God Doesn’t Forget

I was reading Hebrews 6 this morning and was blown away by 2 verses.

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.

How cool. God notices every good deed we do and he remembers each one.

When no one else notices, he does. When you don’t get a “thank you,” he gives you one. When you get tired and don’t think you can do another thing for another person, God is right there saying, “Keep going. I’m with you.” When you wonder if what you’re doing matters, God says, “It matters to me.” When you wonder if it’s really worth it, God says, “Yes, it is.”

Keep going. Make your hope sure.

Red Cross

One of the opportunities we have for serving the world is to team up with the American Red Cross. The Red Cross serves in countless emergencies ranging from war, to hurricanes, to single-family fires. They train people in CPR, first aid, disaster assessment, and much more.

Wouldn’t it be great if most of CPC was trained in CPR? Can you imagine the positive impact in our community if a Christ Point member saves someone’s life because of training they received through this church?

What kind of impact would it have on a family that lost everything in a fire if we were able to help them? Through the Red Cross we could have immediate access to the family and know first-hand what needs they may have.

Now, it is true, that while you’re wearing the “red vest” you can’t “witness”. But isn’t just being there a form of “witness”? And what about when you take the vest off? You can talk indepth with people you built relationships with whle wearing the vest. And what about the other volunteers? How many conversations could you have with the people whom you’re working side-by-side? I imagine a conversation going something like this:

You: “So, how did you get started volunteering for the Red Cross?”

Volunteer: “You know, I’ve been successful in my career and I just felt like it was time I gave something back. . . . What about you? Why do you do this?”

You: “Me? I do this because of what Jesus has done for me.”

Wow! What an opportunity.

The Red Cross will get us into places and situations where we may not otherwise be able to minister.

Jesus once told a parable about a man he called a “dishonest rascal” (New Living Tranlsation) because the guy acted shrewdly to get his way. Jesus applied his teaching by saying, “For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:8).

I view the Red Cross as a way to shrewdly use the things of this world to accomplish the things of the kingdom.

Surfside Thoughts

I’m sorry to say we were unable to take our trip back to Surfside Beach this past Saturday. We had too few folks sign-up to go. We felt like we needed a few more to go so that we could get more work done. Hopefully we’ll reschedule a trip in the future.  

In the meantime, here are a couple of videos about Surfside. The first one is an interview done shortly after the hurricane and the second one we made while on our first trip to the area.

Stairs

We’ve got another opportunity to connect with God and the world this weekend by returning to Surfside Beach. 

The city has asked us to work with the homes of their elderly citizens. Most (but not all) homes in Surfside are on stilts and were somewhat saved from the title surge. But the stairs leading to these homes were destroyed. We need to rebuild those stairs so people can return home. We also will replace siding, repair roofs, and unboard windows. There also may be some debris to remove. Basically, there is work for everyone and anyone who wants to go and can withstand the heat. 

Here are some details to know:

1. We’ll leave CPC parking lot at 6:00 AM Saturday.
2. We’ll return around 10:00ish Saturday night.
3. The Red Cross will provide us lunch.
4. You’ll be responsible for buying your dinner on the way home.
5. Bring work gloves, mosquito repellent, a hat, sunscreen, and a change of clothes for the return trip (that last one is not necessary, but your fellow passengers might appreciate it!)
6. Bring tools such as hammers and saws if you have them. A chain saw or two would be helpful.
7. Call the church office (992-4567) or email me (dan@christpointchurch.com) to let me know you’re coming so we can arrange transportation.

This is a one-day trip. To come means you take one day from your already over-crowded schedule. But that one day may make a huge difference in the lives of a few people.

Ike Post 1

We’re off! We left this morning from the Yorktown parking lot about 6:20.

But progress has been slow. We’ve picked up a few churches along the way who heard what we’re doing. One church even called this morning and asked to meet up with is on the road.

