A Birthday Sighting

I turned 44 years old today.  I'm not sure why I shared that other than the fact that it is driving my "God Sightings" for this week.  I find myself wanting to share different sightings than I normally do.  I like sharing sightings of God working in other people and groups throughout the church here at Life Bridge.  This week, though, I'm looking more at my own life and over a period of years rather than days or weeks...

His Body in Action

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NLT)

This summer, we've been challenged by God to see His Body as being bigger than just Life Bridge Christian Church here in Valparaiso.  He's reminded us that His Church is living and active all over our city, county, state, country, and world.  He's stretched us to recognize His followers by their love, unity, and the fruit of their spirit.  He told us we will not be in His Kingdom simply by calling Him "Lord, Lord."

A Youth Group, A Poster, & A Vision

I had the pleasure of seeing God working in and through a youth group today.  Scott Avenue Christian Church in Newton, IL sent their youth group to help us in any way they could.  Before I arrived, they cleaned up the storm debris from our parking lot.  They were ready to serve!

After a short time catching them up on Life Bridge and our mission, they broke up into teams and went all over the place.  One team went back to the church building and set up the computers, projectors, and cables that had been moved for last weekend's service at the fair.  Other teams trained on all three trollies, learned the booth, and covered everything at the fair from opening till 4.  Then they regrouped to get ready for their next stop and more service.

Speaking to their Youth Minister, it was a blessing to share visions with one another.  They are raising up their youth with a heart to serve anywhere God's Kingdom needs workers.  

While listening to him, I also thought about our part of His Church - encouraging people to live out John 17.  I looked at the poster on the wall someone made specifically for the fair.  These weren't our visions for our local churches.  The visions fit together perfectly - almost like two pieces of a really big puzzle.  I love it when we see another part of His picture and how we all fit together.

What a blessing to see Him at work!

God Sightings

We started asking the questions a little differently at the booth.  

"What's your favorite thing about your church?"

The responses were amazing.  We heard about music, preaching, children's programs, mission work, people coming to Christ, friendships, Bible studies, and much, much more.

Then it hit us.  We asked another question.

"Would you be willing to write that down?

They were and they did.  
Now the booth is covered with Praise - Glorifying God from all of His Body.  
Now I can see God a little more clearly.
 
Praise God!

My Three

It's not difficult to have a "God Sighting" when you're sitting on a beach enjoying a beautiful sunset with the love of your life.  Traci and I didn't have to say much. We could both sense it. God was there.  Thinking over the past couple of days, though, that Sabbath-rest quiet time brought the real God Sighting to mind: my "three."