Go Ahead, Make My Day

Friends,

It is hard to put into words just what wonderful things that the Lord has been doing in the lives of people who have come to CTCC lately. I can see His Spirit working in the lives of a number of individuals and it brings me great joy. At the same time, the evil one lurks and is seeking to cause trouble for other precious people that need prayers...such is the spiritual battle that we are engaged in. We just finished our Sport Reach VBS on Friday and it was simply wonderful. We had a large crew over at Mark & Jeanne's house to kick it off on the 15th...it was a great celebration and it just set up the whole week to be beneficial. We had such a good time with Pete & Donna and family plus the crew...Zach, Taylor, Sadie, Jess, and Kate. They did such an excellent job and we had close to 40 kids come participate from the church and the community...with most of the young people coming from the community. We had so many positive remarks from church members and others who were visiting that this was such a great idea to combine Christianity and sports (football, soccer, basketball, and volleyball). The "hit of the week," hands down, was a pseudo-dodgeball game called "flying enchiladas." I believe that the kids would have played it 24/7, if they had been allowed to. By popular demand, we are going to incorporate this into our upcoming area-wide youth event.

We have had a number of visitors of late, as well some of whom we are beginning to get involved in the family life and we are grateful for the Lord's blessings. The greatest thing, perhaps, is that for the second time in three weeks, I had someone tell me what a meaningful worship time that they experienced with us...and it made my day. This individual has had many of the same experiences as so many of us...seriously burned by past negative experiences in certain place(s). She said that she did not think that she could or would ever be able to attend, let alone experience a meaningful, spiritual worship in a church in our fellowship ever again...and yet, she came and was a blessing and was blessed. I praise the Lord for sending people our way who need to have healing and to begin to have a positive experience and perhaps even restoration with our fellowship -- as I believe that God intends for our experiences in Him and with the body to be. Once again, this is not to say that there is not more than one way "to do church," but I am so thankful that we can have and experience the spiritual freedom and life that we enjoy. It is amazing every week! Thank you Lord.

Don