Two Consecutive Weeks

Well as the title suggests something happened two weeks in a row. Just so you know, it wasn't that my football team won again, in fact, they barely held on to win and break a three game loosing streak. No, today we had over 100 people in church again and there were a ton of faces that were new! It was truly incredible.

Last week I got to write an article for the local newspaper, its something that the newspaper recently started doing for whatever reason. What it allowed me to do was to share what we believe as a church, in fact, I shared something similar to Anacortes FBC a couple of years ago. As the kids and I went trick or treating on Friday, a couple of my Mormon neighbors commented on my article and all throughout the day I got texts and messages about the article from people at church. I also think it's why we had some more new faces at church today. I've been here three months and I've had my picture in the paper three times now. Here's what I wrote:

Did you know that God wants you to have an out of the box, over the top, are you kidding me kind of confidence in Him? At times in my life I feel like I have lived that way, I’ve jumped when it didn’t make sense, I’ve moved when I didn’t want to, I’ve talked to someone because I felt God asked me to, and amazing things happened. Then there are the other and probably more frequent times when I didn’t jump, move, or talk. These are the times when I feel like I’ve fallen way short of the kind of life that God wants for me. How did I go from walking with confidence to a life of worry and fear? 

Jesus tells us in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” When I no longer walked with confidence it was because I allowed the thief to steal my perspective, destroy my hope, and kill my purpose. I was no longer living by faith. I was living in fear; but fear of what? Fear that I’ll look stupid, fear that I’ll get hurt, fear that I’ll be laughed at, and the list goes on… You know what the common denominator in all of those statements is, I (me). As long as I put me as the center of my world I will always slip back into a life that is less than what God has planned for me. 

It is not until I remember that there was one who whose perspective was not stolen, whose hope was realized, and whose purpose was to give his life as a ransom for many. Only when we see what Jesus did for us will our hearts be melted and freed from the paralyzing fear that keeps us from experiencing an out of the box, over the top, are you kidding me kind of confidence in God. Only when you receive and embrace his life, death, and resurrection will you be freed to pursue the abundant life; the life that you’ve always wanted. 

Pastor Kevin Olivarez

Blackfoot Christian Fellowship

I got paid a really great compliment today, by a lady who has been coming to church and whose son is the starting QB for the Blackfoot Broncos, who are undefeated and who are the favorite to win state in their division this year. Her son has been to church for several weeks now and she told me that he really likes me and in fact, he invited two of his football buddies to church this morning. It was pretty cool to see four HS boys all well over six feet tall in church and engaged in the service. After church I told the boys that Daniel and I will head out to their territory this Friday to watch them play. 

As for our family, things are going pretty well, just really busy. A couple of weeks ago I started coaching 1st and 2nd grade basketball for Daniel. Just so we're clear, I know nothing about basketball, but as I learned on Saturday, our first game, I don't have to know anything about it. It mainly running down the court hollering at kids to dribble, pass, shoot, and rebound. It was pretty crazy! As you can imagine, Daniel is a natural; what else would I say? It seems like anything with a ball this kids excels at. He played hard, scored couple of goals, and came home really sweaty. Did I mention that Claire is my self proclaimed assistant coach? She blows the whistle for me at practice and is mostly helpful. It's fun to have her around and involved in it. It funny to hear the kids that are younger than her, but taller than her, call her Coach C. 

There are many more things I"m sure I could tell you, but I think I'm just going to post a few pics and call it a night. Oh yeah, I should mention this... We're headed back to Anacortes for a few days to participate in Eyran Richards "Change of Command" ceremony. I was honored to be asked to offer the Opening prayer and closing Benediction for the ceremony. We're planning on being at church on Sunday, Nov 16. 

As always thanks for the prayers and support. We love and miss y'all, and see you soon! 

Enjoy the pics: