what I think I thought…

So I had someone put a copy of this article in my box yesterday.  Seriously can’t believe churches still think like this.  This is a church who is burning all bibles except King James Version…and books by authors such as Billy Graham, Chuck Swindoll, Chuck Colson, and Mother Teresa…because they don’t fit into the box they have made for God.

I can only laugh at the irony that they call themselves the “Amazing Grace Baptist church.

I thank God his Grace is much bigger than his peoples.

wow

• 1.1 billion people living without access to safe drinking water is appalling at every level
• Three stats that blew my mind:

1. Americans average 183 gallons of water use per person per day
2. Unclean water kills more people each year than Aids and Cancer combined
3. $1 can provide clean water for an African for an entire year

• This is not about water conservation…although there is nothing wrong with that…but us using less isn’t going to allow those without to use more.

• This is about doing justice…Micah 6:6-8

• I truly did survive only drinking water for a week

• Between drinks at restaurants, Mt. dews at the store, 12 packs at home and at the office, sugar for my sweet tea, plus the tea bags…I think a conservative estimate of what I normally spend on my beverages is at least $25 a week

• For those of you who drink coffee…add in the creamer, filters, sugar, and milk…when you think about how much you spend on your habit…and if you do Starbucks…well get a calculator

• And for those of you who are beer and wine drinkers…you don’t need me to tell you what an expensive luxury that is…1 beer at a Cardinals Game…$7…and what beer drinker only has 1?

• Imagine the impact we could have a body of believer if we all took the challenge to drink only water for a week.  And honestly added up what we normally spend…

• If the total only came out to $15 a person (which is a very low estimate!) …that alone would fund an entire well.

• Today we are going to write a check to bloodwater mission for $11,303 dollars to help build a well in Nigeria.

• My hope is that from the water challenge we will add another $5000 to that next week…because of what you are willing to give up for the sake of others

• Excited about next weeks message it is one that hits REALLY close to home for me…and many of you as well.
• For those of you who missed out on this weekend you can always catch up here

·    I will never look at a dog create the same ever again.
·    Yesterday was an emotional mixed bag.
·    There was disgust, anger, shock, and sadness.  But the last feeling I had walking out was one of Hope.  We as the body of Christ CAN do something about this!
·    Sometimes it’s easier not to know what goes on in the back allies.  Sometimes we don’t want the curtain pulled back because we know what is behind it will make us uncomfortable.
·    But God’s number one priority for his people is not comfort.
·    Only when we see what God sees…and know what he knows…can we feel what he feels.  All of our anger, disgust, and sadness…pale in comparison to the Father of these victims.
·    Still can’t get over this statistic: The average age of entry into prostitution in Phoenix and U.S. is 13 years old
·    Larry Fraley and Peggy Bilsten have amazing hearts for these girls…and are literally leading the way nationally on how best to rescue and restore these young lives.
·    If you have yet to check out Streetlights website….do it now!
·    And check out the Branded site as well.
·    Yesterday we had our lowest attendance since June 1st 2008…even so…today we are writing a check for $12,500 from the offering that was collected.  AMAZING!
·    For all of you who were missing yesterday…please check out the message on our website it should be up by Tuesday morning.
·    And if you missed out on the chance to give…you can do it here.

·    I can’t tell you how excited I am about what God is doing with the people of Prescott Christian Church.
·    I am privileged to be a part of a staff and elders who have let me dream big and are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish Gods mission in this world.  Sadly this is rare.
·    As hard as it is too believe, I know seeking justice as God has called us to, is not a popular preaching topic.
·    I know there are going to be some who think we are wasting time and wasting energy and wasting resources…and would rather hear warm and fuzzy messages that require nothing of us.
·    But a faith that requires nothing is a faith that is worth nothing…James 1:22, 2:18, 2:26
·    Favorite comment from Sunday, “I know you probably don’t hear this enough…but thank you for not letting us just come and sit in a pew.”
·    Today we writing two checks for $6000 each to be given away from yesterdays offering.
·    I am so excited to get to go and drop them off.
·    Next week’s message is going to leave you dumbfounded.  We are going to have the former vice mayor of Phoenix along with a special guest from Christ’s Church in the Valley to share with us about one of the greatest injustices in our time that is happening in our own backyard.
·    YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THIS!
·    I beg of you…bring someone with you this week.  Let’s start a movement of people who are committed to getting people on board with us as we try to live out seeking Justice.

In the little Old Testament letter of Micah, the prophet answers a question most every person who believes in God has asked… “God, what do you want from me?”

He puts it this way…
“With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
Are offerings of calves, rams, and oil what please the Lord?

What about money, time, and talents? Is that what God wants
from us?

The good news is we don’t have to guess.

Micah 6:8 tells us what God wants…
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

So for the month of October we are going to try and give God what he wants. We are going to seek justice and show mercy to those whose lives have been marred by injustice and cruelty.

Injustices like the modern day slavery of girls caught up in sex trafficking. Or the 1.1 billion people in the world who have no access to clean water today. Or the 143 million children living as orphans.

Throughout the month of October we are not only going to talk about these issues but because of a few generous people we are going to empower you to do something about them. We are going to help fund a rescue house in Phoenix for young girls rescued from the sex trade to go and find healing for their
bodies and their souls. We are going to build a well in Ethiopia that will be a safe, clean, sustainable source of water for an entire village. We are going to partner with those in our own community of believers who are following after God’s heart and are trying to be fathers and mothers to children without.

I truly believe this could be one life changing-church changing-community changing series. You are not going to want to miss what is going to happen in October. So do everything you can to be here and bring someone with you as we delve into this new series “…and justice for all.”