…when churches work together as ONE.

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We are in day 33 of our 90 Day Tithe Challenge. One of the neat things that is happening during this challenge is the storytelling going on– from new tithers to long time tithers–telling their stories about their exprience tithing.   If you missed our first video testimony shown on Sunday, check it out now.  Great Job, Jeremy.

Embedded video to come: for now, click here

I start early in the week for message prep.  Mostly because 1) I have questions about the text that take time to solve 2) I’m slow (and I don’t want to start on Friday and not be done in time for Sunday, AM) and 3) I’m just anal about getting stuff done early.   Anyway, talking about the great “seismos moment” in Matthew 8:23-27.  Totally stuck on a few things:

Matthew and Mark say “where is your faith?” and then Jesus calms the storm.  Luke’s version has Jesus calming the storm and then asking “where is your faith?”  Is that significant?  

Did Jesus intentionally take the disciples out into the squall?

Is the overall point of the calming of the sea to help develop the disciples belief in Jesus as a miracle worker OR their belief in him as God (there would seem to be a significant difference). Both?  Is their “lack of faith” an issue of thinking they were going to die or an issue of them not believing that Jesus was God? (God was often portrayed as having complete control and sovereignty over water, a la Psalm 89:8-9,  Ps 65:7, Ps. 104:7, Ps, 106:9, Or Ps. 107:23-30, Ps. 46:1-3).

The greatest mark of a disciple of Jesus: Living on Mission.  Are you?

At KingsWay, we keep trying to think of ways to simply “bless” people.  In fact, part of our vision, (Worship, Grow, Send) is to be “sent” to bless… So we’re preparing some “Spring-Themed” baskets to giveaway to peole in the community who we think might be interested in getting one.  Here’s how you can get involved: 

Pick up some Spring-themed items like:
Cleaning supplies
Fruit roll ups
Juices
Kites
Bubbles
Sunglasses
Bug repellent
Sunscreen
Goldfish crackers
Flower seeds
An umbrella, etc.

April 16th, several of us are gathering at Panera bread on Mason Montgomery Road @ 6:30 to organize and pack those baskets (to make them look nice).
Apri 17th, several of us are going to gather at South Lebanon Elemtary School (at 11am) to deliver those baskets to people–just as a practical way of blessing people and saying “God loves you.”

I invite you to participate in purchasing some of those items, joining us to help pack and organize, and being “sent” to deliver them.  Need more info?  email info (at) mykingsway (dot) net

We are in day 30 of the 90 Day Tithe Challenge.  If you have not formally taken this challenge yet, jump in now!  Here’s one of the many stories I have (and will) share with those who have taken the tithe challange:

We made the decision to tithe several years ago, during a time when I had recently started a new business, and my wife had decided to stay home with our daughter.  The problem was that tithing did not seemingly take into account the upheaval of a new business.  As with most efforts, a new business meant taking on a lot of debt, and facing sporadic income.  It was difficult, on numerous occasions, to write a check for 10% when I knew that I would not have money to pay half the other bills that were due.
 
When God did bless the business, that made tithing difficult as well.  Ironically, it is when you get the “big payday” that tithing can get more uncomfortable.  One starts to think “couldn’t I pay off X, Y, or Z bill instead of this?” or “I’ll give God 5% here, 3% here, etc.”   
 
We had heard sermons on tithing, and had listened to the testimonials that said: ”I started tithing and I was blessed with . . . .”  or “I tithed my last $20 and the next day found $20 on the ground”.  I don’t doubt those stories, but that is not what happened with us. We tithed, and we struggled financially for a long time. I cannot say it was always easy -and I would be lying if I said I always had joy in my heart when I wrote the check.  But tithing, and seeing the good God does with our meager offerings, continues to excite us.    
 
In retrospect, I can see how fidelity to God and His commands has resulted in blessings which are immeasurable.  Our family has a good home, and all our needs are met.  I have a great job, and our daughter received a great upbringing with mom being at home for those formative years.  We want for nothing.  We didn’t start tithing and then God let us hit the lottery in two weeks – but looking back, God blessed us with more than we could have ever dreamed, and far more than we could have accomplished by holding on, and holding back. God is faithful. 

To sign up for the tithe challenge, send me a quick email-(adam (at) mykingsway (dot) net) and like everyone else, I’ll send you The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn and put you on our email journal where we share stories and updates of how God is working in us as we “test him” in the Tithe.

Easter seemed to be an especially special time this year.  I can’t put my finger on it.  It’s terribly difficult to preach on Easter because of both the simplicity yet vast scope and significance of the resurrection.  A few Easter highlights:

*Record Attendance (Attendance was only greater at our launch)
*The children (KingsKids) sang
*Music was excellent.  You could hear peopel singing louder that most times
*Multiple first time guests, and even more guests who keep coming back!
*I sensed a genuine joy among people and eagerness to gather to celebrate
*Nobody seemed to “rush out” to get on with their day, but mingled here and there (it must have been that cheescake/cinnamon stuff!)
*Family gatherings post sunday AM Service.

It was a good Easter.  Happy Easter, everyone!

I have to say that our Good Friday Service was a huge highlight of mine this year.  A few reasons:

*It was outdoors (and the weather was perfect!).  If we had our own property, I would build and amphitheater and have alot of our worship expereinces outdoors, for sure.
*It was experiential
*It had alot of scripture reading in it from the passion text (did you know that nearly 1/3 of Matthew is devoted to the last few days of Jesus life?)
*It had a simple theme: Jesus death allows you to meet with God (the temple veil was torn)
*It featured prayer for our city and the many people who don’t know why “Good Friday” is Good.
*It was outdoors (did I say that already?)
*It was a family service
*Alot of people (including guests) came

Thanks, Landen Deerfield Park for hosting.