For the faith section of the museum -
I returned once again to Gwinnet Community church which continues to intrigue and draw me. Running just a little late, I grabbed a cup of really delicious coffee and slipped in just as the tech team brought up a video for the opening of the service. If you have any interest in the stars of the heavens, the singing of whales, or the awesomeness of God, you need to go to You Tube and find the Louie Gigglio video, Louie Gigglio Mashup of Stars and Whales.
The sermon for the day at GCC was from a bi-vocational pastor who works with two others in a church plant with an interesting goal. Their desire is to have a church where 100% of the donations go to support missions at the local, regional and world level. Phoenix Community Coffee Company became their choice for developing the means for that goal to be reached. They buy coffee from missionary coffee growers in Central America. These bi-vocational missionaries grow quality coffee and pay their workers as much as four times the typical wage, seeking to meet physical and spiritual needs in these Central American areas. The local company roasts it and private label packages it to help churches and para-church organizations support their own mission projects. In sharing the story, this once burned out pastor made his point - for those walking with God there is no such thing as coincidence - abundantly clear. The story of their dream and start up is not mine to tell, but it was impressive, and I was blessed. The coffee is great, too! Check it out: Phoenix Community Coffee
One great sermon deserves another, so I headed to the Blakely's church, because Katie and John were singing Bible School songs for the congregation. And now Mimi can actually go to these activities. With time between the two services, I headed into Kroger to pick up items so I could fix supper for my furniture construction crew. I cut the time a little short and arrived just as the preschoolers that Beth taught were singing, but I was there to observe my two stars act completely like 9 & 10 year olds while the younger ones sang. However, they were quite angelic when they sang and signed several songs. After the singing, the pastor preached a great sermon, reminding his congregations to follow through themselves on the VBS challenge to "Dare to go Deeper with God." I could just about have been sitting back at Shalom Baptist. He clearly reminded them that being a Christian was not about going to church or being baptized or confirmed or doing good - it was about a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. When I was going to camp and Bible School as a kid, they taught us faith was as simple as ABC - ask Jesus into your heart, believe in Him and confess your sin. I like how Pastor Tom did the ABCs - admit your sin and need of a savior, believe that Jesus is that Savior, and commit yourself to a relationship with Him.
For the family section of the museum
After three really pleasant gentlemen delivered the IKEA boxes containing my sofa, chair, entertainment center and dining room table, Beth, Bill and Katie came over for the construction party. Beth and Bill started with the sofa while I finished putting together a Curry Chicken Pasta Salad. I joined in putting the covers on, which turned out to be relatively easy. They then turned to the 14 piece entertainment center with scores of pegs to hold it together. Chosen because it would fill the alcove so exactly, but built on the floor, the raising of the completed structure prompted held breath. At one point, upward progress stopped and it appeared stuck. Fortunately, one little connection needed to be tightened, and the complicated piece slipped into the space looking like a built in.
With that completed, the pool with the waterfall beckoned. We gathered up all the cardboard and wrappings so I could haul them down to the trash area, and they headed off to the pool. I chose the deck chair and enjoyed watching them interact in the pool. Supper was on the old make-do table, but while I cleaned up, Bill and Beth finished the dining table. It was christened with strawberry shortcake and a really great cup of coffee.
Building up a weekend of blessing creates a reserve of joy, which may be needed today.
No comments:
Post a Comment