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Hungry...........

2010-10-13T16:46:00.005-04:00

Its chow time in Mali! Check out these little rascals diving in to the evening feeding bowl. This is how they roll every meal. The back story.... the adults have already eaten and these guys get the leftovers. I feel bad eating before them and knowing they might not get the best of the bowl, but that's life there. The men and women need the strength to do the work to feed the family. Check out this cool little guy.........

Now check out this little dude? He's not there. Not at the bowl at dinner time. Why? He was born with a disease or became sick as a baby and now his legs don't work right. He can't walk like the other boys and he can't bend his knees like you would to squat and eat from the bowl. I watched as his mom finally made the other boys move over and let him in. They didn't want to, but eventually did. My heart broke as I watched helplessly.

It reminded me who Jesus is. He Is the bread of life. Anyone that partakes will be satisfied. He Is the living water. Anyone that drinks will never thirst again. As I watched it made me ask if I am bringing people to the Bread of Life, or keeping it a secret. Are you helping your spiritually starved friends/neighbors find bread or are you watching them starve? We can't hold back!

Slave or Free?

2010-10-08T12:11:00.002-04:00

Check out the cool architecture. This is an old house on Goree Island off the coast of Dakar, Senegal. Pretty interesting to build a house in the shape of a boat. The back story..... Goree Island was the western most slave sending center in west Africa. They built houses in the shape of a boat believing if they could cram slaves into tight spaces exactly like a ship, they would know if the slave could survive the long journey across the Atlantic. It was too much to take in and process. People were treated like that! Thank God slavery has been all but abolished around the globe. Now we have other travesties that need to be defeated. Sinful hearts will always have another cruelty to display toward another. Thus the need for a heart change from the Savior!

It makes me ask myself a serious question. Am I a slave to sin, or a slave to Christ. Each man and woman is one or the other.

For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. 1 Cor. 7:22

True freedom is only found in Christ. Are you a slave to Christ?

Water, Water Everywhere........

2010-10-05T10:22:00.004-04:00

You've heard the saying: "water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink".....
I was reminded of this saying on my trip to Mali, West Africa. I just returned from my 3rd trip on Friday and had several impressions from the Lord! It was the end of the rainy season, which was a very favorable rainy season in Mali this year. There were still roads with large pools of water and a stream over the road at one place we traveled each day. While the rains had produced a good crop and the wells seemed to be full, there is still great need for clean water in West Africa. An even great need exists: Living Water!

As women came from the city to draw water from the wells of Samaria, one woman caught the attention of Jesus. She was all alone. After polite conversation, Jesus addressed her most basic need.... thirst. He is the living water that can satisfy the thirst of our soul, even when we don't realize it is thirsty.

The gospel is spreading in West Africa and new believers and churches are being born. Ask the Lord of the harvest to rain down living water on the people. Ask Him to soften hearts and bring courage to the hearer so they may believe and recieve by faith! Will you take living water wherever you travel today and freely give as it has been given to you?!? Living water is needed where you live as well!

Is it really that bad?

2010-05-19T14:18:00.003-04:00

I wanted to share this testimony from a friend on our greeter team at NP. Reminds me I always have something to be thankful for.

Pastor John,
I want to tell you about an experience that happened Sunday while I was greeting at the door. A nice older gentleman came up and I greeted him. He responded and then froze. He said that he was having a chemo moment and had to stay still until it subsided. I offered to help him in but he said he would be fine shortly and after a minute he walked in on his own and went to talk with Harry. Wow!
This fellow was coming to church, to praise the Lord, no matter what happened. I pray he's alright. May God bless him and ease his pain. The "problems" I thought I was having suddenly got really small. It's amazing how God works in our lives. Just wanted to share that.

Thanks Joe for that testimony! May I have that same attitude in my every-day worship of our Lord!

Strong Backs

2010-04-28T10:22:00.004-04:00

I consider myself to be a pretty fit guy. Obviously not an ox, but I usually can get along fine carrying my end of the load. When moving furniture, if the other guy can get his side, I can usually get mine! I don't like to ask for help and I definitely don't want to look like a wimp (any more than I might naturally).
Isn't it funny how Americans don't like to ask for help. We want to be self-sufficient. We want to be able to handle the situation on our own. Sometimes even with decision making, we need to be in control and appear that we have all the answers. In God's economy, that attitude puts a much larger burden on our shoulders than was intended to be carried. Jesus offers his children an idea much different than this attitude:
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:28-30
This is a daily pursuit. Its an attitude that must be renewed each morning. Life gets heavy! We take on too much pressure for the results, which drains us and causes us to miss His grace and peace for the day. Today I resolve to exchange my yolk for His!

