God Is Communicating

This month we have been focusing our Sunday messages on the Church and the role we each must embrace. With that in mind, I came across an excerpt from Charles Swindoll's book, "Living on the Ragged Edge." This is a book I read many years ago and I highly recommend it. The following speaks about not accepting the "idle" Christian life.
"I wish there were some way to announce over a loudspeaker system outside every worship gathering, 'The pew zone is for learning and listening and changing only. No parking.'
"You see why that's important? Because our favorite place to park is in a pew. Just come, sit, listen, and leave.
"So much of today's worship is dulledge stuff - meaningless words, cliches that sit like tombstones over dead ideas. God is speaking. That's the reason for the command. The living God is communicating.
"Come to terms with your lips, with your ears, as you envision yourself preparing for worship. Experiment with something different for a change. Be quite. Try silence.
"From the first strains of music to the last word of the benediction...learn to hitchhike on God's thoughts. Sometimes those thoughts come in the silence of the offertory. Sometimes they come as someone else is leading in prayer. Occasionally they come in the singing of a hymn. Draw near. Listen well, because God is communicating."

The Lawson Vision

Not too long ago, a local resident who is not a member of Lawson Baptist, told me that he could not imagine this community without the church. I've thought about that statement several times and I agree. It is my dream that LBC will become the focal point of this entire area. With this in mind I propose the Fivefold Lawson Vision.
1. It is the dream of a place where the hurting, the depressed, the frustrated, and the confused can find love, acceptance, help, hope, forgiveness, guidance, and encouragement.
2. It is the dream of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the people of Lawson and all of Union County and south Arkansas.
3. It is the dream of welcoming many new members into the fellowship of our church family - loving, learning, and living in harmony together.
4. It is the dream of developing people to spiritual maturity through Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night Bible studies, youth activities, median adult events and older adult programs and giving children a headstart in learning about the love of Jesus Christ.
5. It is the dream of equipping every believer for a significant ministry by helping them discover the gifts and talents God gave them.

Scripture tells us that where there is no vision, the people perish. We are not called to be successful; we are called to be faithful.