January 24 – “God-storming”

Big day at church yesterday.  First I did an overview of the history of Seaside.  That sounds kind of funny after being at First Baptist Church San Antonio the day before.  We don't have a 150 year legacy, but it sure feels like God has done a lot just in the fifteen years I have been there.  Then I asked the folks what they would say if a friend asked them. "What is so special about your church in Galveston?"  That brought out some great comments about love and family and even one that said we have gone though some tough times lately, but we are in a transition period now.  The last section was my vision of where Seaside could go and the kinds of things I hoped for.  The bottom line for me would be for the people to be so equipped that they could still be the Church for each other even if they weren't living in a protected society like America.     Then after worship we had a discernments meeting.  That was a time for everyone to share where they have been seeing God at work and how we could join him.  It was kind of like brainstorming, but instead of coming up with a bunch of ideas and asking God to bless them, we tried to see things that were obviously his will and already his work.  I called it God-storming.  It was obvious some folks had thought through the question for a long time, and they brought their agenda of items to talk about.  Others reacted like it was their first time to think about it.  But it was a most incredible time of coming together in unity.     It was fascinating to see the specific ideas begin to center around ministering to "orphans" (the myriad of kids God has sent to us over the years who come on their own with little or no parent presence), to "widows" (there was a great deal of interest in doing ministry at assisted living centers or nursing homes, a ministry our school kids are already involved in), and "aliens" (who else would that be in Galveston but tourists).  We also had a letter from our missionary contact to Mexico that he needed some Spanish Bibles, and I found out that we had a guy visiting who has a regular ministry to the Monterrey area of Mexico.  (That would be some actual "foreigners."    One guy has already begun to develop a relationship with some people who have a ministry to bikers.  Another guy called later and said he was going to contact the owner of the RV park next door to our other land and see if there was a way to have a mutually beneficial relationship with them.  Mom was even trying to verbalize ways we could do more intergenerational activities.  One closing concern was raised that we don't just talk about doing stuff, but actually get started on doing something.  That resulted in an appeal to provide scholarships for some kids to get to camp this summer.  Their deposits are due next Sunday, so several people kicked in some deposit money right then.  Some others gave money toward buying some of the Spanish Bibles.  Sounds like God is on the move at Seaside.   2 Chronicles 15:2 says, "The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you."   Father, keep us in tune with you.  Amen.