We’ve got 7 churches, 5 vehicles, and about 25 people. With so many we’re creating a new rule for future trips: only people able to go 3 hours between bathroom breaks can come…

Hurricane Ike Update

The following is an excerpt from a post written by John Bradshaw, pastor at Oso Creek Fellowship. In it he gives a few more details about the work Christ Point, Oso Creek, and Yorktown Baptist will be doing as we serve victims of Hurricane Ike.

Monday we will go to Surfside Beach to do some clean up for city workers who have been working around the clock and had no opportunity to care for their own homes/families.

Surfside is a hard hit city right on the coast.

The director of the Gulf Coast Baptist Association has connected us with the City of Surfside and tells us that there is an incredible amount of work to do.

Most of us going on Monday will be coming back late Monday night . . . but there is housing for anyone who would want to go and stay for a few – or several – more days.

Please let me know by Sunday morning if you have any interest in going with us on Monday! You can respond to this post or call the church office (992-4567).

But don’t worry if you can’t make this trip, there will be others to follow.

Hurricane Ike Relief Efforts

With all the other news making headlines right now, Hurricane Ike has become a memory for many of us. . . but the devastation and destruction are still very real to the victims of this hurricane. This tragedy is a great responsibility and opportunity for us as the body of Christ.

Christ Point is joining other Corpus Christi churches to maximize our efforts to serve Galveston and Houston. We’re in contact with churches and Christian-based organizations in the hurricane area. Right now things are pretty chaotic as these groups get their bearings and prioritize needs. Fortunately, our government has done a pretty good job of suppling food, water, and emergency housing in the immediate aftermath so there is not a great need for clothing, water, and food at this point.

We’re taking a survey trip on Monday to meet with local leaders to plan our next steps. Our goal is to work with Christian organizations and churches so that Christ gets the glory of our relief efforts. Let me know if you’re interested in going Monday. There is an immediate need for people to run chainsaws and clear debris. 

In the meantime, here’s how you can help:

1. Pray – That’s obvious!
2. Give – Gift cards are the perfect way to donate to individuals in need right now. Lowe’s, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and HEB are great stores to buy cards from. Gas cards are also helpful. We’d like to give out a bunch of these cards Monday during our survey trip. If you want a tax deduction, write a check to Christ Point and we’ll buy gift cards for you. You can bring your donations to the church office during the week or give them to Dan or Irene this Sunday. 
3. Plan – Plan to make a trip to Houston in the coming weeks and months. It’s close enough that we can travel on the weekends so you won’t have to miss work or school. We may also plan some longer trips as the need arises.  

This is a great opportunity for us to connect with our world by serving in the name of Christ. Be in prayer about how God wants to use you.

Dan

Mission 911

I visited with Tony Reyes today about how CPC can be involved with Mission 911.

Dang!

Everytime I’m around Tony I come away inspired, humbled, and changed. That guy is living The Life!

As we “Connect with the World” through our small groups in the coming months you’ll have some great opportunities to serve at and around Mission 911. . . and that’s when you’ll see first-hand why I’m just blown away by Tony and what God is doing through him.

We’ll be getting you more info soon.

City Church

I had a great lunch with Dave Lescalleet. Dave is the pastor at Christ the King Church. . . soon to be City Church. . . here in Corpus Christi.

The new name reflects the church’s desire to serve the city of Corpus Christi. Part of Dave’s passion is for church to be more than just about the weekend. We need to be Christians 7 days a week. It’s safe to say he agrees with me that we need to be salt and light; that too many of us spend our time cursing the darkness rather than lighting candles.

Dave and I spent much of our lunch preaching at each other about these things. It was great! I’m fired up.

City Church is already involved in community events and service opportunities. They are making a difference. Souls have been saved and the kingdom of God has been brought in to the hearts of men and women.

In the months ahead, Christ Point Church will begin making more of a strategic effort to impact our community. We will move out from the safety of our walls and get off our padded seat cushions. It won’t be pretty. It won’t be easy. It won’t be comfortable. It won’t always be successful.

But Jesus didn’t call us to any of those things. He called us to join him on the mission field called Corpus Christi.