Fields of Gold

I finished reading the small but potent book today called Fields of Gold by Andy Stanley. It's a book about giving and it's one of the best books on the subject I've ever read. It's a quick read, but extremely powerful. In typical Andy fashion, the book includes moving illustrations and begins with THE best story related to why we should give that I've ever heard. (you have to wait all the way to the epilogue to see how that story gets resolved, and it's a real gem if you do!).

So, I highly recommend this book. Even if you are a long-time giver or tither, you would still benefit from it.

It's available in paperback or for your Kindle, and you can get it be clicking here.

When I read, I underline, highlight, dogear pages, make notes, etc. Here are a few of the notable quotes (for me) from Fields of Gold:

* I already mentioned the opening story, beginning in chapter 1 called "Dust in the Wind" and resolving in the Epilogue. Don't miss it. It's awesome.

* "...doesn't that make it irrational to trust God for your eternal destiny, yet decline His invitation to direct your finances?"

* "When you give away something valuable, it feels like a loss. You had something. Now you don't. And that can be a tremendous disincentive to give more. But Paul (2 Cor 9:6-11) puts this concept in a completely different light. He says that giving to God's work is not giving something away. It's an investment, not a loss. The farmer who sows doesn't lose seed. He gains a crop." What rational farmer would say, 'I'm afraid to sow my seed because then I won't have the seed anymore? What will happen if I need this seed?' Any farmer knows that if he wants a crop, he's got to sow his seed. It doesn't benefit him to stuff his pockets full. Neither does it do any good to pray, 'Oh God, please give me a crop. I'm not sure I'm ready to sow any seed, but God I'm trusting You to get involved. And I'm holding onto my seed just in case.'"

* "True wealth is having everything you need when you need it. And God is able to give you all things, at all times - all that you need."

* "The fact is, God can be sitting on the sidelines watching you struggle financially, or He can be actively involved as your financial partner. It all depends on what kind of steward you are....I think you already believe that God can intervene directly to change your financial picture. Here's why I think this. As a pastor...I've never heard anyone pray: 'God, as You know, I've withheld from You all these years while I followed my own plan. And sure, I've gotten into this financial catastrophe while on my plan, but I still think my plan can work. So I'll figure things out here on my own, and You can go help somebody else.' No. When the bottom drops out, we suddenly what God involved in our finances.

There is a LOT more that is notable here, but hopefully this has wet your appetite. Go get the book and read it!

A few questions about Luke 1-2:

• After reading Luke 1-2, name the things you know about:

Zechariah

Elizabeth

Mary

John

Jesus

• Which characters in the Christmas story are NOT in Luke's account (who is usually in the nativity scene that is not mentioned by Luke)?
• Why was Zechariah unable to speak?
• There are 2 songs in Luke 1 sung by 2 different people. Who are they? Why are they singing? What is their message?
• John has a unique way of greeting Jesus the first time he 'meets' Jesus (from his mother's womb). What does he do?
• Elizabeth and Mary were both unlikely candidates for motherhood. Why?

Don't limit your family time to these questions. Work through the scripture.

And also consider the 3 things we talked about today:

1. How are you making the paths straight for Jesus to be in your life?
2. Is there someone around you to whom you can give some time, and help fill in their valley this Christmas?
3. Is God calling you to give to families in need this year - helping level their mountain of need or hunger or pain? Where should you give? There are lots of options - from individual families to the Salvation Army. You can also give to those folks through PCC. Click here to give through our website. There is an option for 'help others in need' and 100% of your donation would be given to a family in need of help.

Hope this helps you prepare for His coming this Christmas!

Help for families this Christmas

It’s that time of year again… the Christmas shopping season! And once again, we have the opportunity to help at least 15 children who otherwise might not get any Christmas gifts.
As part of Middle District Baptist Association’s “Christmas Store”, PCC has been assigned to help 15 children and we need you or your Small Group to adopt them. Please consider helping a child in need.

Each child that is adopted will need to be provided:

• one outfit per child consisting of a top, pants, socks and underwear
• one age appropriate toy
• a Christmas stocking (filled)

Donations of coats, books, toiletry items other miscellaneous gift items are appreciated.

If your small group would like to adopt a child, please contact Angela Meadows at asissonmeadows@hotmail.com or look for the small Christmas tree next Sunday.

There is not much time to shop…..all donations must be received by Sunday, November 28th so let Angela know as soon as possible and she will assign you a child and you can start shopping!

A Cool Thing about our Church

You might not know this or you may not have thought about it.

Three years ago, we raised almost $50,000 to re-build Calvary Baptist Church in Belize, and teams from PCC have been down there multiple times to help them complete the project.

Saturday, March 13, the day before we had our first service, a band group from Powhatan High School practiced in our new building auditorium. They had a last-minute cancellation on the facility they were going to use and asked if they could use ours.

Before we had our own building, we build another church theirs.

Before we used our own building, we let someone else use ours.

We are not a perfect church. But we do this exceptionally well. We give to those outside ourselves. We put the needs of others above our own. This is what the Bible teaches. It reminds me of the story of the Macedonian churches:

2 Corinthians 8:1-4 (NIV) And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

I'm so glad that I'm a part of a church which considers others first.

Thank you for giving...

We missed three Sundays in 9 weeks because of the weather.

I put out a 'cry for help' to our church and to those who are attached or connected to PCC in some way. It was a position our church had never been in before.

And people really came through. People faithfully gave in order for us to get out of the hole the snow had created, and I first want to just say 'thank you'. I'm just so grateful for what you did for our church and our mission.

I also want to encourage you to make a commitment to PCC, if you haven't done that already. Tithing is Biblical. It's the only place in the Bible when God tells us to test him (Malachi 3). He wants you to know that you can trust him with your life...and your money. He will be faithful to you. This is not a promise of riches, but of relationship. When we hold back, we rob ourselves of the blessing of a completely committed relationship with Him. We can only experience the fullness of life that Jesus promised us when we commit our whole lives to Him.

This is not a plea for you to sell your house, live in a tent and give the money to the church (unless you know that God is saying that to you, of course). In fact, this part isn't about the church...it's about you.

I encourage you to make your whole life a commitment to the One who committed His whole life to you. You might read Malachi 3:8-11, Genesis 14:18 and spend some time studying this subject.

Thanks for the trust you put into PCC. God is doing great things through us as we serve Him together!

Haiti Aid

I am thrilled to share an exciting bit of news with you regarding the generosity of the PCC community. During Sunday services we provided an opportunity to assist the Virginia Baptist Disaster Relief Team as they offer aid to the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti. At the end of the service, we invited folks to participate in a special offering by bringing their gift to baskets on the stage.

As of today, the total amount headed to Haiti is over $6,500!

If you were not able to give on Sunday, mark your offering with 'Haiti' in the memo line or in an envelope marked 'Haiti' and drop it in the offering basket this Sunday. You can also bring a donation to the office (4480 Anderson Highway) or drop it in the mail (P.O. Box 834). You can also donate online through the PCC website.

Your generosity is stunning. We are overwhelmed and extremely grateful!

Photo by Getty images, originally found here.