“I thank my
God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every
prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first
day until now.”
Philippians 1:3-5 (NASB)
I have fond memories of going to Braves games
in the old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. I had mastered the tomahawk chop as a five year-old! For several years we lived in the Atlanta area and would often go and cheer on our team as they took the field.
Baseball games have a traditional “seventh-inning stretch” where everyone in
attendance stands to their feet to enjoy a brief timeout from the game. It’s a
great time to stretch your legs, crash the concession stand, or visit the
facilities. The seventh-inning stretch is also a good time to reflect upon the score
of the game and evaluate the performance (or lack thereof) of the Home team.
Are we winning the game? If not, are there any adjustments that need to be
made?
May marks the seventh month of my ministry as
pastor of Green Hill. It’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed. It
seems like only yesterday that I was taking our youth to an Atlanta Braves
game. Of course, yesterday was really the summer of 2003! Each blink of the eye
seems to transform seconds into a span of years. Parents, you blink once and your
child is born; blink again and they're starting first grade; blink again and
they’re starting high school; blink again and they’re graduating.
Do you dare
blink again?
As I take a “seventh-month stretch” there are
many exciting things happening within our faith family. God is doing some
wonderful things among us. For example:
- We
are seeing kingdom growth through new conversions and baptisms.
- We
are seeing lives transformed and set free from the power of sin.
- We
are seeing families reconciled and restored to harmony and peace.
- We
are seeing visitors join us each week for worship.
- We
are seeing new members unite with our faith family.
- We
are seeing updates and renovations to our buildings and grounds.
- We
are seeing prayer centrally located to who we are and what we do.
- We
are seeing members use their gifts and talents in service to the Lord.
- We
are seeing members faithfully give of their tithes and offerings.
It’s
an honor and privilege to serve as your pastor and I want to commend to you Paul’s words to the Philippians. I thank God for you. I pray for you always
with joy in my heart. I count it a joy to partner with you in the gospel. We
are moving forward, but there is still work to be done and progress to be made.
God has much in store for our next seven months together, so let’s suit up,
take the field, and get ready to play ball!
Serving
Together,
Pastor
Brett
