Sunday Afterthoughts…
Another Sunday is in the books. Here are the afterthoughts…
Part 5 of our Grace series looked at how God brings healing to our emotional and spiritual wounds.
Rejection is something we all struggle with. People who have faced extreme rejection in their life will typically be people who crave validation from others and become consumed with taking on identities that will bring them praise.
Not all pastors are called to be pastors and not all people are called to lead a ministry. Sometimes people take on these identities because it lets them focus on other peoples problems and completely ignore their own. Plus they are in positions that bring the validation from others that they crave.
It’s a waste of time and energy to work our tails off to earn validation and acceptance from the very people who will one day be right next to us on their faces worshipping Jesus. They may seem important now but one day only Christ will matter. We should live like that now and not wait until the end.
I’ve learned that I can’t please all the people all the time or even all the people some of the time. I’ve learned that usually I can only please some of the people at random times. My identity is in Christ and being more like him not in getting man’s approval.
We don’t earn validation from God by what we do. God accepts us right where we are in life. He forgives us although we don’t deserve it. He proves we are valuable to him because of what Christ did on the cross. He loves us although we consistently turn our backs on him and He makes us capable to overcome hurt, tragedy and rejection because of Christ and the Holy Spirit in us.
This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I haven’t personally seen or heard of any first time believers coming out of it but its been awesome to see people deeply challenged and in many cases set free from their past.
The band closed with “Hands of the Healer” by John Waller. Amazing song. It was a powerful way to close out an emotional service and you could feel the presence of God moving. Love those moments.
Biggest crowd today since I’ve been here. Seeing new families every week and beginning to see some other families come back.
We have some awesome volunteers that make all of this happen. Can’t say thank you enough to them.
Was hoping that because I live in Wisconsin and because Wisconsin is in the Big 10 I wouldn’t have to hear about OU losing to Texas but somehow a Texas fan got into the church. He was nice though which I always appreciate.
Need to say thanks to everyone for the cards and gifts for pastors appreciation. I keep telling people I haven’t been here long enough to earn their appreciation but I appreciate it 
none the less.
We haven’t scratched the surface of what’s getting ready to happen. I feel like Sand Lake is in this bubble that is slowly getting bigger and bigger and pretty soon it’s going to explode (in a good way). Love serving and ministering to this church. Sand Lake thanks for letting me be your pastor!
