Southtowners,
I was deeply encouraged the last few days by 2 Sam 12:22. The people close to King David asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child (David and Bathsheba's son due to sin) was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!”

David answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’"

What hope in God. What confidence in God. What trust in God. David had this amazing optimism about God no matter what. We see this when he was just a kid and heard a giant curse his God and intimidate the entire Nation of Israel. But, this just barely teen had such optimism in God that God would give this little, pimple faced, squeaky-voiced adolescence victory over Goliath. We see this amazing optimism when David was hunted by the revenge-filled king. Then in the middle of his sin of adultery, cover up by murder and then after David confessed these sins, he still had this amazing optimism that God might do something amazing for his son.

Do you have that type of optimism in Jesus? As you face your daily struggle with your temptations, your problems, your difficult people you do life with, do you have this overwhelming optimistic attitude that Jesus is going to do something great?

Or have you given yourself over to some form of negative attitude that this is how it will be?

The leadership team of a church that I served for 12 years gave me a nick-name. This nick-name is one that I want to live out every day of my life. But, daily life can take a toll and cause me to forget my nick-name. That nick-name is a hyphenated word that they made up because I am known to make up words by combining words, phrases or ideas. The nick-name is "Faith-omistic." Faith, they said, because I believe Jesus can do anything. "Omistic," they said, because I am an eternal optimist. 

This past Sunday was "Friendship" Sunday, our little "Billy Graham" Crusade. We had a wonderful time of Sunday School, worship service, Free BBQ and block party. Our church family worked hard to host all of this and serve with a friendly attitude and smile. The challenge, there were not many guests attending Sunday School and worship service. There were some, but not many. That was discouraging. But, we had a lot of visitors come to the Free BBQ and Block Party.

No matter the results discouraging or encouraging, I am going to be like David and have eternal optimism in Jesus. Jesus is going to do some great things in us and through us.

How about you?

Praying and seeking to live out "Faith-omistic."
Pastor Chris

Are you ready for the Mini-"Billy Graham" Crusade this Sunday?!

Two weeks ago, I invited one of my friends whom is far from God, to church on Sept 11. I explained our special Block Party BBQ that we are throwing. He looked at me and said, "I have not been to church since I was a kid. Maybe I just might have to try it."

I am praying for him and for many of our family and friends who are similar to him.
As those first Christians united around Jesus' vision of The Great Commandment and The Great Commission, they intentionally had to change their daily lives around the purposes of Jesus. We see a summary of what they daily committed themselves to in Acts 2:42-47.

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

They changed their daily routine of life around building their relationship with Jesus, with brothers and sisters in Christ and with those who are far from Jesus. As they got into this new and totally different routine, Jesus did amazing life transformation. He "added to their number daily those who were being saved."
Whom has Jesus brought to your mind to invite?
How will Jesus use you this weekend at Southtown?
Please share the Southtown Facebook post about Sunday.
Please send out a few email invites.

Praying for dozens to be adopted into Jesus' family this Sunday. 
De-populating Hell and populating Heaven in the name of Jesus together,
Pastor Chris