Almost Christmas time! Every day has been an adventure since moving to Tri Cities. Not quite Indiana Jones, but an adventure just the same. Contrary to what the movies depict, I think real adventures are probably long, gruelling, and not as treasure filled as we would want. Yet the time here has born much fruit. Some of the fruit can be seen in our lives and those around us. Some, I think we may never see, but is still there (God only knows).
So we have family coming to stay with us for Christmas; that means it will be more activity and less quiet in our house for a week. I hope and pray to maintain an attitude of love and patience.
There is a young man, Matt, who has been studying the bible and participating in the fellowship for a while now. He seems to be growing in his faith and could be our brother soon. Pray.
I really excited about serving at the Union Gospel Mission here. They have me serving lunch each Tuesday at the Men's Shelter in Pasco, WA (one of the "Tri" cities). I am looking forward to regularly serving in a way I have never done before. That is, I have never consistently been serving like this before. For a long time I have hoped and prayed for this kind of change in me. I believe we are all called to be among the needy of the world.
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
I have already met some great people and had some good talks about faith. I look forward to what I will learn and how to come closer to Jesus through serving.
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
Press on to win the prize...
Am I on a mission every day?
I ask this question from time to time of myself. Even though I am "officially" on a mission planting, I don't see much difference between being in an established church or starting a new one. Both are only alive when there is a mission at hand.
Francine and I have been a part of several different churches, in different cities, and different cultures. Each time there has been the same seeds to plant, the same soils to plant them in, the same hearts and problems, as well as our own sin at hand. Whether 2000 disciples or 12 (our number), it should be similar in most ways. Living and active, or stale and dying...
Here in Tri Cities we struggle from day to day reaching out and touching lives. We wake up in the morning and wipe the sleepies from our eyes and try and focus them on God; His will, his plan, his people. It's the same as anywhere else.
If someone is reading this, you could venture to ask yourself - Do I live the same right now as I would on a church planting? The answer should be yes!
Acts 8:1
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
I would venture to say that you will either be "scattered" at some point by God himself, or you will choose to be scattered on your own accord. When this happens, will the result be God being preached and spread to the nations, or will this generation end with you?
I have agonized over my own pride, selfish desires, and worthiness is God's sight almost daily since getting to Tri Cities. My life is a mirror of every other child of God. Everywhere, all the time, we share in this life and calling.
This past Sunday we too looked at the empty seats next to us. We see the work to be done and have two responses. Some will see the miracles God is going to do, and some see discouragement and defeat. I have done both. Yet...
Philippians 3:13-15
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
Amen.
I ask this question from time to time of myself. Even though I am "officially" on a mission planting, I don't see much difference between being in an established church or starting a new one. Both are only alive when there is a mission at hand.
Francine and I have been a part of several different churches, in different cities, and different cultures. Each time there has been the same seeds to plant, the same soils to plant them in, the same hearts and problems, as well as our own sin at hand. Whether 2000 disciples or 12 (our number), it should be similar in most ways. Living and active, or stale and dying...
Here in Tri Cities we struggle from day to day reaching out and touching lives. We wake up in the morning and wipe the sleepies from our eyes and try and focus them on God; His will, his plan, his people. It's the same as anywhere else.
If someone is reading this, you could venture to ask yourself - Do I live the same right now as I would on a church planting? The answer should be yes!
Acts 8:1
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
I would venture to say that you will either be "scattered" at some point by God himself, or you will choose to be scattered on your own accord. When this happens, will the result be God being preached and spread to the nations, or will this generation end with you?
I have agonized over my own pride, selfish desires, and worthiness is God's sight almost daily since getting to Tri Cities. My life is a mirror of every other child of God. Everywhere, all the time, we share in this life and calling.
This past Sunday we too looked at the empty seats next to us. We see the work to be done and have two responses. Some will see the miracles God is going to do, and some see discouragement and defeat. I have done both. Yet...
Philippians 3:13-15
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
Amen.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Confidence
It seems like we've been here a lot longer than we have. Granted we (The Edmunds) moved here 5 months ago, but the church officially planted 3 months ago. I think we all probably thought things would be different.
Much has happened during the few months we have been here. We probably should not be surprised by how many things were unexpected. If we really had the mind of Christ constantly, we would stay the course and keep on loving, moving, and doing good works. But just like all disciples of Christ, we draw close to him and then pull back. The cycle continues all our life.
Personally I have gone through the highs and lows of mostly my own expectations. I remind myself constantly that it's not my will, but God's. The reminders don't always get me back on track right away. There are prayers I say every day that I wrestle with because my faith is weak. Then I get to that zone of peace and joy for a moment. After that I jump back on the roller coaster and wrestle again.
As God works his will here and brings his plan to fruition, we are passengers on his train. We get to see what he is doing sometimes out the window. At others we ride along unaware of all that he is doing along the track. Sometimes we stop and help put a few rails down and take part in making progress in his plan. Always though, we wonder and hope we are going the right way.
Heb 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
We need confidence. Please pray for us in this.
Much has happened during the few months we have been here. We probably should not be surprised by how many things were unexpected. If we really had the mind of Christ constantly, we would stay the course and keep on loving, moving, and doing good works. But just like all disciples of Christ, we draw close to him and then pull back. The cycle continues all our life.
Personally I have gone through the highs and lows of mostly my own expectations. I remind myself constantly that it's not my will, but God's. The reminders don't always get me back on track right away. There are prayers I say every day that I wrestle with because my faith is weak. Then I get to that zone of peace and joy for a moment. After that I jump back on the roller coaster and wrestle again.
As God works his will here and brings his plan to fruition, we are passengers on his train. We get to see what he is doing sometimes out the window. At others we ride along unaware of all that he is doing along the track. Sometimes we stop and help put a few rails down and take part in making progress in his plan. Always though, we wonder and hope we are going the right way.
Heb 11:1
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
We need confidence. Please pray for us in this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)