Gracepoint

Smiles of genuine welcome greeted us as we made our way into the building where GracePoint is meeting. GracePoint is a new church, that is opening their doors to everyone, and folks are noticing, attending, and bringing their friends. Coming around the corner, there is Daniel Doss one of the co-pastors welcoming everyone with vigorous hand shakes, and hugs.

Rounding the corner my senses jump for joy! WOW! There is coffee of all flavors, and some amazing volunteers in their GracePoint aprons ready to serve. My eye follows the wall further down and there is a buffet of fruits and pastries calling my name. Here is where I meet another amazing volunteer who enjoys cooking so much, she prepares items to share with her church family each Sunday. The next item along the left wall is a lemon-aid stand. (here is where they are selling tshirts, lemonade, and taking donations for this fresh water for Africa mission)
Sweetie, the boys and I are eagerly waiting in line to share in the joy of giving. Coming away with t-shirts we keep walking and notice that there are more booths with various Christian books to read, music cd's, and some Bibles. Up front is a small stage area where the band has set up for worship this morning. In the middle of the room are several rows of chairs with a information sheet on the Lemon-aid  project. To the right is a bunch of curtains leading to the back, but what do I see? An amazing area for the children to hang out while their parents are in church service. We are greeted warmly even though we don't have anyone to check in. The sweet volunteer shares how she was part of the church previously located in here, and how she is so thrilled to be a part of a growing and reaching church. Following the wall back towards the enterance door is the tech area, there is a nice camera for recording the services, and rows of electronic equipment to help with sound and lights.
It's almost time for service! The lights dim, and the chatter stops as the first note is played. Wow! There is nothing quite like worshiping our Lord with fellow Christians, and other folks who are just learning who God is! After we get all warm and our hearts are overflowing with love for our Savior..Daniel comes out and we all take a seat.
Yes! Time to dig into the WORD! Today Daniel preached on Joshua and his leading the people into the promised land. He starts pouring water into cups set on a table on stage; all the while leading us further and further into the story. Each one of us is drawing pictures in our own minds eye with his illustrations. He then describes the priests as they step into the river seperating them from the promised land on Joshuas word, as they carry the Ark of the Covenant.  As he describes how the water moved away and the ground itself was dry land for them to step on..I hear a child behind me inhale sharply. That kid was really into it! Praise GOD!
They are currently in a series called STEP. Its all about finding your next step in your life. That step could be to learn about God, learn to pray, learn to give, take a step to forgive, community groups, volunteering, or even to take a step to end something.
When Daniel closed in prayer, and the service was over, the folks there didn't rush to go out! No, they started picking up trash, stacking chairs, and helping break down! Again, I say WOW! About an hour later as the last piece of equipment is being loaded into the truck, I stand in amazement and say a quick prayer for all these hard workers who are making such a difference in others lives each week by their service.
If you are ever in Valparaiso, Indiana..stop by Grace Point. Jesus is there, He is walking amongst the people of that town, and through this little church, changing lives. He is using the people that make up this church to extend His love and grace to not only this town, but to surrounding areas as well. This upcoming Sunday, the 12th of September is their 1 year anniversary! Join me in prayer this coming Sunday as they again share their Savior with whomever stops by.

Heartache of a parent

I think one of the biggest struggles a parent deals with is watching your child fall short. You try, you show them how to do something. You give them time. Others give your child a chance to grow, maybe this will work. More time, then time is up. Tears, pleading, but the bottom line is.. time is up. Circumstances of the choices we make always come around. Sometimes we can catch them for our kids, keep them from the pain, sometimes we can dull the pain so it isn't so severe. But man, when we can't and they have to learn the lesson. How hard it is to watch this happen.
Wow. What an ache. This ache doesn't come around much, but when it does, you recognize it. Some examples are, when you have to take that report card home, and you know, you know that it isn't your best, the feeling when you have done something wrong and you are just waiting for the other shoe to fall, the feeling you get when you glance in your rear view mirror, and see the lights flashing.. you are being pulled over, What about the disappointment in someone you loves face reflecting back at you? The ache of love not returned?
I hate to see either of our boys hurt. Even if they have done something to deserve the hurt. Man, the ache. I would willingly take it on, just to ease that pain. The pain of learning a lesson.
One day they will realize that not only do they feel the pain of seeing that disappointment or having to redo an assignment, maybe extra work, or even the pain of punishment, that worse than that is that their actions - well - they affect others too.
The more of life I live, the more I truly see Christ's love for us. Oh, the big picture. We think we know, we may even truly think we are doing our best, deep down where we keep stuffing the truth, we know, we KNOW we have not done our best. We have spat in the face of our Savior, just the same as if we were there the day they nailed him to the cross.
As I feel the love and ache for my children, how much more so does Christ weep for us? OH, how much HE LOVES US, OH, how much HE LOVES US.