What should I do when life doesn't make sense?

I am going to make this as short as I can…

I believe and I know the Lord has given me a message to share with our Cypress family this weekend. In the midst of painful and confusing days we are living in, the Lord is our strength and safe refuge. 

See you soon,
Pastor Ken …

P.S. This weekend we are also collecting shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. 

Bring your gift-filled shoebox to the lobby and we will take it from there!

For more information- Shoebox Instructions

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Calling the Church to Concentrated Prayer for the George Family

Nathan George, son of Pastor Dale and Kathy George, passed away yesterday at his home in England.

We are opening the Alton Darby worship center from 6-7pm tonight. You can come and go at any time during that timeframe. Pastors and the Prayer Team will be available to pray with you or you may pray individually or as a family.

If you cannot be here tonight, please pray wherever you are, whatever time works for you.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15

Five things to pray for:

1. Thank God for the HOPE of heaven, where we know Nathan is with his Savior.
   
2. COMFORT for Nathan’s wife, Lauren, for his parents, Pastor Dale and Kathy George and the extended family
   
3. STRENGTH for the coming days as they travel and make decisions and gather together as a family
   
4. PROTECTION – that the Lord will protect the hearts and minds of those mourning Nathan
   
5. In the midst of this devastating loss, pray that God would be GLORIFIED and that many lives will be CHANGED because of Nathan’s life and death.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

Pastor Ken

My thoughts and reflections from the last 7 days regarding the murder of Amanda Blackburn

For those who haven’t heard, Amanda Blackburn (my niece and cousin to Dayne Gowan, worship leader at Cypress) was killed as the result of a home invasion in her Indianapolis home one week ago. As the family has been going through the stages and emotions of grieving, I wanted to put some thoughts to paper, so here is some of what I’ve been thinking in recent days:

1. I am disappointed in ignorant comments people make on social media. Yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but everything you post SHOULD BE TRUE. Just because you have an opinion doesn’t mean you should share it. Social media has become for many a cesspool for gossip and argumentation. Ask yourself…is what I’m about to say true, helpful and does it build people up? Have I talked to the person directly about this? Have I really prayed about this to seek the Lord’s guidance? If not, maybe I should keep my mouth shut.
   
   
   Now that I got that off my chest, let me turn the page to the other
   things I’ve been thinking about over the past 7 days…
   
   
2. Faith in Jesus is the anchor that holds even in the midst of the fiercest storm. The winds and the waves still know His name and obey Him! So when it comes time to seek refuge in the midst of the storm, choose wisely. Also, you build your foundation in times of calm, then the storms often reveal the quality of that which we’ve spent years building.
   
   
3. There is healing in loving relationships. Over the past week, my mom’s house has been like a constant revolving door of family and friends coming to “JUST BE THERE.” The ministry of presence. There is nothing to say, there is no magic verse that takes away the pain, just being there and saying, “I care” and “I’m sorry.”
   
   
4. The Hope of Heaven is something to look forward to. When we have faith in Jesus, we grieve during times of loss, but not as those who have no hope. Hope in Jesus prevails even in the face of physical death.
   
   
   One of the best pieces on hope was written by my parents’ pastor at Trinity Wesleyan Church in Indianapolis, Pastor Mike Colaw, as he reflected on this tragedy. Well worth the read.
   
   
5. Family and friends often gather for the first week or so. Most people’s lives go back to “normal” after a couple weeks. Those affected most keenly by loss will be forced to find a new “normal” which will never be what it was. It’s a long process that has certain steps that cannot be rushed or skipped. Go through the process.
   
   
6. God can be glorified even in our darkest hours. Amanda loved to refinish furniture by taking items often viewed as junk and working to redeem them into something beautiful.
   
   
7. Prayer makes a difference. You feel it, and you sense it. As the Lord brings Davey and his 15 month-old son, Weston, to your mind, lift them in prayer. They will need it in the days to come.
   
   
8. Faith and a relationship with Jesus is THE MOST IMPORTANT GIFT you will ever pass on to your children. Prioritize and live life in light of this truth.
   
   
9. We live by faith, not by sight, therefore, by faith, we choose to believe the best is still yet to come! Only God can turn tragedy into triumph. We trust Him in life and we will trust Him in death.

Come As You Are

This has been a great week for some. For others, you are going through the most challenging time of your life. No matter what, be sure to get to Cypress for a service this weekend. You will hear amazing stories of God at work in our church.

This would be the perfect weekend to invite a friend!

Come...see what God is up to…

Connect...with your church family in worshiping our great God…

Be open to the Change that happens within you as you open your heart to Christ.

See you soon!

Pastor Ken