Challenges from Sunday

We had a fun wrap up to our adult classes yesterday, and Pastor Darren left us with a bit of a challenge.  One part of it was to identify how we grow spiritually, and to look at the ways we want to focus on over the summer.  One of the ways it got broken down was in the areas of Loving God, Loving Others, and Serving, which together are our church's theme this year.  We also looked at how the ways we grow spiritually are broken down into experiences, routines and serving.  It provided a good chance to look at these open months ahead of us where a lot of our routines are put on hold, and to think about how we will be purposeful in growing spiritually over the summer.

Then in the service, the challenge that came from Pastor David's sermon as he wrapped up the series in Ecclesiastes was to enjoy the moments of our lives.  I don't find that happiness is always my default emotion; there is frustration, anxiety, anger sometimes, weariness... and the challenge I took out of that was to really face those other emotions when they rise up and do what I can to address the issues behind them and move to a more constant reality of enjoying each moment.  I think that addressing this will be the answer to the first challenge, too, and will be a way to strengthen my spiritual health.

What are you planning this summer to stay spiritually healthy and to grow?
What are the ways you help yourself remember to live in the moment and enjoy life? 

I would love to know your answers to those.

Stories

Stories are important.  We learn from stories.  When I teach, I start each class with a chance to share stories - how we had seen God move, when we understood that he was close or involved in what was going on around us.  I believe stories give us far more than simple entertainment; they bring us hope and the knowledge that beyond a shadow of a doubt, God is bigger than we are and moves in ways that we can't imagine.  Hearing stories gives us a glimpse into that reality and awakens our ability to see him moving.

I heard a story on Friday, and I wanted to share it with you.  Here's Adam's own words:

"I was at a mentorship group/bible study a while ago, and we were closing in prayer, and my request was that I'd get the money in for this missions trip. I'd recently found out that I was $1500 short of what I needed to have already had in. So, we prayed over that and just committed it to God. That Sunday, I was at church, and this friend ended up sitting behind me, and he asked me how my week went and how getting the money in went and what not. I told him that I didn't get paid till the upcoming Tuesday, and then he asked me how much short I'd be after I got paid. I was going to be $600 dollars short of what I needed after I got paid and had tithed and such. He texted me later that afternoon and asked if he could drop by my house because he had something for me.

When he arrived, he handed me an envelope, and he said that all week he'd been praying about it and that God had really put it on his heart to support me going on this trip. And God had kept telling him "$600, $600, $600, give him $600", and he'd been paid $600 cash up front to cover a lease on an apartment that he was leasing out to a couple. He said that when I told him I'd be $600 short of what I needed, it was like God said "I told you so..." and it was just a really reassuring thing in his spirit that he was supposed to bless me with $600 towards my ministry trip. That was really cool, and it has been a huge blessing. :)"

How have you seen God move lately?  Leave a comment with your story.