As I type this blog I am listening to The Afters’ new song, Light up the Sky, and it is a strong reminder of how God is with us, and we cannot deny that He is with us for He opens our eyes so we can see Him all around us.  Yes, He is awesome and He loves us.  We are to run to Him for He is the bright and morning Son!  

As a pastor and fellow pilgrim on this journey following Christ to heaven, I encourage you today to remember He is God of all and He controls everything.  He loves you; He created you; He knows you; so let your praises ring out to the King even in your hurt and pain.

Thank you again to all who participated in our summer Illuminate Austin in east Austin last Saturday.  Wow, what a blessing to see so many of our people reaching outward, radiating the love of Christ to those on the corner of Chicon and 12th Street!  God blessed us with a wonderful day of loving, feeding, serving, and sharing Christ.

This weekend we are blessed to have Tim Elmore sharing with us and encouraging us to be the leaders God has called us to be.  If you are involved in leadership or interested in serving in leadership here at Great Hills – especially in our Bible Life Groups – then I encourage you to come and hear Tim at our seminar on Saturday from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm in the Great Hall. 

Speaking of serving, let me encourage you today to get plugged in and serve in your local church.  If God has saved you then He has equipped you to serve in the local Body of Christ known as the church.  There are few joys greater in life than ministering in your ‘spiritual sweet spot’ – doing what God created and empowered you to do.  For me, my joy comes in preaching the Word of God and encouraging and challenging the church to be on mission with Christ.  As I studied for my Sunday night sermon on John the Baptist, I was so impressed with his passion and zeal for God and his obedience to do what the Holy Spirit had set him apart to do.

Here is an excerpt from the message I will preach this Sunday night, August 29:  

“As I was reading G. Campbell Morgan’s book, The Great Physician, I came across a quote that richly blessed me.  Morgan says this about Christ, and it could well be said of John the Baptist, ‘He eliminated an activity to which He was not appointed.’  This is a powerful word we are to tell our children:   Find out where your gifting and passions lie, and accentuate that, focus on that and you will be happy and fulfilled because you will be engaging in that which God has uniquely gifted you.

I need to be reminded of this in ministry, especially as I begin my ministry here at GHBC.  If I say ‘yes’ to everything, then I say ‘no’ to excellence.  I must do what God has called me to do and allow you to do what God has for you to do.

May God bless you with a wonderful weekend.  I look forward to seeing you this coming Lord’s Day as we worship Christ.  Invite someone to join you for Bible study and worship.  We are going to have a great day in the Lord this Sunday!

Danny Forshee
Matthew 11:11