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Volume 2 ISSUE 10 | OCTOBER 2018

Your Next Phase
in Life
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your
hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the
right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not
on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2
Last month I spent three weeks on the topic of
EMBRACING THE NEXT PHASE OF LIFE!
If you missed any of these messages, we have
CDs available, or you can go to our website and
access them there.
We talked about “passive” and “active” phases. A
passive phase happens
when an event takes place
that is out of your control,
such as a sickness, loss of
a job, an accident, the
death of a loved one, God
calling you into a ministry,
or even receiving an
inheritance.
An active phase is when you make a decision, good
or bad, that dictates the direction your life will be
taking, such as who you marry, having children,
choosing a career, or moving to a new location.
Either way, embracing any phase of life with the right
“attitude” will determine your “altitude” or success
level. How is your attitude, by the way?
Then we looked at Joshua and his God-given phase
to lead Israel into the promised land. No easy task,
right? I mean Moses parted a sea, drew water out
of a rock, and fed 2.5 million people every day for
40 years!
How was Joshua supposed to follow that act? But
four times God said, “Do not be afraid, neither be
Embracing any phase of life with
the right “attitude” will determine
your “altitude” or success level
discouraged, but be strong and very courageous.”
Why did God say that? Because “Moses my servant is
dead. Now then, get up and lead my people.” In other
words, stop dwelling on the past. The Lord says, “See,
I am doing a new thing.” Don’t talk about it; don’t
think about it. Look ahead, not behind you. Focus on
the “NOW” of your life and
not on what used to be.
If you enter into this new
phase with a good attitude
(meaning, thinking
and believing the right
things) it will determine
your altitude (meaning,
your success level.)
Then we talked about writing things down on paper.
This is done with prayer and passion. What are your
desires and dreams? What do you want to accomplish?
What has God placed in your heart to do for
his glory?
Always remember to set your heart and mind on
things above where Christ is seated at the right hand
of God in authority. (Colossians 3:1-2)
As we seek his face and desire his will, like Nehemiah,
we will achieve the victory no matter who comes
against us. Like Esther, who was opposed by the
wicked Haman, God will give us a plan for success!
I love you,
Pastor Gary.
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Faith Fellowship | 577 Manor Blvd. | San Leandro | 94579 | 510-357-5723 | faith-fellowship.us

Should Christians Run for Office?
10 Things to Consider – Part 1
BY PASTOR RIC FRITZ, PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, Printed with permission
ROCHELLE’S CORNER
The most effective way to
bring God-honoring
Christian influence into
legislation and policy is to
have Bible-minded Christians
of high character and integrity
in office. It is impossible to
elect desirable people unless
they are on the ballot to elect.
And it is only possible to be on
a ballot by running for office.
We are in dire need for Bible-minded,
God-honoring
Christians to step up and run
for office–NOW! The good news is there is still time for
these people to file for office; the bad news is history
shows many great leaders will not answer the call.
THE LESSON OF THE THORNBUSHES
Judges 9 emphasizes the importance of high-character
people being willing to run for office and the consequences
of settling for substandard leaders. Judges 9
takes place immediately following the death of Gideon
where, true to form, the people once again rejected God
and prostituted themselves before false gods. During the
period of the judges, the nation of Israel was still expected
to be led by God and self-governed under God’s authority.
The closest thing to a governing body was the
family-based Patriarchy. One of Gideon’s seventy sons,
Abimelech, born of a concubine (slave), ran a successful
campaign to be selected ruler over the people. As a middle
son of a slave girl, Abimelech was not the qualified
ruler to replace Gideon. Nevertheless, the people allowed
and chose Abimelech to the position and gave him the
power. Seemingly to prove his unqualified nature he immediately
hired “worthless and reckless fellows, and they
followed him.” He also had his other seventy brothers
murdered to consolidate his power. Only 0, Gideon’s
youngest son, escaped death. Jotham confronted the
people as they were gathered to crown Abimelech as
King with this parable.
The passage in Judges 9 reads - One day the trees went
out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the
olive tree, Be our king. But the olive tree answered,
Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans
are honored, to hold sway
over the trees? Next, the
trees said to the fig tree,
Come and be our king. But
the fig tree replied, Should I
give up my fruit, so good and
sweet, to hold sway over the
trees? Then the trees said to
the vine, Come and be our
king. But the vine answered,
Should I give up my wine,
which cheers both gods and
humans, to hold sway over
the trees? Finally, all the
trees said to the thorn bush, Come and be our king.
The thorn bush said to the trees, If you really want to
anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my
shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thorn
bush and consume the cedars of Lebanon! Jotham tells
the people, if they choose wisely, he hoped the best for
them; but if the people were foolish he warned them
of the consequences. The results were not surprising;
within a few years Abimelech was killed, and thousands
of citizens were dead as a result of immoral and
weak leadership.
