Marraige

Kristin and I just returned back to New Jersey after a great weekend with family and friends.  I was given the privilege of performing the wedding for my sister, and it was an interesting balance of being the brother, as well as the pastor.  I deeply enjoy attending weddings and officiating weddings, not only because I get to see friends and family, but because it is a time to behold the glory of God as we are reminded of Christ and His enduring, faithful love for His bride, the Church.  God will never leave His bride, ever.  Praise God.  It was a gift to celebrate.

I was also compelled to do an honest self-examination of my own life and marriage.  For those of us who are married, consider the truth about your marriage.  Do you believe marriage is primarily about you, or God and His glory?  Do you believe that marriage is about staying in love, or keeping covenant?  What is true hope for any "successful" marriage? Is it to be the most loving, kind, patient person?  Or daily believing the amazing reality of what Christ did for you on the cross?  Namely, Him taking our entire record of debt that stood against us, and instead of holding them up in front of our face, put them in the palm of His Son's hand and drove a nail through them into the cross.  This is the beginning of how husbands and wives learn to live in relationship together, we are blown away by this reality, and we get our joy, hope and life from this.

I encourage you, in your marriage and any relationship, to take all that you receive vertically from God through Christ in the gospel: His patience, mercy, grace, forgiveness, long-suffering, love, humility and kindness, and throw them horizontally to your relationships here on this earth.  The point of marriage is not us. The point is too look at God with wonder and awe and say "YOU are faithful! YOU are forgiving! YOU are patient! YOU are merciful! YOU are humble! YOU never leave your bride!"

Greater than any problem in your marriage, your sin that separated you from Him, God "has forgiven all, by canceling the record of debt that stood against you and I with its legal demands and set it aside, nailing it to a cross." (Colossians 2:12-13).  Believe this with all of your heart, and bend it toward your spouse.

2012

What a year 2011 was. We never imagined that in January of 2012 we would be living in a new state, in a different home, serving in a new ministry, with a new "beginning" in our married life.  We are so thankful for God's goodness, faithfulness, providence and grace to us since our move north in September.  

This year holds a lot of excitement for us, as well as things to celebrate. We just spent this past week down at Liberty University while Kristin completed her final graduate class! Now all she has left is student teaching this spring so that she will, by God's grace, graduate in May with her Masters in Arts and Teaching.  We are grateful to God for getting us through this season and I'm so proud of my wife in the ways she has worked so hard to accomplish this, all the while being such a wonderful, loving wife to me.

The next few months will be very busy with Emergence hosting a conference end of January, performing my sisters wedding January 25th,  preaching 2 more times at Emergence in February,  traveling to Pennsylvania to speak at a youth retreat near Scranton PA for a few days, while we continue our mission and work towards planting a church, serving faithfully in the residency, and growing in greater holiness.

In regards to greater holiness, a verse that has been on my mind ever since we entered the new year is 1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 

I'm praying for greater, deeper holiness this year.  To take an honest look at whether we are allowing God's Word to disciple our lives and our thinking, or the world. I need Him to sanctify my heart in many more ways, I need more love for Jesus and less love of the world, I need my heart to grow big for God and small for the lusts of the flesh. Let's take this very seriously this year, for His glory and His fame. 

Excited for 2012. Look forward to all God will do not only in our mission field up north, but in yours as well.  

12.18.11

Emergence held their very first service in the new facility this past Sunday December 18th! It was an incredible day all around.  We had 1200 people in attendance, and Ryan preached about the person of Mary, clarifying common misconceptions and error regarding her, and what we can learn from the undeserved favor God bestows to those whom He chooses.  There are still a few things to continue to tweak and finish up but Lord willing, in 2012, we will be able to move full steam ahead in establishing deep missional communities in the area and growing deep disciples so that we can send them out to plant churches.  Pray for the staff of emergence in this new season, as they were not expecting to have so many new guests, that we would shepherd the flock with diligence and intentionality and for wisdom to lead as God builds His church.  It has been more than humbling to witness first hand God's powerful hand in this area and a gift for us to be able to walk through this process with these faithful, gospel centered, disciples in North Jersey.

