​This season that we have been going through in 2020 has been, well how do I put it, exhausting, strange, started off exciting and then back to the exhausting and draining part.  Who is with me?  But then again, here lately, I have been reflecting on all the things that I have been able to ponder during this time away.  One thing that has come to mind is that this has been by far the strangest start that I have had with a new church.  Now I know that we arrived in September, but we were just getting started with getting to know so many of you and then, boom, just like that it is see you in 4-6 months!  Number two, I have been thinking about how each of you are doing.  I would love to set up times to come and sit at your back porch or screen door and just hang out while seeing your faces.  I am such a people person, and this has been exceedingly difficult to undergo and I know that I am not alone in this.  Lastly, I am excited about where Central can possibly go amid this new normal and then possibly a new normal that might appear once things are back.  I am excited about the opportunities that this faith family WILL embark upon!  I am excited about the lives that WILL change because of the faith and discipleship of the faith family that makes up Central!  I say WILL because that is what the church was established to do.  God established HIS church to be more than Sunday and Wednesday attenders.  God established HIS church to be an instrument that WILL lead lost souls to Him.  God established HIS church to SEE injustice, hurting, sickness, pain, hunger, thirst and on and on.  God established HIS church to SEE these things and then to do something about it.  And this is exactly what Central WILL do!  Why?  Because we are the church!  We are the body of Christ!  So then, who is with me?
Think about it.  Pray about it. God bless.

​I’ve been doing a lot of reading through Ephesians these last few days due to the fact that we are beginning an evening devotional series, Monday through Saturday nights at 8:00 PM, and we are first going to be doing a study through the book of Ephesians.  There is so much to unpack in this book.  So much relevant truth for any season of life, so then, we need to spend some quality and quantity time going through this book.  One of the major themes that jumps off the pages in the first chapter alone is this line of thinking and living for those “In Christ.”  Along those lines, I want you to know or be reminded that life in Christ is sufficient.  In Him, we find all that we need and then some.  So then, my encouragement to you is that you will seek out all that you need from the Savior.  He is our answer for peace, grace, love, redemption, forgiveness, reconciliation, hope and so much more!  Then after you find the answer, share it!
Think about it.  Pray about it. God bless.

​As I was preparing my lesson for this Sunday, I was watching a video on RightNow Media by Pastor Eric Mason on Race, Justice & the Church; and as I am continuing to process all that he said, I am continually blown away and challenged by his words.
No matter what we are experiencing in this life, COVID-19, racial injustice, etc., we still find ourselves left in a moment where we must respond.  We cannot sit back and remain silent about how the trials and struggles and tensions of this world impact us to our very core.  We must be a people of action.  We must be a people who are led by the Creator of all things who commissions us to speak justice, love mercy and to walk humbly.  We cannot sit back while other human beings, no matter the color of their skin, are suffering due to injustice.  We must lean in and listen.  We must be present to hear what may very well end up being uncomfortable conversations.  We must SEE with Christ-like lenses and not culturally grown lenses.
As we experience life, moments occur that lead us to see life and do life in different ways.  COVID-19 has challenged us to adapt to a life where we cannot be around people like before.  Going forward, I do not know how life will be, but I know it will be different.  Just like things will be different for the Floyd family and so many others.  Let us create a new way of responding to difficult seasons like COVID-19 and horrific situations like that of racial injustice.  May we be intentional in taking the right steps to stand up for all of humanity and to listen to all of humanity, so that, we can be one in Christ.  May we not be spiritual actors or hypocrites.  May we be a people, who claim the title of Christian, be those who speak in loving ways and listen intently, so that we live life together in this life and in eternity.
Think about it.  Pray about it. God bless.