Potatoes

What's goin on! Glad to get a chance to fill everyone in on how God has continued to move and make Himself known here and also in each of our lives. As a church we have been studying the book of James. James shoots straight, real straight. God has been using His Word in a living, breathing way to impact us and those around us, but mostly us, funny how He does that.

The past few weeks have been marked by perseverance. Hearts, minds, and bodies have been stretched by long hours, continuous seemingly unending needs, and difficult conversations. But the fruit has been incredible! James was speaking divine wisdom when he said that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the WORD OF TRUTH, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all He created." We are so blessed to have been GIVEN the Word and been DRAWN TO the Word and then go out using Christ as our example to serve and spread the Gospel to those around us.  

Tree climbing, yes please

Please pray into three things that three wise friends have told me in the past few months. Please pray that these basic characteristics of the Word and God push us to greather knowledge and relationship with Christ and those around us.

1. We need to be consistent to build relationships, more specifically, friendships. Each week we have the OPPORTUNITY to make new friends and share the Gospel. People depend on us as friends, not as helpers. Friends who love Jesus above all. How can we say no. We would not hesistate to be there for a friend, that's what we are doing. Pray for consistency and recognition to view people as people, not things. Pray for strength, energy, and passion as we work Saturday's and go out to serve each Sunday with Unworth Servants. Jesus had no home and spent His ministry among people. He preached to many and invested deeply in a few. We can't do either sitting at home.

So blessed that Jeremy is back from Afghanistan! (check out Alfonzo creepin in the back)

2. "If one of you  says to him,'Go I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" James 2:17-18. Nuff said.  



Doin it big! Hot dogs!

3. A friend shared a story about a video in which an athiest recognized that if a Christian truly believes in Hell, and realizes the magnitude of such a place and the repercussions of eternity in Hell, there is no reason not to tell everyone about the Gospel. It would be inhumane not to share the Good News. Such a realization should be so compelling, that we cannot wait to tell people, because we know what is waiting for them. An athiest can recognize the passion that should overflow from such a dismal place, do we? And that isn't even touching on the big stuff, the awesomeness of God which is the true purpose. 



Shannon sharing the Gospel, SO MONEY



If you have made it this far, I would be wondering, why is the post titled potatoes? Well, I have been researching potato farming recently and I have a simple brain. As Christians, we are potatoes. Very simply, potatoes grow from actual chunks cut up from other potatoes that are put underground to face the odds against disease, insects, and drought, and ultimately with sun, water, and the hard work of a farmer, it yields more potatoes. Are we willing to have our mind, hearts, bodies, free time, hobbies, and lives broken and interrupted for those around us, then be assailed by the devil through lies, sin, insults, tempation, and more, so that maybe even just one person can see, hear, and grow in the Gospel through our lives as example that are submitted to, compelled by and controlled by the Holy Spirt who does the real work.

None of this is worth anything without Christ at the center. Pray we are continually reminded that we are "believers in our GLORIOUS Lord Jesus Christ." James 2:1. Praise and thanks for the Cross.