We often talk about the "western church". We are not talking about the church that John Wayne attended.
Read MoreEngaging Love
by Randy Schroeder
God created us to need an intimate relationship with Him and with people. That gives us some interesting insight into how to reach out to our world around us and impact people that are not currently Christ followers. If I know that God created my neighbors with both spiritual and relational needs, then how might I weave these together to advance the Kingdom of God. Lets look at how the Master did it.
When faced with a lying, cheating tax collector, Jesus connected with Zacchaeus first in a relational way, by eating with him, and accepting a man that no one liked. I think he was startled by Jesus love, and he was radically transformed. When faced with a Samaritan woman at a well, Jesus didn’t avoid or shun or condemn her, as most Jews would, but he startled her with love, and then spoke truth to her. And she was radically transformed. In other words, Jesus met a valid need for respect, comfort, attention, appreciation, approval, support, acceptance (all from the “one another” passages) and then introduced the person to the God who desires to startle us with his love. May we have eyes to see people the way Jesus sees them so that we can love them the way He loves them. And then may we be bold to proclaim His great name and what great love would suffer and die for us that we might live for Him.
Always Singing
So what makes you sing? Groups that I am in that are singing make me sing. Church worship makes me sing. KSBJ makes me sing. (You knew I had to throw that one in there). But do I sing when I am by myself. In other words, when I am not prompted by others or the radio or an iPod, does a song overflow out of my heart and life.
Read MoreAdmonitions To the Rich
Are you rich? Most people I run into don’t think they are rich, no matter how much they have. I regularly run into people with $10-20 million that don’t feel rich. But lets remember to look through a worldwide lens, which will stamp rich on most Americans no matter what we have.
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Hurricane Harvey & Houston Flooding Update
Hopefuls and Friends Far and Near,
The Scriptures tell us that Jesus “is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Col. 1:17 ESV) Today, as with yesterday, and the day before, all things are still held together in Him.
This truth sustains us as Houstonians in a time when our city is hurting. The devastation is hard to wrap our minds around. Our city is aching, so many suffering. So many tears have been shed. Yet God is still good, still in control, still loving, still gracious, and still God. We know this.
So now is the time for followers of Jesus to shine brightly. Let’s lead in loving and serving our city, and let’s lead in giving hope and rest. This is a daunting chapter but it’s not the end of the story. Whatever happens, God is still good and we trust Him.
In Houston today, August 29, we’re not yet out of the woods. Rain is still falling and water from the dam of the Addicks Reservoir is overflowing. The Barker Reservoir is expected to soon follow. Let’s keep praying for our city and begging God to bless and provide.
At our elder meeting this morning, we thanked God for protection on our Hope family. At the moment, there are various needs and we’re focused on those. Yet it was striking how few major situations we have. We’re so grateful for the protection and provision over our Hope family.
We’re also so grateful for many of you outside of Houston who have prayed for us, reached out to us, and offered to help. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. For those of us in Houston and beyond, here are ways we can all help:
1. Pray. It’s always our top priority and certainly so now. Above all else, let’s stay diligent in prayer. We desperately need God to move and He’s honored in our prayers.
2. Serve. After hearing each elder report on our home groups and covenant members, we as elders felt led to direct external focus to other churches and needs. We’re so encouraged by many Hopefuls already serving in our community. There are many local shelters throughout Houston as well as neighbors and friends with great needs. Let’s get together, reach out, and bless our city. It’s a powerful time to shine the light of Christ.
For churches outside Houston looking to send volunteers or supplies, we recommend the Houston Church Planting Network site as a starting point: http://www.hcpn.org/relief
3. Give. We’ve set up a fund at Hope Church to receive gifts toward disaster relief. Please give online at www.hopechurchhouston.org/give and select “Harvey - Disaster Relief” or direct a check to Hope Church with “Harvey - Disaster Relief” in the memo line. Our mailing address is:
Hope Church Houston
9337 B Katy Freeway #252
Houston, TX 77024
For our Hopefuls, please keep your discipleship groups updated and post on The City as needs arise. As elders, we are praying for each of you and eager to serve in any way. You are loved, you are cared for, and we are with you.
This storm is not yet over, but we know who holds all things together. May He find us faithful and may He be glorified as we rest in Him. Love you all deeply.
Peter, for your Hope elders
Community
There is no secret to it: authentic community is not always easy, but it sure is worth it.
When Hope started just over a year ago, it was our sincere desire to see authentic community become the norm. Raw, candid, honest community, the type that takes courage and intentionality. But it’s not easy to nurture. It takes people who love Jesus more than they love themselves, and people who are willing to be all in.
It also takes covenant. That’s the key to it all. It’s a group of people covenanting together – holding each other accountable, encouraging each other, and hanging in the trenches together. There’s just something different about a community in covenant.
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