Hungry

It's been a great week.

First, our family is doing well. Caleb and Emily are on the back end of their SAT's at school. Neither like the testing, but love that there is little or no homework for a couple of weeks. So does Mom!

Marcie and I enjoyed a day off together on Friday...spent the whole day working in the yard. Some of you are

 saying...working in the yard and "enjoyable" do not go together! We are one of those couples that looks forward to pulling weeds and throwing mulch. We often laugh saying, Think about us in our retired years walking around our yard and picking up that "one" leaf that we missed, because we will be "picky" old people wanting everything to be perfect. We 

had fun! We have a date planned this weekend with friends, and are excited! We hope they buy...you know who you are...and we are of course kidding.

Second, ministry is moving forward at an unbelievable rate. I have made some key changes in our office to free me up to lead, study, cast vision, and pour into our school of ministry. Interesting, it was hard for me to give parts of the daily operations over.  I've known that the church would be in danger of plateau if I held on to tight, but knowing what needs to be done and doing it, are two separate things. 

Its been a good process for me. I'm thankful.

Third is our missions trip to Cambodia. Many know that the Haymakers are going to visit the orphanage that Western Reserve built this past Fall. We, along with six others, are taking the inaugural trip to visit our kids and dedicate the new facility. 

WE CANNOT WAIT! 

God has broken our hearts for these kids, and we authentically see them as extensions of our family. If this is new to you, you can read the story of God's movement to plant this orphanage, and learn more about Asia's Hope by going to the Asia's Hope link on our church website.

www.westernreservegc.com

If you are part of Western Reserve, we are planning a Sunday the first of May to highlight the team and Asia's Hope, but until then, here is what is happening with the Haymaker's support.

As a family, we need approximately $8,000 to go for 10 days. This seems insurmountable, but wow, God is working! We committed as a family to pay for my portion ($2,000) and ask God to raise the remaining $6,000. We sent letters to people outside of our church family, some inside, and God has been blowing us away! We received a report this week stating that we have $4000 in, and while writing this entry, another $100 was received. We are less than $2,000 away from full support! And, we are only three weeks into the fundraising journey! Wow!

This has been life-changing for our kids. Emily created a Cambodia box that we put our money in for the

 trip. Friends of theirs have shown up with envelopes containing $3.00 and some change...some even less! These seem to be

 some of the biggest blessings for Caleb and Emily. They can't believe that their friends love them enough to give them what they have! 

Leads me to the discussion that Marce (I call Marcie...Marce) and I had last evening. We are experiencing SO much right now that fear has entered into our hearts. Not the fear of something bad happening, but the fear of losing the blessing of God.

Many may be surprised to hear a pastor say that...but have you ever felt that? Marcie brought up the point from her Bible study that Moses missed the promise land because of one mistake...one mistake.

We know our theology and do not allow thoughts like these keep us from enjoying what He is doing, and anticipating Him doing more, so don't flip out and say HELP!!!! my pastor has lost his faith!

The reason I share this is because we have "tasted" God. We have dreamt together, labored together, sacrificed and stuck to His dream for us and His church. Now, in a small way we are seeing Him carry it out. It has been dramatic, rich, and explosive. And we want more. We thirst for more of God. We ask daily that we might experience His presence, and that the people of Western Reserve would be overwhelmed by the God that commissioned them to be His representation upon the earth.

When our conversation ended, I went to bed thinking...its not fear, for perfect love (Jesus' love) drives it out...its hunger. We are hungry for more of Him. I don't ever want to be more enthralled with the fruit of this world than I am the fruit of His work.

So I prayed that we would be a family and church that is "blessable". One that unapologetically, and authentically walks in Christ and the power of His resurrection.

Do I deserve more of His movement. No. Have I messed up more than once?. At least that since lunch (20 minutes ago). Will He prevail? He already has. Today is history to Him...and we get to be part of the story. Let's walk together in His power.

Preaching week 2 of Q&A this week. Last week I laid it out as we talked through Luke 16 on the reality of eternity and the truth of Hell. Crazy stuff...God worked.  This week Matthew 7...Are You Ready? Don't miss it...invest in a friend and invite them to church...it will be GREAT! That was my best impression of Tony the Tiger...

Until next time...

Jason