A quick update

A banner for our church made by our good friend
Cardinal Signs in Gainesville, Florida.

I just wanted to give a quick update about our family and what is going on.  The biggest news we have is that our first worship service as Living Hope was this past Sunday (the 14th).  One of my biggest prayers was that I would be able to focus on it being a worship service and actually worship rather than focus on the details and making sure everything went off without a hitch.  Praise the Lord, I was able to do just that.  I know that many people were praying for me (and I had sent out an email asking that specific request on Saturday - and was greatly encouraged by the many quick replies saying that people were praying) and the work of the Holy Spirit was evident.

Anna by one of our signs.

It was a great service.  We had some guests, not a ton, but we did have some and we are continuing to pray for more to come.  I am beginning a sermon series through 1 Peter and am greatly enjoying my time in that book.  This week my sermon text is 1 Peter 1:3-5:

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope 

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

  ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 

⁵ who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

This is an amazing text of Scripture and was actually the main thrust behind the name of our church.  It is so comforting that our hope is solid and sure.  There are so many things that we can put our hope in that are fading, that defile, that perish - but our hope as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will never fail.    Place your hope fully in Him today - let it grow as it is a living hope.  And please, continue to pray for Living Hope that we would reach many in our community who do not know the Lord and show them what a true and living hope is all about.  

Not surprised...so I'm pressing on

This would be an easy week to pack things in.  What do I mean?  I mean it's been a rough week (even so far) - and I'm not surprised in the least.  The reason I'm not is that in a week and a half we launch Living Hope.  We are starting a new outpost for the Kingdom of God.  We are starting a place where the invisible Kingdom of God will hopefully be made more visible and where people will hear the good news of the gospel!

Why would I be surprised that Erin's mom would have a major surgery scheduled this week and that there have now been some complications?  Why would I be surprised that in our Core Group we have husbands out of town, sickness, and a host of other things thrown our way?  Why would I be surprised that in a week where we have our friend Marc Champagne (of Redeemer Church in Mason) preaching for me and where I was supposed to be able to get extra work done that our family has been really busy (Erin, Reed, and Meredith went up to Cleveland for her mom's surgery) and I have been hit with a terrible cold that is knocking me out?  Why would I be surprised that there are plenty of other things besides the church that are screaming for my attention?

As I said, I'm not surprised.  That doesn't necessarily make it smooth sailing.  It's still difficult when Erin's computer decides to fry the hard drive.  Sickness is still no fun.  However, when I take a step back and reflect and gain some perspective I see that this is nothing more than spiritual warfare.  Yes, I'm sure some of it is a product of the fall and that things break and we get sick, but the timing is impeccable.  I need my heart focused right now on my callings as husband, father, and pastor/church planter and with all else that is going on that is a bit more difficult.  However, I know that the Lord will sustain and I can rely on him.  Even as I write this I'm processing what is going on in life right now.  I appreciate your prayers for me, my family, and this church plant.

I'm sure it's also not coincidence that I'll be starting to preach through 1 Peter on the 14th.  There is much in there about suffering and perseverance and setting your hope fully on the One who can and will sustain and care for you.  It is a book of hope because of our Savior.  

The reality is I have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading kept in heaven for me (1 Peter 1:3,4).  I may be experiencing things breaking now, things fading, but what the Lord has done for me will never fade, never fail, never be defiled!  That is hard to comprehend, but it's well worth the attempt!  I am laboring for an inheritance that is guaranteed and one which many do not yet know but need to hear.  May God sustain me, my family, and our church to spread the news of this great hope that will never fade, be defiled, or fail to our community! 

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you,

 as though something strange were happening to you. 

¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, 

that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.  

(1 Peter 4:12, 13)