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OverflowMag.com August 2010
Carlos
& Abby of SPIRIT FM
Believe GOD for Healing Inspiration for a Greater Faith
EMERGENCY WORKERS FOR
CHRIST Real People, True Stories, In Your Backyard
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OverflowMag.com Aug 2010
“The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but as for a broken spirit who can bear it?” Proverbs 18:14 A Unique Approach
Counseling Beliefs
Renewal Through Relationship
Tampa Bay Christian Counseling Center is a Christian counseling practice offering comprehensive services to the Tampa Bay area. Working with clients of all ages, our counselors help guide individuals and couples to relational wholeness in Christ.
At Tampa Bay Christian Counseling Center, our counselors create an environment where people can be themselves, knowing that the counseling process is built on trust, hope, care and most importantly Jesus Christ. We walk alongside our clients in their spiritual journeys, going beyond outward symptoms to the inward cause and inviting genuine change in Christ.
We believe that the best counseling isn’t based on a number of steps or easy answers. It is a process that helps people identify where they have built a life apart from God and that calls them to an authentic relationship with Him.
Tampa Bay Christian Counseling Center believes there is a profound difference in content and results between counseling based in God’s Word and secular counseling approaches. We offer real, Biblically based counseling that presents solutions to people’s problems in contrast to symptom focused psychotherapy which ultimately does not look to God’s Word for solutions.
It is a relationship where we enter deeply into the lives of those in pain and crisis to bring them to a place where they can love God, love others and love themselves. We believe lasting change and personal wholeness have their genesis within a relationship with Christ.
3044 W. Bearss Ave. 813-964-5511
www.tbccc.org
Aug 2010 Love+Faith+Hope
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“Combining the best of home
school and traditional education.”
We believe every child is a story to be read and not written. Every child is born with a unique gift and identity, designed and given by God for a specific destiny. A child’s natural talents and tendencies are a result of this gift. When this gift is honored and their identity nurtured, children and adults fulfill their destiny by displaying that facet of the glory of God that was intended. Children are created with a specific assignment that will change the world around them. Identity without knowledge and wisdom leaves a child without ability, and academics without identity leaves a child without direction. When we embrace academic excellence and engage their identity, we will develop life long learners who are preeminent in their field.
What BCCS offers: Low teacher to student ratio 2 days a week on-campus classes 3 days a week at home classes Field Trips Community building activities Standardized testing A la carte classes offered for Jr/Sr high K4 - 8th grade
813-685-2227 | www.bccsonline.net | 540 S. Oakwood Avenue | Brandon 33511
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OverflowMag.com Aug 2010
CONTENTS
Expected
10 26 32
06
From the Editor
07
Meet Overflow
08
Magnify Him
10
Contributors
14
Ministry Spotlight
22
Healthy Life
Featured
24
Salvation
34
Resources
10
40
My Rock
44
Events
14
Healing for All
How to obtain healing through God’s Word.
One Big, Big Family in Christ
The story of two radio hosts who strive to unify the Body of Christ in Tampa Bay through a morning show.
26
A Vision for a Ministry
32
Discipleship: A Class Act
36
www.OverflowMag.com
How God called an EMT to ministry for emergency workers.
The value of reading and how it can help you grow spiritually.
36
Who Has Your Child’s Mind?
God’s Word requires parents to oversee the education of their children. How will you choose?
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On The Cover
FROM THE EDITOR “A Vision for a Ministry” on page 26 shares how one EMT was led to start a ministry for emergency workers—a vision that was perfected through divine appointments. If you are an emergency worker, you must read this article. Sometimes, the last person an accident victim sees is an emergency worker. It is nice to know that these “missionaries” are at work on the streets of Tampa Bay with the potential to increase the Kingdom of God when victims could only have moments before eternity.
Dear Friends, As the summer days disappear and the kids get ready to return to school, do you know who will be educating your child? Explore the profound point of view from Jessica Ormsby in “Who Has Your Child’s Mind?” on page 36. I can remember spending my summer days swimming in the pool or riding my bike, until I got the call for dinner. I also recall going back to school and being shocked that the teachers were serious about giving homework assignments the first week back. Summer is not over yet. As the school year is fast approaching, there is still time to dust off that thinking cap and prime your (and your child’s) mind for school. Read more about this in Tommy Burrus’ article, “Discipleship: A Class Act,” on page 32. I encourage you to check out “Healing for All” on page 10. Patricia Cherp provides insightful parallels between God’s medicine and natural medicine. Learn how to receive the healing that Jesus has already freely given to us through the cross. Well if you haven’t noticed by now, Carlos and Abby from Spirit FM are the featured spotlight this month. “One Big, Big Family in Christ” on page 14 tells the story behind Tampa Bay’s popular morning show. Read this inspiring article on how Carlos and Abby strive to unify the Body of Christ through their morning show.
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Don’t forget to submit your God stories (Magnify Him reports). We always need more stories and the community needs to hear how God is working in your life. We have another contest going on this month, so get those stories submitted for a chance to win a Worship pack of CDs. I hope you and your families enjoy the rest of summer! In His Love,
Amie Cherp
Why Overflow? Our main purpose at Overflow Magazine is to glorify God and to share the good news of God’s marvelous works from the lives of people in our local community. By spreading this good news, we believe the material you rest your eyes on will show you that God is good and faithful to those who come to Him and believe on His Word through Jesus Christ. As a result, we believe that we will begin reaping the harvest of men’s and women’s souls who were in the dark, making disciples, and teaching all nations. (Matthew 28:19)
ofmag love+faith+hope
EDITOR
Amie Cherp amie@overflowmag.com
SALES & MARKETING Chris Cherp chris@overflowmag.com
CREATIVE
Brady Wright brady@overflowmag.com Amanda Wright amanda@overflowmag.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER Tommy Burrus
PHOTOGRAPHY
Stephen T Photography Shana Leigh Photography
HOW TO REACH US
27251 SR 54, Suite B14-605 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 813.915.6700 Phone 813.463.0275 Fax www.OverflowMag.com
Magnify Submissions
magnify@overflowmag.com
General Info Inquiry
contact@overflowmag.com Overflow Magazine is published monthly by Eternal Holdings LLC, a Florida limited liability company, d/b/a Overflow Magazine. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced or copied in any form without prior written permission from a representative of Overflow Magazine. We cannot be held responsible for statements made by advertisers or contributing writers; however, we do make every effort to ensure the accuracy and truthfulness of the information we print. Overflow Magazine cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from omissions or errors made by advertisers and/or contributing writers. All images, written work, photographs, e-mails and letters sent to Overflow Magazine will be allocated for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to unrestricted rights to edit. Overflow Magazine is distributed free of charge to local supermarkets, churches, businesses, family events and other locations around the Tampa Bay area. For information on where to find Overflow Magazine or if you would like to become a distributor, please call 813-915-6700 or e-mail contact@overflowmag.com.
© 2009-2010 Eternal Holdings LLC. All rights reserved. Photo Credits: ©iStockphoto.com/endopack, p. 3; ©iStockphoto.com/Joss, p. 5, 10; ©iStockphoto.com/Maica, p. 5, 32; ©iStockphoto.com/MariaPavlova, p. 5, 36; ©iStockphoto.com/lrochka_T, p. 12; ©iStockphoto.com/TriggerPhoto, p. 8; ©iStockphoto. com/LincolnRogers, p. 9; ©2010 Blessings Unlimited, L.L.C., p. 12; ©iStockphoto. com/akkul, p. 19; ©iStockphoto.com/amite, p. 20; ©iStockphoto.com/peepo, p. 22; ©iStockphoto.com/joshblake, p. 24; ©iStockphoto.com/kate_sept2004, p. 30; ©iStockphoto.com/noblige, p. 38; ©iStockphoto.com/hidesy, p. 23
Ty Williamson, www.pixelsoftime.com
Meet Overflow
August will be Overflow’s eighth issue. Each month we have pushed forward in faith, believing God to guide us every step of the way. Through God’s help, the 12,000 magazines are flying off the shelves in supermarkets and churches, and an increase in the copies printed is on the horizon. Recently, I have been asked often about the conception of Overflow Magazine. For all our new readers, to make a long story short, it all began with a Christian book club that consisted of me (Chris), my wife (Amie), Amanda (Amie’s sister), and Brady (Amanda’s husband). The Lord placed the idea of magnifying Him in all of our hearts over the course of several weeks. When we discussed what the Lord had laid on each of our hearts, we all agreed to publicize local God stories through a magazine medium and share it with the community. Many questions started racing through our minds. We thought, “Why us? Are you sure? How are we going to do this?” And God gave me this word for all four of us: “I make the weak strong, I make the sick well, I make the poor rich, I AM! None of you have ever created a magazine; I know this, that’s why you have been chosen. Move forward in faith only! This is going to be BIG, I mean BIGGER than you think, so start thinking BIG because I AM a BIG GOD. Roll your work onto Me, and I will cause your thoughts to become agreeable with My Will, and so your plans will prosper and succeed (Proverbs 16:3). When doubt or fear whisper in your ear resist it in Jesus’ Name.” Our God is an Awesome God! We know that with God this magazine is possible. We believe that Overflow Magazine will give glory to God and touch the lives of those in our local community bringing them closer to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God Bless You! With Love in Christ, Team Overflow
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MAGNIFY HIM SUBMITTED BY YOU!
