Church on Tuesday
Posted by Dave Clayton on 04/28/2009
God doesn’t just work on Sundays. Shortly after getting off of work, several of us made our way over to our friend’s hot tub to celebrate with Chelsea Futrell as she gave her life to Christ in baptism. I just had this sense as she was coming up out of the water that this is what the early church must have experienced. Acts 2 tells us that God was changing people’s lives each day, not only on Sundays.
In fact, it seems the Church in the Book of Acts expected people to give their lives to Jesus every day of the week because the Church was continually in the process of sharing Jesus as they went about their daily lives. These early Christians knew that Jesus was the giver of life, and when you share life with hurting people, lives are changed. Period.
That is so convicting.
I pray we will never be a church that limits the power of God to a one hour time slot on Sundays. I pray we continually expect him to change lives throughout the week. Let’s celebrate with Chelsea, and continue to pray that God will do huge things.
New Life, Reflections, and Celebration
Posted by Dave Clayton on 04/22/2009
Sunday Night was an incredible night at Ethos Church. Brandon finished up our Fuzz Mustache series by wrapping up 1 Thessalonians for us. Worship was powerful. Todd’s thoughts regarding communion were sacred and challenging. Overall the night was really incredible.
After our time of worship, a woman from our church named Ellie, stopped me and said “tonight was just incredible … and I can’t even tell you why, it just was.” I agreed. I feel pretty confident that it had everything to do with the movement of God. He is always present, but sometimes I think we do a better job of stopping to acknowledge that reality.
After our worship gathering on Sunday Night, Sarah Brummett decided to give her life to Jesus. About 30 of us made our way over to our friend’s hot tub to watch Sarah give her life to Jesus in baptism.
What a great way to end the night. I’m so glad I have the privilege of being church with each of you. Take time to celebrate the way God is changing lives. I hope you have a wonderful night.
The Hardest Thing in the World
Posted by Dave Clayton on 04/15/2009
I read this verse earlier in the week, and it has really begun to take root. The more I think about this verse, the more impossible it feels. Have you ever read a verse and felt that way? Have you ever had the feeling … “well that sounds good and all, but I could never really do that?”
This has been one of those verses.
“Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” - Psalm 55:22
and then keep reading because the end of verse 23 will really get you:
“But as for me, I will trust in you.”
I’ve been asking myself one simple question all week. Why is it so hard for me to give all my cares to the Lord?
I think the only honest answer is painful, but true — I just don’t trust him enough.
I want to challenge you today to do one of the hardest things in the world. Give every single care, burden, worry, stress, fear, feeling of inadequacy, etc. over to the Lord. He will sustain you. He will not let you fall. Put your trust in Him alone.
He is a big God. He can handle it. You cannot.
Easter Recap
Posted by Dave Clayton on 04/13/2009
Last night was absolutely fantastic. One of the best things about being a new church, is we get to experience a lot of firsts together as a church family. Since Ethos is roughly 6 months old, this was our first Easter. We mixed things up a bit, by adding another service at 4 pm with a family meal in between our 4 pm and 6 pm Sunday Worship Gatherings.
A few highlights from the evening:
+ Watching cars pour into the Cannery before both services
+ Seeing the way our church family really stepped up to the plate by bringing their friends, and bringing boat loads of socks for us to distribute in the community
+ Worship was absolutely amazing last night
+ Seeing hundreds of people circled around tables sharing the bread and the wine was powerful
+ The Resurrection of Jesus changes everything, and our ability to understand the resurrection has little to do with our circumstances and everything to do with our hearts. I pray that our church will never live another day as though the tomb is still occupied.
I will post a few pics from our Easter Services later today. Have a great Monday.
Courage is not the absence of fear
Posted by Dave Clayton on 04/08/2009
I heard an incredible quote that I just wanted to share with you on this beautiful Wednesday afternoon.
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something is greater than that fear. While it is true that the brave won’t live forever — it is also true that the cautious will never live.”
I don’t know about you, but that really stirred up something deep inside of me.
Is your life marked by courage?
Or has your life been dominated by fear and caution?
Let’s start living.
Ethos on Twitter
Posted by Dave Clayton on 04/04/2009
For those of you that listen to indie bands and drink local coffee, you will be pleased to know that Ethos Church is now on Twitter. You keep up with all the latest by following us here. Now, get off of your computer, go outside, and enjoy this beautiful Saturday. Peace.
Who are you inviting?
Posted by Dave Clayton on 04/03/2009
Believe it or not, Easter is only 9 days away and the question begs to be answered … “Who are you inviting to Easter Sunday?” I hope you have spent time praying about who you should ask. I hope you have been taking note of your friends and family members who will be sitting at home alone on Easter Sunday. I hope you have had the courage to extend a warm invitation to that girl you work with, or that guy that sits in a cubicle that nobody talks to.
After all, isn’t that how you came to know Jesus? Someone invited you — maybe it was a parent, maybe it was a friend, maybe it was a poster tacked on a bulletin board.
Don’t simply take the easy way out. The good news of Jesus is for everyone, even the folks you don’t feel comfortable around.
Let’s pray hard. Let’s pray for a gigantic movement of God. Let’s trust that Jesus is risen.
So, who are you inviting?
* Have you signed up for an Easter Service yet? To find out more click here.