THE PEOPLE MUST NOT SETTLE FOR LOW
QUALITY LEADERS
History has repeatedly demonstrated people desire
good and righteous leadership but are quick to settle
for any leader, regardless of character, in the absence
of good leaders. In the parable, the trees, representing
the people, first go to an olive tree, then to fig tree,
then to a vine, and end up settling for a thorn bush as
leader. They start out seeking the more qualified leaders
but quickly move on to lower standards as the
more desirable leaders refuse to answer the call. We
can no longer settle for thorn bush leaders. We must
convince and support those with a high-quality character
and strong God-centered moral convictions to
run for office. This does not mean we expect perfection–even
olive trees periodically produce bad olives–but
it does mean we no longer settle for candidates
and elected officials who clearly do not possess
a solid character or moral strength.
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Trusting God in the Midst of
a Storm
BY JENNIFER MARTIN
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My brother Thom was in China on business; his
wife and youngest son were home.
It was Monday evening, October 31, 2011
shortly after 8:00 p.m. when the phone rang. It was my
brother. He asked me to sit down, then proceeded to
tell me that his beloved wife of more than 33 years
had gone Home. Those words alone were difficult
enough to process, but
he continued. She had
been murdered and
their youngest son,
who was currently
missing, was the
prime suspect. (My
nephew was apprehended
early on the
morning of November
1st without incident.)
Katy, my sister-in-law, had not been returning phone
calls or text messages, which was totally out of
character for her, so her eldest son, living in Stockton,
contacted the police to request a welfare check.
When they arrived, they discovered her body on the
floor of her locked bedroom, car keys in hand;
Jambalaya on the stove.
It would take my brother 24 hours to get home to the
aftermath; home to a crime scene, forensic specialists,
hazmat cleanup, police interviews, gathering of evidence,
his wife’s memorial and the trial of his son.
I remember being at their home the Wednesday following
the event; it was filled with friends, family members,
detectives, hazmat, and an overwhelming presence of
love. In his compassion, a detective had taken my niece
into another room so he could quietly tell her how her
mommy had died—that she had been stabbed multiple
times; and hearing her cry out was heart-wrenching.
My nephew had been raised in a home where God was
loved and feared, and he himself professed to be a
Christian. Never could I have imagined him capable of
such an act of violence, and that it was an act committed
against his mother was incomprehensible.
The trial began just about a year after the event and
consisted of two phases; the first was to determine his
guilt or innocence, the second was to determine his
sanity. He was convicted of second degree murder and
found sane by the jury.
On Monday, January 28, 2013, the day of my nephew’s
sentencing, his father, emotionally addressing the
court, said that when he heard the words that his son
had taken his mother’s life, “God spoke to my heart
and said, ‘No one took her life, son, she gave it. She
laid it down.’”
Domestic violence is about one
human being having power and control
over another human being; it is an
epidemic, ravaging lives, and silence is
one of the most powerful weapons
abusers have against their victims
My nephew received
16 years and will
most likely spend the
rest of his life at Mule
Creek in Ione. Years
ago he had been
prophesied over and
told he would preach
the gospel in a
dangerous place. I
had always believed that to be another country; I now
believe that to be Mule Creek.
FREE WILL
God gives us free will, so I had a choice: I could be
angry at God, deny God, or trust God. If I did not trust
God, I would be left consumed by anger, bitterness—
devastated and nowhere to go. However, “…in all things
God works for the good of those who love him, who
have been called according to his purpose. For those
God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to
the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn
among many brothers. And those he predestined, he
also called; those he called, he also justified; those he
justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:28-30) This is the
promise I stand on. I have chosen to be grateful for all
that God has given me. Even though Katy was taken
from us, God graced our lives with her presence for
more than 33 years. Surely, when the Lord welcomed
her Home, she heard the words, “Well done, good and
faithful servant.” Our precious gift is now adorned with
a crown of jewels she could not have imagined.
I definitely see God working this tragedy “for good” in
my life, especially when it comes to the level of
compassion that had not existed in me prior. “For I
know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
(TRUSTING GOD, CONTINUED ON PAGE 7)

Biblical Financial Peace
BY DAVE MORTARA
Years before becoming the church administrator
at Faith Fellowship, I had a career in financial
planning, and sold insurance, annuities and
variable investments products for the financial giant
Metropolitan Life.
As a Christian, I have always believed that knowing what
the Bible has to say about how we manage our money and
possessions is invaluable. The Bible contains the best
advice and instruction—it’s essential for Christians to know
and understand what the Bible has to say. I believe that
one of the major themes of the Bible is obedience to the
Lord. The financial principles in the word of God are real,
and obedience to them demonstrates that Christians are
trusting God in this area of their lives.