Psalm 105:1-2 (NKJV)
“Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works!“
Delivered When I started to sin and backslide from Jesus, I had a dream. In my dream were people doing drugs and drinking beer. My spirit asked Jesus, “Do I make it back to you?” Then I woke up. My dream became my living nightmare. I was doing every kind of sin you could think of. I left my husband for another man. I was drinking and doing drugs every day. My boyfriend and I left Ohio and came back to Tampa. We became homeless.
Well here is the good news. My husband and I are back together again. We go to The River at Tampa Bay Church. My grandson is going to college to become a minister, which is being paid for by Pastors Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne. My son, who was addicted to drugs and alcohol, became saved by the Blood of Jesus. Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne often says that when you walk out of the doors, you will never be the same. Oh how right he is….
I was in hell and could smell hell. I felt like no matter how many times I bathed, I still had this odor on me. There was a certain Believer from Faith Life Church and a pastor from another church that kept coming to me with the Word of Jesus and broke the yoke of Satan over me. My boyfriend was very abusive, verbally and physically. We ended up splitting up and he went back to Ohio.
For whoever is reading this - if you die today, without a shadow of a doubt, do you know if you would go to Heaven? This is the good news: there is Jesus, the Son of God, who loves you very much, who pulled me out of sin and who is waiting for you to come to Him. Amen. >>>V. E., The River at Tampa Bay Church
Rescued from Foreclosure My neighbor got behind on her house payments and the lender foreclosed on her home. The property was to be auctioned off. She gave me permission to speak to the attorneys handling the case. I prayed for her and the situation and asked several others to pray as well. Tiffany from Lily of the Valley stood in agreement with me concerning the property. I spoke to the lawyer on a Thursday and asked her to refinance the property, add the legal fees, and give the property back to my neighbor. The lawyer refused and said that they weren’t a charity organization. She further explained that the property would be auctioned off that following Monday. Well, no one bought the property and it reverted back to them. After the property didn’t sell, a real estate manager came out to take pictures. He told my neighbor that the next step was for federal marshals to come and escort her off the property with only what she could carry. He then headed back toward his car. I asked if I could speak to him. I requested that he please let her stay. I told him the same thing I had said to the attorney. He said if she cleaned up the property, he would consider letting her stay. No one bought the property and God give me the right words to say. No one could have turned that situation around but God. He is truly merciful. She has been allowed to keep her property and started making mortgage payments again. Praise God! >>> Virginia C., Wesley Chapel
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Visit OverflowMag.com to SUBMIT your God Story and tell your community what He has done in your life.
Unborn Baby Saved Tanja was 16 years old when she found out she was pregnant. Her father was a pastor in North Carolina so she didn’t want her family to know about it. The only person she told was her best friend. She decided to have an abortion so she would be free of the responsibility and shame that came with a baby. She called her friend for some much needed support right before she went to the abortion clinic to terminate the life of her unborn child. After speaking to Tanja on the phone, her friend decided to tell Tanja’s father what was going on in hopes that he might be able to stop her. Upon hearing what was about to transpire, Tanja’s father rushed to the clinic to find his daughter being prepped
to have an abortion. He pulled her out of the clinic and brought her home. Tanja’s father was not able to let her out of the sight of a responsible adult for fear that she would return to the clinic. As a result, he decided to send her to stay with an older cousin, Karen. She lived in a small “country” town in the middle of nowhere in North Florida, where Tanja would not be near an abortion clinic. After staying there only a few weeks, she proved to be too much for Karen to handle, so she tried to send Tanja back home. A friend of Karen’s, Barbara, offered to let Tanja live with her, her husband, and their seven boys. Tanja ended
up staying there until she had her baby girl. Afterwards, she promptly signed over the baby to the State of Florida and left on the next bus back to North Carolina. Barbara had seven boys, but always wanted a girl, so she and her husband adopted the little girl and named her Natalie. Natalie was blessed to grow up in a Christian home with eight brothers and one sister. Twenty-three years later here I am, the child whose life was saved by God. There are so many children aborted every day and I am thankful that God showed His grace on me, so I live my life for His glory. >>> Natalie, Tampa Bay Presbyterian
Jesus Take the Wheel One day, I was out running errands and it was raining really hard. I was driving a big station wagon and didn’t know the back tires were underinflated. The car began to fish tail all over the road. It started sliding down an embankment and I screamed, “Jesus help me!” I was at an intersection and cars were coming from all directions. All of a sudden, the traffic stopped like a freeze frame in a movie and the car straightened itself out and I was back on the road like nothing happened. Then, all the traffic started up again instantly. God had taken over! >>> V. C., Wesley Chapel
Healed by God At the age of 32, my brother-in-law, Jeff, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He and my sister had a 2 year old and were expecting again. With the aid of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, Jeff recovered from that tumor. This was three years ago. In November of 2009, Jeff woke up in a seizure and was taken to the hospital. The tumor was back. Surgery was used again, but chemo and radiation were not options. We prayed. He was treated in an experimental program at NYU. For six weeks, other people took care of my sister’s children and pets while she sat in a hospital with Jeff. He begged to go home because the stem cell transfer was so painful. We continued to pray. He left the hospital with hope.
The four week MRI showed the tumor was back, bigger, and surrounded with fluid. The doctors would take another MRI in four weeks to measure its growth so they could determine how long he had left to live. We prayed. My children prayed several times a day; people across the country that don’t even know Jeff prayed for him. He began writing letters to his children to open on special occasions after he died. Three weeks ago, they took another set of MRIs. The tumor and fluid were gone. We prayed and praised God. He still works miracles! Through this ordeal, my children have learned the importance of prayer. They know that no matter what happens they have a secret weapon, prayer. >>> Aviva B., Lone Oak Baptist Church
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CONTRIBUTORS HEALING
Healing for All >>> BY PATRICIA CHERP
T
hrough the journey of life, we will face “giants,” and it is imperative that we know how to deal with these “giants.” It’s not the circumstances in our lives that keep us from victory–it’s our response or consent to them. Whether the “giant” is sickness, disease, financial problems, or family problems, there are no “VIP’s” in any crisis. What the Blood of Jesus did for one – the Blood of Jesus did for all!
Healing Knowledge The knowledge of God’s Word is vital to our recovery from any crisis. Generally, recovery is a process and not instantaneous. Our faith is critical to receive the healing Jesus has already provided us through the cross. Faith begins where the will of God is known. Knowledge is power and our knowledge of God’s Word is our bridge between failure and success…between death and life. Hosea 4:6 (NKJV) says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge….” Every Word that
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God has spoken is filled with Himself (see John 1:1). Thus, God’s Word concerning healing is just as true as God’s Word concerning salvation. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it (the tongue) shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]” (Proverbs 18:21, AMP). In this verse, the Hebrew word for power is yâd – indicating “force from, direction, or because of.” In other words, our tongues are the center of spiritual warfare and the launching pad for failure or success in our lives. We frame our individual worlds with our words. Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV) says “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” Notice that the “issues of life” come from our hearts before they come out of our mouths. What we continually hear goes into our hearts and eventually out of our mouths. This produces our belief system. Proverbs 4:20-22 (KJV) says, “My son, attend to My words; incline thine ear unto
My sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” This word “health” in Hebrew means healing, medicine, or a cure. It comes from the primary root Raphah, which is the same word in Exodus 15:26. “…For I am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15:26, NKJV). The word “heals” (Raphah) indicates a continuous, ongoing action. God’s Word is medicine to all our flesh.
God’s Word in Action Many people make the mistake of substituting their belief in healing for the actual “taking of God’s medicine.” What good would it do if you believed in food, but didn’t actually eat it? You’d starve. Or suppose you believed the medicine the doctor gave you would help, but you didn’t actually take it. It wouldn’t do any good, would it? Faith and medicine are not opposing forces. One of the reasons God created the medical arena
was to keep a large majority of Christians alive until they could believe Him for healing. When pain is present it can be very difficult to be in faith for anything – take what your doctor prescribes and take it in Jesus’ Name. God’s Word is the scriptural foundation for Divine Healing. The principles of Divine Healing are interwoven throughout scripture as part of God’s Redemptive Plan. Nowhere in the Bible does it say God created sickness. Sickness and death entered this world through Adam’s original sin (Romans 5:12). Consider the fruit of a tree; it cannot live when the root is destroyed. Likewise, God’s redemptive solution for sin (the root problem) includes the destruction of sickness (the fruit). The “double-cure” principle, if you will.
Parallels There are parallels between God’s medicine and natural (in the flesh) medicine. The first parallel: God’s Word is a “healing agent” just as natural medicine is a “healing catalyst.” In other words, natural medicine in itself contains the capacity to promote healing. As well, God’s Word is a seed and contains within itself the capacity to achieve healing in your body. Psalm 107:20 (NKJV) says “He sent His Word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.” Proverbs 4:22 (AMP) says “For they (God’s Words) are life (reviving, restoration, recovery, wholeness) to those who find (acquire and take hold of) them, healing and health to all their flesh.” The Word of God contains the power to produce what it says – life, healing, and health to all your flesh. When you speak the Word of God over a situation, those God-filled words have
dominion over that situation (unless you tear them down by speaking the wrong things). Never say anything over your life that is not your true desire. Stop the victim vocabulary before it starts. The key to partaking of life and the healing power of God’s Word is to speak the Word until it penetrates your spirit man and deposits life and energy.
effective. No matter how good the medicine is, it must be taken according to the directions or it won’t work. For example, if the doctor says to take this cough syrup three times a day by mouth, you wouldn’t go home and rub it on your stomach! You have to put it in your mouth and swallow for it to be effective.
