Night Of Worship

Last night was an AWESOME night of worship at Southbrook . It is so cool how God can show up, calm us down, slow the pace, and make it possible for us to focus on Him. We are truly blessed among all men to have that opportunity every month, to be captivated by The Spirit, and led by our mighty pastoral staff. I pray everyday for our church, it’s staff, and the body.

Today I would particularly like to pray for everyone from Ephesians 4:1-16

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe. It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Amen! God is good, ALL the time! I am more than happy to be captive and also set free in Him.

Flat Tire Thanksgiving

It is the Monday after the Thanksgiving Holiday and I'm coming out of a turkey induced, tryptophan funk. Need another day off but I am slowly getting back into my routine of being hyper-busy with work and family. (still love it nonetheless) The past few days were a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. Definitely one of the most interesting Thanksgivings I have experienced, to say the least. We went to Raleigh to be with family and one of the “highlights” of the weekend was a flat tire, on turkey day no less. I wanted to go home and cry. The one thing that kept me sane was God and my wife. I kept thinking of Philippians 4:7

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Under those circumstances, I needed that peace. My wife may disagree, but I think I handled the situation pretty well.

What Are You Thankful For?

I am thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus made to save us from sin. I am thankful for God's mercy and favor. I am thankful for my family, my wife, my children, my health, and my loved ones. I am thankful for my home church and my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful that God blessed us with the opportunities we are presented with, His presence in our lives, and His will being done through us. I am thankful for this great nation we live in, and all the freedoms we have, but, most of all, I am thankful for the ability to call on Jesus at anytime. My redeemer, restorer, rebuilder, rewarder, to only a God like You do I give my praise.

What are you thankful for?