Podcast Update

Techinical problems solved. Lessons By the Brook has been uploaded: http://www.clickcaster.com/steve-lucas

Lessons By the Brook

Yesterday I preached both Sunday services. I shared a message from 1 Kings 17. By now it should be on the podcast, but they are having technical trouble and nothing can be published to the web. Sorry about that. We'll get it posted ASAP.

The good news is two people accepted Christ as their Savior during the message yesterday. What a blessing! That's what it is all about!

Not Quite a Day Off

Yesterday was not quite a day off. Typically, my Friday is a day to unplug, relax, and catch up with things around the house. However, with a work day today at church, and several appointments, I needed yesterday to do the final review of my sermon that I'm preaching tomorrow. The message has been ready for several weeks, but I always take a few hours a few days before to do my final review.

I'm really excited about the sermon tomorrow because it gets to the heart of the new vision God has given me for my future ministry in Costa Rica. And while I have no plans to actually talk about Costa Rica tomorrow, I'm glad that I get to share the essence of what we learn from 1 Kings 17. It has always been a favorite story of mine, but this is actually my first time ever to preach from that particular text.

I could ramble on about it, but I'll save it for the sermon. If you get a chance, please offer up a prayer that God will use this message to speak into each person who hears it.

Funding The Brook

Yesterday we received several more e-mails inquiring about making donations to The Brook (our new ministry based in Costa Rica to restore and equip pastors). The good news is we just received approval from the State of Texas to operate as a non-profit. The IRS approval takes a little longer, but we can begin operations even while we are waiting on that. So, for those wanting to make one-time or monthly donations, we should be up and running in about one more week. We'll let you know as soon as it happens.

Also, yesterday we dropped our prices at Cre8tion.net (our t-shirt company). From this point forward, ALL proceeds will go to The Brook. So, do a little back-to-school shopping and invest in a pastor all at the same time.

Being Who We Are

Yesterday Stephanie and I had our regular weekly time together. For the last 40 plus weeks we've been going though Basic Theology for Kids, the book David and I wrote together in 2006. (For the curious, it is still being shopped around. No takers yet.) The lesson we covered was on the leadership of the church.

Having been a pastor for over 18 years, it is hard to look at things objectively. I cannot see beyond who I am. Add to that the fact that my little girl often calls me "Pastor Dad," I feel like I'll never be able to just sit in church and take it in. I have a pastor's heart and mind. So when we talk about church leadership, I can only see things from my side of the pulpit.

I guess for many the struggle in life is to get comfortable in our own skin--to learn how to be who we are and not always wish to be something else. It's not settling. It is finding contentment in the plan of God for our lives and learning to embrace that plan as the means to happiness and peace.

But then again, that assumes that we are presently being who we are meant to be.

End of an Era

Yesterday I preached my final message of Adult Bible Fellowship. You can listen to it and all my messages on my podcast (click here). This final sermon wasn't much of a sermon at all, but an announcement of the coming maturity strategy at Grace, and a description of the new ministry God is calling us to in Costa Rica.

I was surprised yesterday morning as I began to feel a bit melancholy about the whole thing. I had already resigned myself to what it all meant, but the feelings were nonetheless surprising. I guess like anything the knowledge of it and the reality of it are two different things--like knowing about love or being in love.

In any event, it's over and done, and I'm moving on. For now, I have two more sermons to write for the next two Sundays. Time for a little less Revelation, and a bit more inspiration.

Catching Up

Yesterday was a day for catching up on work and sleep. The drama of the day before certainly took its toll on both.

We did, however, sneak in a late afternoon visit to the grand kid. And forgive my pride, but I've included another gratuitous picture of Alex (along with his mom and dad)!


After helping the kiddos put together a crib, we made it to a party celebrating Matthew and Becky Tibbenham's ongoing journey.

Maybe it was the lack of sleep, or seeing my grandson, or visiting a young man I used to teach when he was in middle school, but I've suddenly begun to feel old. Nah. Just kidding. You're only as old as you think--and that being the case I'm still a kid myself! How about you?

A New Hope

Yesterday was truly wonderful. The birth of Alex marked a new beginning for my daughter and her new husband, as it did for my me and my wife. Many months age when we learned of Flora's pregnancy, it seemed that all hope was lost--or if not lost, at least missing in action. Fears of her future, her health, and our relationship took center stage. Yet the star of the show showed up yesterday to save the day.

My grandson is a reminder to me that rarely (if ever) do my worries and fears amount to much. Even now, I could consume myself with thoughts of how are they going to make it? But that would be foolish. God has proven time and again that His ways are higher than mine. Who am I to judge the course of life directed by the Almighty? And how arrogant for me to assume that I understand all that is happening.

No, all that foolishness is nothing when you are holding a miracle in your hands. And the fears give way to new hopes and new dreams for a life just begun.

Welcome Alexander Garcia!

Yesterday evening Flora called to tell us she was heading to the hospital: "It's time!" We met her there about 8 pm and stayed for a few hours. It seems the time was close, but not too close. So we went home. Then about 12:30 am we got another call: "Please come." We went.

Finally, at 5:27 am, little Alexander Garcia breathed his first. My #1 grandson measured in at 19.75 inches and weighed 7 lbs 5.5 oz. The new mom and dad are doing great, as are the new Abuelita (Angela) and El Jefe (me).

Baby Update

We received a call from our daughter, Flora, that she is on the way to the hospital. Please pray for a safe delivery and a healthy and happy mom and baby and dad. Stay tuned for more updates...

Caught Up

Yesterday I finally got caught up with everything that piled up during vacation. I feel much better now, thank you. I'm not sure what it is--maybe the remnants of my "performance based acceptance" previous life, but I still can't stand it when I have things hanging over me. No worries now, I'm free!

That being said, it's high time to give proper attention to this blog. I appreciate all the comments and emails of support during all the recent changes, so with my Saturday forum disappearing, my blog will likely serve as my "voice" for the time being. But, there is still one Saturday left. And this Saturday I will be sharing more of the vision God has given me for an exciting new ministry that will be based in Costa Rica. It is not "missions" as usual. It is a new concept that I believe will impact churches in North America in a substantial way, as well as provide a tremendous blessing to churches throughout Latin America. More to come this Saturday.