No Respecter of Persons
There are directions for taking God’s medicine too. You take God’s medicine by confession of and meditation on His Word. In Proverbs 4:20-22, God says to attend to His Words – incline your ears to them and don’t let them leave your sight. The human spirit is designed by God to produce what is placed in it. Whatever you are looking at or listening to become your point of reference; don’t let God’s Word depart from your eyes or ears. Keep them in the midst of your heart. This can be accomplished by meditating on God’s Word. The word “meditate” means to mull over and over. As God’s Word becomes your main focus throughout the day, His Word will be working in you.
The second parallel between God’s medicine and natural medicine: Medicine, whether God’s Word or natural, is no respecter of persons; it will work for anyone who takes it. Acts 10:34 (KJV) says, “…God is no respecter of persons.” God wants you healed and whole. The Bible is for “whosoever” will receive. The word “receive” means to take by deliberate and ready reception of what is offered. Twenty-seven years ago I took God’s medicine when the doctors told me I was going to die. I said, “God created me and I believe Him.” People tried to convince me that it might not be God’s will for me to be healed. I told them, “God is my Father – He said in His Word that it is His will that I prosper and be in health even as my soul prospers. I choose to believe Him over anyone else. The Bible says, God sent His Word and healed me and delivered me from all destruction. So I believe Him.” Here I stand today, living proof that God’s Word does in fact work when you believe! If God healed me, then He will heal you.
Take as Directed The third parallel between God’s medicine and natural medicine: Medicine must be taken according to the directions to be
“What the Blood of Jesus did for one ¬ the Blood of Jesus did for all!”
Finish the Prescribed Regiment The last parallel between God’s medicine and natural medicine: It takes time for medicine to work – both naturally and spiritually. People normally don’t have an issue finishing the medicine prescribed by a doctor or potentially going back for refills. They don’t expect the initial dose to cure them. Similarly, you must keep taking God’s Word as medicine and give it time to work. Think about it…it took time for your situation to develop into what you are facing, so don’t get discouraged if you are not healed overnight. Patience is required when applying any principle of the Word or when taking any medicine. Never exalt the report of a man above the Word of God. If you can see it or feel it, then God can change it. If you continue to trust in God and do not quit, you’ll win every time. When you feel like speaking God’s Word the least – that’s when you need to do it the most. God’s medicine has no adverse reactions or side effects; it’s a cure-all. His medicine will heal anything that’s wrong with you, but you must follow the directions diligently and believe for God to make you whole again. Glory!
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Aug 2010 Love+Faith+Hope
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FEATURED
MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT
One Big,
Big Family in Christ Meet Carlos & Abby of The Big Big House Morning Show on
>>> BY AMANDA WRIGHT
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV)
I
n chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians, Paul talks about the different members of the body of Christ and how we all, as individual Christians, serve as a part to the whole. The passage alludes that no matter what our backgrounds are (race, denomination, culture), “we were all given the one Spirit to drink” and that “the body is not made up of one part but of many” (1 Corinthians 12:13-14, NIV). The significance of this chapter is to explain how each part of the body is essential to the other parts and how God perfectly blended the parts together to become one body under Christ. Christians make up the body of Christ and we are all important and unique to the body as a whole. This scripture is one example of many in the Bible that reveal God’s desire for His children to be unified into one family - the Kingdom of God. Carlos and Abby are two people who share God’s desire to unify the body of Christ through their radio broadcast, “The Big Big House Morning Show” on Spirit FM 90.5. Many of you may be loyal listeners on your ride to work each morning, and if you are, then you know how welcoming their show is to just about anyone who listens. Their show is real and carries a great sense of family. It’s a refreshing blend of everyday life, spiritual
discussions, and some just plain fun. Carlos and Abby have really mastered the idea of “making faith fun.” Their show has only been on the air for a couple of years, but they have already made a vast impact in Tampa Bay, which can only be explained by God’s plan for their lives.
Matched for the Airwaves So how did this radio pair get joined up? Let’s go back about eight years. Abby graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Television. She put her resume out to several TV stations, but nothing turned up. She met Olivia with Spirit FM while volunteering at her church, Nativity Catholic, in Brandon. Abby then decided to start volunteering at the radio station and recalls saying, “At least it’s something in the media and I’ll see if I like radio.” She volunteered for about six months and really wanted to work for Spirit FM full time. However, Abby remembered being disappointed when she was told that there were no positions available at that time. She moved on and eventually got another job in marketing with another company. She later realized God’s hand was in it the
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youth. Later, Carlos was offered the Friday night slot at Spirit FM and the show was a success. He interned for Spirit FM and then started doing the overnight shift which led to weekend shows and filling in for people. Eventually Carlos was hired full time as a night DJ. From his witty character and the ability to literally make you laugh out loud, it’s easy to see how Carlos would be a successful radio show host. In 2008 Carlos was offered the morning show time slot on Spirit FM and as he put it, “They gave me Abby.” Abby revealed that she had no previous on-air experience and her boss took a chance on her. “He’s crazy!” she said. Carlos explained, “We shared an office in the old building, so we already had a sense of each other’s humor and personality. [The station manager] came to me and said, ‘If we gave you Abby, would you be happy with that?’ I said yes…I was crazy too.” whole time. There are certain seasons of our lives that are meant to grow us, or groom us, for what God has in store. A year later, in 2004, the station manager wanted to interview Abby for the position of Promotions Coordinator, but she declined due to the new job. Three months later Spirit FM called again and the position still wasn’t filled. “This is obviously meant to be,” Abby revealed, “...[initially] I wasn’t prepared. I learned a lot at that new marketing job; I grew up a little bit, so the timing was so much better. It was perfect.” Carlos, a minister’s kid, grew up in Tampa and graduated from Robinson High School. He was intrigued by radio as a youth and even remembers recording himself on a tape player to make his own radio show. Then in high school he had the opportunity to interview a big radio personality for a paper. Carlos explained, “I wanted to do music in some sense … I loved radio … but I always thought I’d be a DJ on stage” with someone like Toby Mac. So, he decided to go to school for a recording artist degree to learn how to record and mix music. He was a DJ at a Christian dance club, called Kingdom Come, and Olivia (of Spirit FM) came with a bunch of
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The Big Big House Morning Show Carlos and Abby have a fun and quirky on-air dynamic. They each have such unique personalities that allow people to relate to one or both of them. Their show is so interesting due to the fact that they come from different faith backgrounds, yet they get along so great and have the ability to captivate listeners of all denominations. They are close in age and share a love for music, not to mention, they both have a silly side that keeps their listeners smiling. Have you ever heard Carlos’ goofy laugh? That’s enough to make you chuckle. They were clearly born to entertain Believers and be a light for Jesus Christ through radio. The show’s theme song is Big House by Audio Adrenaline. The lyrics are perfect, “Come and go with me to my Father’s house. It’s a big big house, with
lots and lots of room….” The heart of the show spotlights the fact that as Christians (the body of Christ) we are a big family, and no matter what our differences are, there is room enough for us all. Carlos revealed, “our point with the morning show isn’t to say you have to be this [or that type of Believer] because there are so many different ways to worship God; it’s all about loving God….” Abby commented, “I think that a lot of people have preconceived notions of other denominations.… I hope this show helps people realize that we have a lot in common and the closer you are to Christ, the closer all of us are to each other.” Carlos replied, “we’d rather focus on the commonalities that bring us together … than focus on the differences that just tear us apart.” What else do they hope to accomplish through the morning show? Carlos immediately responded, “I want world domination” with a serious face. Then he laughed and said, “I guess the cliché thing to say would be that if just one heart is changed.” Carlos went on to explain that one of the purposes of the show is to get Believers to look at their faith a little differently and to have fun and enjoy their faith more. If you happen to “stumble” across the show, Carlos hopes that “the show is relevant enough to you, that you’ll get something from it, and maybe that’s what leads you into a relationship with Christ.” Abby smiled and said, “I say Amen to that!”
“I think sometimes as Christians, we don’t laugh enough.… I want the show to be a fun way to look at our faith.”
— Carlos
Making Faith Fun Every morning the show is different. Carlos and Abby have the same kind of format (which always includes news off the wire, birthdays, a veggie tales song, and prayer time), but they share a diverse array of topics with their listeners and incorporate different elements and bits into the show to make it unique each day. Abby stated, “We bring up topics that are not strictly a religion kind of topic; we try to give the Christian side to it most of the time. Sometimes it’s just silly and fun, and sometimes it’s something that we can make the person think about how their faith applies to that [topic].” The show has something for everybody. As Carlos put it, the show is “everyday life seen through the eyes of two Christian people.” It’s fun, inspiring, uplifting, and a great way to start the work day. What is their favorite part of being radio hosts? Abby answered, “I like hearing from listeners. I like interacting with listeners because they say the funniest things … and the most insightful things.… It’s just neat getting so much feedback from people.” Carlos expressed his love for putting on a show. He explained it’s like getting on a stage in a sense. He enjoys researching topics to share with their listeners that will either move people to look at their faith differently, get them to listen again, or just to make them laugh. Carlos furthered explained, “I think sometimes as Christians, we don’t laugh enough.… I want the show to be a fun way to look at our faith.” Be sure to check out the morning show webpage on the Spirit FM website. “It’s a great representation of what our show is; it’s everyday life, everyday situations, mixed with our faith,” Carlos said. You’ll find articles, videos, and photographs that they discuss on the air. “It’s a mix of fun, encouragement, and family resources,” Abby added. You can also find links to The Big Big Blog and listener comments.
