Hey Lifers!  I wanted to share 3 thoughts from Isaiah chapter 6 ahead of Sunday night's Vision Meeting! 

Isaiah was instructed by Jesus to make a difference for eternity with his life:

I saw the Master sitting on a throne—high, exalted!—and the train of his robes filled the Temple... 

The first thing I want you to know this week is that our new church start-up is all about Jesus.  We are not launching Life Church Michigan because any of us are running from something, but rather we are running to Someone! 

Jesus Christ is our focus - period!  In John 20:21, Jesus said, "As the Father has sent Me, so I send you..."  We are a sent people from a sending God with a message of life-change to shout out!

"Look. This coal has touched your lips.
   Gone your guilt,
   your sins wiped out."

The second thing I want you to understand is that you may be feeling unable and unworthy to be part of starting a church from scratch.  Fears may creep in your mind or voices of doubt may show up on your Facebook page.  I get that.  If you're not facing criticism, you are not doing something of great significance!

I also get what God told Isaiah - your past does not define your future!  The moment Jesus Christ entered your life, a fresh start was announced: "For in Him the whole fullness of Deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him" (Colossians 2:9-10).  Christ has taken care of all your sin, all your unworthiness, and replaced it with Himself.  The same power that raised the Son of God from the dead is at work in your life!!

The fact that you feel unprepared and need God shows that you are totally prepared to take the leap of faith!  This rocks my world - - Jesus has given us LIFE in Him!  We are unlocked and unleashed from the powers of sin and guilt and death.  We have the awesome responsibility and mission to share this radical acceptance with others!  This is why Jesus came to earth: "That they may have LIFE, and have it to the FULL" (John 10:10)!   As we focus everyday on Jesus, we come alive, because God's plan is making us unlocked.

And then I heard the voice of the Master:
   "Whom shall I send?
   Who will go for us?"

That's the question of the Trinity.  WE get to participate in the answer!   The whole idea behind starting a fresh church from scratch is because God is calling us to!  Trust me, that's a phone call you don't want to send to voicemail!! 

And get this - - part of the fun and adventure of a church start-up is that we are not bound by musty, old traditions or a "we've-always-done-it-this-way" attitude.  We are freed up to do whatever it takes to reach people far from God (over 60% of our friends and co-workers in this region of Michigan!).

It all starts with infusing our new church's vision into your DNA.  This Sunday is your opportunity to invite/beg/drag everyone you know to learn more about Life Church.  Don't miss this opportunity to join in on what God is about to do in our region!

Praying for you this week -

JD

PS - I have some very, very exciting news to announce in this space tomorrow afternoon.  Stay tuned!