Arrived early this morning at Grace Fellowship and had some time to reflect & pray.

Saw this sight and remembered the extraordinary amount of energy and laughter I heard on the GFC Campus last night on day 2 of PZ Kids Camp.  I also thought and prayed about the possibilities of what God is going to do in this place tonight as hundreds of kids and adults will gather again to learn about Jesus in a fun and meaningful way.

Did a walk around the campus while I spent some time reflecting, praying, thinking on these and several other things:

a. Thanking God for the 13th Birthday of GFC today and the 1000’s of lives that have been changed for eternity and the lives that will continue to be changed.

b. Thankful for the wonderful people & staff who faithfully serve & give to invest in God’s Kingdom work through Grace, and grateful for the privilege of serving with them. Thanking God that our volunteers understand their service is not just some menial task that needs to be done, but is a significant to way to serve Jesus because they play a part in every life that is changed for Christ through GF.Church.

c. Asking God for healing and wisdom as I confess the pain and questions we’ve experienced in broken, hurt and lost relationships; one of the more difficult issues Pastors deal with in ministry.

d. Thanking God that the vision for Grace is still unfolding, and in spite of the fact that we’re an imperfect church, God still pours out His grace and is allowing us to be part of an amazing work He’s doing in our communities and around the world.

e. Thanking God that another 22 people will leave next week to serve with Mission of Hope in Haiti, and grateful for the missionaries God continues to raise up and send out from our church family.

f. Thanking God and laughing at some of the hilarious things that have happened over the past 13 years.  I have great memories, but even greater dreams for the future.

g. Thanking God for the generosity of the GF.Church family and the multitude of ways you invest in our communities and community services.

h. Thanking God for the amazing property and facilities He’s provided, and asking God for wisdom to lead well in the days to come.

i. Grateful for the GF.Church Family, the people of Wise County and the privilege of serving God through “The Miracle In The Cow Pasture.”

j. Humbled, grateful and still in awe of the grace and love of God demonstrated to me personally when Jesus died for me and then chose to call me into the marvelous world of serving Him.

Pastor BJ