Spirit FM Other than hosting the morning show, Abby’s main job at the station is to coordinate all of the contests, community events, and promotions. Spirit FM is out in the
community often helping people and other ministries through fundraisers, clothing drives, blood drives, and much more. Carlos also works as a producer for Spirit FM and more recently is filling in for Olivia as Music Director while she is out on maternity leave. As you could imagine, it requires a great deal of work to manage a radio station, so with a small full-time staff of eight people, everyone has multiple responsibilities. Many people might not realize it, but Spirit FM is a ministry and as Carlos pointed out, “It costs a lot of money to run radio stations.” Spirit FM raises money through on-air fundraisers a couple of times a year. In other words, they are listener supported. Want to help? Go to www.SpiritFM905.com and click on “DONATE.” If you’re a business you can give a monthly gift and become an underwriter. Then Spirit FM will acknowledge the business on air. Abby explained, “I see it not necessarily as a commercial but more as the business giving back, and God is going to honor that gift.… We thank them on the air for supporting the ministry and we hope that people will then go and support these businesses that stand for what we [Spirit FM] stand for.” What are Carlos and Abby’s favorite scriptures? Carlos answered, “Proverbs 3:5-6, my mom … gave me that a long time ago and it is just something that I have always leaned on.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) says: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He
will make your paths straight.” Abby shared that her favorite passage is Romans 8:3739. She explained, “Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ … that [scripture] has always really hit home with me.… I like knowing that no matter what I face, no matter what the world throws at me, no matter what I do—He’s there.” If you haven’t had the opportunity to tune in to The Big Big House Morning Show with Carlos and Abby, then we encourage you to do so. Your days will be a little bit brighter. They’re on the air every weekday morning from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. on Spirit FM 90.5. Glory!
CONTRIBUTORS BUSINESS
Scribner Rule >>> BY JOHN FAULKNER
“As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man.” Proverbs 27:19 (NKJV)
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ot too long ago, my wife and I sat across the table from close friends at one of our favorite restaurants. We were brainstorming with them over business issues when my friend Stuart gave me a gift. It was extremely old and very different from anything I had ever seen. It resembled a yard stick, but it was not as long and didn’t have those familiar markings. He explained that it was a Scribner Rule. He knew I was in the tree business and thought that I would appreciate an antique “tool of the trade.” The Scribner Rule was used by lumberjacks in the logging industry. The lumberjack would step off 66 feet away from the base of a tree and hold the stick 25 inches away from his eye. By aligning the marks on the stick with the tree, he could tell the board feet of lumber a tree would yield before he cut it down. I was intrigued by the simplicity and effectiveness of this tool. This got me thinking. Was there a way to step back and measure a man’s heart by looking at his business? When God puts your business up to His Scribner Rule and aligns the marks, will it pass the test?
“As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man” (Proverbs 27:19, NKJV). If the reflection of a man’s heart reveals the man, then what would your business reveal about you? These are some practical ways in which God might measure:
• • • • • •
Do you value your lowest paid employee the same as your highest paying customer? Is the quality of your employee’s life just as important as the quality of their work? Is mercy given as frequently as correction? Have your employees, customers, and vendors had the opportunity to hear about a loving and forgiving God? Do your purpose, vision, and core values produce eternal fruit? Is your emphasis on selling or serving?
As business owners, we have an opportunity to harvest something far more valuable than lumber. John Faulkner is the founder and President of Cornerstone Solutions Group, a multi-dimensional company with over 220 employees that has prospered for over two decades. www.CornerstoneSolutionsGroup.com
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Hawaiian Luau A Refuge of Hope, Second Annual Banquet Special guest speaker Mary Lou Hendry, Sanctity of Life Director, Florida Baptist Children’s Home
To Benefit:
September 24th at 6:15pm Family Life Center 5105 School Road Land O’ Lakes
“We will glorify God by being a witness for life, promoting purity, protecting the unborn and offering support to families.”
For More Info: 813-406-4965 www.HeartsForOasis.org
Reserve your seat today Individual: $50 Couple: $75 Table Sponsors starting at: $300
BEHIND THE PULPIT LOCAL PASTOR’S VOICE
What is Messianic Judaism? >>> BY RABBI LARRY A. JOHNSON
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atthew, Mark, John, Paul, Stephen, Mary, Martha, Peter, and Nicodemus. Almost sounds like the line-up of a co-ed softball team. But, these and others like them have much more in common than being in an opening line-up. They are all of Jewish birth, who lived 2,000 years ago in Israel. They also all believed in the Torah writings concerning the coming of their Messiah. They were followers of Jesus the Christ (Yeshua HaMesshiach in Hebrew), and believers in the Way. They were observant to the customs and held fast to the Law of Moses. It was in the writings and teachings of the Law and in the Prophets that Yeshua was revealed to them. “But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead’” (Luke 16:31, NASB). These early believers were the founders of Christianity and could be called true Messianic Jews. In addition to believing in the Law and the Prophets, they also believed that Yeshua had come to fulfill the Law and prepare a way for them to enter into a deeper relationship with God, the Father. Today, the phenomenon has come alive again, as Jewish and non-Jewish believers in Yeshua are coming together to form “One New Man” (see Ephesians 2:14-15) through being “grafted in” to the Olive Branch as described in Romans 11. Coming into a Messianic Congregation of Believers may cause concern at first look. Hebrew is spoken during prayers, dance is lively during worship, and unity among Believers is the focus. Teaching comes from both the Old and New Testaments as an extension of God’s original plan. Messianic Judaism is not new and is similar to most Christian church services, except for the stress on honoring the Feasts of God—the mo’edim or appointed times of God. This is not done under compulsion of the Law, as we are free from the burdens of the Law. However, it is done in reverence of the One who desires to meet with us.
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The Feasts of God point to the character and working of Yeshua. The Fall Feasts begin the Day of Trumpets. This is the picture of 1 Thessalonians 4:16. After the Feasts of Trumpets comes Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Yeshua, our High Priest, has become our Atonement. After this event, The Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, leads us to a time of great joy and the ingathering of the Harvest. The expression of worship toward the Triune nature of the Godhead is the main purpose and goal for those ascribing to follow the Messianic Jewish faith. The New Covenant, B’rit Hadashah, is taught from the Old Covenant, Tanakh, just as in the days of Yeshua and His disciples. Before we had the writings of Matthew, Mark, John, and Luke to guide us, they had the Torah and the Prophets. The teachings of Yeshua are relevant to us today, as when He prayed to His Father, ‘Father make them one as We are One’ (John 17:21). He was speaking of the Jews who believed on Him then and the Gentiles that they would minister the Good News to later. The Old Covenant allows us to understand the New Covenant with a clearer picture and greater appreciation of who God is. Taking part in a Messianic Fellowship, for many, is more than trying to identify with a first century church mindset. For most in the Ministry, it is a calling to fulfill end-time prophesies regarding the re-gathering of Israel to the Land, the pouring out of God’s blessing upon the Land and People of Israel, and the breaking down of dividing walls that keep all Believers from worshipping in unity.
Rabbi Larry Johnson has been the Associate Rabbi at Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue for 4 years. His love for Israel and the study of the Scriptures in a Hebraic understanding have opened his heart to the Messianic Vision.
HEALTHY LIFE
Will My Back Pain Ever Go Away? >>> BY DR. ALIYA REDWOOD
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n a study conducted by the National Institute of Health, back pain was the second most common reason for doctor’s visits in the United States. The study went on to say that over 80% of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives, and it is the most frequent cause of activity limitation in people younger than 45 years of age. However, the good news is that most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic (i.e., not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture, or cancer).
muscles and surrounding soft tissue. However, neither of these options takes care of the underlying cause. In order to get to the root of the pain you should see a Chiropractor, Osteopath, or in some extreme cases a Neurologist. In conjunction with any option, seek God’s assistance in the healing process.
Frequent Causes of Back Pain
• • • • •
The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles. You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture discs, and irritate joints, all of which can lead to back pain. While sports injuries or automobile accidents can cause back pain, sometimes the simplest of movements (e.g., picking up a pencil from the floor) can have painful results. In addition, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, and stress can cause or complicate back pain.
Here’s The Skinny Research shows that when back pain is ignored, it typically does not go away on its own. Since low back pain may continue for long periods of time and is unlikely to permanently go away, professional intervention is inevitable. Some opt to go with over-the-counter medication, which dulls some of the pain. Massage is also a popular remedy, which helps with tight
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Tips on How to Prevent Back Pain •
• • •
Lift by bending your hips and knees, then squat to pick up the object, keep your back straight, and the object close to your body Don’t twist your body while lifting Push, rather than pull, when you move heavy objects If you must sit for long periods, take frequent breaks and stretch An inactive lifestyle contributes to lower back pain, so remain active Maintain proper posture and wear comfortable low heeled shoes (not flip-flops) Sleep on a medium to firm mattress to minimize malposition of your spine Maintain a healthy diet and weight Over-the-counter medication, pain, or anti-inflammatory prescriptions mask symptoms and may lead to a longer recovery
Dr. Aliya Redwood is a Chiropractic Physician. She graduated from St. Leo University and Life University, College of Chiropractic in Marietta, GA. Dr. Redwood opened Wesley Chapel Chiropractic in September 1995. You can reach her at 813-973-2261 or visit www.WesleyChapelChiropractic.com. The foregoing information is in a general format and not intended to be treatment for low back pain. Low back pain may have complicating factors and must be assessed on an individual basis for specific treatment or referral when necessary.
