Moving to Plant in Federal Way: How I went from "Absolutely Not!" to "Let's Go!"

"Absolutely not. I'm not going back there."

It was a simple MC Gathering out on our friend Jeff's backyard porch when the question was first posed that created such a quick and decisive response. The question posed was about whether we would be willing to move to Federal Way to be part of a church-planting team. At this point, I was dreaming of West Seattle and all the great things that could take place up there. And then this was asked. Seriously? I was raised in that city, already served 2 church families in that city and now go back and plant!? For someone like me who has the desire to go to new territory and experience new things, this was the furthest thing I could imagine wanting to do let alone actually doing. Besides, West Seattle is such a sexier place to live and plant than Federal Way. Why would I ever want to make that trade?

At that moment, something started to shift though, and the Spirit started to pursue us heavily. I had the opportunity to go on a trip to Jonesboro, Arkansas for an equipping conference with my friend Jeff. During this time I met some great people, including one of the church leaders, Chuck Gschwend. His story was similar to the one that the Spirit is calling us to be part of: returning to a city to plant a church in which he served previously. The Spirit started to nudge me as I saw His obedience and the fruit of his labors there. Jonesboro, like Federal Way, is not a "sexy" place to plant, yet He was called. While I thought that was a good story for him, I still was not ready to fully recognize that this is the story Jesus is calling us to as well.

Jesus, by the Spirit, continued to pursue us. At a kid's leadership meeting, all of a sudden we found ourselves surrounded by those part of the FW community. Relationships in Tacoma started to dissipate while all of a sudden I was having amazing opportunities to share the Gospel with those who live in Federal Way, even rekindling many relationships in that area that I haven't had in years.
Ultimately, it was my heart that needed to change. I had associated the city and people of Federal Way with past experiences that have no authority over what this new work would be like. I have grown immensely from my time with Soma Tacoma as the Spirit has shown me many areas where fear of man was prevalent and how I had killed many of my giftings and talents. My heart has shifted from finding my identity as a "church planter" to simply wanting to hear the Spirit and do what He says. This decision is part of that journey. While that work is still being done, Jesus ultimately changed my heart about the work  to be done in FW. I started to connect with some of the people that are a part of the church  planting team there and fell in love with them and what they are doing now. I spoke with many  wise people about the opportunity and thankfully I am in an environment where people point  each other back to Jesus and the leading of the Spirit rather than the voice of wisdom in the world.

I can now say that, by God's grace and willingness, Darianne, Judah, Joiya and myself are moving to Federal Way to help lead the Soma Federal Way family. My desire and dream remains the same: to see a 1,000 churches planted through our influence. To see a city saturated with the Gospel so that every man, woman and child will have a daily encounter with Jesus through His people, the Church. To see a city restored back to God's original creational design. To see disciples who make disciples who start Missional Communities who plant churches across the world. This has not changed, nor do I believe it will.

We're getting ready, we're getting excited. Pray for a home where we can have the space to bless people on a regular basis. Pray for my business that I can continue to take in clients and see that become financially viable. Pray for my family as we move our lives. Pray for the city to see a unique expression of life on mission that will be open to the gospel. Ultimately, pray that Jesus be glorified through us as we follow Him.

It's no longer "absolutely no", it's now, "Let's Go!"

A Father's Powerful Words

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. (Proverbs 18:21 ESV)

It was the summer leading into my senior year of high school. After returning home from a few exciting weeks filled with leadership retreats and musical festivals at the Gorge, I received news that rocked my world and all those around me: our friend Luke had just been in a tragic car accident and had to be air-lifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where he would spend hours in brain surgery attempting to save his young life. While there was much hope that he would make it through, we got the traumatizing word that the brain damage was too advanced and he would not make it. While this was an absolute life altering event that completely revolutionized how I viewed life, what took place a few days later had as dramatic of an impact.

A bunch of friends and I decided to put on a candlelight memorial service where we could share stories about our friend Luke. About 100 of our friends came and it was a great time. In the midst of this, as I was leading my friends in remembrance, I saw my parents' car from the corner of my eye enter the parking lot, followed quickly by Luke's parents. I stepped aside from the stories to go and welcome my parents. As I approached my parents, I could see there was a depth in their eyes that I had not noticed before. My dad approached with vigor and gave me a giant hug. Within the extended hug, he spoke these powerful words, "I Love You and I'm Proud of You. I believe in you."

