As I was making my way around the blogosphere and thinking on how I've sort of been away for a while, with the exception of casual posting. I realized that I've been busy.
It's hard to believe that I was only hired a month ago (in a couple of days) and that I've only preached three times in that month. In a very positive way, it feels like longer. The experiences of this past month while; preaching, watching people respond to God, jamming with the band, praying with a small group of people, talking to people who are in the midst of some deep pain - have filled this month and my life with the overwhelming sense of God at work. And don't get me wrong...I'm more convinced than ever before in my life, that it's not what I have to offer that's making the difference. For some reason Jesus has decided that this is the time and place to do some really neat things...and I'm along for the ride. Don't get me wrong...I'm not sure what this all means...I can't tell you that our church is going to grow to this or that number, actually, on certain sundays I've been afraid that it's going to grow by less people wanting to be a part of this.
God is blessing our family so much, in so many ways that I keep getting blown out of the water. Just last week I spent an afternoon with a group of pastors from different denomination representing all the churches in the town but three (not all were there that day-but that's usually the group) anyway, we ate, we talked about being the Kingdom driven here and beyond and how God might want and could use all of us together to accomplish it and then we prayed. We prayed for one another and we prayed for one of them whose life is just being turned upside down and I was just blown away by thanksgiving that filled my heart to just be present.
I am busy and so posting seems to come like this, in spurts and then I want to put in everything at the same time...not good posting...but that's how it is right now.
God is good, so many God-stories happening all the time. I know there will be "other" times, but I thank God for these times. This Sunday is our welcome celebration to POG, I'm looking forward to it with great anticipation.
Don't let me mislead you. This is a church like every other church. A church filled with broken people trying to love and serve Jesus. Brokeness is evident at every level. But so is surrender. The same guy who just put out his cigarrette outside will come in and tell you how God removed the fear from death from his life and how he is experiencing that peace that passes all understanding. And I think...this guy is ripe for some major Kingdom work through his life.
Well, it's late and Thanksgiving (the holiday) is done. But my heart is swelling with thanksgiving, in ways that I don't know how to express it, it's so cool.
ok, I'll shut up...more later, maybe...
God bless you with the peace, joy and thankfulness that defies all understanding!
Posted by ed