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SALVATION
Letting go of the old and not focusing on your past is one of the hardest things to do. Some people go day to day carrying a very heavy burden—guilt, shame, and embarrassment, just to name a few. The guilt can be so strong that it alters important decisions in your life. Many times, people have a hard time turning their life over to Christ because they think their past mistakes are too great. Maybe you’ve asked yourself, how can He accept ME? He knows of all the bad things I’ve done. Did you know that the very moment you accept Jesus into your life and repent of your sins, God does not remember those sins anymore? In Isaiah 43:25, God tells us that He will no longer remember our sins, but we must first ask for forgiveness and repent (change our ways). Once we do, every wrongdoing, failure, mistake, and sin you have ever committed in your life is completely wiped away. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV). You see, God is not interested in your past. He’s looking forward to your future. Let me challenge you today – if all of your past mistakes and failures were erased in God’s eyes, what would you paint on your empty canvas? If you want to invite Jesus into your life then say this prayer out loud in faith: Father God, I come before you in the Name of Jesus. Your Word says, “Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21, KJV) and “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9, NKJV). Father God, I believe your Word is truth and I stand on it now. Please forgive me for all my sins and unrighteousness. Today I make Jesus my Lord and Savior and I believe God raised Him from the dead, and He is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Father I ask that you fill me with your Holy Spirit to guide and teach me as I walk this earth and grow spiritually (Luke 11:13; Luke 12:12). I thank You for making a place for me in Your Kingdom, please guide me in the direction that will eternally please You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.� Isaiah 43:25 (NIV)
MAGNIFY HIM SUBMITTED BY YOU!
>>> PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANA LEIGH PHOTOGRAPHY
A Vision for a Ministry >>> BY TIMOTHY R. PARTRIDGE
If someone would have told me six years ago I would be writing my testimony of how Jesus Christ has worked in my life, I would have replied with something like “yeah right,” and laughed.
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od is patient and will wait for us to wake up and come to Him. His wait for me to return to Him ended six years ago this summer. Here is my testimony, I pray that God will allow my story and words to touch someone that reads them and be an encouragement.
life.” Now at seven or eight, I really did not understand what that meant. I can remember going to the altar as a preteen and giving my life to Christ. The associate pastor told my aunt that God had big plans for me. I have since lost contact with this pastor, and I only remember his name, Mike.
Seed Planted
As I got into my teenage years I visited church less and less. However, I never lost my belief in God or Jesus Christ. I met the love of my life and soul mate in 1984, and we were married on February 15th, 1986. We were young when we married. Our wedding ceremony included God but I never remember us talking about our faith or how Christ would be a part our lives.
I was born in Tampa; I have three sisters and two brothers. My parents were good parents. My dad worked very hard for many years at a grocery store warehouse in Tampa. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, domestic engineer as she referred to herself. We were not a church-going family. I think the only time we were all together at church was probably for a funeral. However, I have an aunt and uncle on my mother’s side that were, and still are, regularly attending church. They would take me any time I wanted to go. This planted the seed of Christ in me when I was around seven or eight years old. I can still remember the first time that I quoted scripture. It was in a church that is just off Hillsborough Avenue and 22nd in Tampa. The verse was John 3:16 (NKJV): “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting
First Attempt at Fellowship My wife, Kaye, and I started attending church somewhat regularly and were baptized in 1988. At this time, I was only interested in certain parts of church like the softball team, fellowship dinners, and progressive dinners at Christmas. I was not into Sunday school or paying attention to the sermons. We moved to a church that was only three blocks from our home and my wife was more involved. She helped with AWANA and other things. However, my interest was dropping even more. She tried
very hard to get me involved, but I would have nothing to do with it and finally she quit trying and stopped going herself. Now as I look back, I realize that I failed my family. We have two children: our son, Branden and our daughter, Brandi. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV), “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Also, Ephesians 5:25 (NKJV) says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” Instead of doing this, I actually did the opposite and drove them away from church.
Falling Away I have been a paramedic for many years and work for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue as a Rescue Lieutenant. (You will soon see the relevance of this.) Several years ago, I ran a call where a gentleman passed away around Christmas time. He lived with his daughter who was blind and mentally challenged. His daughter was confused because she heard all these voices and none were her father’s voice. Without experience in grief counseling, we were trying to figure out what to do next. I was still occasionally attending church, so I called on them for help. The
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“God used my children to lead me back to Him.” associate pastor I spoke with told me that he also had no experience in grief counseling, but he would do what he could if we could not find anyone else. With further investigation, we were able to determine the religious faith of the deceased man and his daughter. I called the largest local church I could think of within that denomination. I spoke with a lady and explained the situation. She told me they would send someone right over to help. I was relieved. I gave her the address and told her how to get to their home. This lady then told me they lived outside of the church’s area and they could not help. My immediate response was that I did not know God had territories and I hung up on her. Now this conversation gave me the final excuse I needed to stop going to church, and I used it well for my avoidance of church for almost twelve years.
Led back to the Lord Six years ago my daughter wanted to go to church camp with her best friend. This family is a faithful family and had tried for many years to get us to visit their church. My wife would always make excuses for us because she knew I would not go. Now when my daughter asked about going, my concern was what I would have to do. Primarily, it was to pay for her to attend the camp and to go to church the day she left and the night she returned. This was going to be a major step but, for her, I agreed. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 11:6 (NKJV), “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.” While she was at camp she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. I also found out that after this, she was committed to praying for others during every invitation. In the Sunday night service after she came home from camp, the church had a youth
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testimony night. During this service my son accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. I now had a predicament. I did not like the structure of church in general, and now I had two new Christians in my home, what next? My wife and I spoke about this and agreed we would attend church every other Sunday and one Wednesday a month. This was due to the church, which my children wanted to attend, being forty-five minutes from our home. God was going to use my children to show me that not all religions and/or churches are like the one that gave me my excuse not to go to church anymore. Since that time we, as a family, are active in our church, Alafia
Baptist Church in Lithia. I teach a college and career Sunday school class, and I’m an Ordained Deacon. I am enrolled in seminary to get my Bachelors of Arts in Biblical Studies to become a pastor. God used my children to lead me back to Him.
God’s Calling I chose the title of my testimony, “A Vision for a Ministry,” because that is what God laid on my heart about two years ago. God spoke to my heart about the people who work in the same type of field that I do—emergency workers. However, I told God that I was not the right person for the job just as Moses did in the book of Exodus. “But he [Moses] said, ‘O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send’” (Exodus 4:13, NKJV). So, God left this ministry on my heart and reminded me of it daily. I did some thinking and came up with the name for the ministry, Emergency Workers
Emergency Workers for Christ The mission of Emergency Workers for Christ is to reach Christians and non-Christians that work in the fields of pre-hospital emergency medicine, firefighting, law enforcement, emergency dispatching, and emergency room medicine. This ministry is no longer a vision but a reality through God. We now have had several meetings and the attendance grows each month. Other ministries and churches are reaching out to assist us in any fashion they can. All of this has come together in four months. Matthew 19:26 (NKJV) says, “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” God is the only reason this ministry is where it is today and He is our vision and strength. Emergency Workers for Christ uses Ephesians 2:10 as our mission verse: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (NKJV). God has a plan for each one of us. We need to understand that we are His workmanship and He has already prepared an ordained path for our lives. We may take our own path at times, but He is always faithful and loves us unconditionally. He will sit and wait with patience and grace for us to come to Him. for Christ, but I was not ready or willing to tackle such a task. I kept resisting God, and in January of this year, God sent me three men, who I call my three Aarons (see Exodus 4:14-16). My first Aaron was Curtis Lopez; I knew of Curtis but we had not talked very much and especially not about God or Christianity. I shared with him the vision that God had placed in my heart, and at first, I didn’t understand why. Up to this point, I had only shared the name with one person, and this person did not even live in Florida. Curtis became the second. He then shared the vision of the ministry with my second Aaron, Shawn Hayston.
Shawn is on fire for Christ and will share the Word of God with anyone that will listen. Curtis did not share the name of the ministry with Shawn, only the vision. Shawn was awoken that same night and the name Emergency Workers for Christ was given to him. When he shared this with Curtis, Curtis asked if he had spoken with me, but he had not. This was the confirmation that I needed to move forward with this ministry. Curtis also shared the vision of this ministry with my third Aaron, Ronnie Rivera. Ronnie has been very diligent in connecting us with other ministries and preparing the foundation that every ministry needs.
“...With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NKJV)
I will leave you with this question: Are you open to what God has for you? If not get in to the Word, find a church home, and surround yourself with His people. Our God is waiting for you, all you need to do is let Him in your heart and hold on. Now, Christianity is not easy, and you will be challenged by our society as you dare to be different, but turn to Jesus and He will lead you and comfort you. After all, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV). God bless you and your families. If I can help you, please feel free to contact me through the information below. If you would like more information on Emergency Workers for Christ, please contact us at ew4c@veizon.net or visit our website (www.ew4c.org). We meet the second Thursday of every month from 9-11 a.m. at 129 North Moon Ave. Brandon, FL 33511.