While it may not seem like much, these words shifted me from boyhood to manhood. No longer was I just a boy that could go along in life, I became a man because my father confirmed in my an identity and acceptance that will forever be a launching pad in life.

As I think through this, it clearly reminds me of how powerful the words a father can have on their son. As Proverbs 18:21 says, our words have the power of either bringing life or death. And the power of a father's words to their children is exponentially greater.

In the Bible, there are a few cases where we see the One Eternal God who exists as three persons interact with one another, specifically God the Father and God Son, Jesus. One time was at the inauguration of Jesus' ministry at His baptism in Matthew 3:13-17. After Jesus is baptized by his cousin John, we get a glimpse of the Triune God at work, and notice the words that God the Father says to His son, "This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased." What did the Father just confirm in Jesus? His Identity!

Look at another time in Matthew 17 at the Transfiguration. Again, at a pivotal moment in Jesus' life and ministry, the Father shows up and speaks the same powerful words over Him, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him." Jesus' identity as a Son of God is once again confirmed, which you can imagine encourages and strengthens Jesus. It makes you wonder what Jesus prayers were like when He continually got away early in the morning to commune with His Father. I wouldn't be surprised that, as God the Son became Man, He need to be continually reminded of His identity.

Fathers, our words are powerful. What we say to our children matters, and it will put them on a path of either life or death. While our words do not determine their direction, it heavily influences it more than we can even imagine. I've talked with many people who have wrestled with painful words from their dads and it has drastically changed the course of their life for the bad. I can also point to instances where dad's have spoken words of life, love and acceptance which have laid a great foundation for the child.

As a father, I know I am not perfect and there will be times when my words will have the tendency to bring death rather than life. There is only One perfect Father, so I know I am in consistent need of Jesus' grace in my life. I also know there has only been one perfect Child, and my children are not Jesus. We are both in need of Jesus' grace and the work of the Spirit to empower us to speak words of life. When I fail, I know Jesus' love and forgiveness on the cross transcends all failures. When I do well, I know the Spirit is at work in my life and, as I submit to Him more, He will bring about more words of life than death. Regardless of speaking life or death, I know it's the work of Jesus through His Spirit that bring about true love, acceptance, forgiveness and identity.

Fathers, speak love. In our own areas of hurt, submit them to Jesus and allow Him to heal. Ultimately, God the Father's words are more powerful and fulfilling than any word I can ever say. Our job is to point them to Jesus. As Jeff Vanderstelt as said, "Parents, your job is to be a worship lead and lead them to worship the One True God: Jesus." He will confirm our identity in Him as loved and accepted children.

What's Next for the Westcott's

Over the past few months, many people have asked us what we are doing in this next season of our lives. I thought it would be best if I could write it down for all who are interested to clarify what is taking place. It’s a unique opportunity, one which I’m extremely thankful to God for.

To boil it down, we are in the very beginning stages of planting a church. Our great desire is to plant a church-planting movement that will saturate entire people groups across the world with Gospel Communities on Mission. We want to catalyze and resource a Gospel-centered, reproducing, missional movement of Jesus. Because this is something that we feel deeply about and believe this is the task God has assigned for us, there is much preparation that needs to take place. 

I have signed up with a group of churches under the organization called AntiochNW  that provides an apprenticeship where I will be challenged in my character, skill and knowledge as a church planter. Through the apprenticeship, I will be living in community on mission with a mentor who will know our lives and will be able to bring the gospel to bear on us personally as God continues to prune us for greater fruitfulness. The mentor will also help me develop the necessary skills to launch our endeavor. We will learn how to reproduce communities and develop the necessary DNA to launch a movement. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, I will earn a fully accredited Master’s Degree in Church Planting and Leadership Development. While I will be earning a degree, this is not school as usual. I will be based in Tacoma and will be part of the extended family at Soma Communities.

On a personal level, Darianne has taken a job as a part-time music teacher at a local private school while I will be working various restaurant jobs. We have moved to Tacoma in the north end just off 6^th Ave and are hoping to serve the community as missionaries to this area.

