Eyes to See, Hearts to Hope, Faith to Believe
Back in July, I asked you to pray with me about two things: our little multi-cultural church here in High Point, North Carolina, and the husband of one of our Filipino ladies who struggles with alcohol addiction. Here’s an update, along with some thoughts on prayer and God’s timing and work in our lives.
I began serving Embrace Church in July, very much aware that Summer is a slow time for churches. We had a house in Pensacola, Florida, to sell, Sherri had just retired, and our granddaughter was due to be born in Asheville in August. Moving always involves so much more than just hauling furniture and personals from one place to another, and we have been inundated with so many “little things.” But arriving in mid-Summer has taken a lot of the pressure off.
It’s early September, Labor Day is behind us, school is starting, and we are beginning our Spiritual Growth Groups in the church.
One of those groups will be meeting weekly in our condo - all Filipino ladies! Some of you international workers and travelers know how close-knit Filipinos are, and these ladies are classic examples of their culture, which, by the way, I really love. We had lunch at a local Korean restaurant with our group on Sunday, and I have an update to share regarding the husband with the alcohol addiction.
His wife said that things were much better. The conflict, which was the result of his drinking, has subsided. She is feeling much better about the circumstances, but keep praying.
A new couple has been attending our church for several weeks. He is a white American; she is Mexican. They have a little boy who, from what I’ve been told, loves children’s church and hates to leave each Sunday. They are a precious family and have signed up for one of our Growth Groups.
For our part, Sherri and I have been meeting people in our neighborhood and attending some of the churches meeting in our building. There are four churches in addition to ours that meet in the building - two are Black American, one is Hispanic, and one is Haitian. I want each one of these pastors and churches to know that we are united with them to reach our community for Christ. I am building some genuine relationships over lunch and coffee!
Now for my thoughts on prayer and God’s timing. I’m sixty-five and have been a pastor since the Fall of 1984. As an ambitious young man coming out of the business world, I was always in a hurry. It has taken the better part of my ministry to realize what Eugene Peterson has called “the unforced rhythms of grace.”
God is never in a hurry but always on time. To pray persistently and effectively and in faith, we must seek the unforced rhythms of His grace.
Consider these words from one of the Sons of Thunder, John the beloved disciple, who in his younger days was, along with the eleven, trying to understand the wisdom and ways of his Rabbi, Jesus -
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. (I Jn. 2:13)
As we grow in Christ, we pass through different stages of spiritual growth as children, young adults, and in time, spiritual fathers and mothers. One of the things that mark our maturity is an unhurried, unworried, slower pace of life. I’m reminded of some advice Dallas Willard gave to John Ortberg about becoming a better pastor and leader - “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.”
This is so hard for those of us living in American culture. We move from one distraction to the next, filling our time with so many mundane things that keep us busy but barren.
But one of the signs we are growing in Christ is our ability to slow down and wait on God. Psalm 27:14 counsels us, saying, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
As we slow down and learn to wait, we begin to develop spiritual eyes and hearts. Our faith grows and is seen in our patient persistence as we labor together with God to see His Kingdom come into our lives, churches, and communities.
We are seeing God move here in High Point. And as I promised you back in July, I’ll keep you updated on all that He is doing, both expected and unexpected!
Thanks for taking the time to read and pray!
In Christ,
Dan
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You can listen to my weekly messages at Embrace Church, High Point.