Important Update

Good Morning Riverbank,

Well I preached on the Journey of Abraham on Sunday and our journey as Riverbank has gotten a little more interesting.   Due to the need for additional time to prepare the Lovingston Opry for our arrival,  we will not be able to move in until the beginning of March.  Please help pass the word.  I will get a new "Poster" out this evening so that you can re-post them.  I will also be updating the Facebook event.  

Riverbank Moves to the Lovingston Opry Facebook Event

Encourage those you have been inviting to join us at Shipman in February.  Also, we will not have the work day this Saturday.  That will be on hold until we have some more details.

I am sure that God has a purpose in us staying in Shipman for another month.  It is our job to seek what the purpose is and fulfill it.  

Here is the link to the video for this past Sunday's service if you were unable to attend.

Enjoy the Journey today,

Pastor Brian

Riverbank Moves to the Lovingston Opry

We are excited to announce that beginning in February 2011 Riverbank is moving to the Lovingston Opry.  We are looking forward to being a blessing to our community by using this facility to meet the physical, social, and spiritual needs of Nelson County.

12 Characteristics of a God Sized Dream

Twelve Characteristics of a God Sized Dream

1. Builds on what was done by those who went before us Gen 11:31
2. Requires sacrifice Gen 12:1-3
3. Causes us to worship Gen 12:7-8
4. Bigger than we can accomplish ourselves Gen 13:14-17
5. Requires faith Gen 15:4-6
6. Requires us to know who God is Gen 15:7-8
7. God repeats it Gen 15:17-21
8. Requires us to grow and change Gen 17:3-6
9. Requires those close to us to grow and change Gen 17:15-16
10. Must be done God’s way Gen 17:19-21
11. Must be laid down in faith Gen 22:16-18
12. Is confirmed by other people Gen 24:60

Creating Good Family Conversation

One of the challenges that all of our families face is having quality conversation in the midst of a busy life.  We have four children and it can get hectic and crazy, both with schedules and with the noise.  

Here are somethings that we have found helpful.  We try to sit down and eat a meal together.  This doesn't always work, don't get legalistic about it, but if you put in the effort I believe it is possible.  It may even be a "bedtime" snack at 9:30. Sometimes not everyone is there, but we do it anyway.  

During our "meal time" we always go around the table and have everyone answer a question.  This gives everyone an opportunity to share and be heard.  While someone is speaking everyone else has to listen (At least that is the rule, sometimes works, sometimes doesn't :).  

These are some of the questions that we use;

• What was the "High" and the "Low" of your day?
• How did you help someone today?
• How did somebody help you today?
• Share something you learned in your Bible?
• How did you encourage someone today?
• How did you show Jesus love to someone today?
• What do you feel like expressing to the family?

As you can see this questions not only spark good conversation, but encourage us to do the important things each and every day.  I usually do not announce in advance what question we are going to talk about.  Make your own questions.  "High & Low" is our favorite.  

God is Preparing the Way

Good Morning Riverbank,

I am home this morning on a cloudy day wondering if it is going to snow or not.  The kids are out of school so I am with them, but it doesn't look like we are going to get much snow out of this system.  Probably just enough snow to disrupt the school schedules.

 The next day as Cornelius’s messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon.

Acts 10:9

This morning I was reading the story in Acts about the Roman soldier Cornelius who sent for Peter to come and share with his family about a relationship with God.  Something struck me in this story.  God, through the Holy Spirit was stirring in in Cornelius and causing him to seek God.  Meanwhile, Peter was spending time with God and growing in his relationship with God.  Then God put things together.  He told Cornelius to send for Peter and He told Peter that someone was coming for him.  

Remember, if we are truly seeking God and making ourselves available to be used by Him, He is preparing the way for us to make a difference and be a blessing.  We need to seek Him, be available, and listen.  Then He will do miracles beyond anything we could dream.  

Also, I have included the information on the Healing Wounded Hearts Workshop at Cornerstone of Albemarle below.

Have a great "Almost snow day."

Pastor Brian