Please continue to pray for us as we venture out to what God has for us. Here are some ways you can pray:

• Continued health of Darianne and future Baby Westcott
• Open doors with our neighborhood and opportunities to see God move
•  New Car and other various needed items

As time progresses, I will be putting together various ways in which you can keep up to date and ways you can help if you feel inclined. We really need prayer as this is all a work of God!

If you feel inclined and would like to watch a 15 minute video about what we are going to be doing, check out this link. http://vimeo.com/22754743

Transition in New Season...

It is with much thought and prayer that we come together to write this letter. Ecclesiastes tell us that there is a season for everything under the sun, a fact which we can all personally testify. Each season is beautiful in its own merit and timing while also worthy of celebrating as we move into a new season. After many hours seeking the Lord and of deep covnersation with trusted counsel, it seems to good to us and the Holy Spirit that Darianne and I enter a new season of our journey and ministry. God has placed on our hearts a great passion and burden to plant churches and to launch a church planting network that will catalyze and resource a Gospel-Centered, reproducing, missional movement of Jesus that, by God's Grace alone, will reach the ends of the earth. At this time, we are both excited and nervous about this season as we know it can only be accomplished by Jesus working through us but we also know the journey is an exciting one that God has prepared for us. With this significant call, it has come time for us to take a learning posture as Church Planting Apprentices/Residents where I (Justin) will also have the opportunity to earn my Master's degree in the process (A goal which I wanted to accomplish by the time I am 30). With this new, this will require stepping our from our roles as Associate/Youth Pastor & Worship Director of FLCC.

 To look back at the past 5 years brings great joy and humility. Pastor Dan and the rest of the team took a great risk on us to begin the youth ministry when I was still finishing my degree at Northwest University at 22 years old and Darianne only being 20. Looking back, I am eternally grateful for the amazing opportunity. We were young and inexperienced yet they trusted us with a great role as they spent much time, resources and energy to not just ensure the success of the Youth Ministry but of us as well. For them to take a risk on a 22 year old punk college kid and allow me to learn, grow and lead is something I do not have the words to express my gratitude. To be in an environment where I could take risks, make mistakes yet always be believed in and trusted is a rare gift from God that many in my position could only dream about.

We also owe the health and success of our marriage (both now and in the future) to Pastor Dan and Diane. Under their tutelage, we have witnessed a God-honoring marriage that will always be an example to us. One of the primary reasons why I believe God brought us through FLCC is to have as an example and as personal mentors the Larson family. Our marriage, and the many marriages we will come into contact with in the future will be eternally impacted because of their lives.

There are so many people to thank that I do not believe we have enough time in this letter to do so. To all the leaders and true servants that have helped with the Youth Ministry over the past 5 years that have made it a true Joy (Greg & Emma Scott, Christie Morgan, Heather Hurley, Sara Byers, Opheila Jones, Jim Barker, Sam Raveendran, Larry & Tammy Aegerter, Chad & Cheryle Erickson, Ian & Beth Lander, Blythe Family, Allon & Liz Loven, Chris Rumbles, Juli Bee, Derek Hanson, Jordan Gibbons Jeanna Morgan to name just a few). The board from the very beginning has been amazing to us and truly an honor to serve alongside. Youth Parents, I couldn't have asked for a more gracious group of parents to work with. You have always been kind, never been disruptive and extremely gracious as we discovered what it meant to lead teenagers. All the Family Community Leaders are so great and patient as the Lord led us to come to the understanding of how this was lived out. The worship team has been fantastic to work with and to see the growth of each member over the past few years has been just great.

Lastly (and definitely not least) are the students of New Heights. It’s amazing to look back and see how much each and every one of you have grown (not only spiritually but physically!). Many of you were just little middle schoolers when I came, and to some it's been my greatest honor to be the only Youth Pastor you will ever have. The most difficult part of this decision was knowing we wouldn’t be part of all of your lives as you continue to grow and mature into the men and women of God that will change the world. I have spent days mourning this and in no way want you to think that I am abandoning you. As we have said from the beginning, It's All About Jesus. I know you will continue to love Him, Pursue Him and worship Him with ALL of your lives, whether it was through my leadership or through other leadership.

It must be said that there is nothing causing this decision other than the leading of the Spirit. Pastor Dan and my relationship is completely intact and I will always look to him as a mentor in my life. He and the whole team have been completely gracious, even offering more responsibility if I were to stay. I still completely believe in what FLCC is going to accomplish in the city of Federal Way and beyond.

