Moss Park & Randomness

Yesterday was fun! I wish we could have church at the park all the time. Hey! What a great idea. Pastor Byron, if you are reading this, I think maybe our next campus should be in a park. I can play and listen to the sermon at the same time, promise.

My husband and I walked around. My kids played and played and played. There were people baptized in the lake. It was so awesome. Inside I was ready to explode in excitement and somehow felt like the lady in the progressive commercial who tells everyone over the intercom, "We have a savings of $350" then proceeds to tell the guy what he gets with that. He says, "Wow" unenthusiastically, or perhaps as enthusiastic as a man could be about that. And she goes "Wow, yeah, but I say it louder". The guy just looks at her like she's a fry short of a happy meal.

I felt like saying "WOW", but it's the having people look at me funny that stopped me. Oh well. Next time, maybe. When I was baptized I thought I would come out of my own skin with enthusiasm. Something about it makes me want to scream with joy! But I contained myself, I wonder why?

Anyway. It was great to see people following the example of Christ. It was terrific. God is so great and it reminded me of another truth about blessings. You should have seen how many people were there. Holy cow! The beach front was loaded with people watching the baptisms. The cheering, the clapping, the cameras flashing! What an honor.

Why would we have the growth explosion that we have had in the short amount of time since we have moved to the theatres if it wasn't God's planning ... and timing .... and will. We have only been in the theatres since January. And already we have baptized baby Christians, not just the oops I think I did it wrong the first time people. Plus there have been life changing stories of people who would have never dawned the doors of a church before now. Now, if that ain't God moving and blessing that which was his plan to begin with, I don't know what is. I do know this: People can't move people. But, God can and will move people.

It was great! So you better come next time.
Oh, and get this. My husband, who is very uncomfortable in his own skin around a bunch of people actually swung on the swings with me (and I didn't have to beg). Honey, if that ain't God moving people, I'm Aunt Jamima! There was a time while swinging that he was actually trying to see if he could swing higher than me ... I didn't even know he was competing with me until I saw his face. He competes with me with nearly everything ... down to who's the best cook. It's funny! My kids are the judges. But I think it's not truly a competition, because I can't cook what he cooks and he can't cook what I cook ... so is that really a competition. Oh, well. At least everyone eats it ... and likes it.

Can you believe Pastor B, or as we like to call him in my house, the Big Daddy B, has been the senior pastor for five years now! How incredible! And if you have been here since, wow ... you would actually be a witness to someone who actually does what they say they are going to do. It is amazing to see what God can do with someone of integrity and honesty; someone who cares more about pleasing God than pleasing others ... particularly the nay sayers of a church. Barf.

It is amazing to see what God can do. I think that's why it is so important to take notes and pray and journal. In fact, God instructs us to "write it down". I don't know who it was, but just recently I was reading .. oh yes, Sex.God and Rob Bell writes about remembering and how many times the word is actually used in the Bible. A lot. So, duh! Do you really think you are going to remember by just telling yourself you will. Your memory isn't that good.

Wanna know how I know? What did you wear last Tuesday evening? How mnay outfits did you try on first before you finally picked what you wore? What color were your underwear? Socks? What shoes did you wear? (this may be easier for the guys, they seem to wear the same color underwear and socks and blue jeans) You get the point.
Ok, then. What did Pastor Big Daddy B preach on in October .... what did you learn ... what prayers did you ask God about ... did he respond ... Are you still waiting? You won't know what God is doing if you don't write it down. Plus, you will find yourself complaining more and thanking him less if you don't write stuff down to remember. Some people think journaling has to be long and drawn out, but it doesn't. Just write as much as you need to remember. Write your prayers out. Then you can actually revisit them and be a real life witness to what God is doing. It's is for your own benefit.

I can go back to my notes and read prayers that I prayed for during the sermon and some have been answered, some are on back order ... But it's going back and reading and reflecting on what God has done. Especially during those times when I think he's MIA. And even during those times when leaders are being attacked. Alls I have to do is go back and read and pray and seek the scriptures to know the truth. And that is: God honors and blesses those who honor and bless him. That is what I see in the leadership at C3.

Come and see it for yourself. I can't promise that church won't let you down from time to time (cause church is full of people and people will let you down), but what I can promise you is this: when you come to C3 you will encounter a God who won't let you down. He never has and he never will.

As my friend says : C U @ C3