God's Kingdom Expanding

2010-03-10T12:16:00.002-05:00

Check it out...... New churches are piercing darkness around the globe and we are on the front lines helping lead the charge! This is a new group of believers that are meeting for their first weeks of worship as a new church in Mali. We have partnered to help rent the small structure they are using for their gatherings and ministry to the community. Move over drums.... check out that sweet percussion section pounding out a worship rythem! How about that sweet little girl singing her praises to the living God. It doesn't get any more pure than this.

God has called us to own the lostness in our own family, community, country, and world. We do this by loving people, serving people, giving and sharing. You and I have a part to play locally and globally. Starting in April, we have teams from local churches going to Mali to share the love of Christ in many different ways. If you are a teacher, you can use your gifts. If you are a dentist, use your gift. Every single person has something to contribute, whether it is prayer, financial, or going personally. I want us to make sure we are fully engaged locally and globally! Are you in the game?

Living for eternity

2009-11-11T10:21:00.003-05:00

Its a foreign concept to our generation. We live for the day, the paycheck, the weekend, the next party, the game, sex, music, whatever. The question we should be asking as believers is, "am I living for eternity". We are truly strangers here, just camping for a little while.

This week I will participate in the funeral ceremony of a man that just died from cancer. I spent some time with him over the past few months and was one of the last two people to see him before he stepped into eternity. As I was sitting by his bedside, I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to read Revelation 21 with him. He had a full mask on to help him breath in those last days, so we couldn't carry on a conversation. He wrote me a little note that night, but he mostly listened to me speak to him.

I didn't know Revelation 21 was his favorite passage of scripture, and I didn't know he would be stepping into eternity in a few short hours. I was literally reading about the new heaven and earth to a man that was about to take a step into that new heaven. No more sickness, no more death, and living water from the stream of life was never so near to my heart. He was about to be in that place with no temple, because Jesus is the temple. No sun, moon, or lights, because Jesus is the light and there is never darkness.

We must live as campers. Strangers. People waiting to step into eternity and living each moment as such. That causes me to ask myself, who am I loving, serving, and sharing the good news with today/this week/this month? No answer? Get on your face before God and don't get up until you are ready/willing to give, serve, and share!

If I had 30 days to live, I promise I wouldn't go sky diving, rocky mountain climbing, or bull riding! I'd be with my family and sharing Christ with everyone I could think to share with. How about you? So what's stopping us?

The Bare Minimum

2009-09-09T14:59:00.002-04:00

We've all been there..... Looking at the syllubus in advance before choosing the class with the least amount of work. Lazily working down the to-do list, getting just enough complete so it looks like you've been busy. Studying for the test, just enough to get a solid "C". Doing the bare minimum. Just enough to get by. Enough to look good. Enough to survive but not enough to thrive.

Jesus was never about "just enough". He never did the bare minimum to get by. He gave his all, and he called his disciples to give their all as well. For most of them it meant persecution and loss of life. They were stoned, beheaded, hung, and one even boiled to death. Not the picture of just enough. Definately not "bare minimum" commitment.

Guess what? He doesn't ask any less of you and me. He wants total commitment. Total sacrifice. Total surrender. Total allegiance. He wants our heart. Our whole heart and not just a portion or little segment of time. He wants you and me to be totally and passionately in love with him. Not for what we get in return, but for who he is and what he has done for us.

Are you totally sold out to Jesus? Are you in it to get something great in return or because you are so blown away by his love that you can't help but love and serve him with your whole heart? I want the latter to be the cry of my heart!

