It's almost as if...

One of the jokes that I have with a friend of mine when things seem to happen all in unison, things unrelated to each other, things that shouldn't fit or work; is that it seems like there's a plan in this--almost like there's a God in charge.  DUH!

The last week has been like that. 

I decided that it was time to begin to engage Magazine on a new level, so last Monday the prayer walking took on a whole new fervor.  We asked folks to pray that we would be able to engage at least 50 people, (we also asked God for 100 people to commit to support us financially, and for God to begin to raise up leaders for the lead team) and once on Magazine and praying it hit.  The terror. 

I don't know if you have ever stepped into where God was leading and felt it...wow.  I haven't been that afraid for a long time.  So I prayed.  I begged God for discernment, direction, wisdom, favor--how in the world was I supposed to begin this. 

After a couple of days of praying, walking, and feeling stalked; an idea came to mind. 

I spend most of the day Friday putting together the necessary items that I would need to do what God had suggested.  I called for some advice, and then Friday afternoon went out to Magazine.

Now, did I mention that in the midst of this, devotionally, I am studying Ephesians this week--just so happened that I am in Sp. Warfare training--[insert joke]

I began to walk up Magazine with the flyers in my hand, 2 of them, one with tear away's--for folks to have my number and web address, and the other to leave in shops for folks to take.

"Introducing a new Magazine st. faith community: Truth Love and Community through disciplemaking"  We are a new faith community in the area, and we just want to love and serve the Magazine St. communities was what I was going to tell them.

If you haven't been down Magazine St.  let me just say that I am on the tame end for Magazine (I love it!) And Churches--well, we haven't represented King Jesus real well...so, there is a bit of--did I mention the terror.

When the peace came on Friday afternoon it was palpable.  All of the sudden, literally, doors were opening.  Folks were letting me place flyers, even when they normally wouldn't allow them.  Folks were talking with me, wondering what I was doing, and when I told them, they were excited.  I was able to put flyers with tear away's up on the telephone poles, which Thursday night were cleaned up, and the church plant flyers were the only one's on them now.

Then things got weird.  There was a music shop that I had walked into earlier in the week where I wasn't given any opportunity by the Holy Spirit to connect, and today the owner, who I recognized as a friend of John the pastor at CRCC was out.  I asked if I could hang a flyer on the board outside his place.  He not only said of course, but we talked, and he wanted to now more, and gave up an opportunity to serve a buddy of his.  Just what we were praying for.

With this, later on Saturday a call came in from someone in the community wanting to connect with a community like what we were talking about; I bumped into another guy who is praying about being on our leadership team; and Sunday afternoon I gained a connect to get me into the Firehouse on Magazine that I was praying for. [insert Joke here, and a big praise God]

I went to worship at a church on Saturday that is of same heart and mind as us, and then did the same with our family on Sunday.

Then...today, the pressure at home was palpable.  My wife is really feeling this, and it is especially hard for her [insert Joke, and a prayer for protection and refreshment for her here]

Now, I am on Magazine writing this--and guess what

All the flyer are gone, except for the one outside the music shop, yet it is covered by a concert.

You know what...I just want to jump up and celebrate and dance in the street. 

LET ME MAKE THIS NOTICE TO ALL WHO ARE LISTENING AND READING....

JESUS KINGDOM HAS COME, AND IT IS SETTING UP RULE ON MAGAZINE STREET.  THOSE WITH MOXIE--COME JOIN US

JESUS IS KING  And there are folks who need to know how much He loves them, and we are here to let them know, and there will be more after us, until the King comes again.

It's almost as if...

[insert praise to the true amazing God, and pray for Him to raise up workers for the harvest cause it's plentiful, and the workers are needed desperately--is it you?  Will you pray?  Will you support?  Will you come?]

Dreaming about NOLA

God has created us with such beauty, complexity, and wonder hasn't He!

I love having the opportunity to sit down and talk with men and women who love God and His beauty, but find themselves unified under the Lordship of Jesus.

Just in this past week I have had the privilege of meeting with 15 people who are involved in ministry in one way or another, yet they are following Jesus as Lord, and pursuing His Kingdom, not their own.

What a refreshing thing

Along with that, I am always amazed, and really pumped to sit down with someone who I have never met before, but because Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we have a relational bond that bridges any gap.  I have had that privilege 2 times in the past 10 days--Jesus is good, and it is a very good thing to serve Him.

One day, NOLA will be marked as a community of people who live like this--It has begun, God is on the move, and it is wonderful.

It's a new year

Do you ever have those moments where you stop and take a look back and consider where you were say, 6 months or a year or so ago? 

I'm having one of those moments right now as I sit in the coffee shop where God confirmed our call to NOLA.  This is the place that folks thought about when they began to hear what God was saying to my heart as they got to know me.

A year of transition.  A new child.  A new call.  Same great God.

I have to admit that it is a bit overwhelming to sit here and wonder about what God is going to do with me, yet as I look back over the past season of my life I see God's faithfulness, provision, goodness, kindness that a deep sense of adventurous peace falls on my soul.

I want to pray that God would have you take a deep breath and look back on what He has done in your life in the past season, and I hope that you too can sense that deep peace that passes my understanding of what in the world is going to happen today and tomorrow, and resting in the good big arms of Daddy-God

God bless ya

From NOLA

Eric