Thoughts From Chris

MITCH ALBOM | WASHINGTON 25, DETROIT 17

Lions blacked out — and that’s a good thing

“Tickets remain. That was the story Sunday. For the first time at Ford Field, the Lions couldn’t sell out; the game was not televised. Some called this sad. Others called it merciful. Many didn’t notice.”

MICHAEL ROSENBERG | LIONS TALKING POINTS

0-16 becoming more and more of a possibility

My son, Grant, turned 6 years old today.  I don’t remember much when I was 6, but I grew up watching the Detroit Lions lose every year.  I have been a fan since I was a young boy.   The Lions have won one playoff game since the 50’s.  Needless to say, they have never even appeared in a Super Bowl, much less win one. 

Last year as I was making my son a family fan, I noticed that he would get greatly disappointed after every game the Lions would lose.  I came to realize that this was not a family tradition that should be continued but a curse that should be broken.  It was really hard for me to see him disappionted every Sunday.

This year I have decided that I need to reverse the curse.  I have lived a depressing NFL fan life for too many years. I cannot do this to my son.  It just would not be right.  Michigan has the winningest college football program in the country.  Even though they are having a rebuilding year, I know they have always been, and will be again, one of the best teams.  Not so, for the Lions. 

It is hard, however, because Grant sees my commitment to the Lions, and this motivates him.  I am trying to change (or at least hide it).

I am working on making him a Colts fan.  His Poppy is working on making him a Bear fan.   Anything would be better than what I have had to put up with all my life.  Please pray God’s mercy on his life!

Here is a passage of Scripture I have been meditating on lately: 

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19)

There are many things all of us pray about every day that God answers.  How often do we go back in prayer and say, “thank you?” 

This is true for both major areas of prayer and even small areas.  For example, my wife and I pray every night that our kids will sleep well.  How often do we thank God in the morning when they do sleep well?

What percentage of your answered prayers do you go back to God and say, “thanks?”

First, I have some news that is bitter/sweet.  Sal Cavarretta found a new position in Phoenix, AZ.   It is a position he feels passionate about – family ministry.  He will oversee children’s ministry, parenting, marriage, etc.   Sal is very excited and is looking forward to joining a staff team of a 1200 attender church.  It is bittersweet because it is good for him and good for the kingdom of God at large but bad for us (we will miss the Cavarretta family greatly). 

Sal and I have been friends for a long time, and I will miss all of them a lot, but I know deep in my heart that Sal finding this job is a win for God’s kingdom.  I know all the experiences he has had here will make him that much more effective there.  The church in Phoenix wants Sal to implement and build many of the same ministries he built here at Grace.  Sal vehemently would not let me publicly acknowledge him in our corporate service, but if you would like to wish him well and tell him thank you, please e-mail him at Sal@gracegathering.com.

We love and will miss you Cavarrettas!  We pray that God will use you in mighty ways for his glory!  It is not about us/Grace, but all about God and his kingdom!

Secondly, I want to say how encouraged I was these last two weeks as we heard many stories of what God is doing through our church family.  I was blown away, to be honest. 

The Barabbas Family  was one in particular that really moved me.  The mentors, Alex and Emily Lengacher, shared about how their house church had a significant impact in a girl’s life. Through their prayer and love God used them to help save a baby from being aborted.  The girl went all the way to Detroit to have an abortion but then “for some reason” couldn’t do it.  God used this community of believers (Barabbas) to impact her, and they actually ended up having a baby shower for this child and mother.  Does it get much more powerful than that?

They also shared that they lead someone through a Seeking God study and then later baptized this individual in the backyard of a pool.

Lastly, Alex gave a personal account of how five years ago he considered church as a place you simply go and attend.  He was introduced to a house church in Indianapolis where they lived and it was through the relationships in that community that his spiritual life took off.   This is one story of 27 house churches that shared.

I love the reason this community of believers chose to name their church “The Barabbas Family.”  If you want to read what it means, click here. 

We are humbled by the way God is moving in our community.

George Barna just came out with a study showing that 3 out of 4 people who go on a short-term missions trip label the trip as life changing in some way.    Short term missions trips have many advantages.  Both those who go and those who receive are mutually blessed. It also is a great experience that expands our view of God’s activity in different parts of the world.  God is indeed a global God. 

