Reflections on a Great Morning

I love starting a new series. There is something about the freshness of looking at where God wants to take us as a congregation. I'm particularly excited about this series on Joseph. Despite all the challenges of living in a broken world, Joseph remained faithful.  Here are a few reflections from this morning:

• Joseph is such a model to young people about what it is to live faithfully to God and to make wise decisions at an early age.  We make our decisions and then our decisions make us. Make decisions wisely.
• The only thing I can think of that truly kept Joseph faithful to the Lord for a prolonged period of darkness was that he never gave up believing that God had a dream and a purpose for His life.  Often when God speaks to us it is because life is going to get tough and we need to know that God indeed is in control.
• What a challenge to me as a parent to nurture and pray for God's dreams for my children. I'm so prone to want to impose my dreams on them. And I know they have their own selfish dreams. Lord help me to see, listen and discern what your plan is for them. May I do all I can to nurture that plan.
• A couple months ago, the leadership team took a short retreat. One of the things we did was talk about the Five Dysfunctions of a team. It was a powerful discussion that brought us together as a team. I'm praying that every family will have that Five Dysfunctions of a family discussion and see God do some great healing.
• I'm praying too that God would give us a big dream for His plans and visions at Calvary.

I want to share with you something that has encouraged my heart. For the last number of weeks at Calvary there have been young guys who have approached me after the service to let me know that they have just committed their lives to Christ.  It is so incredible to see these young men who want to know Christ and to grow in His power and strength.  It won't be easy.  The enemy is certainly going to want them back. Would you pray with me for these growing number of "Josephs" in our midst that God would use them in powerful ways and that they would fulfill what God has for them.

I can't tell you how exciting it is that Calvary is a place where people of all ages feel welcomed and feel the presence of God's Spirit.

Keep boldly praying.