Men's Fraternity Past Blogs
September 2007 Entries:
September 24th, 2007 - Once again... Where has the time gone? A huge help to ALL the men who helped with the 1st annual Car Show at the Cordova Fest this past weekend! I know David and Wayne Alberson greatly appreciated all who helped. It was truly a success as there were over a 100 cars and we are expecting more next year. I will post some pictures as quickly as I can obtain them. Again thank you for sacrificing your time on a Saturday to make this event a success.
September 6th, 2007 - Where has the time gone... Been 2 weeks since I have "blogged" anything. And let me tell you they have been tough weeks. Difficult times at work with corporate layoffs, seeking God's plan for my life, school starting and just life in general. Speaking of God's plan for our lives. Don't forget Monday Night football, God and the Gridiron will be "kicking off", no pun intended, Sept. 24 th. We will be using Tony Dungy's book, "Quiet Strength" as our basis. Tony has written a 6 lesson study that we will use. It asks some tough questions, together will try to find the answers.... Location TBD, but I will update everyone when the decision is final.
Here's a thought from one of our own Tony D's:
Lead Yourself Well
An excerpt from “Becoming a Person of Influence” by John Maxwell:Being able to lead other well begins with leading yourself well. You can’t reproduce what you don’t have. The number one reason leaders are unsuccessful is their inability to lead themselves. When we think about self leadership, many qualities come to mind: Integrity, self discipline, problem solving skills, a positive attitude and so forth. Desire and a game plan for personal development can help you cultivate these qualities, but the greatest obstacle to becoming a leader may be yourself. All the significant battles are waged within yourself. If you haven't already put yourself on a program for growth and leadership development, start today. Listen to tapes. Go to conferences. Read enlightening books. If you make personal growth your weekly goal and daily discipline, you can become a reproducer of leaders. What we do on some great occasions will probably depend on what we already are; and what we are will be the results of previous years of self discipline. Personal development pays dividends. Tony DiGirolamo
August 2007 Entries:
August 21st, 2007 - Football season is right around the corner... We will be kicking off our God & the Gridiron Monday Night Football series again. This year we will be using a study guide titled Quiet Strength: Discovering God's Game Plan for a Winning Life. The study guide was written by Tony Dungy in conjuction with the book he wrote. It contains 6 sessions and we will cover one each month through out the football season. The dates are still being discussed, but make plans to attend and discover how you can "game plan" for a Winning Life. We are currently planning to start at 7 or 7:30 and wrap up the study in time for the kick off. Feel free to contact me for additional information. Jim
August 17th, 2007 - Here's a challenge to all men.... Be a Servant leader in your home. The Quest for Authentic Manhood provides 25 ways to accomplish this.....
1. A servant-leader includes his wife in envisioning the future.
2. A servant-leader accepts spiritual responsibility for his family.
3. A servant-leader is willing to say “I’m Sorry” and “Forgive Me” to his family.
4. A servant-leader discusses household responsibilities with his wife and makes sure they are fairly distributed.
5. A servant-leader seeks the consultation of his wife on all major financial decisions.
6. A servant-leader follows through with commitments he has made to his wife.(TRUST is the super glue of marriage)
7. A servant-leader anticipates the different seasons his marriage will pass through.
8. A servant-leader anticipates the different stages his children will pass through.
9. A servant-leader frequently tells his wife what he likes about her.
10. A servant-leader provides financially for his family’s basic living expenses.
11. A servant-leader deals with distractions so he can deal with his wife and family.
12. A servant-leader prays with his wife on a regular basis.
13. A servant-leader initiates meaningful family traditions.
14. A servant-leader plans fun outings for the family on a regular basis.
15. A servant-leader takes the time to give his children practical instructions about life which in turn gives them confidence
with their peers.
16. A servant-leader manages the schedule of the home and anticipates any pressure points.
17. A servant-leader keeps his family financially sound and out of harmful debt.
18. A servant-leader makes sure he and his wife have drawn up a will and arranged a well-conceived plan for their children
in case of death.
19. A servant-leader lets his wife and children in the interior of his life.
20. A servant-leader honors his wife in public.
21. A servant-leader explains sex to each child in a way that gives them a wholesome perspective.
22. A servant-leader encourages his wife to grow as an individual.
23. A servant-leader takes the lead in establishing with his wife sound, biblically-supportable family values.
24. A servant-leader joins a small group of men who are dedicated to improving their skills as a man, husband and father.
25. A servant-leader provides time for his wife to pursue her own personal goals.
August 15th, 2007 - What a crazy week this has been. Do you ever feel like the rats are winnin the race? School is starting, so it's back to hectic schedules for many of us. Just a reminder from Proverbs: Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Provers 3:5-6 (The Message). What a reminder I had as I kicked of a new devotional book this week. As we toil for direction and guidance, don't forget to trust him!
