I really don't want to leave the goodness and all that was right about yesterday. Honestly, it was astounding to encounter the Word throughout our 3 weekend encounters. Yesterday, we celebrated the radical, eternal transformation of hearts through the sacred moment of baptism; we shared in giving in order to send 835 bibles into a region of the world that is persecuted for the sake of the gospel (Our giving was yesterday. We gave. 835 bibles will be packed and sent Tuesday night!); our kids worshipped in extraordinary ways and it is beautiful to read their notes as they gave the Word to a family in another part of the world; we explored the utter supremacy and majesty of our God. He is infinite (no limitations; no end; existing forever; unbound; never tired; never aging; never upgraded; timeless) He is God! By becoming more God-conscious and God-exalting, my worship enhances.

In the earliest of our services, we had a moment that is a bit hard to describe. I'll give it a shot and then share an e mail that I received today. A man has been worshipping with us for 27 months. He does not speak english. Our services have not been translated (his small group has, but not our services). He has worshipped with us anyway b/c he experiences the presence of God. Yesterday was his last Sunday in this country. He will make his way back to his homeland this week. So, we said goodbye and we honored him. The goodbye was crazy. I spoke and Billy translated. Billy can translate b/c he spent a couple of years on extreme teams in Peru/ Bolivia discovering and laying groundwork with unreached people groups in that region. It was a good moment! It was a moment that I will savor for quite awhile.

It got better today. I received the below e mail from Jace. I am genuinely astonished by the grace of God alive in our fellowship. Read below....

HOLA PASTOR MARK!

Brushing up on my Spanish. Hey I just wanted to share something with you from yesterday that happened in our life group. As you know yesterday was the last time for Miguel at EBC and what a blessing he has been not only to me, but to a lot of people in our church. Miguel has always said that he felt the love of Christo' (Jesus Christ)at EBC and he visited other places before he called Emmanuel his home. He has said that he knew Christ was alive in our hearts!

He didn't say a whole lot in class yesterday and then at the end whenI folded up my bible he asked if we were done. He then asked us to open our bibles to Genesis 28 verses 16-20. We read and some cried, including myself.He was telling us that he felt sad for having to leave, but that hewould be happy to see his family. He felt that Emmanuel was as the Word says "None other than the House of God". His prayer was verse 20 when Jacob prayed that the Lord would grant him protection and food on his journey back to his father's house and that He would remain his GOD.

There was a lot of silence in that room after that verse was read by Linc. Pray for his safe return to his father's house. He was robbed on his way over to the states in Mexico by the Mexicanpolice. He was the only one who DID NOT drown when him and about 14 others got caught in a whirlpool while crossing the Rio Grande coming intothe States. He said he felt the hand of the Lord pulling him ashore.I think that the Lord had a purpose for him coming to Crestview?? We serve an AWESOME GOD! Didn't mean to write you a book. HAVE AN AWESOME DAY! I PRAY for my pastor and my church staff. That was cool yesterday having Bill D translate Spanish for us. Ididn't realize he spoke Spanish until last week when he was talking with Miguel after church. Jace

I love God's presence. I am continually praying that many, MANY will find that God is our hope, refuge, presence, source and passion as we gather in this city! As a result of our passion, may others discover that He is more than enough. The Word becoming flesh and living among... beholding His glory, the glory of the one and only Who is full of grace and full of truth.

Feel free to comment by clicking below. Feel free to enjoy and revel in your God. He is good.

By Grace.... For Glory,

Mark