WELCOME EMMA ROSE THOMAS!!! CONGRATULATIONS ZACH AND AMBER!!! What did I say last week, we come into this world kicking and screaming, and what do you know…here comes a baby proving the point. Now let me tell you, she is precious and cuddly and pink and small and quiet. Let me also dispel your fears, no she doesn’t look like Preacher Crocker. She has hair, doesn’t wear glasses, and at this point is not bow-legged.

We all love the birth of children (with the exception of the labor pains Amber). They represent a fresh start; they are a promise that life is good and filled with wonder; they are a reminder of an awesome Creator. The Bible tells us,

“Children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb a reward.” (Psalm 127:3)

This verse declares that immediately children are two things: a heritage and a reward. These are both positive pictures of kids. It presents to us that our children are valuable and desirable. They are not to be seen primarily as a burden but a joy. Children are a gift from God. I think in the truest sense for every believer there are no “unwanted” pregnancies. Every child is here by design.

After having said that let me say that the real work for parents like Amber and Zach now begins. But they cannot and should not go through this alone. They have parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who I know are supportive. But I believe it takes more than that; I believe it takes an entire church to raise kids who love God with a passion beyond our wildest dreams.

This is a day we have been looking forward to at Calvary…a baby! So the work begins for us all. What we all need to do for this little one is begin praying for her today. As soon as you read this STOP and PRAY for Emma Rose. She has an entire lifetime ahead of her. It will be a life of joy, but also of pain. Pray that God would save her early in life; pray that she would always be obedient to her parents; pray that she will follow Jesus wherever He would lead her. Make it personal and specific. Pray for her parents to have wisdom, patience, firmness and love. And thank our heavenly Father for this wonderful gift!

Grace & Peace,
Scott

We entered this world kicking and screaming! Why? It is because of the loss of intimacy. We were securely and intimately connected with the one person we trusted and loved; we were in a safe place, away from harm. When birth came it forced us away from that intimacy and security. We lost the “presence”; now that we are out we quickly discover that tears will be a part of our life until the very end.

Birth parallels the Fall of humanity and the resulting expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Tears were shed by Adam and Eve. Why? Because of the loss of the Presence. With the realization of good and evil came the realization of separation from the intimacy and security of God. The result was lament, crying, sorrow, and searching. The first couple is the pattern for the rest of us. Sorrow over the loss of God’s Presence and the search for that Presence is what makes us restless. St. Augustine said “Our souls are restless until they rest in You.”

Our restlessness will continue until we fully realize the Presence of God. In some sense we can enjoy His Presence today. Through the radical rescue of salvation we come into a relationship with our Creator. In another sense we don’t fully know His Presence. We are in the overlapping of the ages; we are caught between this age and the age to come. While we wait for the full realization of His Presence we mourn, longing for that full Presence.

We are like babies fresh out of the womb and in an unfamiliar and hostile environment. This is why we shed tears of loneliness, loss, frustration and failure. This is a completely normal part of our human existence. It is also an experience we share with others, so we are in good company. Job, Jeremiah, David, Paul and even Jesus mourned. The wisest man in all of history wrote,

[There is] a time to weep. (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

The danger I see today is when we try to hush people who are mourning. We must not try to quench the sorrow people feel. Yes, we should be there for them to lean on. Do you remember what Paul wrote?

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15)

When will we stop crying? We will stop our mourning when we finally enter into the unveiled glory of His Presence. This is where God wants us to be and where He meant for us to be all along.

Grace & Peace,
Scott

This week at Calvary we are taking another step to following God’s plan for His church; we will be putting up the “For Sale” signs. Actually the signs will read “Church Relocating…Property Available.” We worded the signs this way for the not-so-subtle reason that God’s church is never for sale! For some the signs will bring pain because this is the building they have worshiped in for many years, or it is the place where they were married, baptized, grew up, and served. For others the signs represent excitement because we are seeking to get a fresh start in a place where we can greater glorify God by reaching the next generation. Whatever your feelings are I want to share with you just one thought: “Church” does not refer to where we meet; it refers to who we are!

I want you to clearly understand that there are things I love about the buildings and some things I don’t so much love. One thing I absolutely love is the auditorium. It is the most beautiful room in which I have ever had the honor the preach God’s unsearchable riches. It is beautiful because it is simple and not overdone. If it would be His will I would love to build one similar to it in the future. But I have come to realize that these are only buildings and are merely temporary places where we invite God’s presence because we have gathered in His name.

When we read of the church in the New Testament the word does not mean the building but means a gathering of people. I think we focus so much attention on the buildings that we unintentionally give them a heavenly status. Unfortunately we do this to the neglect of what is truly important to God: His glory through His people!

A verse I return to again and again when thinking of the church is Acts 2:42,

"And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Let’s realize that the church is who we are not where we meet. Where we meet is a building. The buildings are important, but not as important as the people. Future generations will come along who feel it is necessary to sell and relocate. My prayer is that they feel free to do so for the glory of God.

Grace & Peace,
Scott