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CONTRIBUTORS EDUCATION
Educating Our Children
Homeschool, Private School, or Both? >>> BY ANGELAH HENRY Director of Brandon Christian Community School
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efore our son, Ethan, was born I was completely against homeschooling. I thought homeschoolers were missing out on various benefits of traditional education, such as having deadlines, being taught by an experienced, degreed teacher, and of course, socialization. Fortunately, we found an educational model we had never even heard of before.
to close. We knew that God wanted the school to not only stay open, but also flourish. God opened the door and my husband and I walked in as the new directors of the school. We’ve seen God’s hand at every turn and exciting things are taking place. We have added an “a la carte” program where homeschoolers can take individual classes, and we now have over 70 Students. Praise God!
When Ethan approached school age, we prayed and asked God, “What do we do? Homeschool or Private School?” The only one who seemed to have the answer was my school teacher mother-in-law, and you can bet she wasn’t thinking homeschool! Soon God provided the answer to our prayer. He led us to Brandon Christian Community School (BCCS) - a combination of private school and homeschool.
BCCS provides an academic program that will equip your child with the knowledge and understanding that will allow him or her to flourish in an ever-changing world. These subjects are taught in the way that your child learns best. We are introducing classes that build life skills, such as personal finance by Dave Ramsey, public speaking, and entrepreneurship, so they are prepared to influence culture and shape our world for God’s glory. In addition, we believe every child is born with a unique gift and identity, designed and given by God, for a specific destiny. A child’s inherent talents and tendencies are a result of that gift. Academics without identity leave a child without direction, and identity without knowledge and wisdom leaves a child without ability.
Ethan would attend classes on campus two days per week with experienced teachers, other kids, rules, deadlines, report cards, SAT testing, transcripts, and recess. The other three days, we would execute the teacher provided lesson plan at home, emphasizing our values and his natural talents and passions. Then, we could also go to the beach, MOSI, the zoo, or pick strawberries. It is an actual private school so there is no homeschool paperwork, red tape, or record keeping to be done on our part. We personally did not want five days a week with our child to consist of homework, dinner, bath, and bed. After our second year at BCCS, the announcement was made that with the difficult economy and various other factors, the school may have
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The greatest thing about BCCS is that we are not just Christian in name, but we truly emphasize the Gospel of Jesus Christ through all that we do. We help young people recognize all that God has placed inside of them to fulfill their destiny according to His plan. We show them what “Christ-like” looks like on Monday morning!
Discipleship: A Class Act
>>> BY TOMMY BURRUS
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
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ummer is nearly over and the kids will soon be back in school. Parents everywhere are sighing contentedly. Soon the school buses will make their early morning stops. My daughters will each be starting new schools this month. My older daughter will begin high school, and my younger daughter is beginning her last year in elementary school. How is that possible? Their kindergarten days don’t seem that long ago.
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Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV) At the beginning of summer, I shared with them my plans to help them prepare for the coming school year by keeping their minds sharp and active. That plan was met with a great deal of groaning and resistance. In their opinion, summer is not a time for learning; it is a break from learning. While speaking with some teachers, they revealed that students have a notion that the break begins even before school lets out. For the last few weeks of school, students have
decided that they shouldn’t be expected to learn anymore. It is too close to the break to take on any new subjects. Teachers have told me that it is difficult to engage their pupils in any activity that feels like learning. At the beginning of a new year, as well as after the spring and Christmas breaks, it takes a while for students to get back into the disciplined routine. Of course, there is also that “disease” called senioritis, a mentally debilitating condition for which the only cure seems to be graduation.
our homes, but the more common usage of the word has reference to a pastime or recreation that helps us to relax and unwind. Each of us needs recreation and relaxation. We need breaks from time to time to renew our energy and concentration, but we also need to be aware of the human tendency to be undisciplined. It is very easy to sit in front of a television and “veg out,” to surf a social networking site, or to check your email and let several hours pass unnoticed. Learning is not a negative thing. In fact, it is a great privilege to have the opportunity to expand our minds and improve ourselves, especially when it comes to spiritual matters. The Bible gives us the imperative command to endeavor to study and be diligent in matters of the Word so that we may present ourselves to God for His approval (2 Timothy 2:15). As disciples or followers of Christ, we have embarked upon a lifetime of learning. Learning for the sake of application is essentially what discipleship is all about. Paul was eager for Timothy to bring him “the books” (2 Timothy 4:13). Daniel received revelation about prophetic events by diligent study (Daniel 9:2). Timothy was instructed to continue to “give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13, KJV). Just after Pentecost, the believers of the church at Jerusalem “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…” (Acts 2:42, NIV). In Acts 6, the apostles were determined to stay focused on their study of the Scriptures. It is too easy for any of us to allow our brains to go to mush. I am an avid reader, but I have found that it is much easier to read fiction than something instructive. It is far easier for us to be entertained than to learn. We think of amusing ourselves as finding some distraction or diversion, thus an amusement park is a place to vacation and have fun, but through the 18th century the word amuse carried the connotation of deceiving or cheating. Could it be that our amusements are often cheating us of achievements? The word entertain once meant to “keep up or maintain; to hold together.” The word still carries that meaning when we speak of entertaining someone in
Of course, as disciples or students of the Master, our primary textbook is the Bible. The Word of God should be the plumb line by which every other book is evaluated. There is, however, considerable benefit in outside reading.
Judson, William Carey, David Livingstone, J. Hudson Taylor, David Brainerd, and Jim Elliot. If you desire revival, perhaps you should read about the life and ministry of George Whitefield, a primary leader in the first Great Awakening (the name of a revival that swept England and the American colonies). Jonathan Edwards was also a key figure of the first Great Awakening. He is best known for his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” The best way to teach our children the value of reading is to set an example, particularly when it comes to spiritual growth. Overflow Magazine came about because two couples wanted to encourage one another to grow spiritually. In addition to Bible readings and reading for pleasure, challenge yourself to read a nonfiction book on a topic that you would like to learn more about. Consider forming or getting involved with a book club or a small group that will meet to discuss what they have learned. This is also a good opportunity to take stock of our customary pastimes. While working towards spiritual growth, we need God’s direction on obstacles to that desired improvement. The types of entertainment or the quantity of our entertainment may be hindering us from being the disciples Christ wants us to be. We may also find that insignificant pursuits are preventing us from connecting with our family as we should. When we become proactive and take responsibility for our spiritual development, we will find ourselves more aware of the spiritual battle for our minds and hearts (Hebrews 5:14). An active, challenged mind is also a great remedy for discouragement, burnout, or depression. We all need to stir up the embers and renew the fires of passion. Glory!
If most of this summer has been devoted to recreational reading or entertainment in other forms, maybe now is a good time to supplement your summer reading list with stories that will inspire greater faith, such as biographies of missionaries. As you read of the way God used and blessed these dedicated souls, you may find a renewed interest in mission work. Suggested reading might include the biographies of Adoniram
Tommy Burrus has been the pastor of the First Thonotosassa Missionary Baptist Church (www.thonotosassabaptist.org) since September of 1993. He earned a Masters of Science in Religious Education from Florida Baptist College and Seminary. He and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 17 years and have two daughters.
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RESOURCES FOR YOUR SPIRIT
Psalm 51:10 (NLT)
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.” It is vital to our spirituality that we continually renew our minds with the Word of God and meditate on His Word. Our Bibles are the most important resource we have to accomplish spiritual growth; however, we do believe in the importance of feeding our spirits with edifying books, sermons, and music that will build us up and keep Jesus Christ at the forefronts of our daily lives. Each month we will share impactful books, movies, CDs, and even websites that are inspirational and foster stronger relationships with our Father.
The Laws of Prosperity Kenneth Copeland
“There are instructions set forth in the Word of God to teach men how to live a prosperous life. True prosperity is the ability to apply the power of God to meet any need - spiritual, mental and physical. In this book Kenneth Copeland shares the revelation of spiritual laws that govern prosperity. The Laws of Prosperity is written to teach you how to apply these laws in your own life so that you can begin to enjoy the great abundant life that only God can provide.”
Find it at:
www.kcm.org
Understanding the Healing Power of God Doug Jones
“By applying the principles outlined in this book, you will learn how to determine if the healing power is present; how the healing power is administered to your body; how to avoid mishandling the healing power once it has been administered; and how to keep the healing power active within you until you are satisfied with the fruit produced. When we connect our faith to His power, we are on the path to victory!”
Find it at:
www.dougjones.siteblast.com
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Christianity Today International CTI is a non-profit communications ministry envisioned by evangelist Billy Graham that includes “magazines, books, curricula, CDs, and an ever-expanding online presence. CTI serves the global church with resources designed to meet the needs of both Christian leaders and laity alike — adults, youth, and families.”
Find it at: www.ChristianityToday.com
Nicole C. Mullen Redeemer
www.NicoleCMullen.com
BOUNDLESS
A Website of Focus on the Family “From college to career to relationships, we at Boundless want to cast a vibrant vision for the single years, helping you navigate this season while preparing for the challenges and responsibilities of the one to come. That requires living intentionally with purpose by bringing your gifts, talents and Christian worldview to bear on your whole life. Through Boundless Webzine, The Boundless Line blog, and The Boundless Show podcast, we’re here to help you enjoy the journey.”
Jonny Diaz
Find it at: www.Boundless.org
More Beautiful You www.JonnyDiaz.com
FLYWHEEL
In Every Man’s Life There’s a Turning Point Provident Films/Sherwood Pictures Dove Family-Approved for all ages - 120 minutes “Jay Austin wants to sell used cars in the worst way ... and that’s exactly how he does business at his dealership. Promising much more than he can ever deliver, he’ll do whatever it takes to sell a car. His manipulative ways permeate all of his relationships—even his wife and son know they can’t trust him. But as Jay works on restoring a classic convertible, he begins to see that God is working on restoring him as well. Coming faceto-face with the reality of how he truly conducts himself, Jay Austin begins the ride of his life as he commits to honoring God with his business, his relationships, and his life!”
