The Q Series

August 22, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

The Q Series

I l-o-v-e answering questions.

One of the best Q&Aers in history was Jesus. Take a look through the Gospels and take note of the question marks. People were always asking Jesus questions. Some He answered very directly, and some He answered with a question of His own so that the questioner could learn the answer through self-discovery. Whatever His method, Jesus addressed all of their questions.

In our Impact! youth service, I’m turning the agenda over to our students. For the next three weeks they are throwing out the Qs and I’m going to attempt to come up with the biblical As. If that sounds scary… it is! I know I’m going to get some very challenging questions.

You can be involved too. Feel free to submit a question or two. I won’t use your name (unless you want me to). You can get your questions to me in several ways:

  • Comment on this post below.
  • Through Facebook.
  • Through Twitter.
  • By using an anonymous form at the church.

Then come and join us over the next three Wednesdays at 7:00 PM for The Q Series as I attempt to answer your questions. It’s going to be great!

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Here Comes The ♥♥!

July 31, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

I Heart My Church

Thanks to everyone who gave me some input on what they ♥ about their church. This Sunday I am starting a new series at Calvary Assembly of God called I ♥ My Church. We’re going to look at a church that everyone in town was buzzing about. And except for the religious stick-in-the-muds, the buzz was positive.

I believe we can be that church today. If you’re in the neighborhood, I’d love to have you join us over the next four weeks as we learn how to become that church about which everyone in town says I ♥ My Church!

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Get Ready For Impact!

July 23, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

Yesterday on Facebook I jumped into a conversation that a couple of guys from our Impact! youth group were having. I loved it—they were trying to organize a 24-hour gathering to pray and fast.

When spiritually hungry people make this sort of commitment, I just know God is going to show up in a powerful way. King David said, “Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart” (Psalm 119:2).

There’s no greater way to seek God with all your heart than to deny yourselves and focus on His provision.

So beginning at noon today, nearly 20 of our Impact! youth group will be camping out on the church property. They’ll be praying, fasting, worshiping, and intently seeking God’s favor for the needs which are confronting us. The fast will continue until noon Friday. If you can, join them on-site. Otherwise, fast with them wherever you are.

You can post a prayer request in the comment section below, and you can also check back here to see prayer requests and thoughts that the group will be sharing during their 24-hour season of prayer. We’ve also setup a Twitter account to follow real-time updates from the group.

I’m so proud of these students for taking the initiative to seek God with all their heart!

UPDATE… pictures are being added here.

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New Chapter

July 20, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

When I was a kid I used to love to read Hardy Boys books. Sometimes I’d pick one up first thing in the morning, and have it read before I went to sleep that night. Many times I would say to myself, “Okay, I’m only going to read this one more chapter, then I’m taking a break.” But every chapter ended so thrillingly that I just had to continue reading the next chapter.

Life is a lot like that. One chapter finishes, but there is no break—no pause—it’s just right on to the next chapter. When Jesus said that He wanted us to have abundant life, that means that each chapter is better than the last.

Last night Betsy and I turned a new chapter in our lives. I am excited to be the new pastor of Calvary Assembly of God in Cedar Springs, Michigan! This congregation is something special: they are totally in love with Jesus and it’s obvious that they want others to know about this same relationship. I am so thrilled to be able to partner with them in changing the world.

But as with all new chapters, there is something bittersweet about leaving the old chapter. So many friends that we have made on the east side of the state, so many memories, so many testimonies of what God has done. It’s a little sad to leave some of those things behind.

But now, it’s upward and onward. On to the next chapter in which the excitement and passion and adventure will be even greater!

Will you please pray with us. We have some pressing needs to take care of in the next 6-8 weeks, and we would love you to join with us in prayer—

  • We need to sell our house right away so we can move to West Michigan.
  • We want to find a home in Cedar Springs and get our kids registered for school.
  • Betsy is looking for a teaching job near Cedar Springs.

Thanks for your prayers. We sure do need them as we continue this adventure God has for us by turning to the new chapter in our lives.

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Priceless Freedom

July 16, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

Turn it up!

I had a blast last night with a bunch of students at Calvary Assembly of God who are excited about Jesus. They are free, and they are hungry for more of God in their lives. It was awesome!

Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). And He said, “If the Son gives you freedom, you are free!” (John 8:35 CEV).

Last night we looked at Paul’s instruction to Timothy where he reminded Timothy not to let anyone look down on him. If you dig a little deeper into the meaning of these words, it’s clear that you and I teach others how to treat us. In other words, Timothy was already devaluing himself, so others assumed that’s how they should treat him too.

Paul said, “Timothy, you are valuable. So hold your head up high and set an example worth imitating for everyone around you.”

God loves you so much that He created a cosmos to display His majesty, He gave you a conscience to prod you to look for Him, and He sent His one and only Son to earth to pay the price for so you could be in a personal relationship with Him.

You are of immense value to God. God bought you with a high price. And if you accept that incredible gift of Jesus, you are free to live… to REALLY LIVE!

When we closed the service last night, the students began to worship God, and they didn’t want to leave! They lifted their hands in freedom, they sang in freedom, they loved God in total freedom because they recognized their value in Him. And today I believe they are going to be living in that priceless freedom.

What about you? Are you living free today? Accept the gift Jesus already paid for your life and you can live free!

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Understanding Misunderstanding

February 6, 2009 — Craig T. Owens

huh

Miscommunication is nothing new. From the dawn of history, people have always struggled to understand exactly what the other person was saying to them. That’s because we all have our own “accents”—our own way of getting our message across.

This is hard enough when trying to discuss something like politics, relationship likes/dislikes, or even movie preferences. But what about when you’re trying to communicate something intangible? Like your personal faith.

Most Christ-followers communicate their faith with the same “style” that they communicate their menu preferences, political persuasions, or music choices. But there is an added element of misunderstanding built in to the spiritual dimension. Even Jesus’ own disciples said “Huh?” many times to Him.

This Sunday, we begin a brand new series in our 6:00 PM service simply entitled Huh? We will be learning some very practical ways to communicate our faith to others by learning their unique communication style. If you have ever felt that you’re just not getting through, feel free to join us.

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