Dearly Beloved

Dearly Beloved,

Doritos Collisions: Intense Dill Pickle + Cool Ranch. Miss Vicki's Cacio e Pepe. 

What do they have in common? 

Two things, well, maybe three. 

First, they are both available on a limited-time basis. 
Second, I like them. A lot! 
Third, because of that, I kind of hoard them.

...and I find myself talking about them. 

I was a guest speaker at an event this summer and, sure enough, I found myself talking about these chips. It had nothing to do with any message I was there to share. I just started telling the audience about them. I couldn't help it. 

In Acts chapter four, the early church leaders, Peter and John, were under investigation for a miracle (Acts 3) and were ordered not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus any longer. I love their response: 

"We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard!"
Acts 4.20 

What, or whom, had they seen and heard? 

JESUS. 

In CPC, our vision is always Jesus. 

Yes, we have a mission statement, yes, have core values that guide us, and, yes, we have strategic priorities. But these all rise from our vision: Jesus. 

Mission answers "What are we here to do?" 

Vision answers "What do we want to see?" 

It could be tempting for us to say our vision is something like "community transformation" or "revival" or "fully devoted followers of Christ" ... but as noble as these may be, when they are set as a vision, it's possible to be put in the dangerous position of achieving your vision but missing Jesus altogether. Please help us, Lord, to never wander from our greatest vision, You. 

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith."
Hebrews 12.2 

"I have set the Lord always before me." 
Psalm 16.8

"As soon as the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet Him."
Mark 9.15

"Do you believe in the Son of Man?" [Jesus asked the man He had healed of blindness] "Who is he, sir?" the man asked, "Tell me so that I may believe in him." Jesus said, "You have now seen Him; in fact, He is the one speaking with you." Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshipped Him. 
John 9.35-38 

This coming Sunday is Vision Sunday! 

WE want to behold Jesus.

AND, we want as many others as possible --right here in the Comox Valley, all around Vancouver Island, and to the ends of the Earth-- to behold Jesus too. 

Amen?

I can't wait. 

I'd rather talk about Him than chips. 

You too? 

Pastor Mike 

"Taste and see that (Doritos? ...nope) (Miss Vicki's? ...nope) the Lord is good."
Psalm 34.8