The Rain

I love the rain; I always have loved the rain. I'm not sure what it is, but the rain always brings a certain feeling with it. For me it brings an assurance that God is still there, still in control, still watering His garden. The rain brings me peace and assurance.

Some people really hate the rain. They get frustrated and even scared when it storms. They often feel that God is angry and He is taking out His wrath on His creation. Many people think God is mad all of the time.

Lately it has rained a lot here. Maybe for the first time since I was a boy it has rained more days than it hasn't this summer. Did I mention that I love the rain? It makes me feel young again when I get out in it and get drenched. It makes me feel good to sit and watch it fall on the pavement and in the grass. I'm glad I'm blessed with a nice, dry house to watch the rain from.

If I was homeless I probably wouldn't love the rain anymore. I might not feel safe and assured. I might think that God was mad at me, taking out His frustration with His people on me. Being homeless would suck...bad. Maybe we should think about the homeless and the helpless today while we are watching the rain from our nice, dry living rooms.

"God help the homeless to feel your assurance even in the storms. Help them to feel young again when they are drenched everyday by these summer rains. Send a real believer their way...someone who takes their faith seriously and understands how blessed they really are. Send a good Samaritan."

If it was easier I would go......I think.

The Battle of the Sexes: A little wager

It occurs to me that women pretty much rule the internet! Most of the posts that I read are not nec. started by women, but are responded to by them. This is something that needs to be addressed, at least in the church community. So.......

I want to make a friendly wager: I will wager a dinner/lunch with anyone that wants to get in. Here's the deal: More men will respond to this post in the comments section than women. The deadline will be July 1, 2007. Only 1 response per person will count towards the total. Let's just see how many men/women will come in with something to say! I think that more men are out there just reading, and not commenting.........what do you say?

Father's Day......what I heard

From all that I could hear yesterday (before I went back to children's church), everyone who actually reported said that they sincerely enjoyed the first event in our Summer of Love (House of Prayer).

It's nice to hear from people who do not normally get the opportunity to share in the public realm. It sounds like there was some initial nervousness, but that overall, the Spirit bore witness that we are essentially on the right track. That's nice to know.

Though we still have some tweaking to do, it seems to me that we are easing out into the right direction. Easing is really hard for me. It requires patience and planning, and everyone knows how I feel about those :)

I believe that July will look a little different, and August even more, but overall, I'm sure we will gradually become more accustom to less attraction and more mission.

It would be nice to get some feedback from yesterday's service. The format, the speaker, the new leaders taking a bigger role, the testimonies, and the overall feeling after the day was complete.

Leaders must set the pace!

So I'm reading this book called They Like Jesus but Not the Church by Dan Kimball. He says "Perhaps one day when people think of Christians and the church, they will think about how we help the needy and compassionately get involved both locally and globally. Maybe they will think of us as gentle rather than abrasive, even with those we disagree with. Hopefully they won't be able to dismiss us as being cold, negative, and judgmental. But this transformation requires leadership to set the example. I believe the church will follow if leaders set the pace and foster a culture of being salt and light, of being loving instead of judgmental and negative. The more we focus on what we stand for instead of what we stand against, the more we will line up with Jesus and His teachings about the kingdom of God, and the more we will be seen as a people who believe in truth and love." (112-113)

So leaders must set the pace if the rest of the church, both local and global, are to respond and become the salt and light that Jesus said we are. We must make people thirsty for what God offers, the chance to never thirst again.

Interestingly, when you fly over the vast ocean (or sail over it I bet), you wonder if you will ever see land again. At night, you learn to look for the bright lights of any city. When you see those lights, it brings you comfort.......you know that a solid foundation is ahead. Jesus said that we are a city on a hill, lights in the distance to bring comfort and stability in this dark and dreary world. Leaders are responsible to God to become that salt and light, even if it makes others uncomfortable at first. When we do it, then others will respond and will rise up to become all that our King commanded us to become.

Thank you leaders, all of you who took the lead yesterday in becoming salt and light. Eventhough I wasn't physically able to be at the House of Prayer, I know that what we did made a tremendous impact. Perhaps it is the beginning of a move of God in our hearts and in our city. Please continue to lead, even if it seems that others are not really following!

Very Successful Start

The Summer of Love got off to a very successful start according to all of those who came back and reported on the events at the House of Prayer this morning. It sounded like the Lord really showed up and showed out. Everyone says that the worship was outstanding and that Pastor Jacob rocked the house!.............something about everyone having a "personal stash" that they keep from God. Wish I coulda heard that one!

Children's church was fantastic and the kids enjoyed it too, lol. Guest speaker next Sunday for Father's Day, woot! Be sure to come early if you are a father, Susie and I would like to bless you guys with an early morning breakfast (around 9-9:30).

For those of you who didn't make it, be sure to check the website for the rest of June's schedule so as not to be left behind.

Mahalo!

Magnificent

Wow! Hawaii is really a magnificent place. We have had so much fun here and can't believe that our week is almost over. I will try to post a pic or 2 tomorrow (just found some free wifi). Everyone should save their money and come here at least once before they die.

We are contemplating a future trip already. Hope things are well with everyone in the trees of East Texas.

Aloha

This is the last post before we hit the islands..............just wanted to rub it in a little! I will check in every night while we are there to give an update on our status as missional beach bums.

JUNE EVENTS for SUMMER of LOVE

Determined tonight at our latest elder meeting:

June 3..............Darrell Kirchner speaking
June 10............Church-wide ministry to another church (attendance and offering) (Church TBD)
June 17.............Guest Speaker (TBD)
June 24.............Weekend Lake party/campout with churchwide worship and testimonies, followed by picnic lunch (this one includes the children)

There are currently four Advanced Planning Teams with 5 people on each Advanced Planning Team:

Advanced Planning Team for June

Team Leader:
Barry Kirkpatrick (Elder)

Team Members:
Jason Brisuela (Elder in training)
DeAnn Adams (administrator)
Mike Hudgens (Staff)
TBD (Deacon/Deaconess)

Stay tuned for specifics (more to be announced Sunday).

Advanced Planning Team for July

Team Leader:
John Saferite (Elder)

Team Members:
Jason McKenney (Elder in training)
TBD (administrator)
Mike Hudgens (Staff)
TBD (Deacon/Deaconess)

Advanced Planning Team for August

Team Leader:
Darrell Kirchner (Elder)

Team Members:
Chris Smith (Elder in training)
TBD (administrator)
Mike Hudgens (Staff)
TBD (Deacon/Deaconess)

Advanced Planning Team for September

Team Leader:
Jerry Payne (Elder)

Team Members:
Fredo Hernandez (Elder in training)
TBD (administrator)
Mike Hudgens (Staff)
TBD (Deacon/Deaconess)