Monday Morning Insights!

Well Sunday Night Reflections got kicked to the curb last night due to an end-of-the-summer back yard camp out!  I decided to actually use our tent for just the second time this summer before I packed it away. We had two of the Leatherland kids over so we had a camp fire (in a covered fire pit) and we roasted marshmellows and stayed up late. Then we ALL got in the tent just a few yards away from my nice comfy bed and we got in our sleeping bags and laid down on what felt like concrete. I lasted untill 3:00 am.  I could no longer ignore the pleas for help that my hips were screaming. So I moved just a few feet away from the tent onto the family room sofa and oh the bliss! I did keep the door open so that if by chance a bear did roam into the fenced yard I could confront it and save everybody, Luckily that did not happen and I was able to sleep through the rest of the night un-interupted by pain or bears!Smile

Wow – I was so looking forward all week to getting back to Elmwood. I had a great chance to speak to the great folks at The Chapel at Crosspoint last Sunday but I was sure missing home. I used the month of August to take a little break before the fall season hits us. It was a great break and I am fired up about our "first" fall season at The Chapel at Elmwood. None of us can maintain a schedule that does not allow a time of reprieve. Jesus regularly practiced the discipline of retreat. In the face of great need he would often take time to be alone with his Father and also a time to be with his disciples. That goes against the grain of our culture no matter what line of work we are in. Our culture shouts to us more is always better. That is another "scheme" that the enemy of God lays on us and we can't afford to buy into it.

Yesterday though was just a great day in many ways. I could just feel the energy as people started to move into Aud. 14 for a time to worship together. Even with a few bumps – no powerpoint – there was still a great energy during the morning. Asking the question WHO WILL? is a great one for us to ask ourselves on a regular basis. Helps us keep our life not balanced but centered on the ONE who loves us most and has our best always in mind in the light of His eternal plan as individuals and as a community of faith.

Once again we had a ton of first time guest with us and for the second week in a row we had a local pastor hanging with us which is a huge honor. Pastor John Schuerholz from Kenmore Alliance www.kenmorealliance.org who I have gotten to know and appreciate was with us but I didn't see him till after everyone was leaving. I pray for that great church every time I drive by it knowing that they are about the same mission of trying to reach every man woman and child with life-changing message of Jesus Christ in their circle of accountability. John is also helping train local pastors around the world which is really cool.

I was a little surprised by the number of us that showed up yesterday knowing this was the last weekend to get away, then again where would you want to go that would be nicer than Buffalo! We had 281 on Labor Day weekend which means that this fall could get a little crazy. The stories that I am hearing every week of people sharing their STORY with neighbors and friends and family and acts of kindness that demonstrate Gods love to those around us. 

 I will be talking more about the fall and some things that we will be doing but for now - have a GREAT LABOR DAY with family and friends. Remember to pray for our soldiers and their families who they are not with today, all around the world who are fighting voluntarily so we can enjoy our freedom today.

Brek Cockrell

Author: Brek Cockrell

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