At some point in life, any thinking person will ask themselves the question “is this all there is?” Even people of faith, like myself, give consideration to this idea. And, as I believe him to be, I speculate that God would also want us to explore that notion.

For in that exploration, you open yourself up to the possibility that this life isn’t all that there is. You give thought to the possibility that there are things, seen and unseen, and forces at work that have been here long before you were born into this life; and will be here long after your physical body has turned to dust.

That exploration may also lead you to give consideration to the infinite complexity and interdependence within the natural order of plants and animals and water and earth. You might take the time to consider the possibility that the concepts of evolution and creation may not be mutually exclusive; or to the notion that science just might eventually prove the absolute existence of a Creator, rather than proving that our world, and all that is in it, came about by random chance.

I have to ask, who created the rules of physics? Who created the elements? Who created atoms and molecules and quarks and strings and the very building blocks life itself? Who created the instruction sets that come imprinted in every piece of DNA? Who created the working biological machines, with all their complex parts, that make up even the simplest of cells? Who created light, or energy, or mass?

I don’t know about you, but this thinking man has looked at the evidence, and as best as his little brain can do, has come to the conclusion that there is more to this life than chance and random existence.

I believe in God, not because I have been told to believe in God, but because I have reached that conclusion on my own, through my own thought process. My belief goes much further, to the acceptance and faith in a carpenter born in a dusty town in Galilee over 2000 years ago; but I will stop there. For I believe that God works in many wondrous ways and that your journey will lead you to your own conclusions, which may or may not be the same conclusions I’ve reached.

If you are atheistic, all I ask is that you open yourself up to the possibilities that your views might not be 100% correct. If you are agnostic, I encourage you to open your heart and consider further exploration of the idea that God might exist. If you have religion, I encourage you to test your beliefs through considered thought and examination. God would want nothing less.

Written by John South – 2/2/10

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Hey Church!
John South sent out an email today updating us on what God was doing through John giving away his truck last year. It’s an amazing story, one I know we all should embrace. So with his permission, I am posting it here. Please feel free to pass a link to this to anyone you think will be encouraged by this! ~MP

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From John South (sent out today):
As many of you are aware, I had an unusual experience late last year where I felt compelled to give away a truck. To make a long story short, I gave it to a complete stranger who was going through an unwanted, yet nasty divorce. His name is Chris and he and I have been having difficulty getting the title switched over into his name because the bank that originally had the truck loan never cleared the title after I paid it off several years back. Needless to say that it has been a hassle and since we both work during the day we haven‚Äôt made the time to get it taken care of. Well guess what! God‚Äôs plan is always at work. Chris and his ex-wife just finished divorce mediation and reached a binding settlement. Do you know what they hit him up with at the last minute? They said that since he got the truck before he was legally divorced that he owed his ex-wife half of the fair market value of the truck. What nerve they had ….but guess what, since the truck paperwork hadn‚Äôt been completed he told them that he didn‚Äôt have title yet, which is true. They didn‚Äôt believe him and did a title search ….and there the truck was in my name. God‚Äôs plan is always at work for those that believe and trust in him. Have faith my brothers, have faith. You may not be where you want to be right now in your life, but if your life is centered around Christ then you are just where he needs you and wants you. He will close a door and open another when it‚Äôs time to move. Trust in him with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. Sound familiar?

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ORIGINAL MESSAGE JOHN SENT OUT LAST MONTH FOR REFERENCE:

Please see the string of text messages and comments (below). I’ve hesitated sharing this story because I didn’t want it to come across as “look at what I did”, but I’m feeling led to share it … and I didn’t really do anything other than listen to what God was telling me to do.

Here is the string of text messages …verbatim from my phone. The JS is me, the CW was a complete stranger. As background information, I bought a new truck on Saturday morning. This first message came in Saturday night.

START OF STRING
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CW: Hello, I believe we spoke on friday about your maxima for sale. ¬†You told me you wouldn’t be home till monday. ¬†I would like to be the first to look at the car. ¬†I really need a cheap piece of transportation, as I have 2 kids and am going through an unwanted divorce. ¬†Thanx if you feel like giving me an opportunity. ¬†It won’t be a waste of your time as I will bring cash. ¬†Thanx, sincerely, chris
——-
JS: Wrong person
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CW: Thanx man.
——-
>>>JS Side note: At this point a white heat ran up the back of my neck and I was immediately covered in goose bumps. I didn‚Äôt heart a voice or anything, but a message was immediately imprinted on my heart. The message was something like this …‚ÄùGo back and read his text, this guy needs transportation. You now have an extra truck you don‚Äôt need. You don‚Äôt need the money from selling. It‚Äôs not really your truck anyway. Give him your truck. Trust me.‚Äù

