“…And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

Question for the day:  Are we being Jesus to those in our own community?

Happy Monday friends,

I am so excited today.  I have just left Liberty Crossings after watching the beginning of a wonderful week – VBS!  There were well over 100 hundred children there with probably at least 40 volunteers.  It was so great to see all the excitement on everyone’s faces, children and adults alike.  Please pray that the Holy Spirit will move in a great way this week as we all seek to know our God better.

I am also excited about the wonderful stories that came back yesterday from our Nicaragua Team.  I have not heard them all yet, but I was certainly moved by the ones that I did hear.  Even though I don’t travel to Nicaragua myself, I still feel like I was a part of that Spirit-filled outreach, and I thank God for those from our church that went and made such a difference.

And finally, I am getting excited about one of my favorite upcoming outreach events: The Magic City Miracle!  That’s right, plans are just beginning for this day of community outreach, and I as I hear the preliminary “dreams” for this event, it makes me even more excited to participate.

Many of you may be asking, “What is the Magic City Miracle?”  In a nutshell, it is a day (Sunday, September 29, 2013) in which we choose not to “go to church,” we instead, choose to “be the church.”

This is a day in which our goal, if I am correct, that we will gather with hopefully 2000 volunteers from around our city to create a day of service to 150 organizations and worksites.  Anyone can join our effort, and the organization is led by 5 Methodist Churches in the area.

However, today we are saying special prayers for Scott Comas, the chair person for this event and the large team of volunteer leaders from our church that will make it happen.  Liberty Crossings is the lead church in this massive campaign, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this church that has a heart for our surrounding community.

What can the rest of us do?  First, we will pray.  Second, we will volunteer.  There will be service opportunities of all kinds for ages 5 and up on that day.  As the time draws near, please consider choosing a site and giving a day to help someone in need.  In fact, go ahead and mark your calendars: Sunday, September 29th, so you don’t forget.  And, begin praying about where God would have you make a difference that day.  It is truly a blessing to be a part of it.

Gracious Father,

We come to you today with humble hearts.  For it is You, who provide us with all the blessings of this life.  And yet we understand, that we are blessed in order to be a blessing to others.  Give us, each one, an understanding today of the blessings You have bestowed upon us.  And give us clarity about the way we are to bless others.  Lead our hearts, by Your Holy Spirit, to be generous, to be givers, to be servants to all in Your kingdom.

Help us to become lovers of people.

And Lord, we ask that You bestow a special grace upon Scott Comas and his leadership team.  They are undertaking a massive event.  Fill each one with vision and joy.  Enable each one with the power of Your Holy Spirit.  And cover each one with Your grace and protection.  

May their paths be straight, and without obstacle.  May their hearts be touched by Your compassion.  May this event be for them, a way of connecting with You in a greater and more intimate way.  May Your favor and blessings fall upon the families that are sacrificing so much to serve and lead the rest of us.  

And Jesus, may You be glorified by every action, thought, word, and deed that stems from this project.

In the name of our Savior we pray,

Amen