"Engaging. Energizing. Empowering."
“The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honor. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give.”
Leo Buscaglia
What a day! I’ve been going since 6:30 this morning. It felt like I spent most of the morning submitting articles to local papers about our upcoming “official” launch on September 13. It’s been one long day focused on communication: emailing, phoning, and praying. But believe me, it’s been well worth it! Every new day I can get to spread the word about God’s forgiving love is a day well spent.
“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.”
Karl Barth, Swiss Theologian, among the most influential of the 20th century, 1886-1968
“When I took upon Me your humanity, it was with the desire of raising that humanity to My Divinity. Earth gave me her best–a human temple to enclose My Divinity, and I brought to her the possession of Divine Power, Divine Love, Divine Strength, to be forever expressed in those of her children who accepted Me, opened their hearts to Me, and sought to live My Life.”
“So kneeling in a spirit of humility, turn your eyes Heavenward and realize the Majesty, the Power, the Beauty that may be yours. Remember there are no limits to My giving–there may be to your accepting. ”
“Oh, rejoice at the wonders to which you are called and, seeing them in prayer, rise in My Strength, filled with the longing to attain them.”
From the book God Calling
I had a great time at our worship gathering tonight! People were participating during my sermon. They weren’t just spectators. They were actually getting involved in the message. The music was great. Hans is a wonderful music leader. We had people who were attending for the very first time and first-time guests from last week who came back again this week. It was just awesome! But the best part of all was that God was there. There’s nothing more exciting than being in the presence of God!
I hope you can make it next week as we continue our series of messages on hidden heroes. We’ll even have a guest telling his story as part of the sermon. Mark your calendars now. 6 p.m. at the Mansfield Activities Center. See you there!
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
— Winston Churchill
Tonight I’m starting a series of messages on Heroes (no, not the TV show). We’ll be looking at “Hidden” Heroes from the Bible and even some from everyday life here in the 21st century. I want to highlight some people you may have never even heard of. In fact, I’ve never heard sermons about any of these persons before! I hope to see you at the MAC (Mansfield Activities Center, 106 S. Wisteria, Mansfield, 76063) at 6 p.m. Will you be there?
It’s almost 1 p.m. and I haven’t eaten all day. I’m waiting for my daughter to get home from spending the night at a friend’s house and for my son to wake up. I’m starving! The kitchen isn’t that far away. I could easily go and make myself something to eat. But here I sit waiting, to take my first bite and catch up with those I love most.
Last week at our Thursday morning conversation group, we talked about “Christ in Flesh and Blood.” At one point the topic arrived at whether you had to go to church or not to be a Christian. I guess I believe that part of following Christ means gathering with other people who follow him, too. That we are noursished when we come together. Just as I could go downstairs and eat on my own, I wouldn’t be as satisfied as I am when I join with others, worshiping God and catching up on all that the Holy Spirit has been doing in our lives since we were last together.
But some people are intimidated by walking into the kitchen – a church – alone. Especially in a church where it appears that all the chairs at the table are full. Is there room to squeeze in even one more? Or will you be brave enough to open your door and let us bring the church to you?
What has been your experience? Are you satisfied following Christ on your own? Do you long instead to quench your thirst and satisfy your cravings in a community of faith that welcomes you and pulls up a chair to sit beside you? To join you on this journey of life.
We are waiting. We are waiting, hoping and praying that God will help you know that being a Christian is not about living our lives in isolation, shut off from the world. It’s about living our lives in relationship with God and one another. ”Good things come to those who wait,” isn’t that how the old saying goes?