Sower & The Seed

2009-09-02T08:46:00.003-04:00

I am honored today to have a guest blogger! Damon McLeod is taking this precious space to share his thoughts on an awesome parable. Damon is a student at Blythewood High and a leader in the Illuminate student ministry at NPCC:

This morning, me and Pastor John were reading in Matthew 13. In the parable of the sower and the seed, Jesus talks about how God plants the word in our hearts, but its up to us on whether we will recieve it or not. Sometimes the seed will fall on the path where it cannot grow, and the birds come to devour the seed. Other times the seed will fall in places such as rocky ground or thorn bushes where it is victim to its environment. However, other times it will fall on rich soil where it will take root, grow and produce.
Jesus paints a great picture here of how hard he works, and how he longs for us to take the Word to heart. And, Jesus is hurt everytime we let the thorns come up in our lives and choke out what he is trying to say to us. Other times we just let life get in the way and we aren't receptive at all. We don't even give God a chance to speak to us that day.
God is really showing me this morning that I need to stay focused on him, and I won't have time to let the world get in the way. If we are constantly focused on what God has for our lives then it will be easy for us to fend off the thorns and trials when they come.
This morning, pray for God to give you strength to face the day and to stay focused on His will for your life and not the World's.

Ups and Downs

2009-09-01T15:01:00.002-04:00

Sunday's message was about following Christ through life's up's & down's. Sunday was a day that fit the message for me!

Day started off great, I was rested and ready to go. Early to church to pray and read scripture.

Wife calls, I left the key on in her car Saturday night while using a portable vacuum and caused the battery to die. I sent a friend to go get them :-o

Service starts out great, music is incredible, meaningful prayer time.....

I slip out of my seat to adjust the thermostat and when I prayerfully slip back to my seat beside Christie, I put my hand on hers. After the prayer I find I am now standing in the wrong place holding the wrong woman's hand! All I could say to her was "your not my wife". It turned out to be a hysterical start to a heartfelt message.

Got a phone call right after the service and my dad was having seizures and had stopped breathing for a short period of time. Got him to the hospital and he snapped back very quickly from a scary moment. He's still there having some tests done and getting some medicines regulated, but doing much better.

How can we serve the Lord well in the down's of life? Here are some things I try to practice:

-Keep your eyes focused on Him and draw near to Him regularly.
-Be prepared to do good, "in and out of season". That means all the time, during hard times and when you least expect it.
-Rely on Him for strength and guidance.

A mark of a mature believer is living based on who Jesus is and what He has done, versus by the feeling and circumstance of the day. The real you comes out when you are squeezed. What's coming out these days? It indicates what is inside. Draw near to God and let him work on the inside!

Baby Got Back!!!

2009-08-19T10:12:00.002-04:00

So I'm back from my sabbatical (extended break) and am climbing back in the saddle. It never ceases to amaze me how long it takes to dig out and get back in a routine. This Sunday was a great day and I needed it! It is so sweet when God's people and guests fill the house and God Rocks It! That happened on Sunday.

We talked about Jesus calling his first disciples and they dropped their nets to follow. Right there. On the spot. No arguing. No persuasive speech. They dropped what they were doing, left their careers, and became followers of Jesus. The question is.... have you completely dropped your nets to follow? Not have you left your job and sold all your possessions and moved to a hut in Africa, but have you turned complete control of your life to Jesus?

Yesterday someone asked me how a Christian that is hanging on to the corner of his net can drop it. What's the first step? My answer: it starts with a prayer of repentance. I believe when we repent and humble ourselves before God, we position ourselves to become moldable in his hands. We must admit we are selfish and beg God to remove our selfishness and replace it with his character. Ask God to give you a desire for his word and holiness. To be holy is to be like Jesus. It won't happen overnight, but is an on-going process for the remainder of our lives.

Have you dropped your net completely? Let go of that last corner today!

Promises, Promises........

2009-07-18T11:17:00.005-04:00

I started a sabbatical this week after eleven years of ministry as a church planter. I believe the best is yet to come, but this extended rest is marvelous and much needed. I can't wait to return recharged and ready to run hard again but will enjoy every moment with my family and my Lord in God's beautiful creation.

Here are some promises God showed me again this week:

We woke up the first morning to see this promise over the Gulf of Mexico. It reminds me that God still promises a hope and future to those who follow him with all their heart.

We've seen sunsets, beautiful shells, and lots of cool ocean life. We're hoping we might be able to catch some turtles hatching and scampering for the surf one night this weekend. Its not hard at all to open your eyes and see the splendor of our Lord! This week I read that when God created it, he said "it is good". Then when he created man, he said "it is very good". He had to be thinking of my awesome wife and kids too!

Not Me Lord!

