Creation, Comebacks, and the Core of what we do
The Beauty of God's Creation reminds us that we overlook a lot.
It was a great gift to me to be able to sit under Alan Witham's preaching yesterday! While I had a page of notes, the one idea that kept resonating with me throughout the day was that the beauty of God's creation reminds us that we overlook a lot. Alan brought that point out by sharing how God had taught him this idea as he photographed dew drops and ice crystals with a friend.
It's one of those points that seems to tap on a multitude of emotions; guilt that I do miss so much, awe in the wonder of his creation, hope that God hasn't overlooked me.
My one line prayer for this week: Lord, help me not to overlook things today, but to trust that if I'll listen and look for you, you will help me be.
Love Shelbyville Day & the many partners who help make it happen
Love Shelbyville day has been something through the years that has helped us to NOT overlook what's happening in the community around us. Stay tuned to our communication channels for the sign-ups coming soon!
I've been reading and listening to a lot on partnerships recently. I've heard leaders pressing in on the idea that partnerships are meant to be relational and that if we don't truly want the best for the person or organization on the other side, it's not really a partnership.
Mix that into a Love Shelbyville week where we are working with partners who have been sharing the good news of Jesus in a variety of ways for a long time and it has me thinking about wanting the best for our partners.
Let's not overlook Shelbyville this week.
But let's also not overlook our partners - let's want the best for them as they continue to shine bright for Jesus in a county where 4 out of 5 people are not connected to a local church!
The Making of a Comeback
Whether we want it to or not, the back to school dates are creeping in, and fall plans are beginning to be made. Don't worry, I won't tell you summer is over or anything. I'm soaking it up with you!
But I will tell you to begin getting excited for what's happening this fall at Christ Community!
August 9 is a date to put in your calendar as our Community Kids have promotion Sunday.
That same evening is also our next gen ministries Back to School Bash.
Finally, that day is also the first Sunday in our 6 week series through the book of Ezra called The Making of a Comeback.
The book of Ezra is the story of a comeback. One of the most unlikely comebacks of all time, really. The Israelites were exiled in Babylon with little to no hope of ever returning to Jerusalem. The temple had been destroyed and questions stirred about the end of their storied history; a history that included a miraculous exodus from Egypt, decisive victories that gave them the promised land, and the clear favor of the one true God.
So how did their comeback happen? What was the anatomy of one of the most unexpected comebacks of all time?
And how can we comeback from the setbacks we face?
Living in a broken world, we all experience setbacks. Some big, some small, some that make us feel as though we’ll never catch up to God’s plan for our lives or even make it through.
Sometimes a comeback seems impossible.
But this fall, we’re opening God’s Word to discover The Making of a Comeback on our way to coming back to our mission: joining Jesus in going out to make disciples - wherever - and whoever - he’s called us to.
The Core truth about sending people on mission
Yesterday we not only heard from Tracey and the Vogts about going to serve with Barren Heights, we also were able to pray for another couple who's going to encourage church leaders who are working in hard places internationally. This fall, we're planning to send people to Honduras and Chile. We'll send our entire church out Sunday to Love Shelbyville. And we commission the body to "Go be the church" every Sunday.
Why?
Why do we send?
This quote from a book I read recently was an anchoring reminder:
“Considering the contours of the biblical narrative of Gods mission is of great value. Knowing the history of the church’s missionary efforts is inspiring. Understanding the latest theory and literature in missiology is enriching. But beneath all these is the irreplaceable foundation of knowing and enjoying God.” (Daniel Hames)
We send people, and we live sent, because ultimately, we want to know and enjoy God. And by going, we get to actively ask what God is doing in peoples lives around the world. We get to see how he so creatively works to transform lives. And we get to enjoy those moments where he uses us as part of the plan.
Keep going Christ Community.
Join Jesus. Go outside. Make disciples.
