Hope in the Lord

It was all I could do not to grab onto everyone of you who came to the FYI lunch at BRCC. I was so encouraged to see so many have an interest in God's work. Thank you for coming. Many times over the last week I have had to give each of you back to God and trust that He will speak to you about this new adventure. If I could have my way, I'd sign all of you up tomorrow and we'd starting running after Jesus together!
BUT....I know that's not the way this works. The Lord is strengthening me each day as I trust in Him for the people, place, provision, protection and power. He spoke to me through Psalm 33:20-22, "We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you." NIV
I am praying for you as you seek Him about this calling. It's tough. It's a big decision to leave your church family and set out for a new country. It's going to be a painful parting but a new and different community awaits God's people. Can you hear His call?

Here I Am!

I've been thinking. Isa 6:8 says, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah is just coming off an incredible experience with the LORD Almighty. He is taken into the LORD's presence, into His throne room experiencing His holiness and seeing His glory. Isaiah's response was fear. He knew his sinfulness, there was no hiding it in the presence of his holy God. God though responds to Isaiah in a surprising way! Instead of destruction, Isaiah's sin is atoned for - his guilt was taken away. Then as the LORD seeks a messenger to send to His people, Isaiah responds with an enthusiastic eagerness. Send me!
The more I learn of the church planting journey, the more my enthusiasm is shaken. I hear about all the time, all the sacrifice, all the struggle and all the warfare and my faith is shaken. To be honest, I'm tired of feeling that way. I want to be like Isaiah! After experiencing the grace of His God, he was volunteering to go to his people and share with them God's message of repentance. His eyes did not forget the vision of God that he had seen. I want to be like that! God has given us a kingdom message to share with the world. I'm fixing my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith! LORD, here I am....Send me!

A Planting Strategy

This has been a good but difficult week for my faith. As I talk with church planters who have done this before, my faith seems too small. I find myself saying to God, "Why did You call me to this?", "Are You sure I am the right guy?" The more I learn about this adventure from others who have taken it, the more I feel like I don't have the right gift mix for the job. Yet, at the same time God gets me up in the morning and reminds me of who He is. He has given me promises from the scriptures that have been reassuring and good reminders that this is His work. I hope to share some of these at the upcoming FYI lunch.
Recently, the Lord reminded me that the main strategy for this church plant needs to be prayer. Zech 4:6 says, ''Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." As we gather the swimmers for this living stream, God will call us and He will make a way in the desert. I hope to lead a significant prayer effort over the next few months as this church plant comes to life with people.
Matt 9:37,38 reads, "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" This is where we are! I am asking for the Lord to send us out, I'm just not sure who the "us" is yet. I know He will call His people to the adventure, it's exciting to wait in expectation to see who's going to jump into the stream.

Where'd the Name Come from?

The name of this new church was inspired by John 7:38, "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." NIV I love water! From streams, creeks and rivers to lakes, swimming pools and the ocean there's just something about water that makes me smile. Maybe it's the thousands of hours I spent in the swimming pool training as a competitive swimmer.

Jesus' words here about a stream have always been a great word picture for me to describe the Christian life. A stream has a source, is flowing somewhere and brings life to things around it while it's on the journey. A stream flows effortlessly and has the power over time to smooth over rough rocks. It's makes it's own music and can sooth a troubled soul. I long for my life of following Jesus to have it's source in the Holy Spirit. I long for it to be alive, flowing with purpose and bringing life to those around me. I pray for the power to love my enemies and be the music of real life that can soothe a hurting world.

I imagine a church body living their lives this way. As Jesus' followers flow together in one living stream, they will have a kingdom impact on their community and neighborhoods. They will bring life, comfort and light to people who need a drink and one life at a time, one family at a time they'll reach the world. So Living Streams Community Church was birthed in my heart. The Lord has begun to recruit swimmers for this adventure of a lifetime. I can't wait to see what the stream will look and sound like. Blessings!

On Our Way!

Hi Friends, it's been 2 1/2 weeks since we announced the call to go and start a church. Already my faith has been challenged and my heart tested as I see how inadequate I am for this path but my God is way BIG and His calling is sure. The FYI lunch is on February 10 here at BRCC. I am continuing to pray and ask God for the gifts to lead a group of His followers away from our safe harbor into uncharted waters. I covet your prayers for direction, wisdom and divine connections as we invite people to come, look for a place to meet and refine our purpose. Stay tuned....