Here are what I consider to be seven key points of sound
Godly principals that Christians would do well to follow:
1. GOD IS OUR SOURCE
The first principle is that God is the source of everything.
Philippians 4:19 says, “My God shall supply all
your need according to His riches in glory by Christ
Jesus.” And Proverbs 8:20-21 says, “I lead in the way of
righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment,
that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance,
and I will fill their treasures.”
2. GIVING
Luke 6:38, a key verse, says, “Give, and it shall be given
unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken
together, and running over, shall men give into your
bosom.” According to Deuteronomy 14:23, one purpose of
tithing was to teach the people of Israel to put God first
in their lives. Proverbs 3:9-10 says, “Honor the Lord with
your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then
your barns will be filled to overflowing , and your vats
will brim over with new wine.”
3.SAVINGS
A sound financial principle concerns saving money, setting
something aside for a rainy day. Proverbs 21:20 says,
“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of
the wise, but a foolish man spends it up.” And Proverbs
22:3 emphasizes, “A prudent man foresees the evil and
hides himself; but the simple pass on and are punished.”
4. KEEP OUT OF DEBT
This principle is to keep out of unnecessary debt and
thus avoid the debt trap. Borrowing for a house or car is
one thing, but incurring financial debt beyond one’s
ability to pay is another. Psalm 37:21 says “The wicked
borrow and do not repay.” The minute a person goes into
debt, he loses a measure of freedom. As Proverbs 22:7
says, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is
servant to the lender.”
5. BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
Another biblical principle is being content with what you
have. Hebrews 13:5 puts it succinctly: “Keep your lives free
from the love of money and be content with what you
have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never
will I forsake you.’”
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:10 that we may be “sorrowful,
yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having
nothing, and yet possessing everything. We have much
sadness, but we are always rejoicing.”
6. BUDGET AND RETAIN RECORDS
The next principle is that of creating a budget and
retaining records. God’s Word says, “Buy truth, and do
not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”
(Proverbs 23:23) And, “By wisdom a house is built, and
through understanding it is established; through knowledge
its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”
(Proverbs 24:3, 4)
7. SEEK GODLY COUNSEL WHEN FACED WITH
IMPORTANT FINANCIAL DECISIONS
The final principle is that of seeking Godly counsel.
Psalm 1:1 declares, “Blessed is the man that walketh
not in the counsel of the ungodly.” A person needing
financial advice should not go to someone who makes
his living selling the very thing he’s contemplating
buying. “Without counsel purposes are disappointed, but
in the multitude of counsellors they are established.”
(Proverbs 15:22). Before buying a house, purchasing a
car, or just borrowing money, pray about it and seek the
counsel of Godly people. They can keep you from
making a serious mistake.
With this being said, I am very excited that beginning
on Tuesday, October 1, 2018, the nine-week Dave
Ramsey Financial Peace University program will be
coming to Faith Fellowship.
Financial Peace University is a proven program that will show
you how to master budgeting, save for emergencies, pay off
BIBLICAL FINANCIAL PEACE, CONTINUED ON PAGE 6)
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BIBLICAL FINANCIAL PEACE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5)
debt, plan and invest for the future, and live and give like no one else.
Dave Ramsey and his teaching team will walk you through the basics of
budgeting, dumping debt, planning for the future, and much more.
https://www.daveramsey.com
Monday
All the Way Clean – A Christcentered
Recovery Program. The
proven, groundbreaking 12-step program
designed for freedom from addictive,
compulsive and dysfunctional
behaviors. “A safe place to share, and
a turning point in your life.” Celebrate
Recovery meets every Monday at
7pm in the Main Sanctuary.
Tuesday
Women’s Morning Bible Study – All
ladies are welcome to join us at
the Ladies’ Tuesday Morning Bible
Study every week at 9:45am.
Prayer starts prior to study at
9:15am. We welcome you to join us!
Wednesday
Family Bible Study – New Format!
1st, 2nd and 4th Wednesday nights.
Prayer from 5-6pm, food served
from 5:45-6:45. Worship begins
promptly at 7; and at 7:15 we begin
studying God’s word. At 8pm we will
stop, have offering and announcements,
and then all who would like
to stay and worship or have prayer
may do so. Hope to see you there!
Friday
Momentum Young Adults – ages 18
to 39, married or single, meet every
1st and 3rd Friday at 7pm in the
Youth Building for a time of fellowship
and service.
Saturday
Women’s Exercise Class – Women of
Worth Women’s Ministry Exercise
Class is every Saturday, 8:30 to
9:30am, located in the FaithKidz
Building.
FINANCIAL PEACE STRENGTHENS RELATIONSHIPS.
You may not realize how much your relationship with money affects
your relationships with other people! When teaching about money,
Dave explains how to get on the same page and eliminate money
fights for good. Marriage can be hard enough, so getting rid of one
source of conflict altogether is life-changing!