Because of the uniqueness of this situation, we are working towards ways that we can keep a relational-working connection. Look at this as I am leaving "home" to experience the next season of life (like a student going off to college to begin their new life) but with continued connections. We are using this as an opportunity to use my new skills that I will develop to consult and even bring some stories of what God is doing through us. You can look at me as a missionary in this sense.

This decision comes at a great cost to us and we ask for your continued prayers. I will have to find a regular job outside of Full-Time vocational ministry to provide for our family as I pursue this apprenticeship as well as move to a new home in September. We believe Jesus has it all figured out and as we follow Him, we will be taken care of.  

Darianne and I thank all of you from the deepest places in our hearts. We have laughed together, cried together, grown together and ultimately worshipped together and we will always look back at this season with great memories. We deeply love all of you.

                       

                                                           

                                                                        It’s ALL About Jesus,

                                                                        Justin & Darianne Westcott

From Pastor Dan Larson

Justin and Darianne are going to be greatly missed.  They have done a great job with the youth, worship, support to FLCC’s Vision, Family Communities, and other ministries that they have been a part of.  I have enjoyed so much getting to know them, seeing their heart for God and for my kids and many others, and to work together for the Lord for five years.  In these times it is always difficult to see those we love move on.  We will miss them much, but we know that God’s purposes are always best.  We don’t understand always, but we must trust the Lord to work powerfully through them in their new endeavors as well as in God’s future plans for FLCC

Dealing With The Loss of Our Unborn Baby

Before I begin this lengthy discourse, I must clarify the perspective from which I write. Many of you know me as Pastor Justin, but I am not writing from that perspective. Yes, I have the amazing privilege to serve Jesus in my gifting and passion to the local church, but this is not written as a “pastor.” I am writing this as an average 26 year old guy raised in the Northwest who loves his family dearly, likes to read as much as possible, and golf whenever I get the chance; there is truly nothing special about me except the Jesus that loves me. I also must say that this is an honest, open account of the events that took place in our lives recently. Too many times people sugar-coat trials and hardships because they don't want to portray a lack of faith or are just ashamed, as if their trials make them less worthy of a person. While we don't agree with this, we do believe that openness produces healing and we hope that the sharing of this story will produce hope in your life. There will be details and openness of our pain that we experienced as I share the story of how Darianne and I lost our baby.

The day started off like any other Monday does in our home: Darianne takes our international student to school while I stay and work from home as our son Judah watches TV (too much in my lovely wife's opinion) and plays with his toys. What many of you don't know is that at this point Darianne is about 12 weeks pregnant and that afternoon we have our check up to make sure everything is okay. The day before was a fantastic day with our church family celebrating the past 5 years of ministry and looking forward to some amazing things we could potentially have the honor of doing in the city by God's grace. This check up was a milestone in the pregnancy as we enter the second trimester and plan the publicly share the news (make it "Facebook Official" as some of our students joke).

We go into the doctor's office and check-in. As the doctor enters the room, he explains that he will be using this device that looks like an old tape player (think Home Alone recorder for those of you old enough to remember) to check the heart beat of the baby. The last time we did this with Judah it felt like it was forever to hear the heartbeat. I knew I had to be patient to hear this time as well, but the time kept passing without hearing any noise. The doctor tried to calm our nerves by saying the baby was just hiding from us, but by the look on his face I could tell there was concern. What turns into seconds of looking turns into minutes of looking with no luck. He then says we are going to go have an ultrasound to make sure everything is okay. We go into the ultrasound room where the doctor does a normal ultrasound. After minutes of looking there becomes more of a frantic look on the doctor's face as he then tells us he wants to do a vaginal ultrasound because this is the best way to see the baby's movement and heart beat. At this point Darianne and I are obviously extremely afraid and concerned. This is our baby we are talking about, not just some scientific experiment or fetus that we have no connection with; this is our BABY. And we can't find her heartbeat. The thing that is so basic to life seems to be eluding us. The doctor performs the second ultrasound and after a few more minutes of silent but frantic searching he tells us the the news we didn't want to hear: the baby doesn't have a heart beat. He also said that it looked like the placenta walls were deteriorating and that it looks like we had lost the baby. He scheduled another ultrasound on Wednesday to confirm his findings, and we leave completely bewildered.

