growing up some

Last week Sara and I spent a couple days in the Atlanta, GA area and a couple days on the road to get to and fro. It was a great trip. Officially, we were being "assessed" by ARC and the goal was to be recommended as an official ARC church plant. Well, we were assessed and we were recommended. I'm happy about that, but I'm even happier about what God taught me in the process.

First, I think God showed me a picture of a church that is like what He eventually has in mind for us in Tulsa. On our way to Atlanta we visited New Life Church in Little Rock, AR. If I could sum up what I felt there, it would be excellence coupled with openness. I hope to get back there with some our our staff in the very near future.

Next, God reiterated to me (again) how vitally important it is to have a weekly date with Sara. I thank God for our 45 minutes we spent with Chip Judd. He really challenged me in that area.

A big question I had going into this assessment phase was, "Will our church affiliate with the Assemblies of God?" For some reason, that was cloudy to me. Not anymore. Of course we will. I am eager to get that started officially with the OK district of the AG.

Overall, God gently showed me that I'm less arrogant than I used to be and not as humble as I ought to be. I'm so thankful for the time with my wife and the things God taught me this week.

I love my family

I just want to say that I feel a new level of love for my family building up in my heart. If feel really grateful to the husband of Sara and dad to Colin, Liam, Ethan and Jude. That's all.

the harvest

I'm doing a bible-reading plan right now that takes me through all the gospels in 30 days. I'm really loving it. This morning I just read John 4:38.

John 4:38 - "I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.”

It struck me that God has directed a group of us here to Tulsa to "gather a large harvest". That would be a large harvest of people coming into a relationship with their Father God.

While that's a very exciting prospect, I'm reminded that a very wise man once taught me that the harvest is the hardest work of all. Harvest is more work than planting the seed and harvest is more work than cultivating the seed. But without the harvest, the other steps are in vain.

Many, I'm tired. Lord, please give me the strength and stamina to be part of gathering Your harvest in Tulsa.