Thanks for the great feedback connected to this teaching series “VIII.” If you thought last week’s message came at a good time for you, make sure you don’t miss this Sunday as we continue in this series. This one is a message of great hope.
It’s really been another fun month of ministry. It was fun working with 60 or so of you around the facility doing grounds maintenance. Biggest group of volunteers the chairman of our deacons has ever utilized. Thank you all for serving, especially our deacons who are in my estimation some of the greatest deacons in the world.
It was fun connecting up at the picnic at Twin Lakes with 300 of you. Food was awesome – the time to connect up with one another was great. God continues to pull us together as a church body.
Thanks also for the solid giving that occurred last week. My encouragement is for all of us to continue to be faithful in giving and trusting God.
Over the next couple of months, we’ll be putting in front of you, as the corporate church body, some of the continued operational changes that we continue to implement for the purpose of intentionally connecting people to Jesus.
Seven of our members are leaving in the morning for a mission trip to Arizona Reservation Ministry in Globe, Arizona. Please pray for their safety and for their witness to those they meet.
As ever, I’m looking forward to worshipping our great God with you this Sunday. See you then, Scott
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
I’m going to have 2 weekly e-news this week – one connected to the world we live in – one connected to Forum and what God is doing. For those of you who attend regularly, you know that this is the first time I’ve done this. If you are new to Forum, don’t worry, I won’t over saturate your inbox.
We live in complex times. This email arises because I’ve had a heightened “angst” being expressed both in conversations and in emails I’m receiving. What I know about the span of history is while our technology and invention continue to accelerate – who we are as humans and our nature remains the same. As a nation we are facing unparalleled changes and challenges:
• The way our health care systems are administered (just for your own sake, I would encourage you to stay abreast of this national debate and contact our elected officials via their websites. Also, track “HR3200” in that – in theory – legislation will be passed over the next two weeks)
• Mounting debt within our nation
• Another mounting military buildup in Afghanistan
• Natural disasters
• The possibility of a nuclear Iran
This list could go on and on connected to our nation and the world. But here’s the real deal – this world, my friends, is not our home. That doesn’t mean we turn our backs on the world. It doesn’t mean we cloister. It doesn’t mean we retreat. It means just the opposite.
Friends, you are part of an unshakeable kingdom. You are a citizen of heaven. God called you, He justified you. He demonstrates His glory in your life. You walk in His victory every day of your life. While there are challenges, guess what; there have always been challenges (Christians tortured, the plague, the collapse of currency – e.g. – Confederate money, etc.). Yet, the world continues to turn and God’s mission for the church doesn’t change.
The words of Jesus apply the same today as they did when he spoke them to his disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me. In my father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” (John 14: 1-2)
Friends – be hopeful, diligent, alert, vigilant, faithful, holy, righteous, and walk in the triumph of Jesus Christ. We (the church) are the hope of the world! — Scott
We live in complex times. This email arises because I’ve had a heightened “angst” being expressed both in conversations and in emails I’m receiving. What I know about the span of history is while our technology and invention continue to accelerate – who we are as humans and our nature remains the same. As a nation we are facing unparalleled changes and challenges:
• The way our health care systems are administered (just for your own sake, I would encourage you to stay abreast of this national debate and contact our elected officials via their websites. Also, track “HR3200” in that – in theory – legislation will be passed over the next two weeks)
• Mounting debt within our nation
• Another mounting military buildup in Afghanistan
• Natural disasters
• The possibility of a nuclear Iran
This list could go on and on connected to our nation and the world. But here’s the real deal – this world, my friends, is not our home. That doesn’t mean we turn our backs on the world. It doesn’t mean we cloister. It doesn’t mean we retreat. It means just the opposite.
Friends, you are part of an unshakeable kingdom. You are a citizen of heaven. God called you, He justified you. He demonstrates His glory in your life. You walk in His victory every day of your life. While there are challenges, guess what; there have always been challenges (Christians tortured, the plague, the collapse of currency – e.g. – Confederate money, etc.). Yet, the world continues to turn and God’s mission for the church doesn’t change.
The words of Jesus apply the same today as they did when he spoke them to his disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me. In my father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” (John 14: 1-2)
Friends – be hopeful, diligent, alert, vigilant, faithful, holy, righteous, and walk in the triumph of Jesus Christ. We (the church) are the hope of the world! — Scott
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