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June 2, 2010
Betting the Farm on God Again and Again
OK, I just realized that I haven't written an update since January and it's already June. I've now got friends writing to locate my whereabouts. One dear friend put it this way last week:
"Haven't had an e-mail from you for a while, leaving me to wonder whether you might be writing a book and too busy with that to write your open letters.
Or perhaps you've gone back to local pastoring, now that the center has moved out of your building.
Or perhaps you're busy on a speaking tour for the EFCA as it sets up replica projects around the country.
Or perhaps you've been so bitten by the bug that you're chasing Mark Lewis all over to the many disasters.
Or perhaps the oil rig explosion has set you all into high gear right where you are, doing it all over again."
To be honest, I've needed to write, but have just been swamped with so many things. I appreciate the kind notes about praying for me, and the beloved people of Louisiana. I sure didn't expect to be in another crisis in the hurricane off-season.
As you can imagine, and have probably seen on television, things are deteriorating on the Gulf Coast. The images of oil flows, distressed pelicans, and unemployed shrimpers seem to multiply daily now. Our Governor Jindal is fighting the good fight daily and even political consultant, James Carville, said "The country feels like it is entitled to abuse this state and forget about us and we are sick about it!"
I don't know the answers, but things are heating up. If the oil continues to leak into August, things will get much worse. Our three biggest industries are oil, tourism, and fishing. Ouch! The toll from this disaster is spilling over to people, and that's my concern. In an already fragile economy, this doesn't bode well for a pretty outcome. In the church, the amount of economic tension in families and high life stress is evident in many. All your prayers are appreciated.
Two key things have been sustaining through the last few months. First, is God's faithfulness in the past that has taught me I really can "Bet the Farm on God." It is simply true. He sustains and He provides. His grace is sufficient. In our current sermon series, "Don't Put God in a Box" we are looking at the Omni's of God ... Unlimited Power ... Presence ... Wisdom ... Love ... Forgiveness. Oh how those truths of God resignate with my soul.
The second key for me has been an increased focus on prayer personally and in the church. God's Church Moves Forward on Her Knees. The month of June has a special prayer focus. Our two-fold strategy is to call everyone at Trinity to a 30-day personalized devotional. All have access to the devotional by a booklet or e-mail. (If you want to get the 30 daily e-mails throughout the month of June, just write me and we'll add you to the list.)
Also, we have created a prayer sacred space to have people take one-hour slots to blanket the ministry and community in prayer. People will move through 8 prayer stations and meet with God. We start on Monday. Can't wait!
A few ministry updates:
1. We had hundreds of volunteers over spring break come to New Orleans and now the summer teams are here. There is still room for more if you have time and the opportunity to come.
2. Urban Impact in Central City may be on the verge of a great breakthrough to attain new property. Pray.
A few family updates:
1. We just spent a few days with Jonathan to celebrate his 23rd birthday. It's nice to stay at his apartment in Waco, Texas, and we enjoy seeing him grow up to be a responsible young man.
2. While in Dallas, we got to tour the new Cowboy Stadium. I even got to kick a field goal (made it!) and run some pass plays on the field. I got to try on Tony Romo's pads and jersey. Of course, I didn't sell out my SAINTS! I reminded the Dallas folks where I was from every chance I got.
I better end now and get to the office. I promise I'll try to get back into the letter-writing mode. It could be a long summer here in Louisiana.
Betting the Farm on God,
Michael |
