Our first Brazil meeting for 2009 (and some other stuff)

I'm sitting in my office right now, listening to the youth choir sing some Toby Mac stuff, and trying to prepare for the Reality study tonight. I figure if I'm going to keep up with Van on this blog thing I better start writing.

Let me just say I loved today. I love leading worship in the 9:40 service.  It gets pretty intense in there sometimes and I really feel the presence of God. I just hope for all of us that the way we worship in the church building translates into how we live our everyday lives. 

Tonight we had our initial meeting for all interested in the Brazil mission trip. Man, I was encouraged! We had 25 in attendance and several people who have already expressed interest were not there. 16 who were there had never been to Brazil before.  As I've prayed for this trip my desire has been that the people who go will be able to come back and communicate that excitement of what God is doing there in Brazil.  And that our church can develop that passion for what God is doing beyond our nation's borders.  North Side has an incredible missions presence in our community and nation, but I'm praying that God would also give us a heart and desire to reach the nations for Christ. I see this happening, and I praise God for the people He is bringing together to be a part of this adventure.

So, if you're reading this, please take a moment to pray for Jundiai, Brazil and the Christian Missionary Community Church there. Such amazing things happened last year, and even more will happen this year.

Now I've gotta go teach some high schoolers about experiencing God. This crisis of belief stuff is challenging - but that'll have to be in another blog.

I'm not dead yet

I know all both of my blog readers have really missed hearing from me lately. I guess since they linked my blog to the church website I've felt like I've had to make my blogs more spiritual and wise. This blog might be a little spiritual, but problaby not wise at all.

Last week we started a contemporary service at 9:40 on Sundays. I was really nervous as we approached February 22. 20 minutes or less to transition to the contemporary worship service and then 20 minutes or less to transition back to the blended service. I was honestly surprised that the first time around could go without a glitch. I praise God for that, and thank the many volunteers who made it as smooth as it was. I pray that we never become lazy and pretend for once that we really know what we're doing.

This past Sunday was good too - Van really brought it! I must admit I was tired after leading 3 services. I really admire Gary for being able to do that for two years, and I'm looking forward to having him back this week. And Van gets to keep preaching three times every week - even in the new sanctuary. Not too bad for an old man. (I say that with complete respect).

God is doing great things here. I pray that we don't become satisfied in looking back at what He has already done, but that we look forward with a sense of eager expectancy and willingness to Go where He leads.