you agree. 

Philippians 2:4, Pauls say, "Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Rick Warren says, "The greatest gift you can give somebody is your attention because your attention is your time.  You’re never going to get it back, and that’s why it is so precious when you give it."

Learning the lost art of paying attention is an act of love. It will transform your relationships and help you live a better and happier life.

In 30 years from now, we will all learn what restrictions we should have or should not have put on technology. 

Would you say you 'pay attention'? Are you a good listener? Has technology taken you away from others? We always love your feedback! 

 

Rich Pancoast
"Working" For A Living

Most of us have worked in environments where there are certain people who "get things done" and others who "skate by". We know who we can give work to and who to avoid giving any responsibility to. It always seems to be that the better you are at your job, the more tasks you'll be given. The opposite is true as well, if you're not getting things done correctly, they won't put it on your lap. I recently spoke to a friend of mine who told me that early on in his current job someone asked him to do something and he purposely botched it. He is no longer asked by this person to do anything. 

I try to look at work through a different lens, through that of a Christ follower, a Christian. When I went through difficult times at my previous job, I came across a verse in the Bible that changed my life. In Ephesians 6:7 Paul says, "Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than people." Enthusiasm?!? Not so easy when you feel as though you're working a lot harder than most of the others. It can be very frustrating walking into your job when some co-workers are on their 3rd lunch or when some, upon knowing the boss is here, start performing instead of working (you know the type). How about the one that has the watch that seems to be running 15 minutes late everyday or the one caught in traffic, everyday. WAKE UP EARLIER! We often think others are 'getting away with something'. (In the long run, they're not getting away with anything). 

I found in this time that when I worked 'with enthusiasm' and 'as though God was my boss', it all changed. I was more fulfilled. I got more done. The day went by faster. 

For Christians reading this, when you work for God with enthusiasm, it comes with great results:

  • It points to Christ. People want to know why you work so hard and have such a good attitude. 
  • It can change a toxic atmosphere. So many of us get up and quit these tough environments. What if God truly had you here for a reason?
  • There are rewards. Sometimes they're few and far between. Sometimes they don't come fast enough. The reward of putting in an honest day really does feel great. 

The norm here in our country seems to be to complain and gripe about our jobs, to do as little as we can and get paid the most. Scripture communicates almost the opposite. We are to do our very best all the time. 

In the end, God isn't going to say, "Well planned, good and faithful servant." He won't say, "well thought, well said, or well strategized either." There is one commendation. "Well done good and faithful servant."

Are you working enthusiastically for the Lord? Or as Colossians 3:23 says, "as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people?"

 

Rich Pancoast
Overexposed

Can Social Media sway your feelings about someone? Pretty most of you all answered yes.

It's natural to be more gutsy in posting something than actually saying it. I know the last election really got some people fired up. I check Social Media daily because of interest but also because of my job. I do a lot of our Social Media stuff for Fellowship Church. Like us on Facebook! Sorry...habit. 

My family and I just got back from a vacation to Washington D.C. and Virginia Beach. I posted many pics on Facebook. My wife Vicki pointed out the risk of "overexposure". She said "people are gonna get a little tired of seeing the Pancoasts." I understood that. I also have a different opinion of Social Media than most. I see more of the good than the bad. I love the fact that these memories are saved. I see the advantages:

  • I get to keep up with family and friends who are no longer local. 
  • I see friends of mine celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and other events.
  • I can, in a sensitive way, share my faith without "shoving it down someone's throat".
  • I can learn from others with inspiration they share.
  • I see my friends children growing up. 

I was watching last week's message from Pastor Andy regarding protecting your soul. I've learned from so many how often Facebook would start their day in a bad way. Something someone posted would irk them. As a believer (Christian) I truly believe the best way to start my day is reading God's Word. Christine Caine once said to Christians, "Get off Facebook, and put your face in the Book." The message Pastor Andy shared also dove into the fact that Facebook is, for the most part, a "highlight reel". I decided not to post pics of the one day I woke up cranky and was short with my kids, or the time my daughter Sadie did not want to walk around D.C. anymore, or the time my son Bennett left his backpack in a restaurant.....my wife really didn't have any bad moments, but when she does, I will be ready with my camera. 

I always think of what this Social Media thing can be if we all purposely and intentionally try to better others and try our best to start their day off right. (if you have nothing nice to say, don't say it at all). 

What can you say or share today that may just help someone change their whole day?

Rich Pancoast
Hungry For God

GUEST BLOGGER - PAUL PAPP

If we are not hungry for God, we are hungry for something else. Now I’m not talking about being hungry for pizza and wings, that’s a different kind of hungry. I am talking about what your heart desires, not your stomach. My problem was, that I was hungry for drugs and the escape from reality that they gave me.

Now I’m not sure if I was trying to fill a void, numb mental and physical pain or cover up the shame of being a perfectionist and always falling short. I don’t know maybe it was all of it. Whatever the reason was, I was hungry for drugs and the effects they had on me. Drugs and getting high consumed me, they consumed my every thought and every minute of every day.

I was deceived. Maybe not the same way that Eve was deceived in the Garden of Eden but I was deceived. My deception, was that I knew better than God. (I would not surely die.) I was MISTAKEN. I was hungry for the wrong stuff. I had set my mind on the things that would ultimately kill me both physically and spiritually.

Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t high all the time. I had moments of clarity where I would come to my senses and rise up from the gutter that I called home. I would stand and fight my way back to sanity and clear thought only to fall again and repeat the process. People (friends and family) would call me weak and say that I deserved exactly what I got. Which was more or less true.

 I lost everything, I was homeless, I was hungry and I lost all self-respect but that’s not all, I lost my family and I went to prison, I was as far away from God as I could have possibly been. But that is not where I wanted to be. Deep down inside I wanted to be strong. I would make resolutions and commitments to change my behaviors and my thoughts. I wanted to be a strong independent man. Free from the chains of deception and addiction.

But the reality of it was that I truly was weak… My mind would always wander back to the drugs and when I tried to stay away from them, I would always feel like I was missing out or depriving myself of something I needed. I was still hungry for the wrong things, my thoughts were consumed with drugs. My thoughts became actions, my actions became habits, my habits became my lifestyle and down I went!

It didn’t matter how strong I was or how independent I wanted to be and do it on my own. I COULD NOT! My thoughts were all wrong.     Jesus said in Matthew 15:19 That out of the heart proceed evil thoughts.     My heart, my thoughts and my hunger were all in the wrong place and I didn’t want to go on. My life was over in my mind. There wasn’t much to live for and I truly thought about ending my life. Something needed to change and it had to change fast.

So as I sat in the woods in a tent that I called home in late December getting ready to get high. I watched a 23 year old kid overdose on heroin and as he hit the ground and started to turn blue everyone that was there ran away. They probably ran because they were afraid and because they all had drugs in their possession. I ran too but I ran to the car to get an overdose kit that I had in the glove box. When I finally got back to the kid on the ground, he was now a frightening blue and his breathing had all but stopped. I injected him with the Narcan, it reversed the effects of the heroin and by the grace of God he slowly woke up. He asked me what happened and when I explained, he was furious, he was mad because I wrecked his high and now he had to find a way to get more dope. Can you imagine?!? I had just saved his life and all he was concerned about was getting high. He wanted the drugs more than his next breath of air.

As I look back, I believe this was a major turning point for me. I realized that I valued life more than things, more than drugs, more than pride or status, more than any of this I wanted to live. But the problem with that was how? How, when I was dying? How, when I was slowly killing myself? In that moment, that insane moment I remembered the words of John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In that moment of clarity I came to my senses and decided to return to my Father and I surrendered myself to God. I was done trying and failing on my own. I needed Him to change my thought process. On my own, I still hungered for the drugs but what He did instead was change my heart. I no longer felt like an evil villain but instead I felt like a forgiven son, His child. But there was still work to be done. I had to kill my independence, stop trying to do this by myself, admit my own incapability, give up and turn it over to the Father. I surrendered.

That my friends is the moment of my greatest victory. It allowed God to change my heart (that had to happen first). Once that happened, my thoughts, behaviors and hungers soon followed. Striving for change on my own and believing that I alone could do it was a lie that I believed for way too long. Yielding to God and trusting him for that change was the truth.

Now that I was trusting God for the recovery of my life, I needed to focus on Him first but setting my mind on God wasn’t just thinking about him. It was being preoccupied with Him. I had to intentionally and intently focus on God, I had to let my imagination and attention be totally captured by him. He is where my mind wanders to when there is nothing to distract it. I am different, I am changed, I am a new person, because of my Savior.

I truly believe there is a battle raging in this world. It’s a battle for the mind, a battle for our thoughts and ultimately a battle for the soul. What we think and what we believe matters. I was losing this battle. The only way I was able to turn it around was to surrender and trust that God would do the fighting for me. I am hungry for God and I ask the question, what are you hungry for? What does your mind wander too when there is nothing else to distract it. Is it God or is it status, flesh, lust, drugs, alcohol, pride? Are you saying look at me, look what I have accomplished on my own?

The Apostle Paul says in Philippians chapter 3 that if anyone can brag about the things he has accomplished and his status in the community, it’s him. Just listen to what he says. "I was circumcised at 8 days old, I am pure blooded Israeli, I am from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews if ever there was one. I was a Pharisee with strict obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church and as for righteousness I obeyed the law without fault. I am blameless." (WOW)

But then he goes on to say that these things that he valued so much, these things he was hungry for are worthless compared to what Christ has done. Yes everything is worthless compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus the Lord. He says that all these things, are dung, crap, garbage and that he has thrown them away so that he can gain Christ and His righteousness.

So all the things Paul was hungry for; pride, status, recognition, (look at me) are nothing compared to a life with Christ. He is right. Proverbs 16:3 says Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be establishedRemember thoughts become actions, actions become habits and your habits determine your lifestyle, your eternal lifestyle.

Every time I try to take control of my life and do it without God, the wheels come off and it all falls apart. Now I surrender to God and put Him in control, I trust Him for everything. I am happier than I have ever been. There is hope for the addict. There is hope for you.

 Is there something missing in your life, is there a void you are trying to fill? What are you filling it with? God created us to live in a relationship with him. Until we find that relationship there will always be something missing in our lives. We will always be hungry for something to fill the void.

Today I am drug free, I am happy and I am hungry for God. What are you hungry for?

 

Fellowship Church