Trying to be strong for Darianne, I didn't cry as we searched for the baby's heart beat but instead begged God in prayer. I believe God is a God of miracles and can do whatever He chooses to do, so I prayed extremely hard that the heart beat would start. As I was praying in the last ultrasound, I felt the Father tell me that my baby girl was in His arms now, and she was safe. She would not have to endure the pain of this world, and that He was going to take good care of her until I get to meet her. While that brings me great joy and comfort knowing this, it brings me to tears and sadness even now as I share this. Knowing my girl is taken care of is great reassurance, but the pain and hurt from knowing that I will not get to hold this baby in my arms kills me. I truly believe that the baby was a girl, and to know that on this side of eternity I will miss the chance to hold her in my arms as I rock her to sleep late at night, to see her become a beautiful little girl with all the ridiculous outfits my wife would buy her, to take her on daddy dates where I can spoil her and show her what a real man is like so when the day comes for her to look for a husband he will have a standard to live up to and, the ultimate desire of a dad and his daughter: walk her down the aisle. It is extremely painful to think that I won't get to experience these events with my daughter.

With this news, our hearts obviously sank. We have been graced with a great Pastor and team that allowed me to do whatever was necessary to make sure we got through this time. We took a couple days and went away, just Darianne and I, to spend time together and heal as much as possible. It was a wonderful time to be with my love as we talked, did some crafts, prayed, and enjoyed one another.

At this point, we had a D&C scheduled for the following Tuesday and so we thought we were in the clear until we had to deal with the finality of the procedure. However, Sunday night posed another night of unfortunate events. The previous few nights she had been experiencing some minimal cramping but after some time it subsided. On Sunday Night,, not only did they not subside, they grew worse than child birth. She started to have contractions 30 seconds apart at a pain level of 12/10 (her words, not mine). Nothing would make them get better: hot bath/shower, back rub, nothing. The pain was extremely horrible to watch as she screamed in agony every time a contraction would begin. I cannot imagine the pain (both physically and emotionally) Darianne endured. To go through this without any hope of a positive result is something I cannot even begin to imagine. Child birth pains is one thing because you know a baby will be coming shortly, but this pain seemed pointless, making it that much more difficult. My pain of watching this is nothing in comparison to what she actually went through. After 3 hours of watching and experiencing this, the doctor told us to go into the ER and they would perform the procedure that night. We spent the night at the hospital on Sunday night, and after experiencing the horrible pain for 8 hours she had her D&C, recuperated for a few hours and left the next morning at 6:30AM.

Even as I write this, it's hard to imagine people going through this dreadful situation, let alone going through it yourself. It's confusing, disheartening, faith-building, encouraging and horrific all at the same time. Looking back at the past 10 days is almost a surreal experience, as if I just experienced the most vivid nightmare imaginable. However, this was no nightmare to wake-up from, but one we will live with the rest of our lives.

In times like this (whether you've gone through something like this or any other trial), many questions can start going through your mind. I do not pretend to know much, but there are a few things I Know I Know.

Things I KNOW

My God is GOOD, so I know I'm not being punished.

So many people view hardships in life as a punishment from God for their wrongdoing. They believe that God is sitting up in heaven like Zeus or another mythological god waiting with a thunderbolt in hand to throw it at us whenever we do something wrong. The lie of Karma tells us what goes around comes around, but I believe that's a load of crap. My God is a GOOD GOD! I know this was not how He intended the world to be, but because of our sinfulness both by nature and by choice we live in the world where there is pain and suffering. But, in God's goodness, there will be a day where complete restoration will take place. How I long for the day where there will be no more weeping or pain or suffering for those in Christ. But in the meantime, I know my God is good. He does not wish these things upon us and is not punishing us for sin in our lives (as Karma and other religious systems teach), but God showed his ultimate goodness for me and us not in the painful circumstances we endure, but on the life, death, burial and ultimate resurrection of Jesus. The Bible uses a term, “Holy” for God, in which I see described as God always doing what is Good, Right, and Perfect. I don't always understand (see below), but I know that no matter what the God of the Bible is a GOOD God. What is done is good because He allowed it, even if it doesn't make sense to me. It is right, even if I don't see it as such.

My God is GREAT, and is still able to do the miraculous.