2009-06-08T15:47:00.002-04:00

I heard some news today of a friend and fellow church leader. He was in a successful church seeing God do amazing things. They just recently saw over 100 people baptized at one time. Sunday a letter of resignation was read to his church because he committed adultery. He let his guard down and allowed himself to have a physical and emotional affair with his secretary. I hurt for him, his family, and his church!

I believe with all my heart that the moment a person ceases to be vigilant and cautious concerning sin and temptation, they are near a fall. We started a series on Prayer this Sunday. One result of prayer is a heightened awareness of what God is doing around you and the temptations that come each day. When we stop praying, we lose the spiritual sensitivity from God that warns us to be careful. Quick conviction over temptation and sin is lost. When we lose this supernatural connection, watch out! Satan is crouching at our front door like a lion, ready to devour its pray.

I have huge rules and boundaries in my life to help keep me from the same fate as my friend. My wife has complete access to my cell phone, email, office, computer, schedule, secretary, car, my whole life! Coupled with prayer and scripture, these are powerful defenses against temptation from the evil one. Remain vigilant and pray without ceasing!

Spiritual Jet Lag

2009-04-06T10:48:00.005-04:00

Reflecting on a long trip overseas and surprising hit I took from jet lag, I was reminded this morning of the consequences of spiritual jet lag. Track with me as I share thoughts from the book The Divine Mentor, by Wayne Cordeiro:

A few years ago, a giant sequoia fell in a National Park in California. This sequoia existed before California became a state, before Canada became a country, before many world wars. As the park service studied the tree for the cause of death, they found no rot or insect infestations. They found no apparent cause for the fall. Finally they discovered the cause to be foot traffic. Years of people walking on the massive root system at the base of the tree caused enough damage to weaken it and cause its demise. As a result of this finding, the base of sequoia trees in tourist areas are protected from foot traffic.

Our spiritual root system, like that of the sequoia, needs protection. It doesn't come through easily or naturally. There is no pill or quick fix to build this fence of spiritual protection around the root system of the soul. How do you do this? To quote Pastor Cordeiro:

If you will develop a daily self-feeding program from the Bible and allow yourself to be daily, hourly mentored by God's Holy Spirit, your life will undergo an unprecedented change for the better.

I challenge you this week to protect your spiritual root system. Spend time in God's word today. I also challenge you to begin today praying for and inviting people to come to church with you on Easter. It is 6 days and counting! This Sunday God will touch hearts of the lost around the globe. Will you play your part? Who's your friend going to be?

Evangelism Mali Style

2009-03-12T12:35:00.005-04:00

(I did a long post with pictures last night, only to have it get lost in space)

Wednesday was a long, awesome day. We had the opportunity to walk and pray and share Christ with some along the way. In one area me and a partner came upon some boys playing foosball on the side of the road. They stared at us as we walked up to them, but the smile reached the sun when we jumped in to play. Check out the white pastor foosball skill......

In the afternoon I had an appointment with some young men in another community that I met on Monday and visited the next two days. By the end of the second day (and after seeing the Jesus Film), they invited me to share tea and have a serious discussion about Jesus. I guess the first two days were just "ice breakers". Bye the end of our 3 hour long conversation that day, all but one wanted to accect Christ. One problem..... their fathers wouldn't let them and it could bring great trouble on themselves. Pray for these men they would have courage and Jesus will draw them to himself in a way they cannot resist! We took their information and the missionaries are going to send a Malian man to visit them that experienced this himself, and how God worked in his life and family.

I love doing this but I sure miss home!

Monday in Mali.....

2009-03-09T19:28:00.004-04:00

Today was unlike any Monday at the office to say the least. We started the day by driving to a suburb of Bamako. Bamako is currently the fastest growing city in Africa and the village of Niamana is being engulfed with the growth. This community is a great place to start a new work! The morning consisted of visiting the village chief and then its mayors. We thanked them for their hospitality and sought approval to share Jesus with their community. They welcomed us and gave us permission to do anything we like. Here's one of the mayors. Check this dude out...

After we got permission to work in the community, we came back after lunch and a brief rest from the 100+ temperature and spent the rest of the afternoon prayer walking and stopping to visit with anyone that was opened to conversation. I had the opportunity to share with 5 young muslim men for over an hour. We had a great discussion and they heard some things about Christ that really made them question some things they believe. After that, we had a community outreach service with music, a drama, and a gospel message. The night went great and I believe many people responded. Not sure if we'll know the results this side of Heaven. One thing I did learn........ I like to clown around with African kids and they seemed to enjoy it too!

Africa is God's country too!

2009-03-08T10:39:00.004-04:00

These two young men are some of our African traslator this week. As you can see, Africa is near to God's heart, just like South Carolina! The one on the left is name Cye (not spelled correctly), and he translated for me when I was preaching this morning. The other young man is still a Muslim, but God is working on his heart. We talked about Jesus on the way back, and I believe he is very close to a decision to follow Christ. It is a big decision in a Muslim country. It could me isolating oneself from family or friends.

After the services, we met with the local pastors and church leaders of the 4 churches, and then had a buffet style meal at Ryan's. No silverware involved.... just the right hand baby! Check it out.....

I'm not so small.....

2009-03-07T18:05:00.003-05:00

This is the man that guards the home we are staying at each night. I promise I'm not standing on a brick or step either :-) His face says it all. "Who is this dumb white guy?" To be honest, people are so friendly and welcoming when they find out we have come to be their friend and have been praying for them. We have yet to come across a rude or inhospitable person!

Tomorrow morning we have the opportunity to preach in the 4 local churches in the city of Bamako. They are so excited we are here, and we are humbled and feeling really "short" before the holiness of God! He knew before he created us that we would be in Africa "for such a time as this".

I'm praying for you as you pray for me. God has big plans in store for our church (North Point), and our sister churches in Africa this Sunday! Can't wait to see all He does!

I saw the sun

2009-03-07T03:23:00.003-05:00

It peeked through my window early this morning but I did not answer its call. Slept til 8 am. Thank you Jesus! The bedrooms are airconditioned so it was very pleasant once they kicked in good. When I stepped out of the bedroom this morning..... I felt the sun! Its about 80 degrees this morning already. Excitged to get oriented and start to hear God!
Praying with you. I might be able to post every day if we have internet access in the city that day...... you never know!
Thank you Jesus for loving all people of the world!

BTW....... I saw the Eiffel Tower kids :-)

My posse's in Africa!

2009-03-06T19:05:00.003-05:00

Well we are finally here. About 36 hours of travel and drive and layovers and I am sleeping in Bamako, Africa. Only one bag got stuck somewhere, probably Timbukto..... which is actually a city in Mali! Now I know what I've been joking about all these years.

Several of the missionaries and members of a Christian church met us at the airport and are so excited we are here. The Africans were especially excited we have some African Americans in the group! That tickled them to death. I'ts about midnight and we are trying to clean up and finally get some sleep. I took a little friend that should help me get some z's this first night. Tomorrow is a prayer/orientation, then we hit it hard Sunday with many opportunities to preach and build some relationships. Pray that God will speak through us and the people we meet will be ready and drawn to Christ. I have already had people from NP wanting to sign up for the next trip.

Tomorrow I'll try to post some pictures! Love you guys.
Good Night!

Good Night.....

2009-03-05T19:12:00.002-05:00

I'm sitting on the floor of the Atlanta airport about to board a plane to Paris, connecting to Bamako, Mali. We are supposed to leave at 8:50 pm, and about 10 hours later will land in Paris, early morning their time. I'm a terrible sleeper on planes and I pray the Ambien kicks in and helps a little!

We are excited about what we are about to experience. 10 people from Columbia are getting to know each other, most for the first time, as we all seek what God has for us to do in Africa. My prayer is that God will show me his desire for North Point and church planting on a foreign field. God already knows what we will experience, no matter where we are and where we are going. That is why we trust him!

I pray God will speak to you over the next 10 days as you pray and listen to him. He loves you and has an awesome calling for your life. Listen to him and be ready to say "yes Lord".

I'll miss my sweet family and my awesome church while I'm away, but know this is a high calling we all have the honoring of participating in! See you soon! Thanks for the prayers.

Mali Bound

2009-03-04T11:01:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow I board a plane in Atlanta and will arrive in Bamako, Mali the next day via Paris. I don't even get to leave the airport to visit the Eiffel Tower :-( Its all good!

I will be there with 9 other people to spend a week with missionaries trying to reach a city of several million, mostly Muslim people. The hope is that God will give us clear direction on how to partner. If 10-15 churches in the area will partner together, we will be able to send a team of missionaries every 6-8 weeks to be on the ground ministering in Bamako. My prayer is that God reveal our part to me, and that a church planting movement be born in that city that Jesus so desperately loves and died for.

