When God Frustrates Your Plans

Ever experienced that? You plan and plan, apply this strategy, take this route and still it seems like something is blocking all your efforts. Sometimes this is the very hand of God, and it's not in effect to hurt you, but really to shape you and to show you that His plans are the ones that really matter.

Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."

I recently came across this poem written by an unknown soldier that fought in the war between the states. It sums this up so perfectly...enjoy!

I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked God for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all the things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might endure all things.
I got nothing I asked for
But everything I had hoped for...
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed.

Give It Away

Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 is an old Hebrew idiom that says, "Cast your bread upon the waters and after many days you will find it again." The meaning of it is to give to charity and it will be returned to you.

I think one way we can keep going and gain hope during these hard times is to look for ways to give, even when you may not have much yourself. There's always something you can do, so be creative and look for ways to give it away.

For some reason, God has set it up in his economy that when we give, especially out of our own struggles, it has a way of coming back to us. So what are you going to do, how are you going to give? You won't be sorry, so go ahead and give.

Close To Home

On my way home today, I saw a guy walking through the neighborhood with a stack of green brochures in his hand. I didn't think much of it, until I got home and read the green sliver of paper. On it was a plea from one of our neighbors asking for any work. From mowing lawns, to running errands, this couple was willing to anything to just survive. My heart was so sad for them.

Hitting so close to home, I can't imagine anyone in our sub-division not wanting to give them something to do, but if they are like we are, there's not enough cash going around to give them any work. In fact, I wonder how many people are only a few weeks away from the same kind of desperation.

Times like these are extremely tough yet in all these things, we must never lose hope that God is here. It may not feel like it, you're bank account may not show it, but his word promises us that he is and that he will never leave us.

If there is one thing I've learned over the course of my life it's this simple rule...no matter what happens, no matter what comes your way, no matter what you're facing...don't every quit! God will get you through in some way, and at the end of the storm you'll be glad you put your trust in him.

Sunday Thoughts

Today was debut service of ConnectionChurch.me in the AMC 24 on Anderson Road in Tampa. Some things that are on my mind concerning the day...

1. Set up was pretty rough, but that was to be expected. Changing from an old routine to a new one always creates that kind of mayham, but our team did a great job scrambling to get everything done.
2. Special thanks to everyone on the dream team who came an hour earlier (some 2 hours) to help with set up. Give us a few more weeks of that and we'll be back to our normal times. You guys rock!!!
   
3. Special thanks to Pete for building a stage...it really made a difference.
4. I realize that the goal for us at this point is to come up with a way to make as few trips from our storage container to the theaters as possible...we're gonna be working hard on that one.
5. Our greeter team did a great job welcoming everyone, including those people who came to see a movie. Keep up the great work guys.
6. We had a lot of amazing connections with people who came to the theater and was wondering what was going on. One example came when two girls heard the Gabe and the worship team playing and asked what was going on. I said "Church," and they responded, "this is church!" That's exactly why we made this move.
7. We started "God At The Movies" today and looked at the movie I Am Legend. Great conversation on why evil exists and the answer to it.
8. Gabe's new video (which you can see by clicking here) was amazing and worked perfectly into my message. Gabe...you the man, keep up the great work.
9. Our guitar player Rei is getting married next Saturday and then moving to South Carolina. Today was his last Sunday with us. We love you Rei, thanks for the last year and all the hard work you put into Connection Church. We wish you and Whitney the best of luck and God's blessing on your new life together.
10. It's now Sunday night, and I'm extremely tired, but can't wait to get up and do this all over tomorrow. There's nothing else I'd rather do, and no one else that I'd rather serve with than the incredible volunteers at ConnectionChurch.me
    

Real Connection Starts With .ME

Check it out Gabe's new video for our new .me campaign!



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