Time – they say – passes quickly when you’re having fun.
We must be having fun! It’s hard to believe it’s been over two years since we packed up and left Texas, but that is the case. This second year has been good. Interesting. Fun. And yes, hard at times.
Our family is healthy and happy and we’re enjoying each day of this season in our children’s lives. God gave us our Mary this past year and we will always be grateful that we didn’t stop God’s blessings at four.
Community Bible Church is doing well. In all those tangible, measurable ways (e.g., new members, finances, guests, etc.) we had a little better year than the year before and the year before (2006) was a lot better than the years before that, so we are encouraged. We have lots of new people with a fresh outlook on things. We started a friendship with a black church in Topeka recently and everyone is really enjoying that. We invited their pastor and praise team to participate in our Worship Conference at the end of October. Not sure where it’s going, but right now it’s just fun being friends with them. We did our first Passover last year and it was a huge success. We’re seeing the lights come on for some new believers who are faithful to Bible study. We’re seeing individuals practicing the one-anothers in ways that are uncomfortable at times, but very rewarding for all involved. We’re also seeing new friendships replacing lost ones (churches in transition tend to see that sort of thing).
But, like any church, we have our share of problems and issues that need to be resolved and these can be very exhausting. God is good, though, and continues to put encouragers into our lives precisely when we need them. There are many intangible things that happen which reveal true, spiritual growth. If we’re too focused on numbers, finances and guests and such things, we may miss the intangibles.
In our own personal lives we see these intangibles most clearly. God is making us stronger and wiser and more determined than ever. We are closer than ever and that’s saying a lot. We’ve always been very happy and close. We’ve both (especially Beth) had to step up and lead in ways that are out of our comfort zones. It is in those times that God seems to make His presence felt in special ways.
We get discouraged at times. Frustrated. Disappointed. But we think this means we’re really doing something important. Exactly what God wants us to do. We just want to be faithful. To someday hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your Master.”
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.”
