Fri
Jul
3rd
2009
0

Muffins and God’s glory

This is a note that I was given by one of the members of Southbridge. It was a blessing so I thought I would share it.

On Sunday while I was standing with Anne, I was surprised to see a very familiar face pop up in my vision. One of my coworkers from work (like that wasn’t obvious) had decided to visit Southbridge with his family. So after giving him a popcorn box, and chatting with him, he left. Well today he walked into my cubicle toting a muffin in a baggie. He dropped the muffin on my desk and asked me what I knew about it. I was confused to say the least but began describing the physical attributes of his muffin to him. He stopped me and then told me that He was blessed to find two muffins and an information booklet on Southbridge at his house this week. He was so very excited about his muffin, but even more so he also said in all the Churches they have visited so far they have never felt so welcomed and wanted. So thank you so much. I know it blessed him and his family but his story definitely blessed my heart as well.

My heart just swells and bursts with knowing how much you guys are allowing God to move and breathe through you. It’s been amazing to watch and be a part of in the last year…People are being affected by the Glory of Christ through Southbridge, which is such an incredible thought. So basically I wanted you all to know that you are very loved and appreciated and prayed for.

Jesse, please keep praying for lives to be changed by Jesus Christ and for God to continue to use Southbridge and the people of Southbridge (like you)to do it.


Thu
Jul
2nd
2009
1

Fearless Father Forum lessons

These are a couple of things I took away from the fearless fathers forum:

A couple take aways:

1. When we confess our sin that is it. We are forgiven. Stop doing it and move on!

2. Men need some real relationships not just more guys to hang out with. That means other men who will look them in the eye and ask them tough questions.

3. I don’t think most men have ever had a spiritual mentor.

4. We are to talk with our children about what it means to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength when we sit at home, when we walk along the road, when we lie down and when we get up.

What does that look like? It looks like  not only wanting what is best for them, but doing something about it. Something like spending time with them (quantity time). It means having the difficult talks with them about bad decision making leading to bad results. It means disciplining them when they disobey. It means holding them and loving them and learning to communicate with them. It means telling them the truth about your own relationship with Jesus Christ.

5. Jason Tovey our Shepherding Pastor wrapped up and reminded us God wants what is best for our children even more than we do.


Wed
Jul
1st
2009
0

It’s Our Anniversary

Today is the day Shanna and I celebrate 9 years of marriage. 9 years ago today we stood and made a promise before God and our friends to love and cherish one another exclusively until death.

It has been an adventurous and exciting 9 years. We laughed as we prayed together this morning before I left. We have been through a lot together. I think of the difficult issues like losing loved ones at one end of the spectrum to times of seeing God come through in what seemed like impossible circumstances at the other end of the spectrum. Now there is the daily adventure of raising two (soon to be 3) children while also starting and leading this church Southbridge. It has not been easy, but it has been great. We will go out tonight and have a nice dinner and talk about what lies ahead.

I thank God for giving me such a wonderful lover, friend and teammate.