Monday Morning Look Ahead

Yesterday was a wonderful day.  We launched something that none of us could fully understand.  We stepped out in obedience.  The Spirit of God did some business with us yesterday.  And I’m so grateful.

We launched two worship gatherings:  High Tide and Low Tide.  We also started our series on “The Big Story: Living Christ’s Passion.”  Hey, Grace Community folk … if you’re as excited by all this as I am, then be sure you bring someone with you to next Sunday’s Low Tide or High Tide!

Confession was the subject yesterday.  Seems it’s been too neglected in many communities of faith.  However, confession (both of sins and Christ’s Lordship) is fundamental to a growing faith.  We saw evidence of that yesterday.

Just a reminder: this coming Sunday night is our big feast at Community Group.  Bring some food, someone who’s hungry, and lets have a great night of fellowship.

Shalom.

On Exodus to the Future

I was reading Exodus 4-6 this morning. Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh for the first time. Probably they were a bit nervous; but also confident. Confident because God had shown Moses three powerful signs that the LORD was with him: a staff that’s a snake that’s a staff; a hand that’s leprous then clean; water that’s blood that’s water. Confident because the people of Israel — the Hiberu — had believed and bowed and worshiped when Moses and Aaron told them of the LORD’s will (Exodus 4.31). The LORD is going to do something great!

But then they deliver the message to Pharoah: “Let my people go …”. Pharoah doesn’t. Instead he makes the people’s work more difficult. Those same people who had believed and worshiped come to Moses and Aaron complaining: “The LORD look upon you and judge you!” The same Moses and Aaron — who were told Pharoah’s heart would be hardened, after all — complain to the LORD: “You have done nothing at all to deliver your people!”

I can relate to Moses and Aaron at this difficult time. Transitioning a local church culture is hard, lonely, and often aggravating work. I’ve seen the signs and had assurance from God that this direction is the LORD’s leading and doing. The people rejoiced at the outset. But the time as of late is one where (some) of the people complain to me: “What’s going on? What are you doing? The LORD look upon you and judge you. We were happier with our bricks and work the way it all used to be. What’s important to us is furniture arrangement not transforming freedom!” (okay that one’s a bit exagerrated).

Yet, I know God wants to deliver us to a new future: where not-yet believers become Christ-followers; where we engage in connecting to our community in Spirit-inspired ways; where our lives are changed, transformed into God’s reality more every day. But I ask God: “What’s going on? What are you going to do? What have you done so far?”

After Moses complains to God, the LORD’s answer is interesting. The LORD outlines what he has done in the past for those who served him: the promises the LORD has kept; the faithfulness of the LORD. Then in the last part of Exodus chapter 6 there is a curious (and long) genealogy that ends with Moses and Aaron. It’s as if the LORD is saying: “Look at all these I’ve worked through. Look what I’ve done in and through and with them. You are part of their line, Moses and Aaron. Don’t you think I can do something even more amazing in and through and with you?”

And the LORD did. Thanks for reminding me of my spiritual heritage, God.

I believe … LORD, help my unbelief.

Back in Black!

Last night being Ash Wednesday, I wore black.  Having not written a post in over a week, I’m back.

Hey, a reminder to Grace Community folk … invite someone to the Worship Gathering this Sunday!!  Whether you attend Low Tide or High Tide, it’s going to be special.  Get excited about Christ’s work among us … bring someone new to let them experience Christ … be brave for the sake of Christ!

The new GCC website should be up and functional by week’s end.  Be sure to check it out.

I’m so thrilled to see God working.  I have hope whose name is Jesus.  Today is a great day, for the LORD has made it!

More thoughts to come soon ….

Loss and Love

This morning began with the much too early news that a good friend of ours in Nashville died from complications with leukemia.  When we moved to Brunswick from Nashville six months ago, Chuck was doing quite well in his battle with cancer.  Such news is always too sudden and you can never emotionally prepare for it.

I sent a few brief words of condolence and prayer to my colleagues in Nashville.  One response told me of something that happened yesterday during our friend’s last moments.  Chuck leaves behind a wife and a young son.  The doctor called them in last night and told them it was a matter of hours.  Chuck’s wife and son spent some time with him and then his wife said to his son, “Say goodbye to Daddy.”  His son said, “Goodbye, Dad,” waved, and walked out of the room.  I know that loving church will embrace his young son and help raise him in a compassionate and faithful way.  Yet, he will have much to process in the years ahead.

When I heard this account, it brought to my memory a similar situation involving my second cousin.  A few years ago his father died from a tragic car accident.  He was just beginning grade school.  Two young boys … too young to experience the death of their fathers.

My heart aches for Chuck’s family and his church family.  My heart still aches for my cousin.

Moments after hearing the account above, I jumped in the car and drove home.  I walked in, picked up my son, Eliot, hugged him tight, kissed his cheek, and said, “Daddy loves you.”  He said, “I love you, Daddy.”  That has been the most important moment of my week.  I can’t quantify it, nor would I want to.  I simply know that on this Valentine’s Day, God taught me more about love.

Creation Care in Action

On a recent chilly Saturday, a few of us from Grace Community Church donned bright orange vests and did our best county work-release participant impersonations on the roadside while we picked up trash. It’s part of the Brunswick-Golden Isles Adopt-a-Highway program. We discovered that there are many people who take no care for creation. So we did something about it.

16 bags latter, we were astounded at how much trash could collect on a one-mile stretch of road. We were also filled with a sense of fulfillment for having served. The people in our neighborhood didn’t know who was out there on the side of the road (in fact, we’ve even considered having one of our older members park the big white GCC van next to the road, don some dark shades, and play the role of “Boss” … but who’s Cool Hand Luke gonna be?), but our neighbors were grateful as they slowed down, rolled down their car windows, and gave us thanks.

We learned a few things:

1. When preparing to bend down 500+ times over the course of a couple of hours, be sure to stretch your back and legs VERY WELL.
2. The world is full of trash.
3. We can come alongside the Creator and help clean up the mess.

Of course, the spiritual metaphors abound. But the physical reality is just as true!