Sunday Update

"You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor."  (James 3:18 Message)

Today was an unusual Sunday.  Pastor was out of town hunting, and I was asked to speak.  I really enjoy speaking, but it is something that doesn't come easy to me.  I have to really work up a message and the delivery could use some help!  I prepared for 25 minutes and ended up speaking 47 minutes.  Yea I went a little long for me, but that includes my "political" talk.  

Worship was so good today.  We had the full band back and it really made such a difference.  I am so blessed to have a great team!  

Here's the worship list:

- All Because of Jesus

- Your Grace is Enough

- Lead Me To The Cross

- It Is Well

Communion

- O The Blood of Jesus

Amy did such a good job on Lead Me To The Cross.  She is such an anointed singer (I'm not just saying that because she is my wife).  Worship just keeps getting better!  I am loving what God is doing at LFA.  Every Sunday I am humbled by what God is doing.

Today I spoke about Community.  We all are created for community, and we all need it.  Here's a few of my notes:

• God knew what Adam needed so he gave him community.
  

• Community forces us to Quit Quitting.

• Community takes a ton of work.  We all have been hurt by someone and our natural response is to make sure that doesn't happen again.  Fulfillment is found when we choose to share our lives with others.

• People will find out the good, the bad, and the ugly about us.  They will see our faults and weaknesses.  Then they will look us in the eye and say I love you...that's the most freeing thing.  That's what Christ has done for us and that's what we need to do for others.
  

• Who knows your junk?  We are scared of accountability but we are not scared enough of the consequences of our secret sins.
  

• The power of the gospel is not in how well you can tell the story, the power of the gospel is us living it each day of our lives.

• Don't cold-call the gospel trying to convince others they need to buy what your selling.  Share your love for Christ in a real way and make sure your life backs up your words.