A Special Word From A Friend – All Lives Matter

Rebekah Mack

All this talk of labels and protests on lives matter. Cops being turned on and shot. So you know, cause it seems many don’t know this, standing picketing/protesting in the middle of the road doesn’t prove lives matter or get across any point except that it puts you and others in danger. We have safety traffic laws for the protection of everyone. How does killing a cop prove that lives matter? How does killing anyone prove anything? It shows what is in your heart but it does …not change or prove your point. In fact I see it as the exact opposite, that lives don’t matter to you.( and let me just say self defense is an all together different topic of it’s own) It is actions that get ppl arrested not color. Simply put, actions have consequence . So If we would just stop caring about if ppl are black ,white, gray, yellow, red, …. and start looking at the heart of who ppl are and how much they are loved by someone and by God …We would see everything different. Looking at ppl through God’s eyes would be a good start in changing this world and making it a better place. You may not agree but that is your choice. You may think you are some how justified in it all but for a second ask your self this; If the table was reversed would you want to be treated that way or anyone in your family?! Change starts with you. It’s really this simple.. Forgiveness, Compassion, and Love for mankind is what we need more of in this world. It’s time we all get on our knees and seek the one and only ” I Am” who can change hearts and bring about that kind of change we so desperately need. It’s not about labels. It’s a heart issue we are facing. And It’s this kind of heart sickness in everyone , every shape , size and color that Jesus went to the cross for that we may have freedom and forgiveness and ever lasting life in Him to those that will accept Him.

On Assignment – My First Movie

Watch our YouTube video

This is a video of the Thomaston Assembly of God Church. In the video you can see a young Pastor Jon Cuthbertson and his wife Heather. Jon recently graduated from Faith Bible College and has become the new Pastor of the church. The video is intended to encourage people to visit the church and enjoy regular worship with the congregation there.

The intended audience is everyone. The church is promoted to all those who need a home church. The video is made to not only entice new members; but, to also encourage those who might have gone there before to come back home. There is one part of the video that says “take the journey home”. This part is to maybe capture the interest of someone who may have moved away to come back and visit.

The intent is to use the video on all social media sites, like Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Besides these social media sites, the video could be used as a television commercial too.

I created the video through a trial version of Animoto. I liked this site because it allowed you to pull in some of your own videos and put it to a template already designed. The site also offered several music clips that you could choose from. You were also able to pull in some of your own music from your playlist on your computer if you wanted to. I found it a bit more challenging to edit than I would have liked. Some of the editing features were not available unless you paid for a subscription to their site. I was at somewhat of a disadvantage in making this video; because, unless you purchased the subscription, it included a branded stripe across it that said trial on the video itself.

I enjoyed making my first video and hope you enjoy watching it too.  P.S.  You are always welcome to join us and see Thomaston Assembly of God Church “live”.

 

Turn Your Mess Into A Message

Have you ever felt afraid to slow down long enough to evaluate where you are, for fear of thinking “wow, what a mess?”.  Today, I caught myself thinking, this is not where I imagined myself to be.  I had dreams, I had goals and I had a vision of how I was going to get there.  Something arrived on the scene and managed to put roadblocks up all over the place; something that no matter which way I turned, I found myself heading into a direction I had not planned.  That something is called life.  Life is not all bad, but you can always take a look around and ask yourself, “what happened”?

There is this saying I have heard that says something to the effect of, “life was not meant to end with you all neatly preserved and in one piece; but was meant to end with you all broken and falling apart, saying “wow, what a ride”.  While that sounds like a great motto, whoever came up with it, was only considering the beginning and the end.  Had they considered the actual struggles in between, they would not have made it sound like something so fun and exciting.  The realities of life are that the ride can be painful, hard and sometimes a complete mess.

Society tells you when your life, your house, and your family is a mess; you should call a life coach, HGTV or the Super Nanny.  What is her number, does anyone know?  I sure don’t.  Maybe the recommendation should be to “Love it, or List It.”  I know which one at times I would have chosen, and it wasn’t to love it.  Most of us try to deny our messes.  No matter how pretty your life looks to everyone, someone always knows your mess.

One of my devotional messages this week was entitled “Greater than the Mess”.  I had to stop and reflect on that.  Greater than my mess, that would include what exactly?  The dog who refuses to stop barking, the child who thinks they can do whatever they want, the other child who won’t get off the video games, the house that needs new appliances, a staircase remodel, the other half of the roof shingled, and a garden and lawn that need to be taken care of.  There is so much more I could mention.

O.k., what could be bigger than that mess?  A lot!  It is true our world is also a mess.  There is political intrigue, military challenges , over spent treasuries, betrayals from whole countries, and death from diseases and sickness.  Wow! this can really make a person’s day, can’t it?

This week I read about David in 2 Samuel.  His life was a mess too.  His efforts to become king were faced with challenges all over the place.  And let’s not forget, like the rest of us, he totally messed things up for himself at times.  It wasn’t always someone else’s fault.

