In a couple of hours I'll be heading out the door to go to youth camp with 7-8 of our teens and a few parents. As I exit NJ (and am away from my blogging for a few days) let me leave you with a few random thoughts and joys:
1. I go to youth camp with Gayline, David and several teenagers I love with full expectation of meeting God. Last year's camp was simply life-changing for David. In supernatural ways, he met God and God came after him, and a chain reaction of grace has been going on ever since!
2. I come off of an experience last Friday in which I had the joy of partnering with the Lawtons in their mission work to international students at Johns Hopkins Univ. I got to preach the truth of God our Creator, our reason for Existence, our Savior and Redeemer--to 15-20 Chinese folks, many of whom had never heard any real truth about God before. One said at the close of the evening: "We have never heard these things about God!" This group of first time hearers was simply gripped with eager hearing as I got to preach. Truth captured their minds and I trust will win their hearts! Powerful. Joygiving. And I think eternally fruit-bearing.
3. I feel fresh amazement and joy over the provision of God. Some of you will know that Gayline and I have pledged in giving a substantial increase to help God's work flourish here in TFC. We have already seen (in the 2-3 weeks since we made that pledge) God provide 45% of that increase for the coming year through a stunning reduction of costs in an budget area we least expected it! In the past two or three days I've heard similar accounts from others who, giving in obedience to the call of God, have once again found out that God will never be out-given!
4. Finally, I'm preparing a series of posts on the topic of joy as seen through the ideas of Luke in his two books, Luke and Acts. If you want to experience a sweet study read through Luke and Acts and notice how often joy is referenced. His clear message is that with the coming of the Messiah and sending of the Spirit, joy is now a hallmark of true faith. I can't wait to share some perspectives on joy with you, beginning next week, God enabling.
There you have it; some random sharings from the heart of a pastor and friend.
See you in a few days. In the meantime keep commenting and sharing. i hope to check in while I'm away.
Tim, can't wait to see the coming posts on "JOY." We really could use more of that brother. Can a Christian home be filled, constantly with love, JOY, and peace? How wonderful that would be. But this is a fallen world, isn't it?
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