Thursday, July 9, 2009

A funeral, contacts and contacts

Today I went to a funeral for a long time friend, Max Stanton. As I was waiting for the worship to start I read from the Book of Common Prayer the following:

2 Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You turn men back to dust,
saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."

4 For a thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.

5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
they are like the new grass of the morning-

6 though in the morning it springs up new,
by evening it is dry and withered.

7 We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.

8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.

9 All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.

10 The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

11 Who knows the power of your anger?
For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

12 Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

The pastor did a great job of pointing to Max's Savior while at the same time honoring the life of my friend and comforting the family.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

From the funeral I returned home to have my lovely Rebekah look deep into my eyes showing off her new contacts - she is thrilled.

Before the funeral I met with some fellow church planters and pastors and we had a brain session on ways that I can contact people in a winsome way during the summer with the goal of sharing the good news of Jesus. I am very encouraged with their ideas and the synergism that it sparked in my mind.

So - a funeral reminded me of the limited days we have here, Rebekah's contacts reminds me that simple joys should be enjoyed like a happy little girl and contacting people for the Kingdom can really be fun - I will share some of the ideas in another post!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

IT is finally a HOME!




Last night the Cross family officially made our house in Charlotte a home! How do you do that? You get all the female clothes in the house! We are here and the Lake house is again REVILO.

We miss Karen - leading a soccer camp in Albemarle, Margaret - at the beach with Kristen, and Oliver in CA on a mission Summer. But they will be here soon!

We had special prayer last night before bed thanking God for this home and asking Him to use us and this home for His glory. Pray that with us!

Will let you know about a soon to be house warming party!