Do you hear the cry?

Last night at MCC we hosted Shaun Groves in concert. It was great to have him here and he sang some really great music. It was also great to have the opportunity to hear more about Compassion International, which is an organization that is helping free children around the world from poverty.

After the concert last night people from MCC sponsored 24 children! 24 children who have now been given hope…not just in a spiritual way, but also in a tangible, physical way!

As Shaun shared his stories with us last night, I was again reminded of the Exodus story [which we talked about yesterday morning.] God always hears the cry of the oppressed…and he always responds…and he always invites people to join him in his work!

I am so proud of you MCC! Thanks for joining the God who hears the cry!

If you would like more information about Compassion, or you would like to sponsor a child…click here.

What the world needs now…

I often hear people discussing how bad the world is. And they have a point. There is no shortage of violence, hate, suffering, and pain in the world. The sad part is the people I often hear talking  about how bad the world is are Christians. Followers of the crucified and risen Christ. People who trust that the tomb is empty. People of the New Creation…who celebrate that through Jesus God is beginning to heal, rescue, and reclaim the world he created and called “good.”

And I also hear Christians saying other things. Things about other Christians. Things that tear down and do not build up. Things that bring division and not healing. I hear them sometimes coming out of my own mouth.  Why do we do this? Why do we have such a hard time loving others?

We wonder why the world struggles to love? Maybe because we, those who claim to know the Source of love, who claim a relationship with a God who is by definition love…maybe the world struggles because we struggle.

There is a quote attributed to Augustine of Hippo that I have found helpful in my own struggle with my attitude. This quote reminds me that I can love and even have fellowship with other Christians…even if we disagree.

“In essentials, unity,

in non-essentials liberty,

in all things charity [meaning love].”

There are certain bedrock truths. There are some things that are left to interpretation. But love must shape our conversations about all of them.

I think this connects to Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13, being gifted or sacrificial or right…without love…is nothing.

Maybe Burt Bacharach is right.

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love

It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of..”.

So, for your listening pleasure, please enjoy Australian singer Ricki-Lee singing, “What the World Needs Now.”

Shaun Groves at MCC!

We are so excited to have Shaun Groves in concert this Sunday night at MCC! This concert is free and begins at 7pm. If you would like a preview of Shaun’s music, then check out the video below.

Hope to see you Sunday night at 7pm at MCC!

What is your calling?

This Sunday at MCC we are continuing the “Whole Story” series by looking at the story of Abraham. In Genesis 12, Abraham is called by God to be the “father of many nations.” God promises to bless him, so that he can in turn bless others.

I have been reflecting on this idea of calling and being blessed-to-be-a-blessing, and I think  Frederick Buechner got it right when he said:

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

With that in mind, what is your calling? It could be in a religious environment, a school, a hospital, at home with the family…it can really be anywhere your gifts, passions, and others needs meet.

Joy + Sorrow

You may remember me asking you to pray for a couple of friends last week. I appreciate all of you who have been praying for them, and I thought that I should probably give an update. [ If you missed the post, click here to catch up.]

Jacob, the little boy I asked you to pray for, is doing better. He got to come home toward the end of last week, and his situation was not as bad as they thought it would be. Thanks so much for praying for Jacob and his family!

The other person we’ve been praying for is Sue Deweese. Sue passed away this past Friday. Sue was a kind, caring,wonderful person. She was always concerned about others, and along with her husband Allen, she was a dedicated and faithful part of our church. Please continue to pray for her family as they grieve her loss.

Thanks again for joining me in prayer for these families.

How can I pray for you?

it was getting deep…

This has been a soggy summer. We have had lots of rain in the Bluegrass State over the past couple months, and yesterday may have been the hardest downpour I’ve seen in a while.

We bought our first home this year, and it has an awesome basement. I love relaxing down there. It’s cool and dark…the perfect nap situation if you ask me.

So, last night Carla and I were preparing to watch a movie in our wonderful basement. The rain was really coming down. We usually don’t sweat it because of the sump pump that keeps us nice and dry. Then, a noise came out of nowhere. It sounded like water running behind the basement walls. I moved some things to check it out…and everything was dry.

Then we went into the garage to check out the sump pump situation, because it was running constantly. To my surprise, the pump pit was overflowing with water! We came back in just in time to see water rushing in from all four corners of our basement! Did I mention that we do not have flood insurance [yet]?

We began picking things up off the floor…and panicking a little. All told there was close to 3 inches of water standing in our basement floor.

After a couple phone calls, seeking advice, at around 8:30pm, several people from our church showed up to help us out. As quickly as the water came, it left.

Now we are drying the area with a really big fan.

I kept thinking last night how grateful I was to have so many people show up to help us out…during a bad storm which was causing minor flooding throughout our town. People left the safety and comfort of their dry homes to help us get a handle on the situation.

We are so thankful to everyone who helped us out last night…because it was getting deep!

I have some friends who could use your prayers…

Hey everyone! Hope you had a great weekend.

I have a couple of friends who are having a rough time right now, and I would love for you to join me in praying for them.

Here’s a little info:

Jacob Dockery, his parents, and older sister are part of our church. When I first moved here, about 4 years ago, Jacob was in the hospital a lot, and even had surgery for stomach issues [which is a major simplification of the issue]. When I first met Jacob, he was fighting for his life.

He has been doing much better, but is now sick again…and back at the hospital. The tests are looking good, and this is not a life-threatening situation.  But, he could still use your prayers!

Also, please pray for my friend Sue Deweese. Sue and her family are part of our church, and they are great people.  She is in the hospital after suffering several strokes, and is in ICU. She is a very sweet woman and I know her family would appreciate your prayers for her and them.