Next month we will commuinicate more information regarding our next trip in 2009.  We are actually planning two trips in two locations: one internationally and one locally. 

Click here to read this article from Barna.

OK.  We have had 4 babies in 8 years, we have moved 4 times in 8 years, and life in the Norman home is never existing under 100 mph.  We don’t need a pet, and as far as I am concerned will never need a pet.

I broke down two and a half years ago and bought our three kids one fish each to pacify their longing for pets.  I figured the fish would last two or three weeks, and we would be done with it.

Today, Moriah’s fish is still living.  I cannot tell you how many times I have tried to bribe her and let me allow that fish to have the freedom it longs for in the sewer system.  However, to no avail.

It is confession time – I had a weak moment last week – no, the fish is still in our home - it is not that.  It was definitely a weak moment, though.  It is all a blur to me now.  It is like a bad dream that I cannot shake.  Somehow … I don’t know how … but somehow I agreed to a hamster.  I know – small potatoes in your eyes, but gigantic in mine. 

This isn’t something that swims around and makes no noise.  No, this is something we hear at night running on that cylinder on the side of the cage, it has four feet and moves, it smells, and has bitten both my girls in the last three nights, brining blood and tears to both of them. 

Don’t worry, I don’t believe in cruelty to animals, but c’mon, do the Norman’s need another thing to add to the plate?  Somebody tell me “no.”

I don’t know … what’s next … Kathy is going to turn a pregnancy test positive or something like that (that is not a subtle hint by the way).

Anyway, “Tommy,” the name of this creature in our house, won’t get any of my love and affection.  And if it bites one of my kids one more time …

These next two Sundays at Grace will be a little different than usual (as if there is a “usual” at Grace).  We will be publicly highlighting all the house churches we have currently established.  Each set of mentors will have a couple minutes to share some personal thoughts and/or testimonies with regard to their house church.  It will be really helpful to hear how God has made every house church unique and what is occurring in these settings.  We will hear from 12 this Sunday and another 12 next Sunday.

As our leadership attempts to improve in overall communication, this will be an exciting time to hear just what is happening within the big picture at Grace.  I think you will be surprised at just how much impact our church family is having on people in our community.

Lastly, I wanted to share something a little more personal.  I am not sure if God speaks to people today in dreams or not, but if he does, I think he spoke to me a couple nights ago.  Through this dream I have been motivated to increase my prayer for the protection of the unborn.   Praying for “Life” is one of many ways we can minister to the “least of these” and for those who are cast aside in our society.   

Praying both for these babies and praying for these moms are acts of compassion and grace.

Also, most of you may know that we support “A Hope Center” which is also a tool of compassion and grace as well.  I encourage you to pray for them.  Perhaps, there will be a house church someday that chooses this ministry as their missional focus.  This would be a tremendous blessing to our community and very pleasing to our God. 

How often do we contemplate the eternal destiny of those who are in Christ and those who are not. 

My challenge to you is spend five minutes thinking about what living on the New Earth will be like completely free of sin and any of its consequences.

My second challenge is to spend another five mintues thinking about living away from God with the punishment and consequence of sin at all times – completely devoid of any grace. 

I think this is 10 minutes that could change our perspective and life the rest of our days here on earth. 

Try it.  Take 10 minutes.

Most people at Grace know by now that Sal Cavarretta has resigned his position as Pastor of Family Ministries.  This will be effective as of the end of this month.  He and Giovanna will continue volunteer ministry at Grace until God leads them to potentially a new position at a different church, but in the meantime please continue to pray for them as a family (and pray as they try to sell their house).   We love them very much and pray God continues to bless them.

Tim Smith has since hired Michelle Jordan part-time to help oversee children’s ministries and has hired Brian Smeltzer part-time to help oversee youth ministries.   

Brian has been full time for “Youth for Christ” for a number of years (and will continue with YFC) working southwest with middle school students (as well as some high school).  Brian has also been involved in helping coach some of our new high school youth churches that started at the beginning of this past summer.  Brian is the one who spoke briefly during our second Sunday morning service dedicated toward teens last month.  We are excited about the leadership he will give as we continue to develop youth house churches, and as these teens feel empowered to lead and live out the dynamics of authentic, church life. 