August 7th, 2007 - Thank you to all who came out and helped with the Sidewalk Sunday school backpack distribution. Yes, it was extremely HOT! But as usual, God was faithful by providing just the right people to help. From individuals, to couples, entire families including kids. What an awesome experience to be invovled in a ministry with your children helping others. Let me remind you that this ministry takes place every Saturday in August and September and will pick back up in the spring as the end of school nears.
Don't forget the Grillin' in the Grove this Saturday night at 6:00 pm. Come bring the meat you want to grill, the church will supply the fixin's and the drinks. It will be a great time of fellowship.
August 2nd, 2007 - I can't believe July has come and gone. and school startes in less than 2 weeks. Be on the lookout for our August News letter. Assuming all goes as planned, we should have it available this Sunday, Aug. 5th. We will also be offering the newsletter via email. If you are not on the Men's Fraternity email list, let me know what your email address is. It's a great way to stay in contact, to recieve weekly prayer request, as well as updates on current events.
A couple of reminders. This saturday we have several things going on. Men's breakfast with Wayne Alberson at Danver's on Germantown road at 7 am. Sidewalk Sunday School backpack distribution at Alci park, show up anytime before 10 am. to help out. That's when the service starts. Then Operation Jesus with Jack Kilpatrick, meet at 2 pm at the church.
It just keeps going through my head.. We sang the song this Sunday at church and then it was part of my daily devotional. The song, Christ the Solid Rock. Here is the first verse:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
No merit of my own I claim
But wholly lean on Jesus' name....
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.....
A reminder of just how dependant we are on Jesus and what he did for us
Jim
July 2007 Entries:
July 31st, 2007 - WOW! Where has the summer gone? I find it amazing how fast time passes. It's hard to believe that school, at least for my kids, starts in 2 weeks. What has your summer been like? Did you accomplish all the goals you set for yourself? If not, don't feel bad, you're not alone. BUT....What better time to set a new goal for the fall. Session 2 for The Quest will be starting Augst 28th on Tuesdays at 6:00 am. Set a goal to be there. I know you're thinking.... I didn't complete session 1, therefore I can't start session 2. Well, there are 2 options. 1. You can attend session 2 with no worries, the content isn't sequential information...and 2. We will be starting session 1 again, if there is enough interest. Check out the article Tony DiGirolamo has written about session 2. Click here to read it...
Thanks to everyone who has prayed for my Father.. He is doing well, stubborn as ever and won't stay away from work.
Jim
July 27th, 2007 - Even this week, I truly find it amazing how God speaks to us. As the events of the week unfolded, I was reading my devotional, the book is a 25 day devotion called the "Blue Prints for life". The latest chapter is taken from the book of Nehemiah.
The first couple chapters focus on the Call of God to Nehemiah. The call was that of a leadership role that was extremely critical to building the Kingdom of God. Nehemiah offered up prayers for the people as is seen in chapter on. In addition, Nehemiah as provided words of praise and wisdom to them. Think of yourself.... Has God place a Nehemiah in your life?
Chapter 3 deals specifically with the rebuilding of the walls. Almost the entire chapter describes how the people of Jerusalem worked side by side rebuilding the gates and walls of the city. The chapter begins by describing how the priests built the sheep gate and then consecrated it and then goes on to tell in detail what each individual did. This serves as a reminder to each of us that God sees what each of us. Doesn't matter how great or how small, but each part must fit together to complete the task. Whether it was the gates or the walls, without each one being completed, the city would not have been safe from attack.
Chapter 4 is what really struck me today in light of the events this week. In this chapter we see the walls of the city being defended by the people. As their enemies grew angry and conspired to attack Jerusalem, Nehemiah offered encouragement. Here Nehemiah spoke to the people in verse 14, "Do NOT be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives and your houses.!" For a lot of us our "Nehemiah" is struggling as satan has attacked him. For me, my Dad is my Nehemiah. A man of strength in whom I can find no weakness. So on behalf of him, be encouraged. It's time for us to listen for the sound of trumpet described in verse 20 and rally there, remembering that our God will fight for us.
Trust me when I say no one has felt as badly or as guilty as I have this week. When tempting voices encourage us to quit or when words of discouragement battle against us... Remember the Lord is great and awesome! DO NOT BE AFRAID! He will support you and hold you steady. Satan doesn't like it when we are doing what God wants and will find whatever means he can to stop us. Satan loves it when we try to do things by ourselves in the physical world, because we are in the flesh and on his turf. We must turn it over to God and let him fight because in the Spirit world satan has NO power over us.
I would like to thank you each and everyone for what you have done and what you will do in the future! God will honor and prosper each of you!
