January 21 – “Tearing down and building up”

Tearing down.  We had some potentially good news yesterday.  Chris went over to check on the people rummaging through the abandoned house next door.  They said they were the winners of the city contract to demolish the house.  Operations should begin “next week” to take it down.  We are guardedly optimistic, but as Chris told the guy, we’ll believe it when we see it.  He gave her one of his cards.  I vaguely remember Phillip and his brother Paul, I think, from I went to Grace Episcopal Church with when I was a little kid.  I think Phillip was younger than me, and I didn’t know him well, but he confirmed with Chris that he did indeed go there.  Small world. 

Building up.  We had a pretty good day at church yesterday.  I finished up the “Getting to Work” teaching series on Nehemiah with a challenge to get to work on the different places God has provided for us to be ministers to.  That includes more than just each of us as individuals and the church building itself (although we all could use some ministering to, and the building could certainly use some TLC).  It also means places like JB’s and the Bluewater Grill and the laundrymat.  And events like those put on by the park board over in the city park, the Easter egg hunt and the Memorial Day dance, or Light Up Jamaica Beach at Christmas.  We need to be actively involved in providing worship opportunities, of course, and the church is all about providing an atmosphere where we can pull together in an intimate fellowship.  We also must acknowledge that we are involved in a spiritual battle that rages in the spiritual real and spills over into our daily experience.  That means we have to be prepared on two fronts.  We have to pray, really spending time pouring out our hearts to God like we believe it will make a difference.  And we have to get prepared for the chances at evangelism we will have as God draws people toward himself and lets them bump into us on their way to him.  The service included a chance to take up a symbol of your willingness to be a part of “rebuilding the walls” at Seaside.  Everyone was encouraged to pick up a toy block and keep it displayed in a prominent place to remind them of their commitment to do what God called them to do for the next year.  After a great (as usual) dinner on the grounds, the leadership team then brainstormed about ways we can reboot everything about our ministry existence.  It made for a long, exhausting day, but the moments of anticipation and excitement were refreshing.  Attendance is beginning to inch up ever so slightly.  I don’t know about offerings.  I don’t personally track that.  But there is no denying that God is up to something.  Can’t wait to see what shape it takes.  I’ll get started on the next teaching series now.  Still praying about it, but it looks like it will either be the Book of John or the Parables. 

Psalms 60:4 says, “But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow.”

Father, unfurl that banner over at Seaside.  We could sure use it.  And bring on the bulldozers.  Amen.