Michelle came to Christ through Grace Gathering about 12 years ago.  She and her husband, Bill, have grown tremendously in the church.  In fact, Bill has been an elder/overseer the last couple of years.  Michelle has worked within the children’s ministry a number of years and is very familiar with the direction and philosophy of ministry.  She is excited about the opportunities she will have to help give leadership.

We praise God for the way he raises up leaders in times of need.  We are very blessed.  As we stand together with the church all over the world, we are humbled that he would choose all of us to help spread his gospel and bring about his eternal plan.  All praise to his glory!

Somehow I injured my foot the other day.  Not sure how I did it.  No idea.  On Wednesday it hurt all day long.  On Thursday it got progressively worse – so much so that I broke down and made a doctor appointment for today (Friday).  I go to the doctor for something, probably less than once a year (in other words, rarely).

Over the last few months I have been training my kids in areas of being Spirit-led.  One of those areas has been in the power of prayer.  Last Saturday we went downtown again and hung out at the bus stop.  My eight, seven, and five year old laid hands on many people and prayed for them.  They prayed for people who need jobs, cars, physical healing, spiritual direction, housing, etc.   I love the exposure they (as well as I) are getting with people who have all kinds of needs. We are all learning tons.

Anyway, last night, God once again reminded me that I have not asked anyone to lay hands on me and pray for healing. I simply planned to seek a doctor (without seeking God first).  I then asked all three of my kids to lay hands on me and pray for healing.  They all did. 

I woke up this morning, planning to go to my appointment. God had other plans, however. My foot is significantly better, and I have no need to seek a doctor.  Would it be just as better today without that prayer last night?  Only God knows.  My conclusion is that God used the prayer of my kids to bring healing.

I think we have so much to learn about what God can do through faith, trust, and a life of truly seeking him.  God certainly doesn’t always heal, but how many times would he, if we seek him?

(Lastly, I am teaching a new welcome class this Sunday afternoon and next Sunday.  Anyone who wishes to sign up can do that by contacting Sue at sheckley@gracegathering.com.)

I write as someone who is humbly seeking the power of God – and who has a long way to go.

Here are a few informational/announcement items regarding Grace Gathering:

1)      Our service times change beginning this Sunday, Sept. 7.  They will be as follows:

9:00 The Blend

10:25 Kidstuf

11:15 The Edge

2)      Kidstuf resumes this Sunday.  This is a family service geared toward elementary children and their parents.  If you have elementary children, we hope you can come. 

3)      The third and most important announcement is written below from me on behalf of the elders.

The elders would like to make an announcement to the congregation that Sal Cavarretta has resigned his position of Family Ministries Pastor.  While this is not an easy decision for him and his family, it is a decision he and his wife have been praying about for about a year.  Sal’s vision and passion is to be an overseer/manager of a family ministry staff.  This was the vision he had when he came seven years ago.   

The direction at Grace, however, as it pertains to staff, has become more specialized.  Instead of creating a large department of family ministry with several staff members and a director who oversees that department, Grace’s vision is to have a few specialized people who focus exclusively on their area of ministry.  This would include primarily someone focused and gifted to work with children’s ministries and someone different who is gifted and passionate about working with teens.

Sal has been in dialogue with the elders and specifically Tim Smith (who oversees the staff) regarding these issues over the past year.  Sal has been a personal friend of mine since seminary, and I too have been in discussion with him.   Sal and the elders have strong relationships and are committed to this not changing regardless of employment.  Sal plans to look for another full-time ministry position.  In the meantime Sal may seek secular employment locally to give him more time as he begins the process of looking (sometimes finding the right ministry position takes a while). Please be in prayer as he and Giovana sense God’s leading in this regard.   However long God has them here in the area, they have communicated that they love Grace Gathering and are committed to this church while they are still here.  What a unique blessing for all of us.

Sal has offered to stay in his current role through September and transition his responsibilities during this time.  Ideally, Tim Smith will fulfill the two roles of children and teen (probably both at part-time) during this month so that Sal can work with both people.  Tim has started that process of filling these two roles, and we will communicate more on that later this month.  Pray for those decisions as well.

We all love the Cavarretta’s and have appreciated their dedication to Christ and to his church.  Many of us have been significantly impacted by them (I know I have).  If you have any questions feel free to contact Sal or Giovana themselves or feel free to contact the elders.   This is God’s church, and while we may not understand why everything happens the way it does, we have confidence that He is in charge and we can trust him.  May God direct all of us as we follow his will.