But there is a lesson to be learned from David, he never gave up! Sure, he cried out to the Lord for help and so should we.  Sometimes we need to humble ourselves and admit we can’t do it on our own.    When David spoke of his impending doom, he admitted, “I am in deep distress.” But his solution to that distress was, “Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great!”  Did his solution work?  It sure did.  What is different about David than the way some of us respond to our messes today?  Well, instead of grumbling like I just have, he praised God.  He told his message of how even in a mess, God’s way is perfect and the word of God is flawless.  David preached how God is the shield for all who take refuge in him.  The examples that David gave were: It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.  He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.  He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.  He thanked God for giving him the shield of victory; and stooping down to make him great.  He wrote of how God broadened the path, beneath him, so that his ankles did not turn.  He declared, “I pursued my enemies and crushed them.  I did not turn back till they were destroyed.”  Now that is a fight, but wow, what a victory!”  Praising God all the way!  David was the King of Israel because he didn’t give up!

Our messes need to become our message, like David’s.  A message for others to live by.  We can’t turn back on this journey called life, someone may be following in our footsteps.

I encourage you to read more about King David in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Samuel.   Learn how to turn your mess into a message. Don’t give up, you are almost there!

Just Pin It and Follow Me!

Follow Me and Invite Friends

For my two children ages 11 and 18, social media is second nature to them.  As I think about how churches today have become fewer and less crowded, I can begin to understand some of the reasons for that.  I don’t quite qualify as the baby boomer generation, but as an older generation, it was and is our responsibility to share our faith and values with younger generations and generations to come.  In the past, we could stop by a friend’s house for coffee, write a letter, or pick up the phone and dial a number, just for someone to talk to.  Some folks still do all these things, but I can guess that those still using these methods of communication are not younger than 40+.  Today, communication happens by text, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Pinterest, etc.  If we don’t reach younger generations and invite them to church, soon there will be no church.  Some of you have probably heard the phrase, “be a witness  and spread the word”.  When you hear that phrase, you might picture someone in a suit walking down the street, holding a bible in their hand, talking about God to everyone they see.  Today, if someone is doing this, chances are, many would not even notice; however, if you become friends on facebook, like a page, pin a board, tweet a message, snap a chat, or Instagram, everyone will notice.

I am learning how to use Pinterest.  I have created a Board called Thomaston Assembly of God on my site.  In this board I have pinned items I felt might be a resource for you and your everyday walk with God.  I also have resources that the church can use to help promote volunteerism, etc. I encourage you to check out my site: Be sure to follow me and invite your friends to follow me as well.

https://www.pinterest.com/brownwinterbott/thomaston-assembly-of-god/

Some of the pins that I have included on this site include the following: Teaching Kids a 5 Step Method for having their own Personal Bible Study Time.  I thought this might be helpful, as I have sometimes found it difficult to hold my child’s interest in devotion time.  Sometimes it can be difficult for children to understand the scripture.  This pin will help provide you with ideas on how to teach your child to have their own time to read God’s word and pray.

How to Make the Most Out of Your Daily Bible Study:  This pin provides you with resources for your own bible study time.  It offers you free bible journal pages, uplifting scripture images, and devotionals available for all to use! Color Coding Bible scripture during Bible studies is a great idea that it offers. Check it out.

One of my favorite pins is “The Prayer Jar” Such a good idea to remind us to give our worries to Jesus and leave them there!   Sometimes we need that physical act of letting go and what better way then to write it down, tear it off, and throw it in a jar to rid yourself of the burden and give it to God.

A last featured pin I want to point out is the Pastor Pins.  You will find photo’s of the Pastor of Thomaston Assembly of God; Jon and Heather and the Assistant Pastor; Josh and Hepsi.  These are precious people who will be a support to you and your family.  I encourage you to check it out and make a date on your calendar to stop by and visit them some Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. on 14 Roxbury Street.  See you soon!!!

#SavedByAPin#

Lord, Show Me How To Love Like You!!

 

 

 

 

Pastors of Thomaston Assembly of God

Pastor Jon and Heather

Assistant Pastor Josh and Hepsi

Why Such A Hurry?

You can’t open your e-mail, go to the mailbox or walk into a retail establishment, where you won’t see advertisements that say; “FREE”, “Hurry Coupons Expire”, Double Your Savings”, “Chances to Save”, “Win This”, “Sweepstakes”.. “Feel Groovy” and “Enjoy!”

What does all this say about our society?  It says, we can’t be happy unless we have it all, “today”.  Is it any wonder that so many people feel depressed, disappointed and victimized?  Not only does our environment create an atmosphere of “I must have it all; but, I have it all today!”  Who could maintain all that quick fortune for any length of time? Not me.  We wouldn’t be honest if we didn’t admit that at some time or another, we have tried to have it all today.  Just today, I entered my e-mail address for the chance to win one of HGTV’s Dream Home Sweepstakes.  Can you imagine?  I had to ask myself, why?  What would that do for me and my family?  Well, we would have a new house, in a town we didn’t know anyone, and maybe a possibility at a new future and a fresh start in life.

