Wednesday evening Ken mentioned the online resources available on Dave’s website. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to check them out, go here to log in. If you missed Wednesday’s class or lost your log in code, your group leader will be able to remind you…
We would greatly appreciate your prayers for our time with KingsWay’s Community Group Leaders and their wives this Friday evening and Saturday. These fine couples are an essential part of our life together as a church and the front line extension of our pastoral care for you.
Friday evening our only goal is to thank and honor them for their tireless efforts to serve our church family - what a joy and privilege it will be to do that! Saturday we’ll spend the day equipping them in counseling according to the Scriptures and imparting grace.
These couples are worthy of your prayers every day, but please join us this weekend in particular in interceding for them to be strengthened and encouraged. And may God be pleased to mercifully continue to advance the gospel and build His church in Midlothian!
God builds his church. I Pet 2:5 says that Christians are “like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house”. The church is the structure; we are the stones; God is the builder. God is the builder. Not pastors. Not church-planters. God.
2009 dawns as the year 
when the church in Fredericksburg will be planted. There is so much anticipation in my heart as I watch God at work already – building his church – adding people to the group of folks who will soon become a church family.
The past few weeks have been particularly exciting as I’ve been able to interact with several new families from all over the Fredericksburg area who are interested in the plant. It’s fun to watch God build.
If you are interested in learning more about the church plant or if you are considering being a part of it, please talk with me or with your pastor.
This week we had the joy of hearing Jeff Purswell preach a message entitled “A People of God’s Presence.” We looked across biblical redemptive history to see that God’s eternal purpose is to dwell among a people that He has made his own. How amazing! Let us fully consider the implications of this great picture of God’s grace. Pondering these questions, may be a help:
May we live differently this week knowing that the Spirit of God dwells among us and in us, and may our relationship with God be deep. Through the finished work of Christ God has made a way for us to draw near and meet with Him.
Which is more godly? The old hymns of the faith? Or the praise choruses of today? I believe that’s the wrong question. The question Scripture begs us to answer is this. Which songs enable the word of Christ to “dwell in us richly” as we sing “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in our hearts to God” (Col. 3:16)? Last Sunday we learned a new song written by Chris Tomlin called “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”. Tomlin takes the verse lyrics from an old Fanny Crosby hymn by the same name, rewrites the melody and adds a new chorus:
You lead me, and keep me from falling
You carry me close to Your heart
And surely your goodness and mercy will follow me
I love how the chorus reminds us of our security as son and daughters of God. He is holy. He is mighty. His glory fills the heavens. Yet he is near to those who call on him and gently leads us all our days. May God use these lyrics to fill our hearts with gratitude for the Savior who makes relationship with the King of Glory possible for you and me!
We hope these posts serve you and your families, but we don’t claim to have the corner on either good content or good blogging technique! Bob Kauflin has an excellent blog called Worship Matters, covering the spectrum of topics from a theology of worship and worship leading to songwriting tips and music reviews. Whether you lead worship in any context or simply desire a biblical perspective on the world of music, Worship Matters will equip you with a greater measure of practical discernment. I highly recommend it!
Gene and I visited the church in Roanoke last weekend. I was so thankful to be there - it felt like the ultimate front-row seat! From the “50 yard line”, I got to watch Gene encourage a pastoral team, equip future leaders, and ground a church in the Word. Wow! What a weekend!
As I prepare to lead the church plant to Fredericksburg, I am so grateful that God has placed us in this family of churches. Even more, I’m so grateful that I get to work with Gene. Lord willing, the church in Fredericksburg will soon benefit from his care just like the church in Roanoke did this weekend.
But here’s the truth. Gene can only do what he does because of you, the people of KingsWay. In a real way, the care he brings to another church is an extension of your care. So thank you. Thank you for the way that you serve and support him, and in so doing, serve and support other churches in our family.
Last night was our first class of Financial Peace University. Over 250 people gathered in the auditorium, and the mood was almost electric as the first lesson began. Everyone was excited to begin his journey toward personal financial peace. Dave Ramsey did a great job teaching us how begin taking baby steps on that journey.
What? Baby steps? I hate baby steps. I like large leaps, big jumps, sudden progress, and quick results. Baby steps are for… babies!
But guess what. Watch out… God delights in baby steps. He delights when his kids look to Him in faith and take one small step in the right direction. Just one step. Just a baby step. Look to God to provide, and put one foot in front of the other.
For many, the journey to financial peace will be a very long road. For some, the current financial climate has made the road even longer. But as we embark on this journey, let’s take our eyes off the length of the road and consider the strength of our God.
Then, take a step.
Like most of you, our office staff was attentive at the television yesterday at noon as we witnessed the historic inauguration of President Obama. Also, I’m sure like many of you we then took some time to pray for our President and his administration.
C.J. Mahaney, President of Sovereign Grace Ministries
had a similar opportunity during a time with John Piper, Al Mohler, Mark Dever, Ligon Duncan, and Thabiti Anyabwile. He writes about that time here. He also commends an excellent model for prayer for President Obama given by Al Mohler. It’s worth reflecting on and emmulating. You can find Dr. Mohler’s prayer here.
Please continue to keep our new President and our nation in your prayers.
Just a quick reminder that Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University starts tomorrow evening. The class will run in our auditorium for 14 Wednesdays at 7:30 pm. For more info click on the logo above…