Find it at: www.FlywheelTheMovie.com
Hillsong UNITED
Tear Down The Walls [a_CROSS//the_EARTH] www.HillsongMusic.com
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CONTRIBUTORS EDUCATION
Who Has Your Child’s Mind? >>> BY JESSICA ORMSBY Communications Coordinator Clearwater Christian College
G
od’s Word requires parents to oversee the education of their children. Educational philosophies and systems were designed to prepare students to make a worthwhile impact upon society after completing their educational requirements. Over the past several decades, a deep chasm has formed between religious and secular education; a chasm that has
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affected the methodology in which parents determine the most advantageous way to educate their children. In other words, will you educate your children at home, in a private school, or in the public sector? Similar to Newton’s Third Law of Motion, “for every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction,” we must determine the “actions” that have resulted in the exodus from Christian Education that is prevalent
in our society. Our mission in this article is not to dictate the terms through which you decide how to educate your children, but to examine the foundation of a decaying fortress—the fortress of the 21st Century Educational System in America. Every good builder knows that a strong foundation is a key element in the preservation of a building. If the foundation is weak, the building will suffer. In comparison,
17th Century Puritan, recorded the genesis of American education in his book, Magnalia Christi Americana, when he transcribed this prayer by John Eliot: “Lord, for schools everywhere among us. O that our schools may flourish. That every member of this assembly may go home and procure a good school to be encouraged in the town where he lives. That before we die we may see a good school encouraged in every plantation of the country.” American settlers established schools because they believed in the necessity of educating their children, both in religion and in civil service. They believed that the requirement to educate their children fell upon their shoulders—a belief that was in direct accordance to the principle found in Deuteronomy 6:6-9. However, as America began to grow in population and people groups, the differing belief systems from many nations led to a standardized type of education: an education under control of the government, free from religion, and available to all people. Shortly after the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, several states mandated provisions for a public school system. This shift from a religious focus led many families to private education. It is from this shift that we can see the resulting chasm between the private and the public sector. What would have happened to the American public school system had there not been an exodus from religious training? Could America have been greater? Over the last three centuries, America has seen a drastic decline in the educational system that originated at that first decision to channel educational resources toward religion-free instruction. the American educational system began with a strong foundation, but over the past several centuries, the basic tenants that have held it in place have been attacked and torn down, leaving the structure in chaos. Beginning in the Plymouth Colony, settlers—concerned for the spiritual upbringing of their children—established the forerunner of the American public school system. Cotton Mather, the well-known
What does this mean for me? The question that we ask is not whether your children are being educated in the public or private sector, but are your children being instructed in a fashion that shapes their worldview towards godliness and upright living, or towards the opposing self-service and carefree life of the world? Does the educational system in which your children are enrolled support your
Biblical viewpoints or does it tear down the foundation of your belief in a Holy God? Psalm 11:3 (KJV) states, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” How can we fight the growing secularism in education? Association of Christian Schools International Florida Regional Director David Ray answers this question: “In today’s society, children must know what they believe and why. This culture and society needs young people who have been trained in the truth.” We must build the foundation. Think about it: your children are influenced by their teacher five days of the week, while your pastor sees them on Sunday and Wednesday. If what is being taught in the classroom contradicts that which is being taught in the Sunday school class, logic dictates that children will believe that which is most readily available, that is, what they’re learning in school. It’s all about consistency. Consistent teaching results in consistent, parallel learning between school and home. Without a foundation in Biblical truth, children will learn from the humanistic point of view being taught in most public school systems.
Ok, now what? In 1732, British poet Alexander Pope wrote of education, “’Tis education forms the common mind; just as the twig is bent the tree’s inclined.” We all know that man’s ideals and beliefs are by-products of what he learned as a child; now, we must determine to fight the battle for a solid foundation in Biblical truth, morality, and ethics. Each family must decide how they will support the educational foundation upon which a worldview is being built. Demand quality, excellence, and truth in the classroom. Create opportunities at home to support Biblical principles and moral judgment. Children are being bombarded by liberal media sources, societal issues, and political agendas; build the foundation of Biblical truth by considering Christian education... build the foundation for the rest of their lives.
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RECIPES
Chicken Picatta Submitted by Jim DiMillo, Tampa
If you have a recipe you’d like to share, go to: www.OverflowMag.com to submit yours today!
Ingredients: 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts 1/4 cup milk 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 medium onion, sliced 1/4 cup lemon juice 2 tablespoons capers 1 can chicken broth salt and pepper to taste
Directions: 1. With a meat mallet, pound chicken to 1/2” thick 2. Heat butter and oil in a large skillet 3. Place milk and breadcrumbs into two small dishes 4. Dip chicken breasts in milk then breadcrumbs 5. Brown chicken in skillet (about 3 min. each side) 6. Remove chicken from skillet 7. Add onion, lemon, capers, and chicken broth 8. Bring to a boil 9. Put chicken breast back into pan 10. Lower heat 11. Simmer for 15 min., then serve **Pair this meal with rice pilaf or noodles
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Frozen Banana Splits By Sandra Porter, Tampa
During this very hot and humid month of August, the Dog Days of Summer, as they say, I thought it would be nice to offer you a recipe to keep your kitchen cool and your family comfortable. Here is a dessert that will please ice cream lovers and “choco-holics” alike.
Ingredients: Photo submitted by: 1 package of 12 ice cream sandwiches 3 firm but not green bananas 1 (8 oz) can pineapple tidbits in juice, drained 1 (15 oz) jar caramel syrup 1 (15 oz) jar chocolate syrup 1 (10 oz) jar maraschino cherries, drained and coarsely chopped 1 package chocolate sandwich cookies, coarsely crushed 1 (12 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed 1/2 cup toasted pecans or peanuts (optional)
Thomas Porter
Directions: 1. Layer the bottom of a 13” x 9” pan with ice cream sandwiches 2. Top with bananas, thinly sliced then quartered 3. Layer pineapple, cherries, and nuts (if desired) on top of the bananas 4. Pour half of the chocolate syrup and half of the caramel syrup on top 5. Layer the crushed chocolate cookies and then cover with the frozen whipped topping 6. Drizzle a little chocolate syrup and caramel syrup on top to garnish 7. Put in freezer immediately and freeze overnight 8. Allow to stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving Aug 2010 Love+Faith+Hope
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MY ROCK
SCRIPTURES I STAND ON
Philippians 4:13 (NIV) “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” When thinking about the strength that God gives us during difficult periods in our lives, I realized that He not only helps us get through these challenges, but also trains our spiritual muscles for a future purpose. We can’t do it on our own, but He can and does help us lift the weights of life...to His glory. **The above verse was the inspiration for the oil painting in this photograph (which was done for the summer set design at Van Dyke Church).
Romans 3:23 (NKJV) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.� This verse means that only God is perfect. I am not perfect but I am forgiven. (age 8)
MY ROCK
SCRIPTURES I STAND ON
Proverbs 16:3 (NLT) “Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.” I love this verse because it reminds me that whatever I am doing as a wife, a mother, or a photographer, if I am serving the Lord—mind, body, and spirit—then I will succeed! It is so encouraging to know that my marriage will survive even under fire, my daughter will be led by example and receive the knowledge of Christ, and my photography business will prosper.
