Some Reports and Thoughts About Recent "Goings On" at Living Streams
Good Friday Service Was Like a Rich Buffet.
Seven pastors gave three-minute teachings on the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross. I am very proud of the pastoral team Jesus has brought together at Living Streams. They all shone brightly and gave us some good food for our souls. If you missed it, maybe you can take a moment today and chew on the seven sayings yourself. Here is a link: lastwordsofChrist
Easter Sunday Was Like a Walk in the Park.
At first I felt a little unsure about why this year’s Easter Services seemed so easy and simple. I thought maybe I was not treating the Easter services with the respect they deserved. Or, I thought maybe we were going to do a bad job of hosting and leading this special celebration. What I discovered was that our staff at Living Streams is so awesome and in sync right now that they take on everything like a well-oiled machine. Blake and her children ministry team, John and his facility and administrative team, Ryan, Jay and Nick and their creative arts teams, and again, the super-rad pastoral team all put their strength and expertise into our Easter services. When you combine that, God’s consistent grace, and the joy of the Living Streams people—Voilá!— it was like a walk in the park. To top it all off, a number of people filled out cards to tell us they want to begin a relationship with Jesus and receive a gift that will help them take steps in that direction. Woo hoo!
I am Uber Excited About Spending the Next Few Months in the Bible Book Called Acts.
The book of Acts is like a journey into a golden era in the Church of Jesus. It was an unprecedented time when Jesus’ prayer for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven was taking place. It was a time when Jerusalem, Judea, and the uttermost parts of the earth were experiencing how thin the space between heaven and earth really are. The Church was operating as a simple, fresh, and courageous community. And we are going to camp out there in order to see the same thing happen in our time.
Explore Class Was Like a Great Movie that Finished With a “To Be Continued” Message.
It was exciting and interesting, and it left me looking forward to the next one. Almost forty people joined us last night in the courtyard under the twinkle lights, desiring to get closer to God and closer to other people at Living Streams. In just one night we got a clearer picture of who the God of the Bible is and how we have come to know who He is. (Check out Exodus 33:12-34:8) We enjoyed some worship music, peaceful prayers, and yummy snacks. I also met a guy who is getting his doctorate in forensic psychology, and I also met his wife, who creates healthy and beneficial activities for people with psychological issues.
The Masters Golf Tournament is Like Watching a Masterful Artist Paint a Picture.
Now, before you start thinking I am a golf fan, hold up. I don’t watch much golf and could probably only name about eight professional golfers correctly. But when I do watch golf, I am intrigued about how God has made humanity with an incredible capacity for mastery in so many different ways. One insignificant but amazing way this truth is on display is how those golfers can use a piece of shaped metal to make that ball go wherever they want it to, with such precision. Go Charlie Hoffman.
All the best to you and yours,
David