A Special Place...

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
(1 Corinthians 16:1-4 ESV)
This is what things look like at Clay County High School in recent days.  Itself being hard hit by flooding, it has now become the place residents can come get the basics of life to get back on their feet.  It also serves as the home base for the SERVE team as they minister there annually in July. It is a very special place indeed!  You might not think it is where you want to visit for vacation, but those who have gone will tell you there are a lifetime of memories and lots of life-changing ministries that go on there.  And it's only a few hours away!  Listen for ways you can be a part there or back here.

Special People...

I John 3:5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth

Ever since the establishment of our church, there has been a relationship with Dale Taggart. She and her husband Harold(killed by a drunk driver) served in Kayenta establishing the church there. She still reaches out in any way possible to the Navajo people, while Dan and Beth are the new generation of servant-leaders, ministering to a number of churches on the reservation.  They are our connection to the work there, and we enjoy every moment we can spend with them.  A new generation is also at work in our church re-establishing and strengthening that relationship. Even Danielle helps us connect!  Come, get to know them - whether it be at Kayenta or in Flagstaff. Special, special people.

A Call to Attention!

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

(2 Timothy 2:1-3 ESV)

Yes, when I go out with a team, I do tend to push everyone to work hard!  But I was not calling the team to attention here (Fall 2013)  As you can see, the ladies are paying no attention to me at all!  But this was a great group that worked really hard. Since then we have really begun to try to develop a deeper relationship with our fellow believers in Kayenta.  Want to go along?  Opportunities soon!

A Team on a Mission...

What a Team!  That's what it takes to do it well.

After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.
(Acts 18:18 ESV)
In a few weeks a handful of our people will join a hundred others in returning to Clay County, WV for a week of serving the Lord and the people there.  It is an almost picture perfect demonstration of teamwork in God's work.  When Paul went out on his journeys, there was almost no time at which he was alone. Even when in prison, other believers followed him there.  Here's to teams!  If you have never been a part of one, I challenge you now: join in.  It helps you understand what we're to be doing back home day in and out, year after year.

When someone won't listen...

Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”
(1 Samuel 12:23-25 ESV)
Samuel had tried every way possible to convince the people of Israel that having a King was not the solution to their problems.  They would not listen to him.  That's hard when it's your job to do so.  There is a twinge of personal rejection. What do you do with that?  Like Samuel here, we must continue to love and pray for them.  We must continue to lovingly speak the truth and challenge them to live by it. We must point them to the reasons they have to respond in obedience - out of gratitude and love. And we must lovingly remind them of the consequences of not listening to God.  Samuel chose well, and continued to influence Israel despite losing his position.  May we do likewise.

Remembering to Repent and Refocus

And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.
(1 Samuel 12:19-22 ESV)
God deserves our reverence and wants our obedience.  But there is more to the story. He realizes that we do sin and disobey, and He wants us to know He is ready and waiting to forgive.  Once we do so, He wants us back on the path of serving Him with all our heart. That positive focus is what will keep us from turning aside towards those empty pursuits that distract us.  But what really motivates us is knowing that He is pleased when we act like His people, and He will never turn His back on us.

Think about the Thunder...

Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the LORD will do before your eyes. Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the LORD, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking for yourselves a king.” So Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
(1 Samuel 12:16-18 ESV)
This is the third mention of thunder in Samuel.  Each time it is mentioned it is intended to point us back to God.  It is not an attribute, but an action of God where He is seeking to get the attention of His people so they will listen to Him.  When God thundered against Israel's enemy in battle, it was more for their sake than to show the enemies something.  Here God gives Samuel the authority to make the call - not to attract attention to Samuel, but to give authority to the words he was saying. When we disobey, God deserves and wants to be feared.  But there is more than that He wants. He has our attention; He has our reverence... tomorrow we'll see what else He is looking for... Meanwhile, when you hear the thunder, turn your heart and ear to the Sovereign LORD, and listen.