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Unstoppable by Cynthia Kersey

Thursday, 21 January 2010 08:32 by Charles

I actually read this book a few years ago but reread it recently.  I recalled a story from the book that I wanted to use as a sermon illustration. I had given my copy of the book away so I ordered another.  Originally I found the book in a Kinko’s when I was waiting for some copies to be made.  It was one of those books that after reading a few pages, I knew I would enjoy it.

 

Unstoppable is made up of 45 stories of people who beat the odds through perseverance and determination.  The stories are not written from a Christian perspective but some contain elements of Christianity in them.  For instance, my favorite story (the one I used in the sermon) was the story of Legson Kayira who left his home in east Africa with only a Bible and a copy of Pilgrims Progress to walk 3,000 miles to get on a boat to the U.S. to attend college.  On the way he contacted Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, Washington.  They offered him a full scholarship.  By the time he reached his destination the students had raised the money for his trip to the U.S.  He eventually became a professor of political science at Cambridge.

 

The story of Millard Fuller was equally inspiring.  At the age of thirty he had become a millionaire and set his sites on making 10 million dollars.  His dream was shattered when his wife announced that she was taking their two children and leaving.  After begging her to stay and putting his faith first in his life, they sold everything they had and moved to Americus, Georgia to work at a farm for the needy called Konania.  Later on a mission, trip to Africa with Clarence Jordan the founder of Konania, the Fullers were used to help build houses for the needy.  Once they returned God gave Millard Fuller a vision for what is now known at Habitat For Humanity.  I googled Millard Fuller and found out he went home to be with the Lord last year.

 

This is just a taste of a great book that will inspire you to take life to a new level.

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Fellowship of the Parks Grapevine

Sunday, 10 January 2010 12:38 by Charles

It has been a while since I posted anything regarding our new church campus.  Today we had our all time high attendance with 193.  In about 18 months we have gone from a handful of people in my living room to this vibrant church that is reaching people with the good news of the gospel.  One couple that recently got saved told me today how amazed they are at the cahnges taking place in thier lives. 

One of the things I love most about FOTP Grapevine is that the people practice extraordinary generosity.  Last year we combined witht the Keller campus to provide over 460 pairs of new shoes for the 300 foster children in Tarrant County.  We also provided (who knows how many) teddy bears for the national adoption day.  We planted our fist ever community garden.  In addition, our contributions exceeded our budget and we gave $90,000 to our Live It Forward building fund.

Combined with the Keller campus we had well over 2000 people in attendance today.  Threee years ago on our first Sunday at FOTP, there were 1,200 in attendance.Read the following recently and it reminded me of FOTP:

"But when believers live in the power of the Spirit, the evidence in thier lives is supernatural.  The church cannot help but be different, and the world cannot help but notice." - Francis Chan author of Forgotten God

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