3 hours and 3 thoughts

Our student ministry kicks off in about 3 hours.  Students will begin to trickle in and start converstations with one another.  Our leaders both students and adults will begin to set up different areas of our program.  There are a couple of guys who always are there to make sure the speakers and music are up and going.  A faithful mom volunteer finds paper plates and the money box to get ready for our snack bar.  Several young guys and girls begin to set up the sign in and first timers registration tables.  The student band preps for the intense worship service that will be in full motion in just a few hours…

A few thoughts as the hours count down…

*  Orange cones, loud speakers, greasy pizza, rowdy teenagers are all part of our ministry tonight.  If it’s not for our Creator, our Savior it’s all a waste of time, energy, and resources. 

Holy God, remind me that without you we don’t even exist.  Because of WHO YOU ARE that we are here.  Help me to always show up to show YOU off. 

*  In any given moment, with any given word, a teenagers life can be redirected for GOD or for bad. 

Father, use every second of our student ministry services to speak truth into the lives of the teenagers who show up to our ministry.  Use the pizza lines, check in tables, sports ministry, time of worship, words from our speaker, words from our leaders to speak faith, hope, and love into the lives of teenagers.  I hope every student’s spiritual ear clearly hears YOUR voice.

*  No matter what I perceive as success or failure is only partially correct.

All Sufficient God, you are in control.  Whether I feel like the message was a little messy or the band wasn’t it’s usual best, or the night didn’t go as planned, you are fully and totally in control.  I pray that I always show to give my very best, but also trust you to connect people to your God Truth, for you to reveal yourself in ways that only you can. 

Praying for Matt Chandler and The Village Church

There is no doubt that God is involved in all the details.  It’s time for us to pray and encourage.

Pathology results revealed

Dear church,

In the first chapter of Philippians, the Apostle Paul writes that whatever imprisonments, beatings and trials he may have suffered, they all “serve to advance the gospel” of Jesus Christ. We implore you to keep the gospel of Christ as the main focus as we walk with Matt and Lauren through this trial.

On Tuesday, Dr. Barnett informed Matt and Lauren that the findings of the pathology report revealed a malignant brain tumor that was not encapsulated. The surgery to remove the tumor, the doctor said, was an extremely positive first step; however, because of the nature of the tumor, he was not able to remove all of it.

Matt, who is being released from the hospital today, is meeting with a neuro-oncologist this week to outline the next steps of the recovery process. There is a range of treatment possibilities but the exact course of action has not yet been determined. He will continue outpatient rehab.

The Lord is calling Matt and Lauren and The Village Church body to endure this trial. It will be a challenging road for Matt, his family and our church body. The gospel is our hope and the Lord is our strength. Matt and Lauren continue to find solace and hope in Christ. They weep facing this trial, but not as those without hope and perspective. The gospel clarifies their suffering and promises more of Christ through it all.

You have done a wonderful job respecting the family, and we ask that you continue to do this. They are processing all of this together and need you to give them precious space. Please do not visit them at their house unless personally invited by the Chandlers. The best way to serve the family is to continue to be faithful in prayer. Specifically, pray for the following:

• Wisdom for all the coming decisions
• Strength and peace to endure
• The kids’ (Audrey, Reid and Norah) hearts; pray the Lord is merciful as they process and that their little hearts do not grow embittered
• The Chandlers and The Village would suffer well because of the gospel and for the sake of Christ’s name

As you hurt and weep for the family, do not do it alone. Gather with your home group and with other believers in homes and pray together. This is a time to walk together with others and to endure this trial in community. If you wish, send cards and letters to Matt and Lauren at 2101 Justin Road, Flower Mound, TX 75028.

We will continue to keep you informed as new information is made available. Please be patient with the frequency of the updates. May God strengthen us all and may His glory shine brightly through this.

not much time

So I was talking with a friend yesterday who has been told that there is a good chance that he has leukemia. What would you do if you walked into the doctor’s office and he sat you down to tell you that your days on this planet are numbered. That you only have a year or months or even just days to live… what then? I was so impressed with my friend as we chatted about his situation. He told me, “Matt, i’m on a journey”. He went on to tell me that his life, just like before he heard this news from his doctor is to be used for the Lord. That if he has only weeks or if he still has a hundred more good years in him, he wants his life to count for Christ. He told me that he was leaving the supernatural up to God. That’s God’s business, not mine he said. He wants to see people become devoted followers of Christ.
Now I need to break into this part of the story because my friend has been on this Jesus Journey every since I’ve known him… about 12 years now. He is Jesus in skin to me. I’ve never met any that loves people and accepts people and invites people to stuff like this guy. He is an amazing living picture of Jesus Christ.
So now back to the journey. I am so encouraged by his words and his actions to live the cause of Christ! So what would you do if the doc tells you your time on earth is short. Well according to my friend, you stay the course, you continue the journey… that in following Christ, your life’s journey points people to our Saviour.