Green is for Growth

Today we changed all the hangings in our simple worship space in the back room of Riverside Assembly of God to "Green".  Thanks to the handy work of Judy Self we added to the hangings this year which helps make a stark room warm.  This long Pentecost Season needs to be one of growth. Green is the color of growth.   God is moving and leading us to new people.  We are praying that we will see some come along side us and we them for more than just a visit or a short period of ministry.  "Lord, please grow your church!"

I am seeing growth.  Karen just returned from a short term mission trip to Jaurez.  She shared today how God used her in unexpected ways.  She thought she would spend most of her time "painting or light construction", but she was asked to help teach dozen of women sowing skills on donated machines.  She was blessed more than words could express.  The picture is the fruit of one of her days of labor.  Don't focus on the "pillow cases" but the smiles on the women's faces.  She said the team even had a chance to share the gospel and see several of the ladies asking Jesus into their hearts.   They were growing but so was Karen and the short term mission team.  "Lord, please help us serve so your church can grow."


Nick and I had a chance to help out the Anglican ministry in Holland, Michigan one day last week with a rehab project in a older area of the town.  They are working on starting a faith community, by living in a neighborhood and contributing to neighborhood revitalization projects like renovations, community gardens, and simple worship and study gatherings. As we serve we grow.  As we grow we encourage those around us to grow as well.   We helped install a ledger board for a new deck as a second crew was preparing to side the house.  It is looking really good.  "Lord, help us serve others with words and deeds as we grow and others may want to grow too."

We like to celebrate at New Wine.  No better reason for a party but to celebrate with June Olson and her family a very significant birthday milestone.  Good food,  good drink and sitting out on the front porch of a grand old home in Owosso (June's niece's home) made for a great afternoon together.  We have found that times of fellowship and food, lend themselves to conversations a about life and loves.  For Jesus people,  we often talk about faith.  So we have had a good start to the summer celebration season. "Lord, help our conversations and celebration focus more on You and less on us.  Help us grow relationally."

As we try to grow in our faith we are asking the Lord to bring into our circle people who want to walk with us.  At the same time we have come to understand that more and more we need to go out looking for ways to meet people in their circle of friends and family.   Let the celebration begin that the Kingdom may grow!  Green is for growth.