Ahh the irony.  This Sunday we chose to use a microwave to cook popcorn because it was quicker in a series called “No Nukes” about patience and endurance.  :-)   OF COURSE the microwave blew the breaker in the onstage power strip and not only failed to pop popcorn but also took out our front line of video monitors. Even though the microwave failed…I think the analogy holds up.  Life is like popcorn.  God uses pain and trouble to transform us…to “turn us inside out” just like heat causes the moisture in popcorn kernels to create intense pressure and explode it into sweet popcorny goodness.  Although it doesn’t sound like a lot of fun to be and “exploding” popcorn kernel…and it’s not much fun for any of us to go through trouble and pain…those who allow God to use pain and turmoil to shape and mature them, become something completely different and amazing.  Those who allow pain and trouble to make them bitter and “hard” are like the unpopped kernels at the bottom of the bag…  It’s our choice.

³ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. ⁴ And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

Romans 5:3-4

One thing I hated about the front monitors being out during the last song is that we miss the “slo-mo” close up video of popcorn popping Josiah had ready to play.  I love the creative elements that he comes up with…just sorry we missed it.

Speaking of the final song…I can’t get “Circus” out of my head.  Andy, Nate, Justin and Steve rocked it this week as “Shades of Summer”.  Good songs and some nice harmonies also.  Thanks Guys!

actionkidz was PACKED this week…  Great crowd everywhere but the kidz area was slammed.  Really thankful to Michele for heading up the new toddlerz and babies area.  I’m really glad to finally have a place for the little ones.

I’m certainly not always happy with how well I communicate the “message” of the week…but I have REALLY grown to trust that God knows exactly what we will need to hear as a church and WHEN.  I started thinking about this series about patience and endurance MONTHS ago…and from the stories I hear (and am personally experiencing) it couldn’t be going on at a better time.  Thanks God for encouraging us all to not get “tired of doing good” and promising us a great harvest of reward if we DON’T QUIT!

Here’s a little Bonus pic for those of you who wanted to see it “up close and personal” :-)   When I was talking about how I believe that even today people are willing to experience pain if there is a result to look forward to (i.e.  Tattoos, piercings, bodybuilders, and babies)   We showed this beauty-

Not mine I swear.

Thanks to everyone who makes actionchurch happen each week.  Looking forward to talking about something else that causes so many of us to quit before receiving our reward.