It has been a very long time since I have gotten away for a break from my normal routine.  I have gone on vacations, but have never really been able to let it all go and just enjoy time away “re-creating”!  So far this week, that is exactly what I have been doing.

God has been teaching me a lot about vision, especially His vision.  He has been teaching me about freedom that flows from His amazing grace and how I so often tend to take this freedom for granted.  He also is teaching me about faith, faith that allows me to recognize Him, gives me the strength to abandon the restraints that hold me down and back and that allow me to experience the miraculous.

I am enjoying a break, learning from it and looking forward to being a better servant to God and His people when I return!  Thanks to all of you who love me, pray for me and help to make it all possible!

Why do we do what we do?  Why work so hard, when you could just glide by?  Why take the time to listen to the hurts and pains of others, especially those who can do nothing for you?  No one really seems to appreciate what you do and eventually many of the people you serve will turn on you.  So, why do what you do?

The answer is really simple when you answer the “why” with a “who”.  We do it for our Creator.  God created us and sustains us.  God provided away for us, when we could not make away for ourselves.  God is patient with us, even though, He should have given up on us a long time ago.

Colossians 3:23-24 says:  “23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

There it is!  Really not near as complicated as we make it.  If you can’t do what God has called, gifted and equipped you to do where you are, then get up and get to where you can.  I will tell you from personal experience, God’s intention is that we will find joy in our service to Him.  That’s not to say that it will be easy, but even in the difficult, your life can be filled with the “joy of the Lord”.  Do what you are doing for Him with all your heart or quit wasting time.  There is not room or time for half-hearted service to the King!  It’s not near as complicated as we make it, so let’s stop playing games.  Get the who right and the why will take care of itself!

The Grace Place Campus has been buzzing since we have welcomed new church planters, students from Fuge, shoppers from the community and all kinds of angels that continue to bless us with donations.  As always, the excitement level is high with the staff, planters and volunteers all appreciating what God is doing, as we look forward to even greater things in the coming months.

It’s not hard to anticipate great things, when we realize and believe we serve a great God.  We are in the continuing process of letting the Lord get us organized and are looking forward great line up of activities and ministry opportunities that will take place on and off campus during the unfolding summer.

We are very excited about the ministries that God is allowing us to be a part of.  And we are looking forward to all the folks that are coming to partner with us by sharing their own unique and special ministry gifts.  In the days ahead, we are looking forward to some special concerts, guest preachers and a even surprise or two.

We have a great group of planters and volunteers.  We are very proud of all the hard work and ministry that is performed on a daily basis.  We are very proud of the accomplishments of our team.  We believe they provide excellent and meaningful ministry and that this ministry is making a huge difference and impact on, in and through our community.

We also know that when you are serving a higher calling, that there are going to be difficulties.  We choose to see the difficulties as learning and growing opportunities.  The truth is:  We live in a dark and sinful world, but we have been called to bring the bright light of God’s love into this world and this we will continue to do with everything we’ve got!

Thank you for your prayers and for the ways that so many of you help the Grace Place light to shine a little brighter in the darkness.  I love and appreciate you.  People ask all the time:  How can I help?  Tell people about us!  Donate to us!  Join us!  Pray for us!  And above all – make sure you experience, share and grow in His grace!