It seems like life comes in waves. Right now we've got a few waves to ride. We have a group of 18 people going with us to Catalyst Conference, and some of us are leaving in about an hour and a half. We've also got a wave of opportunity for Crossroads as we purchase a new building. That is opening up all kinds of possibilities for ministry and worship. Then, this weekend my daughter is in a play, Mulan, her first acting experience. That has been a blast for her.
Life doesn't get boring, that's for sure.
For now, I'm praying for our group attending Catalyst to hear the voice of God. He wants to take all of us to a new level -- individually and as a fellowship. These are exciting times!
I'm grateful for the waves God sends our way. Sometimes I think I'm going to drown, but he always pulls us through. And I would not have it any other way.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Coming Together
It has been an amazing week of seeing God's plan coming together. We have been working for weeks to get a purchase contract on a foreclosed building. Finally we got a contract in hand on Monday. We have also been working on financing, trying to get a loan approved for the purchase.
So, on Monday we get the contract to purchase. We have until Oct. 5 to sign the contract, and until Oct. 9 to prove that we have the money to make the purchase. Well, we are moving through this process by faith, trusting God to work out all the details.
Then yesterday afternoon I have a meeting with our current landlord. He says that they want to give us plenty of notice, and that they want their building back by April 1. Looks like God is closing that door. No longer do we just have a feeling that we need to leave the Long House; now we know for sure.
When I come home from that meeting yesterday, I get the email saying that our loan with the NC Baptist Foundation has been approved! Only God could put together such a series of events.
There is a great feeling of affirmation from God when things work out like this! When we move forward in faith -- knowing that unless God shows up, we're in trouble -- God can really get the glory.
Now, I'm eager to believe God for the next amazing feat. He's changing the world, and we want to be part of it! He does amazing things in powerful ways. He wants us to ask him, so that he can deliver and bring his kingdom!
So, on Monday we get the contract to purchase. We have until Oct. 5 to sign the contract, and until Oct. 9 to prove that we have the money to make the purchase. Well, we are moving through this process by faith, trusting God to work out all the details.
Then yesterday afternoon I have a meeting with our current landlord. He says that they want to give us plenty of notice, and that they want their building back by April 1. Looks like God is closing that door. No longer do we just have a feeling that we need to leave the Long House; now we know for sure.
When I come home from that meeting yesterday, I get the email saying that our loan with the NC Baptist Foundation has been approved! Only God could put together such a series of events.
There is a great feeling of affirmation from God when things work out like this! When we move forward in faith -- knowing that unless God shows up, we're in trouble -- God can really get the glory.
Now, I'm eager to believe God for the next amazing feat. He's changing the world, and we want to be part of it! He does amazing things in powerful ways. He wants us to ask him, so that he can deliver and bring his kingdom!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Praying it up
We continue to wait for some pieces of the puzzle to fall into place as we seek to purchase a building. God has led us to this point. But it is nerve-wracking.
It helps me to chill out, realizing that God has everything under control. If he doesn't want this deal to work out, then he has something better for us. I don't know what it could be, but then 6 weeks ago I knew nothing about this new building. That's how God operates. He's constantly at work behinds the scenes. He pulls out surprises.
He will not forget us. He calls us to himself, to trust in him, to pray.
Meanwhile, he is mightily at work in the people of Crossroads. It's a win all the way around.
It helps me to chill out, realizing that God has everything under control. If he doesn't want this deal to work out, then he has something better for us. I don't know what it could be, but then 6 weeks ago I knew nothing about this new building. That's how God operates. He's constantly at work behinds the scenes. He pulls out surprises.
He will not forget us. He calls us to himself, to trust in him, to pray.
Meanwhile, he is mightily at work in the people of Crossroads. It's a win all the way around.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Quantum Faith
God takes our faith to new levels. Usually it happens in leaps. That's where we are at Crossroads. As God leads us to find new meeting space, we are suddenly looking at purchasing a building. We have to take our commitment to new levels.
Lots of people are stepping up with the effort already. People are dreaming about the possibilities, planning how to give, organizing fund raising events, offering to do construction work. This process is a fantastic opportunity to trust Jesus. He tells us to ask him for anything for his kingdom, and he will do it.
Maybe it would be more comfortable if our faith could grow gradually. But so often God thrusts us into new territory. And we just have to rise to the occasion. His Spirit gives us the power we need.
Our faith is taking Quantum leaps. We are ready for our opportunities to Change the World to go to a whole new level!
Lots of people are stepping up with the effort already. People are dreaming about the possibilities, planning how to give, organizing fund raising events, offering to do construction work. This process is a fantastic opportunity to trust Jesus. He tells us to ask him for anything for his kingdom, and he will do it.
Maybe it would be more comfortable if our faith could grow gradually. But so often God thrusts us into new territory. And we just have to rise to the occasion. His Spirit gives us the power we need.
Our faith is taking Quantum leaps. We are ready for our opportunities to Change the World to go to a whole new level!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Stretching the Band
We, the Crossroads Praise Band, were supposed to give an outdoor concert today, but the event was canceled because of all the rain. Actually, to call it a concert is a bit of a stretch -- we were to be the band at the Wells Fargo Employee Day in downtown Winston-Salem. We were to have two 45 minute music sets, and play while the employees had fun with their families.
We had a great time learning some new songs. Wells Fargo had asked for a country theme, so we had to learn some fittin' songs. Although I'm not a big country music fan, these songs were lots of fun to learn and play. The vocal harmonies are easy to pick up. And of course the chord structure is easy.
So, we worked hard, learned some new songs, had fun, and didn't get to play. Now we are just looking for a place to do these new songs. We got stretched, and that's good.
Maybe we can play at the Crossroads Silent Auction, coming soon.
We had a great time learning some new songs. Wells Fargo had asked for a country theme, so we had to learn some fittin' songs. Although I'm not a big country music fan, these songs were lots of fun to learn and play. The vocal harmonies are easy to pick up. And of course the chord structure is easy.
So, we worked hard, learned some new songs, had fun, and didn't get to play. Now we are just looking for a place to do these new songs. We got stretched, and that's good.
Maybe we can play at the Crossroads Silent Auction, coming soon.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Swirl
Sometimes I look forward to life when everything is predictable, if not boring. Right now there's so much going on with Crossroads, and it's all new.
We are working on purchasing a "new" building. It's something new for Crossroads, because we have never owned real estate. In fact, I had thought that we would never own real estate. That might work in some cities, but in Stokesdale, you can't find assembly space for rent. We were blessed to find the Long House in 2002, and we have gathered there every week since April 2003.
But we have grown, and our needs have changed. We found a building for sale in Stokesdale, which we are trying to purchase. There are lots of variables, and lots of stuff to work out.
The whole process, though, is taking our folks to new levels of service and commitment. People are enthusiastically serving the kingdom of God as we rise to this challenge.
It feels like a swirling mass of uncertainty to me, but I know that God is in control. He quiets my soul when I get troubled.
For him, it's all so simple. We make things complicated.
We are working on purchasing a "new" building. It's something new for Crossroads, because we have never owned real estate. In fact, I had thought that we would never own real estate. That might work in some cities, but in Stokesdale, you can't find assembly space for rent. We were blessed to find the Long House in 2002, and we have gathered there every week since April 2003.
But we have grown, and our needs have changed. We found a building for sale in Stokesdale, which we are trying to purchase. There are lots of variables, and lots of stuff to work out.
The whole process, though, is taking our folks to new levels of service and commitment. People are enthusiastically serving the kingdom of God as we rise to this challenge.
It feels like a swirling mass of uncertainty to me, but I know that God is in control. He quiets my soul when I get troubled.
For him, it's all so simple. We make things complicated.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
High Water
Today God blew me away in our worship. His presence was obvious as we gathered to enjoy him. He filled every song, every testimony, every prayer. He touched our hearts as we prayed for a teenager's healing. When it was time for me to speak, it seemed like there was nothing to say. But God allowed me to speak, and it was exciting to share.
After our worship time, we considered our purchase of a building in Stokesdale. As we continue to grow, we are out-growing our current meeting space and need to find a new place to meet. Miraculously God provided a great opportunity to buy an existing building. Our spirit of excitement carried into our discussion about the building, and we voted unanimously to purchase the building.
It seems like God is taking us to new heights. His best moments for us just keep coming. After our Jamaica mission trip this spring, the report from the trip was a high point for us in ministry. Then we had our VBS in June/July. The energy and participation were off the chart. This was our biggest and best VBS ever. Another high water mark.
Then today, God shows his power. This worship time seemed like the culmination of many years of praying and watching. We had never thought that the Long House would be our permanent place to meet, so we always kept our eyes open for new meeting space. When our need to move out of the Long House became more urgent, we still had nowhere to go.
We have had to trust him, even when we could see no way for him to provide. Then he brings this building across our path, just when we could see no way forward. We expect soon to get the building under contract, and we have already begun the process of raising the needed cash.
Today seems like a culmination, but in some ways, it is just a beginning. Now we have to trust God to see us through the site plans, inspections, financing and local government approval. He has to keep doing it, because it is beyond our ability to get it done.
Today is a high water mark, but it points to greater things yet to be done in this city.
After our worship time, we considered our purchase of a building in Stokesdale. As we continue to grow, we are out-growing our current meeting space and need to find a new place to meet. Miraculously God provided a great opportunity to buy an existing building. Our spirit of excitement carried into our discussion about the building, and we voted unanimously to purchase the building.
It seems like God is taking us to new heights. His best moments for us just keep coming. After our Jamaica mission trip this spring, the report from the trip was a high point for us in ministry. Then we had our VBS in June/July. The energy and participation were off the chart. This was our biggest and best VBS ever. Another high water mark.
Then today, God shows his power. This worship time seemed like the culmination of many years of praying and watching. We had never thought that the Long House would be our permanent place to meet, so we always kept our eyes open for new meeting space. When our need to move out of the Long House became more urgent, we still had nowhere to go.
We have had to trust him, even when we could see no way for him to provide. Then he brings this building across our path, just when we could see no way forward. We expect soon to get the building under contract, and we have already begun the process of raising the needed cash.
Today seems like a culmination, but in some ways, it is just a beginning. Now we have to trust God to see us through the site plans, inspections, financing and local government approval. He has to keep doing it, because it is beyond our ability to get it done.
Today is a high water mark, but it points to greater things yet to be done in this city.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)