Sunday Reflections
I'm very excited about this series "Hope in the Midst of Chaos". Yesterday was just an introduction and it wasn't anything I haven't said many times before. It was sort of my anti-health-and-wealth-fake-gospel message. The next TWO Sunday though will go far beyond what I've said in sermons before about this. Next week we're gonna talk about prayer in the midst of chaos... but I'm going way further than just suggesting we pray. The insight comes from Philippians and I'd never seen it until I was listening to a sermon by Andy Stanley and boom it just became so clear and so powerful. Show up Sunday to find out what this idea about prayer is.
Today...
(1) It was great to welcome a group of new members into the church. 15 people. 9 different nationalities (3 Americans, 2 Malaysians, 1 S'porean, 2 Aussies, 1 Brit, 1 Japanese, 1 Thai, 1 Filipino and 3 Congolese). 4 continents. One God. One Lord. One Jesus!
(2) We had back to back amazing choirs in the morning service. I think there were 15+ voices AGAIN without a special occasion holiday. This is such a blessing and hopefully indicates a new trend. The difference between 15 voices and 7 voices is really substantial!
(3) We were busting at the seams again Sunday night. Just bringing in more and more chairs. Running out of room fast. Will it continue like this? If so, what are we going to do?
(4) It is true that the "safest" if you mean "most comfortable and secure" place to be is NOT in the center of God's will. The center of God's will is safe for your soul, but not for your life. God's way is challenging! And scary. And dangerous. Just ask Peter, Paul or Jesus.
(5) I continue to be BLOWN away by the people who drive (or ride in a bus) 2 or more hours to get to church most Sundays. And I know people who can't manage if it's raining outside.
(6) If you can't have faith in God and trust God in the tough times when there is no evidence FOR God, then you will not have faith for very long. Because we live in a chaotic world.
(7) The story of the Last Supper in Mark 14 reads like a spy novel. I want to know the name of the "guy with the jar" who leads the disciples secretly to the "house with the upper room". :)
Have a great week.
