My cup is running over!

A couple of Sundays ago our previous pastor and dear friend, Byron Jones, called us forward at the end of the Sunday morning worship service and prayed for us. Only one thing could take us out of the church body that we have been in since before our daughters were born; where we have forged deep roots and incredibly strong friendships; and where we have been so honored to be involved in active ministry. Only one thing - or should I say, "one person" - and He did. I had the firm resolve that after twelve years of being at FBC Gun Barrel City that God has called our family on to a new work. This has really stemmed from the outreach that we are doing in Cherokee Shores and our desire to see more of the unchurched in our area come into a relationship with Christ, and as importantly, into a community of believers. Our desire is to start a work to compliment that of the more "traditional" congregations in our area, so that together we can work to extend Christ's Kingdom.

We have began a very "non-traditional" Sunday morning worship service, but one that has been very much embraced by the participants. The format is "come as you are". We are three weeks into this venture and the Lord is doing some amazing things! We have also started "Lifegroups" during the week, which meet in homes and has proven to be very exciting!

I just want to share with you one example of the incredible opportunities God is presenting. Every Sunday after the worship time, we have a "potluck" dinner. This past Sunday, across the street from the church, there was a homeless man sitting in the grass behind the Food Fast convenience store. Without hesitation one of the men went across the street and invited this man into the church to eat with us. He was not in the right "Sunday" clothes. He was obviously partially inebriated and sweaty and hot from being afoot in the sun. As I sat down a cup of tea in front of him, I remembered Mathew 25:40 and was grateful for the opportunity. One of the men attending the Sunday meetings is running a homeless shelter and was able to offer this man a place to stay. This would have never happened in most congregations without some criticism from the more "pious" members. I don't say this to be critical, but to simply state a fact. Yet I am convinced that this is what the normative Christian life should look like. Presently, I am surrounded by people with such a heart for outreach to the lost that I am stretched personally everyday and it feels great!!!!

It has been many years since we were involved in planting the churches in Mexico. Many years since we were out of our protected enviornment, and exposed to the homeless, the addicted, the alcoholic, the abused, the sin scarred and the Christ-craved. It is so exciting to be a part of the new work that God is doing. I am overwhelmed and feel so incredibly blessed to see His hand moving from this vantage. My cup is running over!!!