I am so excited by the progress that we have made in our new facility in the past week.  Painting is completed, lighting has been updated, shelving and countertops have been installed, ceiling tiles replaced, and now carpet is going in!  I hope that you’ll take a minute to peek in the building and see the good work that is being done.

It’s worthwhile to take a minute to ask ourselves the question: why are we doing this?  Is it to renovate a building so we can feel proud of ourselves?  No!  Our purpose is to create a center for mission and ministry in the heart of downtown Holdrege.  We want people to know Jesus and his love and care for them.  We want to serve our community with the good news!  That’s why I’ve been using the term “mission center” to describe what is being constructed downtown.  Spirit of Grace is already a church, but we’re renovating a mission center so that we have a base of operations to share Christ’s love in Holdrege.

As John the Baptist says in John 3.30, “[Jesus] must become greater, I must become less.”  As our first missional attitude goes, “it’s not about us.”  It’s about our friends, family, and neighbors – and most of all it’s about Jesus.

May you abide with the Spirit of Grace this week.

In Christ,

Pastor Ted Carnahan

P.S. If you want to see pictures of the renovation process, they are being posted daily here >

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He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. – Mark 6.31-32

I’ve been using the word “hurtling” to describe how fast life has been moving lately.  Today I looked it up.  It means to travel at great speed, typically in a wildly uncontrolled manner.

Oops.

I know I’m not the only one.  The end of the school year approaches.  Summer plans await.  School plays and performances sparkle.  Spring planting keeps us moving.  Our new mission center is rapidly taking shape as we fill holes, paint walls, building here, cutting there.  Sound and video equipment is considered and bought.  Furniture is purchased.  And we dream of the future.

I’d rather not hurtle through life.  It’s not always easy to take a moment for quiet and rest.  And it’s not always easy to move between the different parts of our lives with mindfulness and control.  After all, the things we are doing are good and important.

But, of course, that’s exactly why Sabbath (rest) is needed.  It can be as simple as a short walk on one of these beautiful Spring days.  It can be a few minutes in prayer at the start or end of your day.  Do things that matter.  But make sure, in the midst of this busy season, not to hurtle.

In Christ,

Pastor Ted Carnahan

P.S. – There are great opportunities to serve through Spirit of Grace this week.  Take a look!

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