The Really Good

This one goes in the good category - for sure.


I can't believe we've reached our 1 year anniversary mark of pastoring Jasper Church of the Nazarene. It has gone so quickly! So much has happened over the last year - just check out our blog's history! Life at the church has its frustrating moments, but I think that's true of any group of people who attempt to journey through life together. We are all learning together to love God and love each other. 


Our people are wonderful and the church is blossoming. Not only are we remodeling some of our physical spaces but we're also asking God to remodel the way we see others. We want to see and love the world the way that he does. We're building relationships with people in our community who desperately need to be loved. Overall, I think life here with the flock God has given us is even better than I expected it would be. When we hear other pastors talk about the things that they are dealing with at their churches it makes us feel very blessed to be where we are. Our people are very enthusiastic and supportive. They really are excited about what God is doing in our midst. They truly love us and I think of them as family. I would honestly be devastated if we had to leave. I can't imagine not living here with them.


It is inspiring to watch God use our very imperfect efforts and work in ways that transform people at the very heart of who they are. I can't tell you how often I feel  like a 6 year old with glue covered hands and marker on my face - holding up my homemade, macaroni necklace to God - hoping he'll like it. But when we offer what we have with a loving heart, I truly believe God treasures it much like mothers who treasure those homemade gifts offered by their loving children. 


We aren't the flashiest show in town, but we sincerely seek to love "the least of these" - realizing first and foremost that we fall into that category ourselves. It is our belief that no one is ever scared into loving Jesus. Fear never inspires love. No one is ever shamed or belittled into loving Jesus. Those things may inspire rigid obedience, but never love. Love is a completely different thing. There is no equation for it. No boundary. No 3-step plan. Nothing fancy or pretentious to this way of life. We are much less concerned with dignity than we are with loving people as they are, until they sense the love of Jesus. That's our only plan. :)


I recently prayed with a young woman at the altar and helped her to open her heart to Jesus. I've prayed with and for many people, but I had never done that before and it was a very humbling experience. There is something very powerful about being there when heaven and earth so clearly meet one another. Its almost like your heart stops for a moment and when it starts up again its beating in a whole new way. I'm sure I'll never forget that first experience, but I hope many more follow. In the last two months we've also had two young men get saved who have struggled with drug addiction. We are working to encourage and disciple them as they learn how to live like Jesus. It is a testimony to God's unfailing grace that they are beginning to walk a new path that is marked with light and hope. We thank God for his faithfulness to us, our church, and our community. Pray with and for us as we continue on into our second year!


We hope that you are also sensing God at work all around you,


Mandy and Kevin