DAY 23 – COUNTING TO ASCENSION

FOCUS, FAITHFULNESS & FOLLOW-THROUGH

In May 2008 when I first went to my friend’s church as a “safe haven” it was called Faith Assembly of Lacey (aka FAL).  During the first years I was there FAL had annual themes:

2009: YEAR OF imPOSSIBILITIES:
God intervening to make the impossible possible by HIS power!
The im was crossed out – by a cross – symbolic of the reality that it is only through the sacrifice represented by the cross of Christ that the impossible can become possible. 

2010: YEAR OF COMMITMENT:
The theme was accompanied with a reminder that who we are is the sum-total of our commitments, and that first and foremost we need to have a full and complete commitment to serve and honor God. 

2012:  YEAR OF TRANSITION:
2012 year marked the passing of the baton from the Founding Pastor to the former Associate Pastor, who was definitely called, mentored and nurtured to become the new Senior Pastor.   

During those years the motto of the church was “Live Well.  Die Ready.”  I would have preferred “Live Holy. Die Ready” or “Live Ready. Die Ready” but the point was still made – even if it required an explanation.  

I’ve never attended a church that had themes – or a motto – but they are good. They provide focus. There is no wandering blindly wondering. It is faithfulness with intention and direction. And, God is honored in the process. That’s the key. 

The current pastor went through a very respectful process to change the name to reflect what the focus of the church most profoundly professes under his leadership:  Truth and Grace, thus the new name of the church – True Grace.  We may not always succeed as well as we’d like – but it is good to have the stated intention reflected in the name.  Good intentions matter because they are the seeds of achieving reaching that goal.  And, the name literally serves as a motto!

The day prior to my original writing of this entry I was sitting in a medical facility waiting room, waiting for someone who was having a procedure done, and I had the joy of talking with a stunning lady who was seated a few chairs away from me. Our conversation covered a lot of territory, but it reminded me that God is the God of fortuitous circumstances. Sometimes we also refer to those as Divine encounters – but generally only in retrospect if we see something good that came from the conversation. 

I already know there was something good that came out of the chance meeting: I met an amazing woman who has very good intentions toward her employees, and does something about it – even to the point of paying them while they do their homework if needed so they can succeed in school. Her work ethic puts people first. Her stated goals for her employees include what is good for them – even over what might be good for her financially – and in the process, what is good for them turns out to be good for her, too.... I hope it is not our last encounter. 


When we walk intentionally in our relationship with the Lord, good is also His goal.