As I thought about that, I also thought about how I could possibly expect a sweepstake to provide  a new future and a fresh start for me.  I also thought about my mother and how she was saying to me in the back of my head, “now Rhonda, you know gambling is a sin”, and I rationalized it in my head by saying, well, “it’s not like I am going to lose anything if I don’t win”.  Right? Wrong!  I have lost precious time.  I have lost a chance to find the ways that will help me to reach my goals; to be where God wants me to be in this life.  The thought of winning that dream home may have made me feel good for the moment; but, then reality stepped in and I didn’t feel so good-looking at the dirty dishes that needed to be washed, the homework that needed to be done, the child that needed to be checked on, and the house and laundry that needed to be cleaned.  What was I thinking?

I was thinking what we all think about from time to time; I want all of this to be over already, I want to rest and I want someone else to do it for me; oh, and I don’t want it to cost so much either.  Notice a pattern here? “I want!”

I thought, I wonder what the bible has to say about this?  So, I googled “What does the bible say about “I Want”.  Surely a prophetic word must be found there.  Here is what I found:

Romans 7:  15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^c For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

I guess the moral of that story is what?  “I am selfish, sinful, unable to change myself…”  How depressing is that.  But wait,

24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Oh hallelujah! What comes next is amazing and gives us hope and joy to live our life as intended

Romans 8: 1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you^a free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,^b God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.^c And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

So see, it is normal to want that instant gratification that we all desire; but we don’t need it.  God has given us everything we need.  We need to remember that through Jesus we have the power to slow down, rest in Him, and produce the fruit of the spirit that He has asked us to do.  What is that fruit?  the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

We don’t need to hurry.  We can be still.  While we are still, read God’s word, carry on with our daily lives, and listen to that sweet spirit that God uses to speak to us with.   Refresh and join together with your brothers and sisters to worship, at Thomaston Assembly of God of course.

Why hurry when we can double our savings today, that we may all enjoy the future and fresh start tomorrow that our savior died for.

Be Happy and see you at church!

When He Calls, I Will Answer….

#Blogging for Jesus

So, as I prepared the first post to this blog, I came across many challenges.  Partly because I have never blogged before.  Designing the blog and then trying to make it meaningful was the goal.  Of course the first goal is to invite you to visit the Thomaston Assembly of God Church.  The second goal would be to post things that would interest you and also provide spiritual and uplifting resources for your every day life.  Part of my challenges were to design eye pleasing pictures, but also to strategically place them in a way that would send you a message that “our church is your church”.  You can see in one of the pictures, a group of young people standing outside.  These people were Faith Bible School students who visited our church during a crusade last month.  They were a great blessing to us.  There is also a photo of a man looking out over the ocean, “looking for you”.  That man is the pastor of Thomaston Assembly of God; Jon Cuthbertson.

I chose blogging because it was an avenue that allowed me to design on various different media platforms.  In this blog you can post pictures, music, videos, stories, and put them all together to provide a theme.  The theme is to compel you to take advantage of various actions on this site;  read, interact, share, encourage, and most of all make Thomaston Assembly of God your own church.

Not only do I want to encourage you to share and post on this site; go ahead and like the page and share it on your own site as well.

I will leave you with a quote the pastor made in his last sermon;

“Prayer is the place where burdens exchange shoulders“.  If you have a prayer request, leave your request on this site and we will take it to God in prayer with you.

#beaprayerwarrior

Expecting You

 

 

 

Come As You Are!

Hi! My name is Rhonda Brown-Winterbottom.  I attend the Thomaston Assembly of God Church.  This church has been in our community for 80+ years.  My parents brought me to this church when I was a little girl.  I can remember attending Sunday school and vacation bible school here.  Until the last 10 or so years, the congregation has always been vibrant and full.  The church has gone through many changes and now we have a small congregation that has begun to see increase in numbers again.  I’m not sure why Churches all over New England have dwindled, except to say that the world has changed.  What once used to be a country founded on the belief of a savior in the one true God; in that we once trusted, now is a country concerned with being more politically correct than being spiritually minded and followers of Christ.  Our church is a beautiful little church in a small town.  Though it is not the structure that matters, what it represents is the opportunity to come together, worship God and support one another through life.  Every day we read in the news of someone who has taken their life from an overdose, sometimes intentionally, sometimes not.  It is scary to think about raising our families, and finding support for our young people in a world full of hopelessness and despair.  I am thankful that the Joy of the Lord is our strength.  At Thomaston Assembly of God, we understand that regardless of our individual circumstances, we can have joy through the renewing and transformation of our minds in what the word of God has to tell us.  Joy is not a feeling or an emotion, but a position we have within our loving God.  Life can be tough, you don’t have to carry your burdens alone.  Won’t you give all of your burdens over to God and join us this coming Sunday to share in worship and our walk through life together.  We invite you to come, just as you are!! For some, it is just a matter of finding your way back home again.  We are expecting you.  God Bless