On Tuesday as we were waiting to get the final ultrasound, many people were praying for God's miraculous to work in our situation. Darianne and I started to think about the ways which our girl was going to be a miracle baby who's story would be told to impact many lives (even thinking to the point of naming her Miracle). But that didn't happen. It's very easy for us to think that God can't do those things because He didn't for us. To be honest, this is something that we struggle with, especially on the heels of some other family circumstances. But we know that God is ABLE to do what He chooses. I have a very high value in the sovereignty of God, that He is the one that ultimately choose what is Good, Right and Perfect, and He is directing all steps of life to His eventual culmination. I've heard it said that the sovereignty of God is a comfortable blanket where we can find rest. He is Holy, and because of this I can rest that He does what is good, right, and perfect.

My God is GLORIOUS, and deserves all praise.

I don't know how and I don't know when, but somehow this story will be used by God. I pray that through this difficult time, His glory is revealed to all.

My God is GRACIOUS.

Many wonder (as we do below) why these things happen. We can choose to focus on the immediate negative of their current situation and use this as ammunition to show God as vindictive. However, you know that I truly believe the Gospel of Grace that Jesus spoke of and lived out. I do not believe this situation is how God shows His love for me, but He did it when he had Jesus come to die in my place and for my sin while I was still sinful (Romans 5:8). That Perfect Jesus became the sacrifice for my sinfulness and that the righteousness of God was given to me because the One who knew no sin became Sin for me (2 Corinthians 5:21). He ultimate grace was shown to me not in these last 10 days, but when Jesus came to earth as a little baby, lived a perfect life and died a perfect death in my place for my sins. His grace was shown in His life, death, burial and resurrection FOR you and me.

My Wife is AMAZING.

Darianne is a trooper! One of the most difficult parts of this whole time is to see my wife physically and emotionally struggle. To sit there and watch as she endured pain, horrific pains was almost unbearable. But the strength and love that she has blows me away! In the midst of the struggle, she was even gracious towards others and looking out for them rather than just herself. She was not just concerned with us but everyone else. Her love for others blows me away and continually challenges and encourages me.

You CANNOT live without community.

I truly don't understand how people can live without some form of community in their lives. We have been extremely blessed with people in our lives that will literally do so much for us at a simple phone call. From our Pastors who gave us the time to heal and get better without any strings to our Family Community who cried with us, prayed with us and loved us as we tried to lead through crazy times. They were there to help as we took time away, help us heal, and allow us to talk it out. I know God created us for community, and it was in times like this that we truly experience it and understand more of why. I've found that God sometimes chooses to show His love to us through the love and care of others. From the amazing prayers and emotional support to the extremely practical support (watching kids, late night emergency phone calls, etc) it is unbelievably necessary to have people in your life that you can support (and whom you can support when they are in a time of need). 

Things I don't KNOW...

WHY?

This is quite possibly the most difficult and honest question people ask, “Why?” Why do bad things happen to Good people? Why did my wife, who is amazingly loving and caring towards others, go through such horrific pain? Why didn't God heal? Why, if God is so good, does He allow for such bad to happen in the world? The list is endless of the questions that can be asked in times like this. And to be completely honest, I don't know why. I've got ideas like the rest of us, but I don't think any of us truly know why. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” It's very easy to lean into our own understanding, but my understanding is so limited. My natural understanding tells me so much that would ultimately lead to not trusting God because the perspective of a finite human being cannot compare to the amazing viewpoint and sovereignty of an Almighty God. At the end of the day though, I have a choice, choose to trust my understanding or choose to trust the Lord. Does this mean we haven't asked why? No, we have wrestled with it for sure. Does it mean that everything has worked out exactly as we wanted? Obviously not. But it does mean that I CAN trust God in this time and, by doing so, my life will have meaning and this time will make sense eventually.

I'm not sure who you are and why you've chosen to read this far. Our story is one of the millions and millions of painful stories people face in life. You quite possibly have gone through this very story or something even more dreadful, for which I'm truly sorry. If anything I desire from this, is to see people draw closer to the loving heart of Jesus. Pains in life are not meant for you to push God away, but to draw closer to him. We have tried (definitely not perfectly) to do this. But by God's grace, we will be stronger because of this. James 1:2 tells us to be joyful in the midst of trials because they develop perseverance and Romans 5 goes further to say that we should rejoice in our sufferings because they will eventually produce character and hope. Let this be a time when you draw closer to the heart of the Father. My prayer is that this story will cause you hope. It has already caused healing in some lives, and I pray that it makes a greater impact to the Glory of God.

