Color - the beauty of God (August 3, 2018)

“Col·or  - noun -  the property possessed by an object of producing different sensations on the eye as a result of the way the object reflects or emits light.”

A world without color lacks depth, perspective, richness, and beauty. Color not only invites our eyes into the dance of creation, it also invites our hearts into a deeper existence. This summer, I have been honored to journey with many colorful expressions and cultures of God, and the tangible Kingdom of God across the USA. From Kansas City, MO to Hastings Michigan, from Holdenville, Oklahoma to Layton, Utah and the Midwest in between.  The last six weeks have been such a blessing! Among church Families of beautiful diversity in the body of Christ, the Lord has taught me many things. I would like to say a deep hearted thank you to all the congregational families that welcomed and invited me to come preach and share these last few weeks. Each of you have been an encouragement and help create the foundation for what the Lord continues to form within me for the upcoming season in South Africa. I will list churches in order of visits.

New Hope church (KC, MO) – A congregation I have journeyed with in various degrees over the last 13 years. The evening we gathered brought many special reunions. We celebrated God’s faithfulness in their local communities and the global Nazarene church. Color of strength and depth of love was evident here. Thank you all for your constant love, prayers, and encouragement.

Hastings (Hastings, MI) – This family showed me color of spring. They are a church who strives to grow together. This reminds me of spring as new life pushes its way through the soil and brings celebration as the world awakens to its natural beauty. The Lord is at work in the growing life of this family! We enjoyed time of worship, discussed steps of faith the Lord might have as we dream without fear, and celebrated what God is doing in existence in the global Body. We focused on abiding in the Creator as our doing is an overflow of our being. I also enjoyed very special time with dear friends here. :)

Holdenville church (Holdenville, OK) – A church that has been rooted in the history of my mom’s side of the family for many years! It was a joy to spend time with relatives and this loving church. As July began colors of love, prayer, and loyalty were brought forth. Holdenville, is a family that is grateful for the faithfulness of God in many ways. As the Lord expands their existence and outward expressions of faith to the local community; there is deep love for God among many in the family. We discussed God’s heart and how God is always speaking. As the Lord speaks, we are being invited into deeper intimacy with God and humanity.

Rosewood church (Layton, Utah) – After enjoying a few days in beautiful Idaho and seeing some friends, I enjoyed a short time in Utah. There are three Nazarene churches in the state of Utah. I was encouraged to see the colors of optimism and hope. As the local community is shifting, many see this as a precious fresh opportunity. As the Rosewood family gathered I saw colors of compassionate missional hearts and joy in the faithfulness of God. Thank you all for your hospitality and encouragement.

A local Overland Park Children’s ministry – what a joy it was to spend time with children who are sensitive to the heart of God. A few shared of how the Lord is speaking to them. We discussed examples of kids around the world the Lord is using in simple and extraordinary ways! (Thank you, Natali, Macy, and Connor, for leading lives of example!)

Carthage Iglesia de Nazareno – A gathering of freedom in worship and joy in the Lord. Teens and young adults lead worship as children and adults of all ages were present in the congregation. A time of true worship, prayer, and celebration was enjoyed. It helped that it was also Pastor’s birthday! As this family gathered colors of joy, peace, and love came alive. We discussed unity in the body of Christ and our world. In the unity of the existence of God we are to also invite others in. Inviting them into the freeing, transformational, and relational salvation of Christ.

As the Lord created in Genesis and said it was good. I also say, the colorfulness and diversity of the body of Christ is good. May we have eyes and hearts to embrace the colors of the world around us. Life will never be perfect, yet God is always present. We are to be a living work of art, learning and growing together. This can be a living sacrifice, an act of being, in worship to God. May the aroma of who we are within bring eternal Glory to God. As color reflects light may we reflect true Light in our lives as well. We can bring true color and Hope to this world! As a result, may true sight be brought about by living out the Kingdom of God in the here and now.