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Weekly Update from the Senior Pastor
August 17 , 2007
Dear Family and Friends,
The Lord Almighty commands: Be still and know that I AM God.
Psalm 46:10
How are you doing with that command? Actually being still to focus on God is hard work, isn’t it?
We are so busy trying to control our lives and environment (i.e., to play god) that days are filled with prayer-less striving.
But be clear. God’s goal is not for us to be inactive or even less active.
God wants us to be more effective and strategic in all our activity.
He calls us to prioritize the activity of prayer in order to gain His perspective on the day, and invite His power into it.
When South African Desmond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in racial reconciliation and ending apartheid, was asked how he accomplished so much in so little time, his answer was: “Prayer. We could never have accomplished half the work we did without prayer.” The very fact that answer seems foreign to us should make us pause…and orient our heart to the reality that our God is able to handle anything. Be still. Know that I AM God.
- Mission Sunday: This Sunday is Mission’s Sunday. Stay for lunch: Indian and American cuisine. You’ll have the chance to buy some small products made by our micro-business in Calcutta—with all the funds helping those escaping from the slums through our support. Rajendra and my son, Matt [who was fully funded by Wake Forest University to go to India to study human trafficking] will give a report on our work in India with orphans, micro-businesses and sharing Jesus in a Hindu-world. Then Rajendra will bring this theme of love through action right back home to us.
- Connections Director: This fall ministry season we are focusing on connections, helping visitors, new members and core members know better how to integrate into authentic relationships and meaningful ministry in our community of faith. And the person who will spearhead helping that happen is Marti Horne, our Connection’s Director. If you don’t know Marti and her husband, Chris (who heads our CD ministry), you’re in for a genuine treat. She and I will be at our Connection’s Table every week after the worship service, starting September 9.
- Shared Language for a Shared Experience: Be with us on September 9th. I will be interviewing an Olympic Gold Medal winner who personally trained another Olympic God Medal winner about the power of focus. Then we will launch our Focus on 5—five practical, Monday-usable action steps for helping you (whether single adult, couple or married with kids) be a Light for Jesus in a dark world. These five action steps will become our shared language to describe our increasingly shared experience in the years ahead. So do the next right thing on September 9th and be there. It’s a great day to invite a friend.
I’m looking forward to sharing some curry with you this Sunday after we worship and travel to India—and back—to see God’s hand at work. Remember a missionary is not necessarily one who crosses the sea, but all who see the Cross. See you Sunday.
In the Lamb,
Richard
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