Since I’m Irish, I borrowed Mark Batterson’s blog (evotional.com) today about the backstory on Saint Patrick himself. Patrick is a good reminder that just doing our part can change the world.

At the age of 16, Saint Patrick was captured by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland where he became a slave to the chieftain of Ulster. One night, after six years of slavery, Saint Patrick heard a voice, “Behold, thy ship is ready.” He traveled two hundred miles on foot to a place where he knew no one and had never been. He wrote in his autobiographical account, “After this I took flight, and left the man with whom I had been six years; and I came in the strength of the Lord, who directed my way for good; and I feared nothing till I arrived at the ship. And on that same day on which I arrived, the ship moved out of its place.”

Patrick made his way back to Britain, found his family, and could have lived out the rest of his life in relative comfort in the land of freedom. But in 432 AD, he had another vision. He saw a man coming to him from Ireland carrying innumerable letters. “And I read the beginning of the letter containing ‘The voice of the Irish.” And while I was reading aloud the beginning of the letters, I myself thought indeed in my mind that I heard the voice of those who were near the wood of Foclut, which is close by the Western Sea. And they cried out thus as if with one voice, “We entreat thee, holy youth, that thou come, and henceforth walk among us.” And I was deeply moved in my heart, and could read no further; and so I woke.”

Saint Patrick went back to Ireland as a missionary. No outside religion had penetrated Ireland in a thousand years. Saint Patrick founded more than 300 churches and baptized more than 120,000 people. His ministry was so influential that he came to be known as the one who “found Ireland all heathen and left it all Christian.”

Mark and I are on a journey. We’ve been here before, so I have a good idea of the ups and downs, as well as the destination. It’s this agonizing, yet motivating, look at our realities vs. our potential. It’s coming face to face with what we plan on doing with our limitations when we know that we serve a God without limits. It’s this phase in leadership where we sense the Holy Spirit pushing us to rethink our boundaries.

Basically, it’s that same question you’ve been asked since you were a kid…what would you do if you knew you could not fail? Here’s the dilemma…we serve a God whose agenda will not fail. Therefore, if we are in tune with that agenda, it is logical to reason that anything we attempt within that agenda is not only possible, but plausible.

It’s looking in the mirror and saying, “Am I dreaming big enough to measure up to a limitless God?” Obviously, that answer will always be no, but the question itself makes you dream far beyond where you currenly are. Although our dreams were once challenging beyond belief, the fact of the matter is, we’ve accomplished many of them. Now, once again, it’s the feeling deep inside that it’s time to dream farther, reach deeper, and believe more.

I can’t tell you, yet, the specifics of what God has for us, but I do know this, if we will submit to the process and allow God to mold and shape our hearts and minds, our limits diminish. And that goes for you as well.

Great weekend at North Creek!

Worship was AWESOME! What a wonderful set that honored God from start to finish. I almost bought Corey a hammer because he nailed it! Way to go team! Welcome back Tiffany and Scott! Also welcome to Matt, who has recently joined North Creek and can S-I-N-G!

I loved Mark’s sermon. It’s was a passionate look at how the first Christians acted and reacted to their new faith. We need to boldly live of lives of faith and tell the world about Jesus. Does that represent the picture of your life right now? If not, it’s time to change your reality.

Mark and I have been WRESTLING with God this week. He has been challenging us to the core of who we are and how we lead. It’s wonderful and awful at the same time. I see it as growth pains towards the next step in our leadership and church. The reality is that we never arrive! We are always growing, changing, adjusting, dreaming, and working out our faith with fear and trembling.

Happy 1st Birthday to James!

Daylight savings time is brutal. My daughter had a sleepover on Friday night and then Saturday night was shorter, so by tonight I feel exhausted! I can’t wait for a good night’s sleep!

Watching the devastation in Japan is unimaginable. As a church we support www.convoyofhope.org during times of disaster. Please consider making a donation to give basic necessities to people who desperately need our help.

On a side note, the thing I love most about my small group is seeing them in church. There is definitely a deeper connection and relationship when you spend time in the same group during the week. It’s an awesome win for my life!

We love our team! Our staff goes on the roller coaster of leadership with us and processes with us through what is best for this church. It’s a gift that is hard to describe and I wouldn’t want it any other way!

We are on a mission to make North Creek more of a presence in our community. Get out there and do something for Jesus and then point people to a great church!

Have an amazing week! May God do miracles in and through you!

I’ve been digging into my house all week as our church is corporately supporting the Regifting Store (www.regiftingstore.org) for our current outreach project. The Regifting store is a thrift store that sells donations, but also freely gives things to people that need help. They give away everything from household goods to furniture to food items. They also donate all of their proceeds back into the community!

Sometimes the best way to make a difference is to partner with organizations that are already set up to bless people in our community. This particular outreach is a double blessing – we get to clean out our houses and other people get the benefits! I’ve begun hearing about people sorting, cleaning, and dropping off things that will help people in our community. North Creek is also making a monetary donation so that they can continue their work in our community. You can also volunteer your time to help work at the store.

I hope that you will jump onboard with us! When you donate, tell them that the Coffee Church believes in them! It’s a fun, easy way to make a difference in Vancouver!

We wrapped up our giving series at North Creek this weekend. What an encouraging three weeks it has been for us! Most pastors shy away from talking about money because people get all crazy and angry. We have seen the opposite with emails and thanks for opening up their hearts to the idea of generosity. What an amazing look at our humanity!

Here is one of those emails:

I just had such a God thing happen in my life and I feel the need to share it with you. Last week I got paid from my second job. When I opened the paycheck and found out it was only for $41.07 the first words out of my mouth were, “What good is that gonna do?” The next day at church we wrapped up the Fistful of Dollars series and Pastor Mark talked about being a cheerful giver and when the cards for the Regifting Store were passed out I felt God say take that “useless” paycheck and use it to buy items to donate. The next day I went and shopped and I got so caught up in the spirit of giving that it made the rest of my day. I felt this feeling of such joy and happiness that I can’t even being to explain except to say that it definitely came from God and letting him use me to give cheerfully. Thank you guys so much for opening my eyes to this subject. I can’t wait to see who God has me bless with my next paycheck!

I love our kid’s pastor! She had one very talkative class this weekend that was hard to manage. Every once in a while that happens and it’s hard to deal with. Pastors know how much is at stake with every word that they teach. It is truly life and death every weekend. It’s always discouraging when it seems to be a rough day because we all take it so seriously! Kim – you are doing an amazing job molding and shaping our young generation! I love what you do and how deeply you love. Keep it up!

We had a new baby born on Friday. Welcome to Cloey Featherston! Congrats to Mikel and Samantha on your new blessing!

We got new carpet in the nursery! It is beautiful!!!!!

Mark highlighted the Regifting Store for our outreach this spring. You can check them out at www.regiftingstore.org. They are a great non-profit donation center that gives away things for free to help people and gives all of their profits back into the community. Please consider cleaning out your closets and making a donation in the month of March. They take all household goods, food, furniture, cash, etc. It all goes to help people! When you drop off your things just say, “The Coffee Church supports you and thanks you for being a blessing to this community!”

Don’t just plan on being generous. DO it!