Blessings and Opportunities

It is hard to believe how quickly time can move - and how easy it is to miss the blessings unfolding all around. Can I invite you to take some time this morning and "smell the coffee" and "open your eyes" to the blessings this life provides? Here are multiple blessings I'm thankful for on this beautiful July Monday:

** I'm thankful for a quick trip to Door County and Washington Island with Marla last week - always good to get away and I was especially thankful for the "island pace" we encountered just above the tip of the Door County peninsula.

** I'm even more thankful for Marla - she has been a wonderful life and ministry partner, an incredible mother to our children and a great example for women following Jesus. These last couple of months have brought a lot of tough decisions and conversations for Marla and she has always approached it with the heart of a Christ Follower - it has been a blessing to watch!

** I'm thankful for how God provides - Marla was offered not one but two teaching opportunities in the Danville area in mid-June and has accepted a Math position at Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School. In addition, last week we were able to negotiate the purchase of a home in the Denvale West neighborhood of Danville, and if all goes well, we should be able to move in before we begin ministry and teaching in August! So thankful and blessed!

I'm reminded of the words of Jesus - "do not worry" - and how easy it is to ignore his command. Peter said it like this late in his life - "cast all your anxiety on the Lord, because He cares for you." God is so good - all the time!

** I'm thankful for the opportunity this month to share four final messages - yesterday we looked at Mark 12 and the Main Thing - Jesus' instruction that the most important thing is to Love God with your all and to Love your Neighbor as yourself. This week, we will consider what it means to be DEVOTED - how can Clinton FCC be a DEVOTED church in an Acts 2:42 kind way. I hope you can join us this Sunday!

** Also this week, we will be blessed to have many from the staff of Little Galilee Christian Camp with us during both services and during the Bible School hour in the Family Life Center. Come out and meet new Executive Director Rob Shoaff and hear his life story, and also hear how God continues to bless LGCC through the ministries of Bob Phillips, Kevin Peterson and Max Aper. Clinton FCC was instrumental in helping start the camp back in the early 1950's and it continues to be a "first among equals" as a monthly mission partner.

** And don't forget - FCC will provide a 50% tuition scholarship for your kids and grandkids to attend camp this summer!

** I'm thankful for the faithfulness of so many at Clinton FCC - men, women, teens and children that LOVE their church without apology or condition - you are needed more than ever during this time of transition! Thank you!

** Sunday July 28 will be our final Sunday at Clinton FCC and we are doing a ONE SERVICE Sunday on the 28th at 9:30am - no programming at 8:15am or 10:45am on July 28.

** Save the Date - Dr Jody Owens from Johnson University will be with us on Sunday August 4 - you will NOT want to miss this Sunday!

Have a great week - see you Sunday!

GT