Awesome God!

(Pictures from our community...)

That's right...our God is an awesome God! God, you are more than a song, more than a cliché , you are everything to me, my family, my church and my city.

With everyone praying around the world for our church, community and situation, things are moving forward. Great progress was made today. The handiwork of God was all over this day. I started the morning with a cup of java from Circle K (praise God...the water boiling order has been lifted!). Arrived at command central in our church facilities and went to work. Kristy arrived, then Martha, then others one by one. Then Betsy, Peggy, Pam & Pete, Jerry, Chris, Pastor Joel, Mary, Ruth, Helen, Mike, Ron & Sandy and so many others. Each one went to work. Each one helping us out. Thank you Lord for the body of Christ!

Then I met with Paul from Convoy of Hope. What a tremendous brother in Christ. Such kindred spirits...such support...such a strong servant's heart and sincere humility. He took the ball with all the logistics of hosting such a big outreach for our community. I called Pastor Randy from Northview A/G in town who was working on possible locations to host this outreach. Thanks Pastor Randy for your kind assistance in picking up the ball on this one. Went to visit a possible site with two staff members from Lakeview Church in Indianapolis, who have joined the team for this ministry venture in our city. We stood outside this vacant building and prayed for God to show us His will and reveal His plan. Knew that God was leading us in this journey, so we sought His wisdom and guidance. As the plans unfolded before our very eyes for the logistics to this outreach, all signs kept coming back to disaster central @ CFA's back parking lot. This is where the storm hit. This is where the waters flowed...right through our church. We would take back what the devil tried to steal from us and reach out to our neighbors with God's love and compassion. Paul will completely direct and cover all the logistics, along with capable and journey-tested volunteers. Thanks Lord, once again you've shown us your faithfulness and mile markers of wisdom along this pathway!

Again, many pastors called to lend their support to the efforts of rebuilding, restoration and renewal. Pastor Burton and Pastor Murray from our sister churches here in Columbus provided support and encouragement. Each of them have people with great needs and difficult circumstances as well. Pastor Brian and Pastor Chuck and Pastor Mike and Pastor Butch also checked in. God has brought so many partners to share this load and extend open and willing hands. God is good...all the time!

The workers from the restoration company got a lot accomplished today. Took out carpets from the fellowship hall, sanctuary, and cleared out one office. Moved the pews one at a time to get to the carpets. Set up large dehumidifiers to remove the humidity and moisture from the entire building. Equipment being used on our church was the high dollar kind. It had reached up to 70% in the walls. When I left late tonight, the large tunnels of moving air was really doing the job. Quite the site to behold! Just think of it as the winds of the Spirit hovering over our church complex from end to end. Covered. Protected. Quality insurance from above. Thanks Lord. Your master plan is being fulfilled right before our physical eyes!

Talked directly with the City Inspector for his judgments needed on electrical units. The Duke Energy worker was also kind and easy to work with. The county offices quickly responded with our late hour desperate call for help! Thanks Lord for favor with the right people to assist us with your wisdom and protection! I even prayed a prayer for these two community leaders as they jumped in their truck to attend to the next emergency call.

Then it was off to prepare for our first Flood Gathering for our CFA family. They were wondering what we were going to do. They were concerned. They need encouragement and leadership. God led me to a passage in the Bible to speak from. Felt the power of the Holy Ghost on my life as He used me to speak the words of God into their hearts. Great spirit in this gathering tonight. Lots of hugs. Lots of togetherness. Lots of family sitting next to one another. Lots of smiles even if we've been displaced from our regular service schedule. Adjusting to change. Not real easy to do, but I saw a determination from our people that was real encouraging. I sensed that they really believe that we CAN DO THIS...we can make it...that we will be transformed in the process. Whatever it takes!

My youth pastor led us in three songs of powerful worship. People praised God. They lifted their voices right in the battleground of destruction. They worshiped their Lord and Savior even if "all is stripped away....getting back to the true heart of worship." Wow!!

We all saw the news team from Indy in our parking lot who wanted to cover this story. What is a church doing in the midst of this crisis? What do you want to accomplish? Why are you meeting outside tonight? I replied with affirming replies of God's purposes and God's faithfulness to the reporter. Not real comfortable in setting like this. Again, we've never been in this place of desperate dependence before either.

Message was real simple tonight: We don't know what to do, but Lord, our eyes are upon YOU!

Lead us. Guide us and we will follow you...wherever you intend to take us!

Two things for you to do for me, OK:

1) Please pray for the Convoy of Hope Community Outreach being conducted on our back parking lot tomorrow (Thursday) from 9 to 5 pm, or until all supplies are given away. Pray for opportunities of prayer and ministry to be interspersed in each divine window of opportunity to touch someones wounded life with the love of Jesus. Right now a case of water or bucket of cleaning supplies are in precious demand right now. Thanks Convoy of Hope for working with us to reach our city for Christ! You are angels from above.

2) Would you post a "comment" on this blog to share your words of support and encouragement to our church and community? You don't have to leave your full name if you don't want to. You can be "anonymous" and just leave your comments. But you could also respond with your first name and where you are dialing in from, so to speak: Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Texas, India, etc. All you need to do is click on the comment link below this post, then leave us your personal note of support. It would be such a blessing to me and our church family!'

Thanks so much for following us in this "journey of faith." It is getting more and more exciting each day to see what God is going to do next.

I'm loving God more and more.

Keep looking up!!