Welcome to the family, Matthew!
Matthew, it's been a complete JOY to watch you seek the Lord. Celebrating with you was priceless! As our photographer Mike Ellis said, "New man, IN CHRIST!" And, you know this, but you've got some sturdy spiritual father's to walk with you in this new season with Richard and Mike. Keep going men! "The gospel is bigger than your trauma."
Our guest speaker yesterday did such an incredible job opening 1 Thessalonians 2 and reminding us that God keeps us on mission through the same good news that saves us! All while being our authentic selves. Watch for the message on The Backpack later this week.
Get you a worship leader who's all in when he plays cajon!
The meme might make us laugh, but the heart brings me pure joy and appreciation! D.J. Williams has been the epitome of a selfless servant leader over the years. After he wore himself out on cajon, he hosted the worship team and their families at his home all afternoon. It's his heart plus the Spirit's work in our lives that has transformed our worship culture. And I'm just grateful. So, enjoy a smile as you look at the meme, and then shoot D.J. a text and let him know how much you appreciate him!
I don't take for granted that our church loves to serve!
Katie gave us some next step opportunities to serve out in the community this week and y'all are responding! She didn't even get to another need for next Sunday. We need several people to pack our first round of bags for the Backpack Project next Sunday after the Gathering. Let us know if you can help! This morning, I'm not taking for granted that our church has servant hearts. Your hearts help change mine! Servant hearts not only impact our community, they change families, and soften hard hearts.
If you want to see some action, pray with honest hearts
Every day, at 10:10, I get a reminder on my phone to pray for our church. It's amazing to me that so many of the things that show God's glory often start as short, simple prayers voiced with honest hearts. I pray different things on different days for CCC.. but this morning, I found myself thinking about the things I've found myself repeatedly praying for our church family. Let me give you a few of those I come back to because I'd love to have you join me in them..
I ask Jesus to give us evangelistic hearts. Hearts that really want to see our neighbors give their lives fully to Jesus.
I ask Jesus to make us hungry for his Word. After all, that's what changes and motivates us.
I ask him to keep showing us what's next. As a leader, I used to guess what was next and call it vision. Let's just ask him together.
I ask the Father to heal our hearts. Healthy hearts are valuable when you go outside..
I thank the Lord for this body of believers my family gets to be a part of. (And after yesterday, I'll start asking in the same breath that he'd help me not take them for granted!)
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