So You Want It to Snow?

I thought some of you would like this picture from upstate New York. Over 100" of snow!

First Week at Word Alive

I really don't have much to share but I will attempt to give you something worth reading. My job for now is to observe the church and youth program for 1 month before really taking over and attempting to make any changes. I appreciate the wisdom in this decision because my personality would be to go in full speed ahead and although my intentions would be good mistakes would probably be made. The Lord has shown me some things that I believe will really make for some awesome days with the kids at Word Alive. Some things will happen right away but others will be a process.

I have met some really neat people and am trying to get to know them all as quickly as possible. The church is a multi-faceted organization that takes a lot of cooperation and serious communication. To pull off all that we are doing takes a lot of people working together for one common purpose. The most important thing for us is to find God's heart at Word Alive and to go for it. I am humbled to be a Christian and to be a part of a church like Word Alive.

Blake

Encounter

There is no way I could write all that me and Laura experienced during "The Encounter" this weekend at Shocco Springs. I will leave it at this...... I thought I was transparent!

We thank God for the people of Word Alive and their efforts to reach everyone, which I now know can only happen by being a transparent people. Jesus' light exposes our darkness to set us free not to shame us. Our marriage is already better after one day from taking part in this weekend. We met so many awesome people who loved on us and we are so grateful to be teaming with such a wonderful group of people. We are humbled!

Blake

Tax Season Again!

Zaccheus, a tax collector, found favor with Jesus when the Pharisees didn't. When reading this story it almost sounds like Jesus was just trying to stir the pot or give the 'religious right' a little shock factor. But, that was not the case at all. We find these words from Jesus in Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which is lost." What I find most interesting is in the previous verse (9) where Jesus tells Zaccheus, in response to his promise to give half of his gain to the poor, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham." You know this really ticked off the Pharisees because Jesus was telling them with this statement to Zaccheus that there eternal home would be in hades not Abraham's bosom. WOW! Jesus was not afraid.

Don't miss the point of this awesome passage that is only found in Luke's gospel account. Jesus makes gives us two commandments here and both are very relevant to the church today.

1. The Great Commission
2. Cultural Mandate

Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost and pushed aside all boundaries of culture, which is easy to believe considering the culture of Jesus' day and how tax collectors were regarded unfavorably. The job of believers and churches is to follow this teaching to reach the lost and pose no cultural boundaries to prevent the message from being heard. Those who choose to seek for the perfect doctrine and theology in every jot and tittle might find themself under the label of a Pharisee. They were only interested in correct doctrine, and this of course is very important. But, not at the expense of the two commandments listed above.

You see, I too was once a Zaccheus!

Blake

Ed Newton

Just a quick thought about Ed Newton and the EQUIP Conference from last weekend. Please note that I just took Hannah Grace to see her mommy for a midnight snack. Aren't babies a gift from God!

I believe in Ed Newton and am so thankful God allowed me to cross paths with him. We have yet to sit down and discuss such great facets of the Word of God, like "being filled with the Spirit", calvanism vs. arminianism, eschatology, free-will, predestination, world-wide missions, but we have come to the conclusion that God's saints persevere to the end (eternal security). I believe Ed will do great things for God and will advance His Kingdom with the gifts and talents he has been given. My prayer for Ed is that he will bare much good fruit for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Go and check out the latest from Ed at www.ednewton.org

More later!

Blake