As we approach the Feast of Tabernacles, it is a good time to take stock of the progress we have made as a group and also consider the blessings our Father has given us.
About three years ago we followed our Father’s direction and Christ’s voice to come together as a group of people who desired to make sure that Christ is firmly placed as the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18). We have also had a focus on our Father’s plan of restoration and reconciliation. Through His plan, our Father is reconciling the creation back to Himself (Colossians 1:19-23). The end result of this process of reconciliation is the restoration of His government over the entire creation that we see pictured in Revelation chapters 21-22.
When we, as part of the Church, attempt to evaluate the progress we have made and consider the blessings our Father has given us, we sometimes look to facts and figures because they are easy to measure. The facts and figures we can evaluate are encouraging. As part of the Church we have:
- been blessed by our Father with a steady income that consistently exceeds expenses.
- have the opportunity to support brethren who live in difficult areas or challenging circumstances such as the Philippines, Rwanda and Madagascar.
- developed a website to feed the members and those whom the Father will draw to it. Currently 20% of the people who visit the website are completely new to the site.
But are these the criteria we should be using to evaluate our progress as individuals and as a people? Or are the most important measures that we need to be considering not easily measured? Should we really be considering things like:
- Is Christ firmly placed at the head of our lives and the Church as we noted earlier?
- Is our life an appropriate reflection of our Father and Christ? In the third commandment we are instructed not to take (to bear up or carry) the name of God in vain (inappropriately).
- Are we learning to display our Father’s desire to reconcile and restore our relationship with Him and others to a state of peace?
- Are we preaching the Gospel message, not just through the website and streaming services, but through our example on a daily basis – at work, at school, in our families and marriages?
We are a richly blessed people by any measure. But the reality of a people led by the Holy Spirit is that they will be zealously changing to reflect the nature of our Father. However, the zeal for our Father’s plan and purpose cannot be contained. A zealous people will also be communicating His message of hope and purpose to the world.
At the last Council & Business Committee meeting on Sunday, August 28th, we discussed several ways to improve the overall operation of the website since it is our primary means of preaching the Gospel. In addition, the Technical Team is working on making the content easier to search for and be discovered by Google and other search engines as people look for answers to questions they have in their lives.
Hopefully you will also have noticed some of the improvements in the overall stability and quality of streaming services that have been implemented over the last several months. These important improvements contribute to a better presentation of the web site.
While some of the progress we are making may not be openly apparent, steady progress is being made.
Let’s keep God, the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, in the forefront. Thank you for your continued prayers and dedication as we make our way forward.
Feast of Tabernacles Reminders
Next Monday (September 12) is the cut-off date for the Residence Inn in Oxnard. The room rate after that will be based on availability.
Next Wednesday (September 14) is the cut-off date for the negotiated room rate at the Hilton Garden Inn in Granbury. The room rate will increase dramatically after that.
For our catered functions the numbers are important. Please sign up for the activities as soon as possible.
Volunteers are needed for ushering, security, special music and choir. Please let any handicap needs be known.
Granbury
Any with special needs please contact Lee Smith with your information at (218) 296-3167 or at lacjsmith@icloud.com so that arrangements can be made ahead of time.
Also, if you would be able to serve in ushering please contact Lee as well.
Choir/Special music: Granbury: Herb Van Curen – hgvancuren@yahoo.com or (918) 527-7487
Oxnard
Any with special needs should let Gary MacPherson know: (510) 523-8681 or runner.garymac@gmail.com.
Volunteers for ushering should contact John Hinds: (623) 330-3000 or jdhinds57@msn.com.
Those who would like to volunteer for security should contact Walter Teper: (310) 415-8509 or waltep@hotmail.com.
Choir/Special music: Oxnard: Ray Newby – raynewby@att.net (preferred) or (925) 783-3247
Matt King
