Another Looooong Day

My Saturdays are rarely spent in the church. If it is, it's just 2-4 hours tops. Usually, there's lesson prep at home, a lunch or a late breakfast, some kind of student's event, or I've overworked myself during the week and don't need to worry about my 1/2 day of expected time on Saturday.

Today I spent a full day at the church in preparation. I've been working in various areas helping coordinate and plan for our "love wins" series which kicks off tomorrow morning. I'm EXTREMELY excited about this 5 week journey that we are going to take as a body at NMC.

I'm more convinced than ever that if we are going to claim to be Christ Followers we HAVE to be investing our time, talents, and treasures into the advancement of the Kingdom of God. This is the heart of "love wins".

Two significant observations for me over the past week...

1. The main mode of ministry God has called us to use is simple and profound... love. I Cor. 12 challenges us that we are one body with many parts. It tells us that we are to play our part in the body. I Corinthians 14 challenges us to "eagerly" seek out the gifts (both natural and supernatural) that God has given us. BUT in between those chapters, we're reminded that I can be in my perfect fit and using my gifts, but I don't have love, I've got nothing. On the other hand, when I do have love... OH Baby (I Cor. 13:8 anyone!!)
2. We aren't too busy. I've ranted and gone off on busyness very often on this blog. The danger with getting caught up with the "I'm too busy mindset" is when we decide to start saying no, and leave it at that. Some of us need to say "No" and find rest. MOST of us need to start saying "NO TO THE GOOD THINGS, and YES TO THE GOD THINGS." I'm not so sure it's a matter of busyness as much as it's time being misplaced.

So, I'm pretty pumped. My prayer is that the heart of this series moves past good teaching and into a Holy Spirit movement that revolutionizes a bunch of Amish Communities and then moves on into the world. Idealistic??? Boo ya. That's where I'll choose to live. I serve the ideal one!