EVENTS AUGUST
3-11
Regal Entertainment Group Presents
FREE Family Film Festival
Citrus Stadium 20 7999 Citrus Park Town Center Mall, Tampa 813-920-9471 www.regmovies.com *See website for additional locations and films available 10am, every Tuesday & Wednesday
“I’m Every Woman” Retreat & Cruise*
5-7
14
MOSI 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, 33617 www.backtoschoolfair.com Live entertainment, informative speakers, obstacle course, games, arts & crafts, face painting, balloon artist, & MOSI exhibition galleries 9am-4pm, $10 per person
14
Somebody Cares Tampa Bay Presents
Raise the Roof 2010
Featuring Nicole C. Mullen, Superchic[k] & Jimmy Needham Tampa Convention Center 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa 866-440-7880 www.sctb.org 5pm-10pm
2nd Annual Back to School Bash
7
Cobb Theaters Presents: Step Up Cobb Theaters Grove 16 & CineBistro 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel 813-948-5445 FREE school supplies, carnival games, face-painting, food, haircuts, & prizes 11am-1pm
12-14
Freedom from the Past Ladies Conference
15
13-14
Embrace Girl’s Conference
Featuring Lanae’ Hale, Dr. Diana Mann & Joe Davis Church on the Rock 8200 Bee Ridge Rd., Sarasota, 34241 941-729-3800 www.cotrfamily.com Begins Fri., 7:30pm
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Freedom Concert 2010
Beckah Shae Concert
Northeast Presbyterian Church 4400 Shore Acres Blvd., St. Pete 727-526-6083 www.nepres.org 6:30pm
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20-22
Women Pursuing Excellence Through Jesus Christ
Calvary Tabernacle 11406 Jefferson Rd., Thonotosassa, 33592 813-988-4025 www.newlifetabernacleupc.org Adults: $25, Youth (13-17): $15 Thurs., 7:30pm, Fri., 10am, Sat., 10am
Sean Hannity Presents
Featuring Michael W. Smith, Charlie Daniels Band & Oliver North Benefiting the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund designated for the education of children of U.S. Service Members who have been killed or permanently disabled University of Central Florida Arena Bldg. 50 N. Gemini Blvd., Orlando www.freedomconcerts.com 7pm
Presented by Kingdom Worship Center Safety Harbor Resort & Spa 105 N. Bayshore Dr., Safety Harbor 813-443-5720 www.kwctoday.com *Day cruise around Tampa Bay Begins Fri., 7pm
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Back to School Fair
22
Hunger Awareness Benefit Concert Featuring Phil Stacy & Kings Highway First United Methodist Church 120 N. Knights Ave., Brandon 813-685-0935 www.fumcbrandon.org 7pm
Sound of Music
David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts Carol Morsani Hall 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa 813-229-7827 Fri., 7:30pm, Sat., 2pm & 8pm, Sun., 1pm & 6:30pm
Man Up for L.J. Fundraiser Event
Christian Hip Hop Concert University Area Community Center 14013 N. 22nd St., Tampa For more info: ManUp4LJ@yahoo.com or call 813-382-0449 L.J. is a 10 yr old boy with a rare syndrome in need of a bone marrow transplant -- all funds will go directly to L.J. for his treatment. 7pm, Admission: Donation
EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
1
Creed with Skillet & Theft Concert
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The Alternative Christian Entertainment Group Presents
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1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa 813-740-2446 www.creed.com 7:30pm
3
First Friday Mixer and Party
Idlewild Baptist Church 18371 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Lutz 813-264-1515 www.anniemosesband.com 6:30pm
Healing School Open House
Faith Life Church 4902 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa 813-910-7336 www.flctampa.org **Learn how to build your faith to receive healing and how to minister God’s healing power to others 7pm
10-11
10-11
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Night of Joy at Magic Kingdom
with Chris Tomlin, David Crowder*Band, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Third Day, Barlow Girl & more! Walt Disney World www.disneyworld.disney.go.com 7:30pm-1am
KCM: Behind the Mission Weekend
24-26
Women of Joy
with Dr. Stephen & Kellie Swisher and John & Marty Copeland Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane 800-600-7395 www.gobehindthemission.org **Special Music by Strand of Pearls Begins Fri.,7pm, Sat., 9am
with worship from Steven Curtis Chapman & Charles Billingsley Orlando World Center Marriott 8701 World Center Drive 800-374-1550 www.womenofjoy.org **Speakers include: Lisa Harper, Carol Kent, Beck Tirabassi & Candace Cameron Bure’ Begins Fri.,6pm
Beth Moore’s
“Living Proof” Live Simulcast
Featuring Beth Moore & Travis Cottrell Crossroads Community United Methodist Church 26211 County Line Rd., Wesley Chapel 813-907-5815 www.crossroadsum.org 9am-5pm, $25 (includes lunch)
19
A Refuge of Hope 2nd Annual Banquet
24-25
Rock the Universe
with Skillet, Toby Mac, Newsboys, Jars of Clay, Kutless, Jeremy Camp, NEEDTOBREATHE, & more! Universal Studios 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando 32819 www.universalorlando.com 4pm-1am
Oasis - A Pregnancy Care Center Hawaiian Luau with Guest Speaker Mary Lou Hendry Family Life Center of First Baptist Church 5105 School Rd., Land O’ Lakes 813-406-4965 www.heartsforoasis.org **Reserve your seat today! Dress is casual. 6:30pm
1610 N. Tampa St., Tampa 813-664-1419 tacetampa@yahoo.com Live DJ, Comedy, Food & More! 8pm-12am
8-9
Annie Moses Band Concert
Dino in Concert
Countryside Christian Center 1850 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater 727-799-1618 www.dinoplayspiano.com 7pm
If you would like to add an upcoming event to our calendar, please submit the event name, date(s), time(s), location(s), and a short description of the event to:
events@overflowmag.com Deadlines are the 15th of each month
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LOCAL CHURCH SERVICES Branch of Christ Ministries 27223 State Road 56 Wesley Chapel, 33544 813-435-1469 Sun., 10am
Christ CP Church
19501 Holly Lane Lutz, 33548 813-909-9789 www.christchurchlutz.org Sun., 10:30am
Christian Family Church AMC Westshore Plaza 210 Westshore Plaza Tampa, 33609 813-802-8736 www.cfctampa.org Sun., 10:30am
Church of the Lakes
2530 Wilson Rd. Land O’ Lakes, 34638 813-948-4358 www.churchofthelakesepc.org Sun., 9:15am & 10:30am
Dwelling Place
410 County Line Rd. W Lutz, 33548 813-949-1912 www.thedwellingplace.us Sun., 8:30am & 10:30am 2pm Spanish Service
Faith Life Church
4902 East Busch Blvd. Tampa, 33617 813-910-7336 www.flctampa.org Sun., 9am, 10:40am, Wed., 7pm Thurs., 7pm (Healing School)
Family Worship Center 1350 E. Main St. Lakeland, 33801 863-687-8827 www.fwclakeland.org Sun., 9am, 11am & 6pm
First Baptist of New Tampa 28125 County Line Rd. Wesley Chapel, 33543 813-907-1685 www.fbcnewtampa.org Sun., 9:15am, 10:30am, & 6pm
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First Thonotosassa Missionary Baptist Church 10650 McIntosh Rd. Thonotosassa, 33592 813-986-4756 www.thonotosassabaptist.org Sun., 9:45 am, 11am & 6pm Wed., 7pm
Floodgates Community Church 27137 Foamflower Blvd. Wesley Chapel, 33544 813-389-0238 www.floodgateschurch.org Sun., 9:30am, 11am & 5:15pm Tues., 8:30pm, Young Adults Wed., 7pm
Gateway Christian Center Assembly of God
14200 North Central Avenue Tampa, 33613 813-961-4692 www.gatewaytampa.net Sun., 9:45am, 10:45am & 6pm Wed., 7pm
Heritage Church
21418 Carson Drive Land O’ Lakes, 34639 813-909-4080 www.yesheritage.com Sun., 9am & 11am, Wed., 7pm
Kingdom Worship Center 1102 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa, 33612 813-443-5720 Sun., 10:30am, Thurs., 7pm
Life Changing International Church
2106 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, 33594 813-653-9358 www.lifechangingintlministry.com Sun., 1:45pm Celebration Service Mon., Wed. & Fri., 7:30pm
Myrtle Lake Baptist Church 2017 Reigler Road Land O’ Lakes, 34639 813-949-5516 www.myrtlelake.org Sun., 10:30am & 6pm
New Birth of Faith Fellowship Church
1725 E. Fowler Ave. Tampa, 33612 813-972-0101 www.newbirthoffaith.org Sun., 10am, Thurs., 7pm
New Life Church
1611 E. Bougainvillea Tampa, 33612 813-244-4355 Sun., 3-5pm Wed., 7pm
Oasis World Outreach
35636 State Road 54 West Zephyrhills, 33541 813-782-2888 www.oasisworldoutreach.org Sun., 10am, Wed., 7pm
Onething Prayer Center
777 W. Lumsden Rd. Brandon, 33511 813-500-9411 www.onethingprayer.com *See website for various church, worship, and prayer service times
Open Arms Church of Ybor City 1314 E. 18th Ave. Tampa, 33605 813-248-2595 www.openarmschurch.org Sun., 10:30am & 1pm (Spanish) Wed., 7pm
Pathway to Peace Christian Church
5808 Lynn Rd. Tampa, 33624 813-908-0893 Bilingual-Spanish Services Sun., 10am Tues., 7:30pm Fri., 7:30pm
River of Life
410 Chapman Rd. East Lutz, 33549 813-949-9931 www.riveroflife-lutz.org Sun., 10am, Wed., 7pm
Shoresh David Messianic Jewish Synagogue 33425 State Road 54 Wesley Chapel, 33543 813-831-5673 www.shoreshdavid.org Fri., 7pm
South Tampa Fellowship Ballast Point Campus 5101 Bayshore Blvd. Tampa, 33611 813-251-1515 www.stfchurch.com Sun., 9am & 10:30am
St. James Methodist Church 16202 Bruce B Downs Blvd. Tampa, 33647 813-971-4790 www.stjamestampa.org Sun., 9am (Traditional), 11am & 12:30pm (Contemporary)
Tampa Covenant Church
13320 Lake Magdalene Blvd. Tampa, 33618 813-968-2979 www.tampacovenantchurch.org Sun., 9:30am Wed., 7pm
Trinity Church of Wesley Chapel
33425 State Road 54 Wesley Chapel, 33543 813-788-2898 www.tumcwc.com Sunday School, 9am Sunday Worship, 10am
Victorious Life Church
6224 Old Pasco Rd. Wesley Chapel, 33544 813-973-2230 www.victoriouslifechurch.com Sun., 9am, 10:40am & 6pm Wed., 7pm
Water’s Edge Church
30200 Overpass Road Wesley Chapel, 33545 813-994-5000 www.connectingfaith.com Sun., 11am Wed., Kids - 6:30pm, Adults - 7pm
Without Walls Intl. Church 3860 W. Columbus Drive Tampa, 33607 813-879-4673 www.withoutwalls.org Sun., 9am, 11am, Spanish, 3pm Thurs., 7pm
Zephyrhills First Assembly 36322 State Road 54 Zephyrhills, 33541 813-788-3490 www.zephyrhillsfirst.com Sun., 10am Wed., 7pm
Want to add your
church?
If you would like to learn more about how your church can be listed in this section and become a point of distribution, please contact us:
813-915-6700 or
contact@overflowmag.com
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