Jim
July 25th, 2007 - First thank you to all the men who have prayed for my Father, Jim Pollard Sr. He has surgery scheduled tomorrow, July 26th @ 4 pm central, to repair the shattered bone in his arm from the fall he took on Tuesday. But isn't that just like satan... He pretty much leaves us alone when we are luke warm and doing nothing to further the Kingdom of God. However, when we decide to let God use us, satan doesn't like it and takes whatever means necessary to discourage us. Keep that in mind when you feel you are mired in a problem or feeling attacked by satan..... Don't get down and don't ever feel like you're alone. There is a huge group of men at First Assembly that are more than willing the be there for you. Please feel free to drop me or Pastor Eddie an email if you have a prayer request. Either of us will be happy to pray and then pass along to a group of men that will be willing to help you pray. You can be as detailed or as vague as you like. We don't need all the details. It's not important, as God already knows..... I can personally attest that it's a great feeling to know that there are men out there holding me up in prayer, I know I can use it daily.
It's what Men's Fraternity is all about. What better way to bind us closer together than praying for each other.
Along those lines, don't forget to pray daily for our church staff. Then need to know that we are standing in the gap for them. If you would like to be included on our email list, send me an email at
jimbpoll@gmail.com. I'll gladly add you.
Going forward, I would like to send an email early in the week with a list of staff members and other requests to pray for.
Jim
July 21, 2007. What a great day this has already been. My son Aaron and I just returned from Sidewalk Sunday at Alcy park. What a blessing to be able to particpate in this outreach ministry. We certainly had a great time. Was it hot? Yes. Did it take time away from other things we had to do? Yes. Did it go perfect? No. Have you noticed that when ever you are doing God's work that satan always tried to stop it? We had a little scuffle between a couple of girls. Eddie and Justin jumped in and quickly dissolved the situation, pulling the involved parties aside and allowing the Ms. Elanor to continue with out further disruption. I have never seen Pastor Eddie move that fast, almost at the speed of sound.
Please don't forget to stop by and pick up a backpack or 2, or 3 or 10. They will be available before and after church Sunday July 22nd. It's a great opportunity to be involved. I know my family will be helping out and for those with kids, it will give you a great chance to involve them in ministry by filling up a backpack and then praying over it before returning it.
Thanks for reading and God bless!
Jim
July 20, 2007 - Well, I had todays comments all typed up and what can I say... They are gone. Chalk it up to learning something new. Let's see if I can romber it all. Yep, it's coming back. Sidewalk Sunday tomorrow at 8:30, later if Mr. Thompson is out of town. Sorry Eddie, but you know it's true. Stop by Alcie Park and help the team with an awesome outreach ministry. Also, don't forget all Church prayer tomorrow at 5 pm. This will give you enough time to pray, get home, eat dinner and get to bed earlier enough to join us for Sunday School... hint, hint, hint.
Last night we were flipping through an old hymnal, The Melodies of Praise. As many of you know my daughter loves to sing, so we were teaching her some "new" songs. My son, he didn't enjoy it as much and except to laugh at me as I sang off tune. Sorry to say, but the musical jeans definitely skipped a generation in my case. There seemed to be a recurring theme as I flipped the pages. Lots of them I could remember the tunes to the courses, but the verses were a bit hazy. The memories flashed back and I could see my Father sitting on the platform singing away and slapping his knee. "It's is joy unspeakable and full of glory, full of glory, it is joy unspeakable and fully of glory... Oh the half has never yet been told!" Then there was "We shall see the King, We shall see the King. We shall see the King when He comes....." OR "In my heart there rings a melody, there rings a melody, of Heaven's harmony. There rings a melody of Love!"... OR "Are you washed in the blood.... in the soul cleansing power of the blood the lamb... Are your garments spotless, are they white as snow... Oh be washed in the blood of the lamb" OR "When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be..... When we all see Jesus... we'll sing and shout the victory!" and the list goes on and on and on. The resounding thoughts of Jesus, the blood, our daily walk and heaven. Sorry, for the stroll down memory lane, but it reminded me of so many things that we forget as we get caught up in our day to day life. So here's my thought for the day......Stop, don't necessarily smell the roses.. but think about where we've come from, what God saved us from, what we should be doing daily as Christians and then.... the ultimate goal of seeing Jesus and spending eternity worshipping God! See you all on Sunday.
Jim
July 20, 2007 - All of Pastor Eddie's past blog entries have been moved. I just couldn't bring myself to delete just words of wisdom. Click on the links below to find both Eddie's current blog and his past entries.
Jim
July 19 - Welcome as we enter a new era of the men's Fraternity blog. one might say the dawn of a new age. Pastor eddie is passing the torch to me, Jim pollard. hopefully it proves to be a wise choice. on the other hand, it could prove to be even scarier than before. Stop by each day for thoughts and ideas from the minds of the likes of Tony Digirolamo, tony demaio, David alberson, myself and other.
WElcome... and thanks again for stopping by!
Looking forward to seeing you on wednesday in men's fraternity. as a reminder we meet in room 272 at 6:30. stop by for a great time of fellowship and to hear the great things god is doing amongst our men.
Jim pollard
Click here for Pastor Eddie's blog...
Click here for Pastor Eddie's past blog entries...