DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?

"This, the first of His miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples put their faith in Him." John 2:11

Do you believe in miracles? Most people will talk flippantly about it "taking a miracle" in order for something significant to take place or for a person to change their normal behavior. The expression “Do you believe in miracles?” became an American cultural icon when Al Michaels of ABC Sports shouted those words at the end of the medal round in men's ice hockey game during the 1980 Winter Olympics. It was there in Lake Placid, New York, that a team of young American college skaters beat the veteran Russian powerhouse in what is remembered as the “Miracle on Ice".

When the Bible talks about miracles, it is speaking about an act of God that suspends the laws of nature as He created them to be. We're most familiar with Jesus' miracles, such as His first one, changing water into wine at the Wedding in Cana described in John 2, yet there were many miracles of God as well throughout the Old Testament. John clearly defines the intent and substance of miracles when he call them "miraculous signs." They are events God uses to provide in a special way for His people and to reveal His glory and majesty, as John also notes in John 2:11. While miracles reveal God's glory and majesty, His power and His love, they are only meant for His people - Jesus' miracles never led anyone to believe in Him, only to confirm their faith in Him.

So, let me ask you, do you need a miracle? Do you need God to suspend the laws of nature and accomplish something for you that goes against the norm? Do you believe in miracles, trusting that God can do anything and can make good things happen despite all evidence and circumstances to the contrary?

Just believing that God can stop or accelerate the basic laws of the universe to accomplish His will and purpose for our lives isn't the point of God's miracles. Rather, believing in God's miracles is to believe that He accomplishes extraordinary things in our lives to encourage us and strengthen our faith. That's the kind of miracle God's forgiveness, grace, mercy and love in Jesus is all about, for in Christ, God suspends His Law and declares us to be made right with Him because Jesus paid the full price for our sins on the cross. Now that is a miracle from heaven that happens by faith in our lives every day.

Tonight as a part of 98.5 The TRUTH’s Free Friday Family Flicks series we will be screening 2016’s, PG rated, “Miracles from Heaven”. According to the film’s producers, “It is based on the incredible true story of Christy Beam (Jennifer Garner) who when she discovers her 10-year-old daughter Anna has a rare, incurable disease, becomes a ferocious advocate for her daughter’s healing as she searches for a solution. After Anna has a freak accident, an extraordinary miracle unfolds in the wake of her dramatic rescue that leaves medical specialists mystified, her family restored and their community inspired.”

Come tonight (Friday) to Celebration Community Church at 7:05 pm and experience on the big screen in C3’s gym a “Miracle from Heaven” and celebrate the salvation that you are experiencing through your faith in Jesus Christ as the greatest miracle of all. Refreshments provided.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

KIDFest!

Beginning 15 years ago Celebration Community Church began asking the haircutters that were a part of our congregation to donate their time in order to give free haircuts for kids at the beginning of the school year. I can still remember 5 stylists setting up stools in the lobby of our new Worship Center and providing haircuts to about 30 kids. That tradition continues to this day as we partner with the folks at Hays Academy of Hair Design to offer free haircuts for kids from pre-school age through the 5th grade. Last year close to 150 kids got free haircuts from over 20 Hays Academy Hair Design students and staff. Appointments are suggested by calling 625-5483 though walk-ins are welcome. DeLynn Rice our church’s Children’s Director says, “Parents are always so appreciative because families can save up to $50 on haircuts getting their kids ready to go back to school. Free “Haircuts for Kids” runs concurrently with KID-fest, a carnival like food and fun festival in the parking lot of Hays Academy of Hair design.

WE STILL NEED SOME FOLKS to help with the carnival games.

We need a few more volunteers to run games at 9-11 and a handful more for games from 11-1.  If you would like to volunteer to help please contact DeLynn at delynn@celebratejesus.org today or call 785- 625-5483.

Invite all of the families you know to experience KID-Fest this Saturday from 9am-1pm. This is a platform for us to expose families to Celebration Kids which takes place on Saturday nights at 5pm and on Sunday at 10am. C3 Kids gather to sing praise songs with a live band, learn Bible stories through multimedia teaching along with small group Bible lessons by caring volunteers.

KID-Fest also allows us to remind families of the importance of Christian education through our own Victory Christian Academy and Pre-School which is beginning its 4th academic year.

Thank you church for those who supported Kid Fest with donations of water and soda. Thank you also to all of those who have signed up to volunteer.

It’s going to be a GREAT DAY! (Partly sunny and only 75 degrees ☺)

Your pastor and partner in minstry,

Kyle

Go for the Gold

Thirty two years ago I attended the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (as a player on the Dream shorty shorts Team). This week, thousands of people have gathered in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and millions around the world are watching great athletes from over 200 countries compete for medals and the pride of representing their respective nations. Years of hard work, dedication, and desire are put to the ultimate test in the Summer Olympics.

Imagine if you saw an interview with a competitor who said: "Y' know, I don't really care about getting any medals, I'm just glad to be here to listen to the Bossa Nova music”. Personally, I wouldn't want that individual representing my nation. I want Team U.S.A to strive to be the very best they can be and to achieve the goals they set out to accomplish. Sure, the medals are hung around the neck of one person, but the whole world sees that nation proudly being honored.

The Apostle Paul was familiar with Olympic like games. Check out what Paul said:

Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. I Corinthians 9:24-25

At Celebration Community Church we have compiled what I believe to be a world championship ministry team of men and women totally committed to fulfilling God’s purpose for their lives, their families and dedicated to giving their all to their church family. I am proud to stand on the platform with a Gold Medal winning team of staff, ministry leaders and Board of Directors who lead C³ to run the race that God has put before us all.

I encourage EVERYONE who calls Celebration their church home to “Go for the Gold” by striving to live out the five purposes presented in the Great Commandment and the Great Commission Jesus gives us in the New Testament. These five purposes are what our church is built upon and living a purpose driven, balanced and well disciplined life is what God invites and encourages His people to do.

This weekend Pastor Brant and I will be sharing Part 2 of our "Running The Good Race" series and we will be focusing on the discipline it takes to be a world class athlete as well as being a world class Christian. I hope you’ll be able to join us on Saturday at 5pm or on Sunday at 8:30, 10:00 or 11:30 am.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

PK’s Blog Is Back!

After a two month hiatus for a much needed vacation and study leave, I have resumed writing PK’s Blog. I figured out that over the last 14 years I had sent out over 3500 of these daily e-devotions and that I needed a break.

During the early part of June my wife Debbie and I hosted our four grandchildren for nearly three weeks. After that I took some time off to pray, read, reflect, study and help design a successful succession plan for Pastoral Leadership at C3 in the years to come. In addition, I read extensively about the launching and administering of a thriving ministry to mature adults.

In resuming these blogs I will be posting one every Friday morning. C3’s e-news weekly will continue to be sent out on Tuesdays, updating you on what’s happening each week at C3. Both communiques’ are also available on our C3 Hays app.

Debbie and I also had an opportunity to visit five different local congregations on the five Sundays in July. Each of them was unique and faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ but I must confess that after each service we longed to return to our church family to worship, fellowship, grow serve and share. What I am about to say I have believed for the last twenty years, ”There is NO other congregation quite like Celebration Community Church”!

This Sunday I will be returning to C3’s platform to kick off a new series in conjunction with the Olympic games. We’ve entitled the series “Running the Good Race” and in it we will be comparing the training, discipline and perseverance of a world class athlete to that of a Christian striving to run the race of life with power and purpose.

I will be speaking at all 4 weekend services on Saturdays at 5pm and Sunday at 8:30, 10, and 11:30am.

It is great to be back!

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle