ACC - Leadership Online

Crazy Love - a great book by Francis Chan, is the basis for our discussion at Soul Purpose - our Thursday morning men's ministry. I've just started reading and so far it is most excellent. There was a link in the first chapter to this video. Check it out.

How could you not stand in worshipful awe of our God?

Peace,
Dave

I love being a dad. It's the most difficult thing I've ever done, but it is by far the most rewarding thing I've ever done. Here's a few things that make me smile:

1. The way she says "daddy" (doesn't pronounce the middle d's)

2. The way she "helps" me w/ chores

3. Playing hide & seek

4. Reading bedtime stories (Doesn't get much better than Dr. Seuss!)

5. Praying with / for her

The list could go on and on, but these are the things I love right now. I'm so excited for our next addition to the family. Our baby boy is due in 3 weeks...which means he could decide to join us any day now. I'm looking forward to learning to be daddy to my boy.

Grace,

Chris

Yesterday we learned about Diotrephes (see III John) – perhaps the very first church boss. He was immature (always wanted to be first), insecure and easily threatened (gossiped about other leaders and was uncooperative – definitely not a team player) and controlling and manipulative (kicked people out of his church if they disagreed with him!).

Man, would that guy be a pain in the neck to have around ACC!

Today I thank God for the incredible team of elders he has allowed me to work with here. These men sincerely want what God wants for our church. They are humble, flexible, prayerful, loving, pensive and true to the word of God; I consider each a good personal friend.

As we lead our church please pray for us. Our team needs courage, wisdom and ever-increasing hearts for God, His people and the unchurched.

The ACC elder team: John Beckley, Ray Demich, Dale Hugo, Jim Johnson, Ken Kerr, Jim Ray and myself.

Please note: Not a Diotrephes among us! That, my friends, is by the mercy and grace of God!

Peace,
Dave

Ephesians 2:1-9 (NIV)

Made Alive in Christ
1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.

Praise God!

Grace,
Chris

Today I grabbed a quick lunch with my wife and daughter. After enjoying some killer tacos, while driving my wife back to her office a big dude in a pickup truck aggressively tried to cut me off – he assumed I’d yield to him. He assumed wrong. I wasn’t in the mood to yield. He had to brake hard to avoid hitting me. He then let fly with a choice four letter word.

How did I respond?

I think my exact words were: “I know you weren’t talking to me fat man, cause I’ll take you down.” Though my window was open – I don’t think he heard me. (Could he read lips?)

I guess I have too many Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Bronson, Eastwood type movies in my memory bank.

A few hours before this little altercation, when I was starting my day I prayed that God would be glorified in me on this fine, sunny Monday!

9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:9-12

Yeah, I can be a jerk sometimes. James also said that the tongue is “a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

Constant watch must be kept over my heart, my mind, my attitude. As a follower of Christ I am to bless others – not curse others. I need God in this challenge of taming the tongue.

I have confessed my wrong to God. Check. I need to apologize to Karen and Lacey for my bad example when I get home this evening. Check.

I kind of hope that dude in the truck doesn’t choose to visit ACC this Sunday. If he does, I got some explaining to do. Check.

Peace,
Dave