lean forward (back2school)

Lean forward. Don’t lean so far that you lose your balance and fall. Lean enough to help get your momentum going and be ready for what God has for you in the minutes, days and years ahead.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB

Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

One of my favorite days of the year is when our group from back2school comes together to pack backpacks. Well, last evening was that time.

A few hundred volunteers. A few hundred backpacks. Thousands of school supplies. Several trucks and vans. Lots of prayers and hugs, laughter and a few tears. Reuniting with some friends we haven’t seen in a while and meeting a bunch of new, cool people. It was amazing.

But the best part is how we lean on each other. Not literally. But we work together, getting done a task that by ourselves would take several days. In a couple hours the task was complete, backpacks and shoes were loaded in vehicles headed to the locations where back2school will be taking place in this weekend and the next.

We made each other better by leaning on each other and working together.

We helped others see that they and we are not alone.

We gave people a picture of what the church really looks like. People from different backgrounds, different theological perspectives, different parts of the community and beyond doing what God called us to do.

We leaned on each other because working together makes each of us better.

I was listening to a sermon from Erwin McManus recently, and he shared how leaning in to what God was doing helps you be who God wants you to be and to do what God has called you to do.

We need each other. We make each other better and stronger. We give strength and courage to other people when we choose to work together.

But the best part is we find the God-given, God-calling, God-glorifying parts to God for His best to come out of us, our churches and to the people we serve.

Pray for back2school as in 14 locations about 2,500 students will be served this year. Each will hear a message about Jesus, be given supplies and shoes to help them be ready for a new school year.

It really is incredible what you can do when you lean on God and others!

Psalm 102:21-22 NASB

So that people may tell of the name of the Lord in Zion, And His praise in Jerusalem, 22 When the peoples are gathered together, And the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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