Note:
There is a great discussion going on, on the post right under this one. The post is Called "Black or White." Jason posted it yesterday -- check it out and join the discussion.

Very Good Things Are Happening Here!
(The Title of this post is borrowed from Wayne – who borrowed it from SOMC)

I just want to say that God is doing wonderful things at Sunshine – and I’m so thankful that he is, and that his presence is among us.

There are so many exciting things going on it’s difficult to name all of them. But I would like to mention a few of them today…

First and foremost is our spiritual growth. This consists of our love and relationship with God, which is nurtured in various ways…spending time in his word, in prayer, in meditation, spending time with Godly people – and being changed by God while involved in all of these. It also consists of how our relationship with God is improving our relationships with one another. The truth of the matter is that every phase of our family life at Sunshine falls under Spiritual growth.

There is no clear cut way to measure this kind of growth…then again Jesus said that you could tell a tree by the fruit it bears, and also in Galatians 5 we are encouraged that if the Spirit is working in our lives the “Fruit of the Spirit” will be seen. So, I’m sure we would all agree that you can’t measure spiritual growth, but you sure can see that it’s happening.

Another way God is working at Sunshine is through all the wonderful service and encouragement that is taking place in the lives of those who are open for it. God is using us in each other’s lives and the results are incredible. But that shouldn’t surprise us… any time God is involved people are blessed.

Here are just a few of the things that have been taking place…

- Putting up the barn for Kindred Spirits. Reaching out to the community is always right and one of the best things we can do.
- Teen hayride with Woodsfield.
- Helping the Ramey family move from Ashland to Wheelersburg.
- Home Groups.
- Putting a new roof on the Church in Cadillac Michigan.
- Golf Scramble for baby Zoe.
- Prayer Groups.
- Along with all of these are some things that you just can’t mention but you know
are going on. Here’s what I mean by that… people at Sunshine are serving one another by listening to, praying for, and carrying each other’s burden. It’s the call of Jesus to us, and we’re trying with his help to carry it out.

One of the ways we are tested in this is how well we support one another in these activities. This becomes difficult because so many of these activities – by necessity happen at the same time. Which leads me to another of our tests…?

When one part of the family is busy fixing a roof, and the other is on a hayride, do we trust that God is in control and that both are equally as serving to the family? How about when some are helping a family move and others are mowing lawn for the elderly, do we see God at work in both of these? How about when one part of the family is busy working on a barn while others are taking part in a golf scramble? Do we truly believe the Lord when he said “where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” I understand the context of this – but the point is still clearly made -- if it’s done for the glory and honor of God, and in service to one another, it’s a good and right thing. Problems in the family arise when we allow our hearts to make a judgment on another based on our perceived importance of what they are doing.

Let’s not allow ourselves to get bogged down in the judging and critiquing business. Instead, let’s encourage and support one another – and allow the Spirit of God to live and move among us as we serve God, our community, and the family at Sunshine.

Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.