Hallelujah, what a Savior! This morning (Monday), I wanted to read the resurrection narrative from Luke’s gospel. I was reminded anew what a glorious Savior we serve. I sent this to our elder team: “When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:30-32, ESV) Oh, how our hearts burn within us because our Savior is alive! He is the “Yes & Amen!” of all God has for us.
Easter Sunday at CLF was a display of God’s grace among us. Jacoby Auditorium was packed because our people joyfully invite friends and family to church. The four baptisms displayed God’s remarkable grace extended to sinners like us. Their testimonies reveal God’s powerful work in people from different backgrounds. We worshipped our Savior. We declared His gospel. He is at work. What a joy.
CLF through the years:
I didn’t write a post last week due to some busy work I needed to get done. But in my notes, I wrote a short reminder of something that stirred my heart last Sunday (April 13th).
On that Sunday, Stan was leading us in worship and one of the songs was led by Ky Bendele. When Ky was leading us, the Lord brought to mind how faithfully Ky (his wife, Heather, and family) have served our church since they came in the early stages of our church plant. Those new to our church might not know, but Ky was our worship leader for several years. In the early years of our church, our worship ministry limped along. We tried various men (and young men) to help us, but nothing clicked. When we tasked Ky for this, in typical humble fashion, he led us. But he led us by serving our team and church, and humbly following our elders’ desires. Several years ago, Ky believed it was time for Perry Sorensen to lead that ministry, and he graciously stepped back.
But Ky’s presence on stage Sunday wasn’t simply about Ky’s humble servanthood. Ky represents countless people like this at CLF. That’s what stirred my heart so deeply. Since our inception in 2003, people like Ky and Heather (if I attempted to name them all, I would miss a bunch of names) have humbly served and sometimes given ministry leadership to others. When people do this in most situations, they become critics or jealous. But thankfully, not at CLF. Through the years, those who stepped back have cheered and faithfully supported the new leaders.
One great example of this is Dan Sieker. While Dan was not at CLF in our early years, Dan was the Senior Pastor of North Roseburg Evangelical Free Church for over 30 years. In 2015, Dan and NREFC gave CLF their building, people, and assets, and Dan retired from full-time ministry. But rather than leave, he has stayed and has been one of my biggest fans. Dan’s humility and desire to serve CLF are a great example to all of us.
Knowing that we will study James 3:13-18 this Sunday, we will see the dangers of jealousy and selfish ambition. It is humbling to lead a church that takes these things seriously and that exemplifies the wisdom that comes from above.
From the Cheap Seats
- Get on a roll, Aggies. Two of three at Arkansas and nine of their last ten. It’s time to get rolling if they want to make the postseason.
- After bragging on the Rangers’ 8-2 start, they’re now 13-9 (5-7). I’m done talking them up and will allow baseball to be baseball.
- Have you ever caught a foul ball with fried bread? This dude did: https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-fan-catches-foul-ball-in-fried-dough?adobe_mc=TS%3D1744378869%7CMCMID%3D21294503413150999796736250781784781348%7CMCORGID%3DA65F776A5245B01B0A490D44@AdobeOrg&affiliateId=mlbapp-ios_webview_news-index&rsid=mlbios.at.bat.new.implementation
- This is an odd deal. Garret Crochet was a stud White Sox pitcher traded to the Red Sox in the offseason. In his first game against his former team, he was throwing a no-hitter in the 8th inning. Only to have his no-hitter broken up by the guy who was traded for him. Here’s the unique story: https://www.mlb.com/news/chase-meidroth-breaks-up-garrett-crochet-s-no-hitter-in-8th-inning?partnerID=mlbapp-iOS_article-share
- Ok, this funny: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=wwXIfr&v=1377466873450648&rdid=G1CFj74ioyXdWLL6
Have a great week! Christ is King!
In Christ,
Dave York
P.S. Sometimes, my cheap seats section comes from people in the church sharing things with me. If you come across a great sports story or play, send it my way.