FINANCIAL PEACE BRINGS A SENSE OF HOPE AND
FREEDOM.
When you find out where your money is going instead of wondering
where it went, it’s amazing how much less stress you experience in
When you find out where your money is
going instead of wondering where it went,
it’s amazing how much less stress you
experience in life
life. Not only are you not worrying about bills, but you have a plan for
the future. You’re giving every dollar a name on paper, on purpose,
before the month begins. This brings about a sense of confidence,
hope for the future, and freedom!
FINANCIAL PEACE CHANGES YOUR FAMILY TREE.
What kind of financial legacy do you want to leave to your family? You
may not leave millions behind someday, but it’s important to decide
what kind of legacy you want to create. How would it feel to know
that instead of leaving behind debt and unpaid bills, you knew your
family would be taken care of—that generations to come would
benefit from the wisdom you chose to live by? Now that’s changing
your family tree!
FINANCIAL PEACE ALLOWS YOU THE FREEDOM TO
GIVE GENEROUSLY.
There’s nothing more fun and fulfilling to do with money than this!
But when you’ve got debt payments out the wazoo, it’s hard to feel
like you can give. That robs you of the opportunity to give from your
God-given desire to help other people and to meet the needs you feel
most passionate about. When you get in control of your money, you’re
able to meet needs with joy instead of guilt. This alone is reason
enough to bring financial peace into your life!
I encourage anyone who wants to learn how to open the doors to
financial peace to sign up today at:
http://www.faith-fellowship.us/finance.
May our Lord and Savior richly bless you. Dave
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(TRUSTING GOD, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4)
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11).
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Most people consider domestic violence to be a person hitting/sexual
assaulting another, and it is. But it’s also emotional, psychological,
verbal, spiritual and financial abuse.
Domestic violence is not about anger management, as often you
see that the abuser can control their anger in social situations.
Domestic violence is not about alcohol or drug abuse, or being
stressed out. Domestic violence is about one human being having
power and control over another human being; it is an epidemic,
ravaging lives, and silence is one of the most powerful weapons
abusers have against their victims.
STATISTICS
Statistics indicate that domestic violence within the Christian
community is proportionate with that of the secular community.
Some studies have indicated that about 50% of homeless women
are fleeing situations of domestic violence. One in four women and
one in six men have been victims of domestic violence or sexual
assault, which means that potentially 25% of a congregation could
currently be victims of abuse. Statics also indicate that a majority of
the Christian community are aware that domestic violence exists
within the Christian community, but are unaware that it happens to
the degree that it actually does.
_____________________________
God created men and women in His image. Although the roles we are
created for differ, we are equal in dignity, value, rights, and influence.
In Genesis 1:26-27 God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our
likeness…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God
he created him; male and female he created them.” Our relationships
should be characterized by mutual respect and kindness. “Husbands,
love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” (Colossians 3:19) And
when Jesus was asked what the most important of all the commandments
was, he said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength;
the second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31)
Nowhere does it teach domestic violence is acceptable. It NEVER is.
Christ has called the church to be a safe haven of truth, hope,
healing, peace, protection and restoration. We are to, “Defend the
cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor
and oppressed; rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the
hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4)
The motivation for this article was twofold. First, October is
National Domestic Violence Awareness month and many people
are not aware just how prevalent domestic violence is. And, most
importantly, in September 2011 Katy had been commissioned as
an advocate for the Evangelical Covenant Church Advocates for
Victims of Abuse (AVA) ministry. She believed that not only could
the church help victims of abuse, but that they should.
Financial Peace
Dave Ramsey’s 9-week course
could change your life.
Mondays at 7pm, starting 10/1.
Take control of your financial future
once and for all. Register today at
faith-fellowship.us/finance.
$109 per person.
Better Together
Couples Night
Thursday, 10/18, 7pm at
Regal Theater in Dublin.
Comedian Michael Jr.’s movie
“More Than Funny.” Get your
tickets now at the box office,
online, or fathomevents.com.
Pursue 318
Men’s Breakfast
Saturday, 10/27, doors open at
8:30am, breakfast at 9am.
Pastor Gary will speak.
EVERY MAN BRING A MAN.
Cost: love offering.
Harvest Festival
Wednesday, 10/31, 5:30-8:30pm
Come on out to our Annual Harvest
Festival for children ages 0-11 yrs.
Bring your children in costume (no
scary costumes) to a fun and safe
environment. Donate candy in the
bins in the Main Lobby. Volunteers
needed – sign up at the
Info Center.
Faith Life Magazine
Property of Faith Fellowship
San Leandro, CA, USA
All Rights Reserved
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Faith Fellowship Foursquare Church
577 Manor Blvd. | San Leandro | 94579
510-357-5723
faith-fellowship.us