While You Were Out...

A lot has happened over the last few months at QSCC, if you've been gone you might have missed a few things. On top of summer camps, and summer trips, missionary furloughs and short term missions, progress toward the vision God has given us has been springing up everywhere. 

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.  Isaiah 43:19-20

Acapella Rebirth Our Acapella Rebirth Team brought forth a proposal which the elders have endorsed and we hope to implement in October.

More Blended Worship Gatherings We have had 4 so far this year, 2 this Summer.

Space Improvements There have been additional improvements to our lights and sound systems.  Space has been added around the communion tables and for more prayer.

Integrated Curriculum We have continued to implement our integrated curriculum.  More of us are having more conversations around the same texts than before.  This can only enhance our intergenerational community and increase biblical knowledge.

Intentional Path Shortly after we declared an initiative to develop intentional process of spiritual transformation, we were invited by Leadership Network to form a learning community of 8-10 churches in the process of developing intentional tracks of spiritual development in their churches.  I have been involved in Leadership Network Communities before and I can tell you not only is the invitation a special honor , the relationships we will have with other like minded churches will improve our own goals in this are.

Connection Groups  As we said back in March, the greatest potential for our spiritual transformation and those we hope to reach is to “EMPHASIZE connections groups as primary opportunity for Spiritual growth.”  Check out Bruce McIntyre’s August 25 message for more on this.

GO Events   During July, rather than gathering at the building on Wednesday night, we gathered at the district level at snowcone stands and we went into our neighborhoods looking for adventure.  Nearly 100 people meet up after the first week at local snow can stands to report back about needs identified!   Overall, about 20 needs were identified and met, 2 are still underway.  Three families held cookouts for their neighbors;  one held a movie night on their lawn and several families joined up for a food drive as well. What a blessing you are in your communities!

Missional Development Team The MDT was formed this summer to begin imagining what it might look like for initiative #6 to happen.  Stay tuned….

Renaming Ourselves   A team was formed to test the name the Springs.  In the weeks ahead they will present a recommendation to us that includes some other names.  You will be asked for your feedback and we hope to settle this one by the end of September.

Sale of Facility  On August 18 the church empowered the trustees/elders to pursue the sale of this property with a 95% approval vote.   For those who are in the 5 percent - be assured we want to visit with you and see if we can alleviate your concerns.   It is by no means a done deal…we have simply placed this property on the altar and said God do what you want with it.

Wow what a list!  You are a courageous church!

Fear and uncertainty go without saying for any group of pioneers. 

But they have never set us back before. 

At the end of our presentation in February I said… “These are compelling, and some audacious goals. God being our helper, we can do these. God being our savior, we must do these.” 

And God is helping us.  We are experiencing great unity and accomplishing more than I had imagined in 6 short months. 

PRAISE GOD! 

The Day of The Lord: Coming Soon

Maybe Paul had Isaiah 66 in mind when speaking 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4  Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

 

More proof that it is the WHAT not the HOW & WHEN that matters most...read on...I don't think I need to comment...

 

This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the LORD.  “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.   But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a person, and whoever offers a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig’s blood, and whoever burns memorial incense  is like one who worships an idol.  They have chosen their own ways, and they delight in their abominations; so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring on them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.”

Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word: “Your own people who hate you, and exclude you because of my name, have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy!’ Yet they will be put to shame.   Hear that uproar from the city, hear that noise from the temple! It is the sound of the LORD repaying his enemies all they deserve.

“Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; before the pains come upon her,  she delivers a son.  Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children.   Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the LORD. “Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery?” says your God. “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her.   For you will nurse and be satisfied  at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.”

For this is what the LORD says:    “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees.  As a mother comforts her child,so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”   When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes.   See, the LORD is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.   For with fire and with his sword the LORD will execute judgment on all people, and many will be those slain by the LORD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Day of the Lord - Now or Later

2 Thessalonian 1:8-10 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might  on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

The language of JUDGMENT makes the post-modern mind uncomfortable.   

Yet, any measure of successful human existence requires a measure of judgment. Everyone makes judgments.  Everyone’s judgment is imperfect. 

If there is a creator God then it seems that his judgment would be perfect. 

The Hebrew Prophets speak on behalf of that God whose nature is justice and who struggles to manifest it now in His freedom graced creation. 

You can open your Bible to just about any page in the Hebrew Prophet section and find the language of judgment.  But the news is not all bad.

Here are the full passages I took from during the presentation When Faith Comes To Town: Judgment Day.  I encourage you to read them in full context, looking for parallel issues you face today. 

Joel 3:1-3

Amos 5

Malachi 4

Isaiah 64

When you read the prophets, notice that while God’s justice is inevitable eternal condemnation is not.  Making correct judgments in the now about one’s self/tribe/nation avoids future destruction.  The choice is up to us.