JS: Quick question. Are you a person of faith?
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CW: Yes I am.  Why do you ask?
——
JS: It’s odd that you texted me. Where did you get my number? Or was it an accident?
——
CW: It was in my phone somehow.  I supposed we talked once. I thought you were someone I called .
——–
JS: Well. As of today I bought a truck. I still have my old one, but don’t really need it. It runs fine, but has some electrical quirks. I was going to sell it, but I have an odd feeling God is telling me to do something else. Text me tomorrow and let’s talk
———
CW: God is good all the time. I can’t imagine where I would be without him. I am thankful that through my marital situation that he has drawn me closer than ever. ¬†I don’t believe in divorce. It is not god’s will, but in texas I don’t have a choice…. I will always stand in faith that god is able to restore. And I’m praying he will do so. I will text you tommorow. Thanx , chris
——-
JS: Two questions. What do you do for a living? Were you recently selling a vehicle on CL?
————
CW: Yes, I do body work. I worked for service king. And yes, I am trying to sell my truck.  Divorce forces me to sell. . I have a shop at my house I do work for people wanting an honest repair for an honest price. I have 2 little boys that I love to death
——–
JS: Ok great. I remember talking to you. God is telling me to give you my old truck if you want it. Ford f150 2001 4x lariat with leer camper shell, 150k miles, looks good on outside, has some elec quirks that I haven’t tried to solve. If it will help you and your boys, you can have it.
———
CW: I am trying to sell my truck for what I owe on it. I feel god is calling me to be debt free to provide a better life for my kids. 6yrs and 2yrs old
———-
JS: Yes. Debt free is good. I got there last year.
———
CW: You made me cry, I was wanting to replace mine with a f-150.  I am speechless
——–
JS: Hey brother, it’s God …not me.
——–
CW: Well thank you for your walking in faith.  God is faithful
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JS: Yes he is. I’ll get a title transfer form ready and we’ll do it Monday or Tuesday as your schedule permits. I need to clean out my stuff. I’ll give you a full run down of the elec issues by phone or when we transfer. The only hazard is the wipers don’t work.
——-
CW: Thankyou so much. I am looking forward to meeting you and introducing you to my boys.
——-
JS: I live in grapevine. I think I remember your truck losing on cl saying colleyville.
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CW: I am speechless.  Wow.
I am blown away. ¬†Over the past 8 god has blessed me….. I have given away 5 cars to needy familys at church, never in a million years did I think someone would give me one. ¬†Especially not the truck I have been praying for. ¬†I am covered in goose bumps. ¬†Thankyou.
——-
JS: He is real. He answers prayers. He saves. What time frames work for you on Monday or Tuesday?

END OF STRING

>>>>Follow on note … As it turns out Chris does body work on cars, but his real specialty is electrical issues. That is exactly the type of person needed to chase down the electrical quirks I mentioned.

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Great News!
All the Thanksgiving meals have been purchased and arrangements have been made for either delivery or pickup! Thank you everyone, your donations have gone to help bring joy to a few families that might have done without this Thanksgiving, but most of all your donations are a reflection of God’s love for our neighbors that are in need.

PS… we do have additional funds that we can use for Christmas, so if anyone has ideas for how we should use it please share. Pray about how we should use this money to serve others.

Deuteronomy 24:19
19 “When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don’t go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all you do.

You guys are great and I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

~Ryan Polacca

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This Blog was posted today by Apostle Wes Schoel. Thought I would  share this message, it hit me pretty hard! Thanks Wes!

God created us to work. This fact is explicit in the first few chapters of the Bible. In Genesis 2:6 we find that humans were put in the Garden of Eden to care for it. Just a few verses later (Gen 2:19) we find God telling Adam to name all the animals.

Often we think “work” was a punishment handed down by God due to the fall of the human race. As a reference we look at Genesis 3 where the fall of the human race takes place. It is here that punishment enters the picture when God tells man that he will live by the sweat of his brow. But punishment was never the intended purpose of work. Humans were created to work and did so before the fall. This work fulfilled Adam and gave him purpose. It wasn’t until after the fall that work took on the difficulties that made it punishment.

Your work is to be a blessing that brings you fulfillment and gives you a sense of purpose and destiny. It is also an act of worship! Too many people see work as a punishment, an evil necessity, and the only way to survive in this world. But God’s original purpose in work was exactly the opposite. Enter sin. Enter computer crashes, viruses, technical difficulties, unscheduled delays, unresponsive employees, contracts, and lawsuits, etc.  What was originally intended to bring joy now also brings problems and frustrations.

Culture hasn’t helped us like work more. Advertisements and movies direct us to think we work 5 or 6 days to enjoy the weekend. We work 11½ months to enjoy 2 weeks of vacation.

Now just for fun, let’s put a Christian spin on it. Do you and I work the work-week through so we can worship for an hour or two on Sunday? Wow! When did things get so out of order? When did volunteering to be an usher on Sunday morning become a more important act of worship than spending 40-50 hours per week at work? Isn’t whatever I do supposed to be done as unto the Lord? When did an hour or two of worship become a more pleasurable form of worship than the work you and I perform every day? Every day we spend in the public forum performing our work is a day we have opportunities to be the church at work! What an act of worship that could and should be!

You see, you and I were created to work. We were created to worship God in everything we do. Your Christian community is very important. But never let it restrict your worship – your spiritual service to God. In the beginning God created you to work and your work is a spiritual service unto the Lord. It is also your mission field. Its where you are to find fulfillment, purpose, and destiny. And it is your place to expand the Kingdom of God. When the world was still perfect, before sin had entered the world, our primary act of worship was working in His garden.

So tomorrow, we head off to work to care for His creation; to expand His Kingdom. Hopefully we can remind ourselves that how we go about our work might be the greatest act of worship we do all week.

~Wes Schoel http://www.equipthem.com

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