Healer

I believe in God moments. Let me define what I'm talking about for you. God moments are those moments that are beyond coincidence, beyond chance, but where God seems to divinely just place you somewhere, put something in your lap that has a significant impact on your life.

My latest God moment happened tonight. Right here in the basement of my mom's house. I was trolling through some blogs, catching up on some reading when I came across a song on Los' blog. As I listened to the song, I was overwhelmed. It was like a burden was placed upon me to pray. As I was praying for friends and coworkers in need of healing, God reminded me of an incredible experience that Kitten and I had where we experienced His healing.

For several years, Kitten and I desperately sought to have children. We tried and tried, but the good ol' fashion way just wasn't working. We even went to see fertility specialist. Nothing. Nada. It was like the plotline to a Seinfeld episode...nothingness. Each month we would get our hopes up; each month we would feel absolutely crushed when we realized we still weren't pregnant.

In the midst of this struggle, two friends invited us over to their house for dinner. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was filled with laughter and joviality, two things we were in desperate need of. They then invited us to their back sunroom. In that back sunroom they told us that they were praying for us and they were confident that God would provide a child for us. They challenged us to act in faith and make a purchase for the baby. Then they surrounded us and prayed for us.

Kitten and I left their house that night feeling healed, not necessarily physically, but emotionally and spiritually. We did, in fact, make a small purchase. We did trust that God was in control. A few months later, God worked through some amazing circumstances to give us a daughter, Alyssa Grace. Since that time, He has blessed us twice more. Each story is different and unique. But the healing that He has brought to us each time has been amazing.

The song that inspired this story tonight can be found here. The story and song are truly inspiring. May you experience God at work in and through you today. May He bring healing into your life where you need it. May you be an agent for healing in others lives as well.

Great News

I got the word today. After waiting for a few weeks, the word finally arrived. I passed my ordination exams. I passed the Theology & Sacraments, the English Bible, and the Polity exams. In order to pass each exam, I needed to score at least a 75. I exceeded those scores. YEAH! One more step in the process of transfering my ordination is complete.

The Second Preview Service

Last week was the second preview service for Discovery Church. I'm pretty stoked about what God is up to. The band continues to improve. We are continuing to refine and add new pieces. For those of you who like the rundown of what happened where, here's the set list.


"Nothin' At All" by Third Day
Welcome
"All Because of Jesus" by Fee
"Always" by Generation Unleashed
"Draw Me Close" as arranged by Kutless
Message with clips from Get Smart & Hellboy II
"Slow Fade" video by Casting Crowns
"Everyday"

Wordle experiment

What do I talk about most here? Take a look here and see if you can figure it.

HT: Billy Chia

Photos from the First Preview Service

Check out the photos from the first Discovery Church preview service here.

Supporting Church Planting

At Discovery we believe that we are called to be live sacrificially. We also believe that we are called to reproduce (just not in the back row of Kerasotes). One way that we are merging these two beliefs together is in supporting other church plants and making plans to help plant other churches.

At our June preview service (the next one is July 20th, btw), we were so appreciative to have some of our best friends show up from out of town just to help out. Kevin and Emily are expecting. They are expecting God to add to their family in November (17th...my birthday and Ajax's due date...disclaimer: the baby will not be named Ajax, but wouldn't it be cool if it were?). They are also expecting God to add to his family through a church they are planting in Knoxville. And what better place than in amid all the pagan UT fans. The Ridge will be launching in early 2009.

What am I excited about? I'm excited that perhaps Discovery might be able to partner with Kevin & Emily and others like them in multiplying the work of being churches that are making a difference in their communities. We're committing to give 10% of all our tithes and offering each Sunday at Discovery to support new churches. Another 10% (yes, a total of 20%) will go to support missions (like our partnership with InterVarsity and others).

How are you making a difference? How are you living sacrificially?

Time flys when you're having fun...and really busy

I am a loser. I am a shame to the blogosphere. I have neglected my blogging duties and I confess my unfaithfulness in posting. I repent and ask for your forgiveness.

The past few weeks have been very busy. I am beginning to feel that I understand my responsibilities at Bob's. However, every time I think I have a handle on it, I find myself calling Anna (the woman I'm trying to somehow replace) and begging for advice/wisdom/counsel/help. Mental note: try and not replace the "Hall of Fame" employee next time around (and hopefully that will not be anytime real soon).

Discovery is moving forward as well. Big meeting with the Board/Commission on Tuesday. The worship team was hard at work on the music for July today. I'm so proud of how they are progressing as a team. They sound really good. Can't wait for July 20th!

The other big ticket item: I'm preaching at the Midwest Presbytery of the EPC this week in Brighton, Michigan. Just a short little trip in the middle of the week. I'm so excited/nervous about this awesome opportunity. It is one of the last steps in the transferal of my ordination to the new denomination. Major step though. More details to come this week.