Last Day of September

Today is the last day of September. If you have noticed the leaves the last few weeks have begun their change from green to brown. Some of mine have even fallen off the trees already. My yard, no matter how much I water it in vain, is turning brown. Tomorrow begins the new month of October. The month of harvest, the month of fall coming upon us. Change is in the air. I believe it is a sign of the times that we live in. Constant change is inevitable. Some are good and some are hard. Some we expect and some shake us at our core. As we get older we expect our bodies to decline some over time. But as we get older, we are hardly ever ready to lose those closest to us who have accompanied us on our journeys so far. This week two people who I knew graduated from this realm of fragile life into the realm of everlasting life. So as I sat at my desk in my office this morning opening one of my devotionals, I found this on the page dated September 30th. "The peace of God is different than any other peace. It surpasses all understanding; it helps you to keep your composure. You are not shaken by earthly things. It is a deep peace, created by the knowledge of a living faith, which is the living principle of the foundation of all truth. Christ in in us, the hope and the evidence of glory." I don't understand why things sometimes happen the way they do. But even though I don't understand, I can still have the peace that passes all understanding. That is what Christ brings into our life. I don't know about you, but I need the peace that only Christ can bring in my life today!

Danger of Sunday's Message

One of the dangers of preaching on taking risks is that we will take the biggest risk of all and just file the message away and do nothing with what God has challenged us with. Chasing lions is about going after God's best. It is about being proactive, being offensive, and using what God has given you to impact the world around you. There are so many areas where we need to step out and take a risk. Husbands and wives need to risk more in their relationships by being more open and honest and actually talking and communicating. Bearing their souls at the risk of sounding crazy or even mushy. Parents talking to their kids, pushing beyond the normal conversations and risking finding out what is really going on in their children's lives. Using your gifts and talents to push the kingdom of God further into your own world. Their are lots of risks to take. There are lots of opportunities for you to move out of your safe zone. The question is, will you chase the lion, or will he chase you?

Feels like Fall

It was a nice labor day weekend. My parents were here which was nice. I have been noticing a change in the way the days feel lately. Starting to feel like fall. When I took the kids to school this morning I definitely noticed a change in the seasons. I think it is a good parallel to what I sense God is leading us to do this fall. The small groups are starting to form and God has given me a great series of messages that will begin this coming Sunday. One thing I have learned in planning is to never plan ahead of God. Always stay right with God and He will direct your next step. Also, something that is extremely important in planning is to never ever plan so much programming and structure that there isn't room for the spirit to move and cause growth. My desire is to not just be known as a Spirit-led or Spirit-filled church, but to be a Spirit excited church filled with Spirit-aware people!