Charles Spurgeon on "Building the Church"

These are excerpts from Charles H. Spurgeon’s sermon entitled “Building the Church” (or “Additions to the Church”) concerning Acts 2 which he gave on April 5, 1874. I am indebted to CMA Resources (www.cmaresources.org) for the repost of this, and found it so good that I wanted to post it on here. Let it sink deep. 

I want you to notice this, that they were breaking bread from house to house, and ate their food with gladness and singleness of heart. They did not think that religion was meant only for Sundays, and for what men now-a-days call the House of God. Their own houses were houses of God, and their own meals were so mixed and mingled with the Lord’s Supper that to this day the most cautious student of the Bible cannot tell when they stopped eating their common meals, and when they began eating the Supper of the Lord. They elevated their meals into diets for worship: they so consecrated everything with prayer and praise that all around them was holiness to the Lord. I wish our houses were, in this way, dedicated to the Lord, so that we worshipped God all day long, and made our homes temples for the living God…

Does God need a house? He who made the heavens and the earth, does he dwell in temples made with hands? What crass ignorance this is! No house beneath the sky is more holy than the place where a Christian lives, and eats, and drinks, and sleeps, and praises the Lord in all that he does, and there is no worship more heavenly than that which is presented by holy families, devoted to the fear of the Lord.

To sacrifice home worship to public worship is a most evil course of action. Morning and evening devotion in a little home is infinitely more pleasing in the sight of God than all the cathedral pomp which delights the carnal eye and ear. Every truly Christian household is a church, and as such it is competent for the discharge of any function of divine worship, whatever it may be. Are we not all priests? Why do we need to call in others to make devotion a performance? Let every man be a priest in his own house. Are you not all kings if you love the Lord? Then make your houses palaces of joy and temples of holiness. One reason why the early church had such a blessing was because her members had such homes. When we are like them we will have added to the church those who were being saved.

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Thanks to Alan Knox who found and accentuated this passage on his blog here

Failure at the Forefront

I recently came out of a season where it felt as if anything I touched was failing. It didn't matter what it was, how hard I tried or prayed, it seemed as if failure had a strong grip on all in my control. Although these seasons can be VERY annoying, in the end they can be the best thing at the right time for Jesus to really refine who we are, how we work and our role in His greater mission.  Specifically, there were three things that really stood out in this season:

1) I Am Human
I know for many of you (especially my wife) this is an obvious statement, but we can start to believe and rely on our own giftings that we practically live as though we don't need God in the equation. As Craig Groeschel calls it, we are "Christian Atheists," believing God exits but acting like he doesn't. For me, this was a time God used to remind me that it's not based on my ability or how hard/much I work, but it is dependent on Him; He is truly the one who decides the outcome.

2) I Need Jesus Desperately
Another "duh" statement for many, but something I continually need to be reminded. I think I can do something Jesus couldn't do: Work on my Own. He says it this way in John 5:19-20--"So Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise." This is a statement that I could truly contemplate for ages. Jesus, the fullness of God made flesh, could only do what He saw the Father doing and then joined Him in it. Yet, I believe I can go and do what I set my mind out to do as long as I work hard. Purely ridiculous! I will never undervalue hard work, but at the end of the day it's not about my hard work, it's about His Work in and through me. I will never accomplish much in life apart from what Jesus has assigned for me, entrusted to me, and empowered me to accomplish.

3) I Can't Give Up
It is in times of failures that I believe potential is fulfilled. This is the testing period that I believe many people decide it is better and easier to quit then to persevere, and once this decision is made, their direction will never lead them to the place they long to go. The temptation is strong to not persevere through the hard time in the midst of the daily struggles, but at the end of the day what we are trying to accomplish is so much more important. We have been given the Message of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-21), and to give up sharing this Good News because of a few trip ups is not worth it. Can Jesus do it without me? Of Course! But has He given each of us a specific role to play that will be a detriment to the specific mission if we don't accomplish? Absolutely. The greater goal is so much more important, and to give up would be foolish.