Here are some pictures from our official first service this past Sunday, wrapping up last minute details before the opening and the outside of the building.

Planting of Emergence!

We have some exciting news after long hours of work the past couple of weeks. Emergence is officially relocating and planting themselves as an independent church this Sunday December 18th!  We have been working many late nights over the past couple of weeks with many other members of Emergence in preparation for the move. All major inspections were passed this week and our big prayer is for the final  C.O. (Certificate of Occupancy) inspection happening today. Lord willing, if that is provided, we move in on Sunday! 

Walking through this process with Emergence's relocation has been extremely fruitful for me personally. The privilege of sitting in meetings and walking through all the different processes, prayer meetings, board meetings, elder meetings, building meetings, and discussions that have taken place for such a massive move like this have been a rich experience. I wish I could put into words all that I've been able to glean over the past 3 months.  

We wanted you all to be able to celebrate the move with us and what God is doing up here.  Below is a  picture of our final service in the old facility last sunday December 11th (top photo.) We had so many in attendance that we ran out of chairs. By God's grace and providence the timing of the move is impeccable.  The second picture gives you a look at the new facility, where there is room to grow and reach people for the Kingdom, and as we expand and grow deep, send people out to plant gospel driven churches.

We are thankful for all of you who have been walking with us through this time of change, through your prayer, support and encouragement.  God has been faithful, and is continuing to teach us much about Himself, our deep need for Him daily, and His everlasting love and mercy that is given each day.  We praise Him that he is immutable, one that never changes.  We miss all of you dearly, and pray each of you are celebrate the riches that Christ bought for us as we enter into this season!  

Justice and Mercy

This past Sunday I was given the humble privilege and joy of preaching at Emergence due to the commissioning of Emergence this weekend across the street at Jacksonville Chapel.  Emergence officially planted as an independent church January 1, 2012.  Our move into the new building is tentatively scheduled for December 18th (please pray for this!).  They are currently preaching through the book of Malachi, so as it landed, I picked up in Malachi 2:17-3:5.  I preached on the Justice and Mercy of God.  I must say, as when I prepare any sermon, I'm preaching to myself, and this particular message was convicting to my heart.  Do I believe our God is a God of justice? Even when I see the wicked prospering and the righteous man suffering?   Do I trust in divine revelation over my own observation? Am I blind to any personal sin?  Have I treasured in my heart today, the deep reality of the indescribable mercy displayed through Christ in the gospel?

Oh, God was gracious to me this past Sunday, and it was a joy to be back in the pulpit!  It was a gift to serve the body in this way.  I was humbled in and through the ways in which the Spirit stirred this local expression of Christ's Church through His Word.

Kristin and I are still learning to trust God daily, with our future, finances, and wisdom during this season.  But it has been a sweet time, through the ups and downs, we remember that we serve a God who is perfectly just in all that He does, He is faithful to His promises, and His mercy has met our deepest need in absolving our sin that held us at odds with the Lord of glory. We are at peace with Him, what a cause to rejoice!  Our God is a God of justice and mercy.

Jehovah Jireh

We have a huge praise to report.  As of this past week, we have reached our monthly recurring financial goal! This is a tremendous provision from the Lord.  We are beyond thankful for each of you who have given sacrificially to see His Kingdom advanced in the NorthEast, and even more grateful to our great God.  He truly is Jehovah Jireh, our God who provides.  He has shown His hand of provision in many ways since our departure from NOVA, and this is another reminder of His character and His continued faithfulness.

One other exciting update is that I have been asked to preach in two weeks at Emergence.  I'm humbled by the opportunity and grateful. Please be praying for me as I prepare that God would receive the maximum glory.

Love and miss each of you dearly. We pray you enjoy the riches of the gospel this week!