On Independence Day I am Happily Learning Dependence

We just came through a debt retirement pledge campaign at CCF we called Heritage & Horizon.  The name reflects that we are where we are because of faithful, Godly leaders in the past that enable us to stand today looking forward into the horizons God is placing before us.

The campaign pledge goal was $1,000,000.  That seemed enough to ask God to work on especially because, well, the church is smaller than it once was and the economy is weaker.

But God works above and beyond what we can ask for or imagine, remember? We asked a basic question: Will you pray until you have an answer from God on how much he wants you to pledge as a sacrificial gift to the Heritage & Horizon campaign over a three year period?

God moved to have people commit to over $1,300,000 in pledges.  And of that amount promised over a three year period we have already received $400,000!

But this venture is about so much more than getting out of debt.  It is revealing where we put our trust.  It is teaching us the Kingdom of God currency of generosity and gratitude.  It teaches us the Kingdom of God economy that is measured by the advance of the eternal reconciliation priorities of Jesus in our world rather than the accumulation of stuff that the culture around us promotes.

Where our treasure is there our heart will be also.  By sacrificially moving earthly treasure into the body of Christ on this earth, it moves our hearts into an increased open humility that enables us to follow Jesus more faithfully as his disciples not only in our finances but all areas of life.

Already in this period this growing sacrificial generous heart of CCF persons broke through into new dimensions of fruitfulness like the ministry of Jesus responding to physical need with utmost priority on human dignity.  We are building more authentic relationships and sharing what we have with homeless, and giving seniors (neighbors of CCF partners) opportunity to shop for free in the week before the check arrives when they often need to choose between medicine and food.

When we place our time, talents and treasure before God it can get exciting!

12 Memorable Moments of 2012

1.     Sending Lia to Indonesia as member of YES.  Not only am I pleased by Lia’s decision but the significance of this milestone is also to have a grown child who is now a beautiful young lady.

2.     A growing, satisfying and I believe God honoring relationship with June that is recovering from some over extended years that had left us frayed and me tone deaf to the cry and hope in her heart.  It is a gradual recovery like getting into shape by exercise and healthy eating rather than a relatively quick surgery solution.

3.     Admitting that my son, Austin, is taller than me and see how he excels over me in a number of areas but mostly pleased by the gentleness of his heart and noticing of what is around him.

4.     Invited to serve as lead pastor of CCF that aligns with my continuing regional bishop role and brings a greater focus into the God given heart vision I carry with others.  And the symbolic installation service among the CCF vegetables and giving of the first fruits.  This inaugurated the beginning realization of a prophetic word given me in December 2010 by Jaye Lindo and subsequent prayer and waiting upon the Lord.

5.     Opportunity to minister into persons’ lives at points of crisis and/or spiritual hunger in personal conversations in mentoring and counseling and in teaching and preaching.  To have baptized 18 people at my best count most in the context of CCF but also Ethiopian Evangelical, and the joyful realization that most of these were ready for baptism by the discipling ministry of others.

6.     Conducting several significant financial decisions: refinancing our home mortgage and saving 6 years on the life of the loan and purchasing a car.

7.     International mission ministry trips to Honduras and Ethiopia that joyfully revealed that the missions heart I carry is authenticated by God and his grace and not by position, role or job:

a.     Honduras to teach in a missions training school—with Lia along as a high school grad celebration and Spanish immersion week for her

b.     Ethiopia to participate in the International Missions Association (IMA) with several persons from CCF and the district

8.     Turning 50.

9.     To launch the year of the gardens at CCF with several people most notably Caleb and Anne who played very significant roles in the conception, implementation and follow through into preparation for next growing season.  Significance is prophetically in how God tends and grows our lives, and in how God cares for the physical earth as well as our spirits and souls.

10. To cast the garden image across the district perhaps most memorably in a Good Friday garden service.

11. The mentoring relationships with STEP students and personalized relationships with the district pastors: Specifically ordaining Todd Scholtz and Dan Miller and license of Caleb Kaye

12. The significance of two Scripture passages as a call and promise of focus and provision for ministry in this still emerging season:

“I was appointed a herald and an apostle… and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.” (I Timothy2:7 NIV)

“Grace mixed with faith and love poured over me and into me. And all because of Jesus.”  (I Timothy 1:14 MSG)