Sunday Reflections
Good Morning! I should probably rename this blog “vacation reflections” due to the fact that we were 5ooo feet above the ground as most of you were in worship yesterday. Sarah Beth and I just returned from Jamaica where we celebrated 10 years of marriage – without our kids. It was an incredible experience – one I hope to do again, and I am so thankful for grandparents for keeping our kids, church staff for working harder in my absence and my wife for agreeing to let me go with her 
.
During our time in Jamaica I specifically prayed that God would do three things while we were gone: 1) Create a greater sense of oneness between Sarah Beth and I – our marriage is great – just want it to be greater, 2) To restore both Sarah Beth and I physically and mentally, and 3) Speak to me specifically about River Hills Church and our future. To be honest it was difficult to hear God because of the sound of my snoring – He did restore us and we are continuing to grow in our marriage, but I wanted to hear God this week and get a sense of what He wants.
The hotel we stayed at was brand new – and part of the amenities at the hotel was the opportunity to snorkel off their beach. About 50 yards from the shore, the hotel was attempting to create some sort of coral reef with piles of rocks and debris. I love to swim and I spent an hour snorkeling and diving around this man-made reef. Their were tons of tropical fish and an assortment of shells and plant life. All alone in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean – I was overcome by the wonder of God’s creation. Although this was simply a pile of rocks that someone thought would be a great idea to draw people to their hotel (Come explore our private coral reef) – I was overcome with what God can do with something so utterly man-made. I’ve had the opportunity to snorkel in some great places – Belize for example has the 2nd largest coral reef in the world – but what fascinated me was this: God makes everything glorious – even our weak efforts to reflect Him. He took some rocks and other debris – and was creating a wonder-world of plant life and fish. As I snorkeled the song by David Crowder “You Make Everything Glorious” continued to run through my mind.
So here is what I think God was speaking to me during our time a way: 1) God is doing a great thing in our church and is going to use that in the lives of others. He is making all things glorious. Are we willing to be used? Our humble beginnings are an example of God making all things glorious – and I am thankful that He is doing the work – not us. 2) Missions is so vitally important – and will become an even greater ministry in the life of our church (I believe He is leading us to Jamaica in the near future) – but the point is that we have to become “other’s focused” in order to be made glorious.
Fired up about being back – thank you for the time off. Be praying for our student ministry and its leaders today – we are sending our first group to student camp this afternoon – awesome!!!