How Deep Is the Well?

I really can't believe that next Sunday, (Aug 17) I will be preaching my final Sunday morning message at BRCC our mother church. Our family has been attending there since the fall of 1997 and next week marks the beginning of a new community and a new way of life for us. As I stand here on the edge of stream wondering what it will feel like to jump in and find the current, I am wondering about the well in my heart. Beginning next week, I'll be preaching every weekend for a while. I wonder just how deep the well of my heart is? I don't particularly feel like I am a wordy person so this task of writing a message every week seems rather overwhleming at times. Yet, I resonante with Jeremiah's words in 15:16, "When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. The Lord of Heaven's Armies has called me to share His word with people, I bear His name! Sometimes I can feel the weight of that burden and it's too much for me. When that weight seems heavy, it drives me to my knees and I crave His voice. I know that is where He can deepen my well, give me His words and carry me through each week. So, I remember God's word to Joshua, (1:9) "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." AND so....we are going, it's time to jump into the stream and see where it will lead, who it will touch and how the world will be changed because of our obedience.

Who is It Going To Be?

Now that we have an idea of our place to meet...my thoughts and prayers have focused more on the people we will reach. Who will the first person be that God begins to write a His story in their lives? Where do they live? What's their family look like? What is their name? Most likely, God will surprise us, do something extraordinary from our ordinary efforts to reach out and touch lives. Anyway, I can't wait! I've been praying for this first person, one of many stories I am praying God will begin to write in our lives. The Streamers are praying, God is moving and in only 25 days the stream will starting flowing every week. The anticipation is building!! Blessings

Rain, Rain, Go Away

I sat at the computer Saturday morning, watching the radar, hoping for a window in the clouds so we could walk some neighborhoods. The rain continued so we rescheduled our prayer walk for this coming Saturday, July 19. We also moved our cookout to yesterday (Sunday) and had a great time with better weather. I did get blessed with a window, not in the clouds but our schedule of activities. Basically, we were given a free day! So we dubbed it Casey's day and spent it doing things she wanted to do, (movie, take out, time together). Why did we do that? Today, Monday July 14, I'm putting my oldest on a plane to fly to the country of Brazil for 17 days. She will be part of a missionary team, serving in an English camp and performing a musical called SHOUT! They'll be sharing God's Word and the Good News of Jesus in word and deed. I've been where she is going three times and every time I have been so awe struck at God's work in that country. I'm excited for Casey, to experience God in different surroundings, in different ways. She will come back knowing Him better, relying on Him more and a more complete beleiver. Thank you God, for a free day with Casey, bless and keep her and the others as they travel for your kingdom. Establish the work of their hands, do mighty things for them and through them, In Jesus Name, Amen!

Taking It To the Streets

Things are really exciting in my life, our families and the young life of this new church. Our prayer meetings on Monday's have been so encouraging and God has even begun to answer some of our requests. Our expectations of Him continue to grow as we lift the church, our people and those we know who desperately need His care. Saturday we are taking the prayer meeting to the streets of a few neighborhoods in the community. We are believing we will meet people whom God wants us to know. We're also praying for the Holy Spirit to begin stirring a hunger for God in these people and prepare them for a new church in their community. If you'd like to join us, Saturday, July 12, 10:00am at eTapestry. (located directly across from the Mt. Comfort Airport entrance.) Come and see what the Lord will do! Blessings, Greg.

What Day Is It?

It's official! I have had a successful vacation. I know that because today I forgot it was Thursday, and we didn't get out our trash for pick up. (always aggravating). Since June 23 we have taken a break from the routine and done some things out of the ordinary. Mostly, we've tried to hang together as a family as July is going to be a little scattered. Garrett is headed to camp next week and Casey is jetting off to Carpina, Brazil on July 14 for a 17 day mission trip. (pray for her!) It's been a good break to unwind, be renewed for the coming days of ministry and enjoy each other. Do you know what I am glad about? God never needs a vacation from His work. He never is stressed, over-worked, tired of His day-to-day involvement in all our lives. Ps 121:2-4 reminds us of the constant help our God provides us, "My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. NIV When you place yourself in His care, you find that true peace that allows you to sleep, to rest, to renew. God has been working for Living Streams CC while we have been taking a break from the to do list. There is exciting news to share and more exciting news in the works. I can't wait to tell....stay tuned! Blessings, Pastor Greg

The Power of Prayer

Jesus said, "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:13-14) What a promise! Last night, some of the Streamers met for prayer. We entered into God's presence, prayed up our praise, repentance and requests. Since then, I have been carried along by the Holy Spirit on the prayers of His people. I sensed God calling us to believe in Him for the new church and the concerns of our lives. Today, I am hearing the testimony of answered prayer and I'm a little surprised! Not sure why, Jesus promised us. Maybe it's because there is so little that is certain in our world, maybe because I feel like often I ask with wrong motives so the prayer doesn't qualify as "in His name." Why am I surprised....I don't know. What I do know is God has called Living Streams to pray and our prayer meeting last night was filled with the Holy Spirit. The prayers of God's people are a powerful weapon in the world we live in. Rev 8:3-5, "Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake." On your knees.....people of the living God, we have the earth to shake! Blessings.

The Speed of Light

When I was younger (20's) people used to tell me that life goes so fast. Now...I'm a believer. We have been attending graduation ceremonies and open houses over the past few weeks. Always before, I thoroughly enjoyed these events, choking up as I watch teens take a giant step forward in their lives and enjoying open house all you can eat buffets! This year though, I realized, my oldest, (Casey, 16) is only two years away from this giant step. How could it be?!! No one asked me if she could grow up but all of a sudden she's wanting to drive my car! What happened to the days of pulling her in the red wagon, holding her hand as she learned to walk and watching her sing in the children's choir? Where did those days go! I'm praying Ps 90:12 more often, "Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should." TLB As life continues at the speed of light, as my family continues to grow up (without my permission), I sure want to spend those days well. Appreciating each person in my life, my parents, my wife, my children, friends along the way and strangers too. I want to spend my life on eternal things...God's Word and the souls of people. I want to look back and thank the Lord for a life well lived. Blessings!