Liberty Vineyard family,
I’m not sure who initiated the original saying, but our pastor back when we lived in Australia often remarked, “Constant change is here to stay!” Ain’t that the truth! It’s not possible to be alive and to remain the same, because things in and around us are always moving, always changing. Abilities wax and wane. People come and go. Economies rise and fall. Weather blows in and out. Opportunities open and close. Systems function and fail. Even rocks change. Change for change’s sake isn’t the thing, but it’s good to be intentional about changing how we live so that we’re not just swept along by cultural tides. Since the last edition of Everybody Gets to Play, we’ve been reflecting on some intentional changes in how we live:
- We are learning to engage our imaginations to step out of the traffic and turn our gaze more towards the Lord, his wisdom, and his direction
- We are seeking shelter and refreshment when we need it
- We are giving ourselves both goals and grace as we use and develop our gifts on God’s mission
- We are speaking up on behalf of others, so that Kingdom opportunities will open up for them
- We are noticing places in our community and in our lives that are in need of Kingdom restoration and transformation
- We are attending to God’s invitation to us to surrender a cherished person, possession, or practice
- We are becoming more present to people in our lives
- We are overcoming our fear of conflict in order to have honest conversations
I want to thank each of you for your input, both verbal and written, at yesterday’s Town Hall meeting. Each of your voices and viewpoints are valuable and valued! Please continue to pray that we will together discern and do the Lord’s highest and best for Liberty Vineyard Church. As much as we each love and treasure our precious church family, we know that God loves and cares for us far more than we could far more than we could ever imagine or guess or request in our wildest dreams! (Ephesians 3:20, The Message). To quote one of my favorite Bachman-Turner Overdrive songs – [we] ain’t seen nothing yet! God assures us throughout Scripture that there’s more, there’s so much more! This is why we pray (as Jesus taught us), “May your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!” It’s a joy to share life with each of you and to stand shoulder to shoulder as we worship and wait and work together for the greater glory of God and the good of the people all around us.
With you on the journey,
Karen Sculley
Associate Pastor, Liberty Vineyard Church
(404) 388-0518
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