Please pray for the team as we travel from March 4-14. Pray for our families as we are away. Ask God to use us and speak to and through us as we work together for his glory. I'll try to post as often as possible to you can keep up with the things we experience together. I believe I will have at least one if not multiple opportunities to preach the gospel there. Ask God to give me his words!

Love you guys!

STOP the voices!

2009-01-28T15:47:00.003-05:00

Has it ever happened to you? The alarm clock goes off or a person whistling a song walks by and bam......... its stuck in your head! Happened to me today. Someone tagged me on one of these freakin little "25 things about me" topics on Facebook.

10. My favorite band of all times is the Police.

That was it. I had to comment back..... Jeff, please don't stand so close to me! Noooooooo! I just helped perpetuate the cycle. Now there's a message in a bottle, a red light, and a person walking on the moon, all running around in my head. If you're not a Sting fan, you probably don't get a word of this. Sorry.

To make this spiritual (pastors are supposed to do that from time to time), It gives me a glimpse of what my day could be like if God's word is stuck in my head and in my heart. My obedience level goes up, my compassion level goes up, I tend to see people around me that probably need Jesus at a time when I normally miss it! Get the point? When we make it a priority to fill the open spaces of our life with His word and thoughts of pleasing Him, our Godliness meter goes higher.

Let Jesus get stuck in your head and your heart today and see what happens! The promise will ring true from God: Every breath you take, every move you make, I'll be watching you! (couldn't resist)

I know..... I know..........

2009-01-27T21:26:00.002-05:00

It really has! Its been a long time. Forgiven? Good. Thanks. Now I'll continue like it was yesterday :-)

So I was listening to a message yesterday from a guy I respect and enjoy following from time to time. He was wearing a black t-shirt with a ball of flames and the words "hell no" in the middle. Pretty provocative shirt to preach in, but oh so appropriate. He asked if anyone knew of a family member, friend or co-worker that is not a Christian. Obviously we all do. Then he asked, "does it bother you that you know someone that is going to hell when they die?"

Does it bother me? Yes. How much? Enough to have an uncomfortable conversation? Enough to move me out of my comfort zone to a place where I could make the difference of life and death?

Why is a conversation with a person without Christ uncomfortable? I don't know. Sometimes it is and sometimes, not so much. Never the less, if it doesn't bother the heck out of a Christian that people around them are lost and destined for hell, something is WRONG!

Get bothered and do something about it! Thanks for the encouragement today Fritts!

Its Better

2008-12-20T15:19:00.002-05:00

When I was young, I was taught it is much better to give than to receive. I knew it was true......... but I liked to receive. What kid doesn't like to receive?!? Some kids are givers, but not as a norm.

Now that I am "old and gray", I realize I have been blessed by God far beyond my imagination. Way more than I deserve or could have imagined! From family to friends, church and job to possessions, God's grace abounds in my life. This year I have been privileged to be part of some "new things" God is doing, and His fingerprint is obvious.

We have always tried to give as a church at Christmas, but this year is different. We didn't make such grand plans like an Angel Tree, but God had plans. Instead of giving families a Christmas meal, God brought us many families that we have been able to bless with a whole box of Angel Food.

God opened a door this fall for us to start a partnership with a local elementary school. We wanted to serve our local community to make an impact for Christ in an important way, and God opened the door. The principle emailed me this past week to make an appointment to discuss how we can help them. She is truly excited that a church cares. One or our goals next year just might be to bless each staff member at the school with an Angel Food Box. They have already asked us to partner with them on a parent seminar night this spring. We've been asked to help with kids and even lead a seminar. How does that happen apart from God?

We have been looking for people of peace, that will open doors and let us serve in the name of Jesus. The doors are opened. Our Christmas Eve service is another example. We decided to take the service to the community. That's were Christ is needed and who He died for. An unlikely door opened. Lake Carolina opened the doors to let us in. It is a very closed community, and this was a surprise to us. They have advertised for us, and are letting us have the prominent banner location at the front entrance the week of the service. God paved the way!

I am excited that God is bringing us opportunities to give, serve, and share! Its so much more incredible when you don't have to look and you don't have to wonder. If you are open and available, God will give you big opportunities to share Christ in practical ways!

Go and serve in His name this Christmas.