3


Here's the news I have been hiding under my own hat:

1. 2 Sundays ago we had 10 people when we started our service - that includes my family. Not counting the leadership team I think there were 3 people in attendence. Sooooo..... I started to think that God loves me and has a wonderful plan for my life but IT AIN'T HERE!!!!

On Sept 18 2005 first@night started. Our 10 person service was on Sept. 17 - 2 days later (Sept. 19) I read these words in 2 Cor. 8:

Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work,
so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there,
the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

This passage pierced right through me. I read these words 1 year and 1 day after launching this ministry!! I need to FINISH THE WORK. The other thing this passage showed me is that I was looking at what I didn't have (money, numbers), instead of looking at what I do have - the beloved community.

2. BAR NONE has opens its doors for us. This is unprecedneted. We have been trying for so long to find a place in Yaletown. Now through a series of miraculous events, the management has agreed to rent to us on Sundays!!! Thank you for praying!!!

3. Felicia is pregnant.

Comments

Anonymous said…
CONGRATULATIONS!!
love the brotens
11:13 PM
Anonymous said…
Well done :)

love the M-Epps
(4.5 of us)
11:19 PM
Jessie Cherian said…
Congratulations! All the best!
11:26 PM
ajt said…
WOW! Okay that was worth all the suspense.

Great news about Bar None...what a great space!

And CONGRATS on another run at parenthood...also VERY exciting.
11:40 PM
Anonymous said…
Many congrats on all counts!
9:11 AM
Anonymous said…
Congratulations!!! Great news.... Lots of love from joèl and greg amzil~
10:28 AM
nick said…
Well that was very exciting indeed, congratulations Santosh! Now I can devote my attention to more important cliffhangers, like Lost.
10:53 AM
Anonymous said…
Kudos on another Ninan! You are a most resplendent G. Are you wearing your Letterman "Pants" t-shirt at this moment? In my mind you are.
12:57 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Go to church

Image
We are several months out of even the most limited pandemic restrictions. I cannot remember the last time I wore a mask. When I see someone wearing a mask, it feels nostalgic - a reminder of a strange time when that person was the norm and I - the unmasked one would look strange. Despite the fact that we can break the 6-foot barrier and admire the lower halves of other's faces - I have been surprised at the number of Christians I meet who are just NOW starting to return to live worship services. I understand the lure of the live stream worship experience while sitting at home on the couch - worshipping in sweats and hot coffee in my mug - much more appealing than a hard couch and no coffee. I've also met believers boldly walking away from regular church attendance and proclaiming they can worship God anywhere - including the pickleball court. Nature is my sanctuary. "God’s Spirit and gift of salvation are not defined by church walls. But without an embodied community of be
Read more

Coaster goes up (a little)

Image
Unused photo from the Globe and Mail shoot. So, last night and all day today I was on the top floor of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Vancouver. Quite auspicious surroundings for church council/pastors meetings! there were stunning views of the North Shore mountains, Stanley Park and the downtown buildings. The meetings were lengthy, exhausting and a lot of work. Basically, FBC has been on a year long journey of crafting its vision statement and core values - we did it with the assistance of a coach from Outreach Canada. We are coming down the home stretch and needed to hammer out everything for presentation to the congregation. Today was the first day that I have begun to feel lighter and ready to resume the work. Although still feeling wounded from this whole mess, I'm ready to limp on. It's true: Sunday,Monday - elation at finally reaching a goal of holding a first@night service in a trendy nightclub - excitement at getting press coverage - even thoug
Read more

Where the Light Falls

Image
I've read two books by Augustine - City of God and Confessions. I think I've read his confessions 3 times. I like him because he is a good writer, has lots of self-insight, and loves God passionately. He was very honest about his pre-Christian life. At one point he makes this observation: "I had my back toward the light, and my face toward the things on which the light falls." Most people have their back to the light - and they focus where his light falls. Where the light falls refers to God's common grace. God does not keep good things only for those who follow him. Because he is good he distributes his blessings and grace widely. Where the light falls are places of grace: art, music, beauty, sunshine, loving relationships, a baby's smile. But - these things are not the light - to enjoy and encounter the light, we must turn around and follow the rays of light back to the source. What is the source of beauty, love, and truth? Jesus said he is the light of the
Read more