Oh Atlanta!

Last weekend Terri and I were the guests of Don and Linda Munn, who pastor Restoration Church of God, and their great spiritual family in the North Atlanta area. They are some of the most hospitable folks we know. We stayed in their home and joined them in watching the Colts beat da Bears after our times of ministry were over. Their two adult kids and their spouses are working closely with them in the church's ministry, so it's a very cool family affair for them. We share a lot in common with this blessed family.

Terri shared with the ladies on Saturday evening on the theme of becoming women who are fully alive and conducted a really "hot" time of personal ministry. I shared with the guys on what it means to live as royal priests (a vital New Testament that is very neglected) in this fallen world, which nevertheless, has been radically engaged by the age to come through the incarnation of Jesus and all that came with it. I also shared the elements of my coming to faith as an 18 year old pseudo-intellectual-hippie-jock. We ended the evening with a time of men crying out to God for a greater expression of the kingdom of God among them as a spiritual family and the joyful honor of sharing Jesus with their friends and co-workers who are "not-yet" believers.

On Sunday morning we both shared out of the Scriptures on how God uses the injustices of life to inspire our becoming more like Christ and then, out of that framework, on the essentiality of offering those who have sinned against us the unconditional forgiveness, for Christ's sake, that frees our spirits from resentment and bitterness. This truth is conveyed in the first half of Hebrews 12. (It's such an honor when Terri and I get to work together in preaching, teaching and conducting personal ministry--her presence and gifts always makes what I do much more impactful. And...she's better looking too--a helpful distraction for God's glory!) We also prophesied a bit to the church body and its members and felt very warmly received and appreciated. They, like so many other congregations, are on the journey of learning to "do church" in new and creative ways.

Radius is beginning to ramp up...more to follow.