Please sir, may I have another...

**Bonus points if you know where that headline comes from**

Yesterday I had the privilege of officiating the funeral for Mary Jane Dickson. Mary was a loving mother and wife and grandmother. She had polio for much of her life. In fact, she was probably one of the last in America to catch polio before the vaccine took effect. I spoke from 2 Corinthians 12 - the passage where the Apostle Paul talks about his "thorn in the flesh." Specifically, I talked about the fact that only in pain and struggle do we really come to understand that Christ's grace is sufficient. Rather than seeing pain, disease, and difficulties as enemies - we should actually see them as a blessing which allows us to know Christ in a deeper and more profound way... When we are weak, only then, can his strength be seen in us.

The message I preached was mainly to me. This is a lesson I've been struggling with lately. I would love to say that everything with Crestview and Phoenix are going great - but truthfully... Things are not great. Things have been really tough. There are many days when I feel as if everything is hanging in the balance. I started fasting again this week. I feel like I need to really slow down and listen. I need to hear him, and things seem pretty confusing right now. Thank you Lord for reminding me that you are not seen in my strength...but rather in my weakness.

I invite you to pray with me...

• Pray for Phoenix Church. Pray that she will grow in God's favor. Pray that she will grow to reach new people. Pray that a core group will develop and gel and that they will become passionate about "a church for un-churched people." Pray for disciples that are on fire and refuse to compromise.

• Pray for the vision of Phoenix Church. There have been several things lately challenging us. Creative issues, music issues, and money issues. Pray that in all of it, we allow God to help us step back and watch carefully the steps we take. Austin doesn't need another "cool" church - but Austin desperately needs a church like Phoenix that is willing to reach messy people with the Gospel of Christ. Come as you are, just don't stay that way...

• Pray for our leadership. Planting a church is a challenge. Planting, while pastoring another church, additionally has it's own set of challenges. I feel pulled in a bunch of directions. In 15+ years of ministry, I've never felt more stretched and attacked. At the exact same time though, I am feeling the need to step up my game like never before...

• One last thing. Pray for us to connect with the right band. Music is a huge part of what Phoenix is and what we'll become. As of January, however, we are without a band...

My Grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Comments

[Tony Chimento]

Animal House

[Staci Kilpatrick]

Doesn't that come from Oliver Twist???