God is cool

First let me thank those of you who have tossed up one on my behalf... it showed.

This morning was a morning where God slapped me up side the head and said "I'm God... I have big plans... remember?"

After last week's "excommunication message" as someone jokingly called it, I figured we'd have a thinned out crowd. I moved our soundboard up about 1/4 closer to the stage trying to set up the audience closer to the stage figuring the numbers may be down. It was an unnecessary and ultimately faith-less move on my part.

I knew I had done the right thing last Sunday. This week I've been at peace and very confident that we're headed in the right direction regardless of attendance. As our service got started this morning I was blown away. Remember last week we said goodbye to 3 families and about 1/3 or more of our budget (yes they were big givers).

Today God brought 4 new families to our service and another young couple came back after being gone for like 4 months. Our attendance was up, worship was great and the message seemed to be right on point for many people. It's amazing what happens when we're obedient.

I was honest with our people as I started into the message and I just praised God and told our guests "You were sent here today. If for nothing else to be a blessing to me.... I hope much more out of your time today, I pray that God will use me to return the favor." It seems like everyone had a good time and one of the families said they'd definitely be back... that's good stuff.

The custodian we had today (they rotate) actually gave in the offering (someone later told me, I didn't observe) and he came up to me and said "Pastor, I just want you to know that you make the bible so real. I don't go to church partly because most Pastors seem to just read a little bit of text and then go off on a tangent and I can't tell how everything relates but you made it simple to get. I really learned about forgiveness today."

It's not about me but it was a huge encouragement. Just part of the bigger painting God allowed me to see.

Moral of the story: Be Obedient.
I had known for a few months that this process needed to happen. I didn't want to do it. In the flesh I wanted to hope things would somehow turn around. They wouldn't. We would have kept drifting. God's not interested in a church 'getting by and keeping the peace'. God is interested in seeing people come to Him. His sovereignty WILL be revealed... I just want to be a part of it!