20%

I was thinking today of the fact that in 2011, Southside's Sunday morning attendance was 20% higher than in 2010.  That's amazing growth for a church our size, and it could elicit many different responses from those who lead this church:

1. Pride.....we did it!

2. Intimidation....wow, how did that happen and how are we going to look after these people?

3. Performance based acceptance....well, I guess we're ok, because the church is "successful".

4. God's plan is confident humility....you've probably heard of this before...when we come to a place where we realize that we are feeble, broken people and in our own strength not really capable of anything good....so we're humble, YET, we're confident of this, that He who began a good work in us, in this church is faithful to carry it out to completion...not because of our performance, but because of His perfection.

Discerning God's Will

OB's post from yesterday got me thinking of how it is we can discern God's will for our lives.  I really believe that the huge concept of "God's Will" can really be broken down into millions of tiny decisions.  Do we cherish our wives in this moment or speak words of anger?  Do we give in to this temptation, or resist the devil and have him flee from us?  Do we trust God in this situation or play it safe?  Do we give in to fear or hold onto faith instead?

I am praying for all of us today, that we would, today, choose Him.....in His strength and by His grace.

Also praying for the youth retreat...that not only would it be good, but it would be radically life altering for our kids.

God Sweats the Small Stuff

Was just reflecting again today on God's greatness.  Have you ever thought of the details of our lives?  Like, why did He make us so that we needed sleep?  I'm sure glad He did, because I love to sleep.  Why did He make us so that we needed food?  I am glad He did, because I am really looking forward to Monday when I can have some!  Why did He make us sexual?  I'm glad He did.  Why did He make us need community? 

We are fearfully and wonderfully made by a great and awesome God.

Doxology

If there was a theme in yesterday's entries, it would have been gratitude....how grateful we all are that we have Jesus.  My mind this morning went back to that gratitude....and the greatness of God.  Romans 11 says this:

  Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”

“Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?”

 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

God, you are our HOPE, our SALVATION, our LIFE and our ETERNITY.  We love You.  I pray that for Your victory at the youth retreat, Your victory on Sunday, Your victory in our lives, Your victory in our church, Your victory in this world.

Life Sucks and then you die

Hey, was just thinking today of the fact that even in the midst of suffering and discouragement and trials, we have an assurance of HIM and ETERNITY.  

I can't imagine going through life in this broken world without Him.  For those living without Christ, there must be a dread at the very core of their being, a hopelessness that no amount of money, no amount of sex, no amount of status or popularity can cure.  Read the verses below with new eyes today ok?  Because we've seen them so many times, it would be easy to breeze through them.

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
 ² He makes me lie down in green pastures, 
he leads me beside quiet waters, 
 ³ he refreshes my soul. 
He guides me along the right paths 
   for his name’s sake. 
⁴ Even though I walk 
   through the darkest valley,^[a] 
I will fear no evil, 
   for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff, 
   they comfort me.

 ⁵ You prepare a table before me 
   in the presence of my enemies. 
You anoint my head with oil; 
   my cup overflows. 
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me 
   all the days of my life, 
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD 
   forever.