Vacation to Home this Week

Here is a picture of my hometown during the autumn season. Charles City, IA boasts of a great midwestern life. The changes in seasons bring the smells of tailgating, the sound of birds heading south for the winter and the beautiful sights of leaves that are changing colors and are ready to fall off their branches. The brisk chill of air that comes during football season is absolutely spectacular.

At left is a photo of the historical Suspension Bridge that has been a landmark of our city for many years. On my trip home this coming week I will be praying for our town to come together to revitalize and to restore what once was.

 Much of the midwest suffered from major flooding damage over the past month, my hometown was no different. My family's home was safe and my parents survived, but much of our town, even this historic and beloved Suspension Bridge did not. 

It is amazing for me to think that what once meant nothing to me, means everything to me now. It is that age-old philosophy that we do not know the true value of what we have, until we do not have it anymore.  I am reminded today what God continually feels as He sees His children and His creation turning their backs on Him, not understanding the true value that He gives to us, to our lives, and to our world.  The good news is that if we turn back to Him and walk with Him...everything can and will be restored.  I pray not only for the lost historical landmarks in my hometown, but also for its people (past and present) to unite with one another to bring hope to our city and Glory to our God!

Please Pray

We are in the midst of a series of Messages called One Prayer. I believe that God is doing amazing things in and through this series...Globally. What I think is incredible is that I believe that when you pray for things, God will give you the opprotunity to respond. Maybe we should also pray, God, make me aware of the opportunities that you give me to respond.

Last week, we heard a message from Pastor Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv called Lord, Make us One. This is a message for "the church" calling all people to play for and in the name of Jesus Christ and not for their denomination, their dogma, or maybe even the name of their specific church. We celebrate as "the church" the sacrificial atoning work of Jesus Christ that bonds us all to One Hope, One Spirit, One Baptism, One Love, One Lord, and One Prayer.

Lord, Make us One is a prayer that gives people the chance to respond to the cries, hurts, and brokenness of this world and to respond by being the hands and feet of Jesus...TOGETHER.

Following Craig's message this week in my own personal life I am finding opportunities in which God can unite people to resurrect and to renew brokenness here. I received an email this week from my parents describing some of the devastation that has taken place in our hometown due to floods. How will the church in Charles City, IA respond? How will the church in the midwest respond? Better yet, how will the church in Texas respond (me and maybe you)? I am praying for my parents and my friends in my hometown: for the there safety and for the floods to cease. More than that, I am praying that people will be united together to repair and restore and that ultimately they may see the love, truth, and grace of Our Father in Heaven.