The stage is set

Today is Friday.  By Tuesday, we need pledges totaling $1.5 million in order to move ahead with even a partially completed ministry center.  $1.725 million to complete it.  Based on the original pledges--and what's been added in the last few weeks, that means in the next four days God will have to provide another $209,000--somehow!  Or $434,000 if we're going to finish off the fellowship hall and kitchen too.

We've asked our people to consider giving more than their original commitment.  The elders did so first, and along with some other early responders, promised $258,000.  And we're praying more will be promised in the next 4 days.  But let's face it, this is almost unthinkable for our blue-collar congregation living through a severe recession.  And with our $2 million borrowing cap, we won't be able to just borrow more if we "almost make it".

The stage is set.  

For a miracle.  The purpose of our church is to glorify God.  Well, if this miracle happens, it's going to.  There simply doesn't seem to be any way this can be done--humanly speaking.

The stage is set.

The distraught father asked Jesus to heal his son... "If you can".  Stunned, Jesus looked at him and retorted.  "If you can!  All things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23).  All things.  Of course, to guard against presumption 1 John 5:14-15 adds the caveat that we get what we want if it matches God's will.  Well, there's no doubt God gave us the land.  That..., was a miracle.

So it seems to follow that He gave it to us to build on it.  But to do so, He'll need to show up in power.  SOMEHOW, to provide.  The stage is set for God to amaze us.  We've tried to be good stewards.  For years we've done multiple services, video venues, sat people in the lobby and opened the auditorium doors...  Now, it's time to expand.  But only God can do it.  The stage is set.