Jesus Hangover

It is the next day after our Laugh All Week event and my cup is running over with joy as I meditate on all that God did last night at the Regal. I'm sure many of you are wondering why in the world would I entitle this post "Jesus Hangover?" Well, when we arrived, the digital marquee above our door said "Hangover 2" directing people to the movie that typically plays there during the past week. Graciously, the manager changed the marquee to read "Comedy Show" for our group, but we laughed about the irony of that happening with a Baptist Church coming in to have an event!

Well, I must admit...I have a hangover this morning. It is not alcohol induced and it does not involve any unpleasant trips to the bathroom. Rather, it is a Jesus hangover. We saw over 100 people attend our night with Brad Stine in Harbourview who were not affiliated with First Baptist Church Norfolk! While some will surely have church affiliations, I can't help but think that there were many who do not have a church home and are open to joining us on the journey that is North Suffolk Fellowship!

In my daily Bible reading today, I read Revelation 3. It brought back fond memories of a time in my life when I was in High School and on mission in Canada. I read 3:16 that says, But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Reading Jesus words and considering the path of my life as I prepared for college, I knew that I did not want to make God nauseous by my life choices. So I resolved to be on fire for God as much as possible and not allow apathy to creep in causing a life of lukewarm faith.

This has been a journey of mountain tops and valleys for me, but God has been faithful to speak through his word and move mountains when I actively place my faith in him (aka trust him). Our work in North Suffolk is no different! I hunger and thirst for God's glory to shine brightly among the people who live in this area, but I know that it is in his timing. If I try to do it all in my strength by using clever church growth strategies or gimmicks it will surely fail. Or even worse, we could grow a large gathering of people who could have little sense of what it means to truly be missionary followers of Christ.

Anyone who has ever built a fire knows that it takes a strategy. If you try to build with only a few pieces of bad wood and lighter fluid, it will flame for a moment...then die. I want to see a substantial growth among the people of Suffolk that will grow and thrive for God's glory. I want to see God move in the lives of his people in such a way that the body of Christ that is the members of First Norfolk are willing to be uncomfortable for the sake of reaching their neighbors. I want to see people who have no church affiliation experience the life transformation that only comes through faith in Jesus Christ. I want to see what can happen when men and women resolve to not settle for a lukewarm faith experience, but embrace the road less traveled by living radical lives of faith in Jesus Christ.

So yes, I have a Jesus Hangover. It doesn't sound pleasant, but it is actually a joyful celebration of all that God is doing in North Suffolk, across the United States, and around the world! I have to keep looking in the mirror and saying, "Me, Lord? I get to be a part of this?" And it only gets better. We have great plans for July 29th at the Riverfront Swim Club as we will have a gathering for an Open Swim night from 6-9p.m.(Invite your friends!) We are also planning toward another block party event at the swim club on Labor Day as we have been graciously invited to provide inflatables, face painting, etc. for their celebration.

Please join us as we continue to seek opportunities for Bible study and the formation of Life groups in North Suffolk. Let me know how you are praying and/or any questions that you have about the ministry that is growing in this region. Join me in resolving to Love God, Love Others, and Live the Mission in Hampton Roads and around the world!