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Sunday Reflections and CATG News!

Big Idea from Sunday:
Prayer precedes progression!  Before Nehemiah responded to God’s vision for his return Jerusalem to rebuild the ruined walls, he entered a season of prayer and fasting.

Scripture Memory:
Nehemiah 1:4 (ESV)
⁴ As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Action Step:
Covenant with the CATG family for 40 days of prayer and some type of weekly fast.

Random Thoughts:

• I never cease to be amazed at God’s power and ability to exceed my expectations!  I continue to see God at work in amazing ways collectively in our church and in the lives of individuals. 
• Last Thursday morning we partnered with the Youth Middle School Council and made the rounds to deliver coffee, sodas, snacks and candy to all the teachers and faculty.  It was great to see their brightened faces as we showed them God’s love in a practical way.  I love to do small things that show significant concern to people that work so hard to invest in the lives of our children.
• What a great sports weekend!  I was able to see Loganville play, catch the DAWGS and Jackets, watch multiple college football games and witness the Falcons win on Sunday night.  Oh yeah, I also caught a little Baseball. 
• Sunday morning was special.  What a great service of worship and prayer!  I love seeing so many new faces each week of guests joining us for worship.  I have had some great feedback from the service.  I love Austin and Shelley and I am so thankful for their leadership. 
• I hope you are spending time each day in prayer for ADVANCE!  Thank you to Gabe, Kortney and their prayer team for putting together our prayer journals and leading our prayer emphasis for ADVANCE.  WE MUST BE PRAYING FOR GOD TO USE OUR CHURCH IN THIS COMMUNITY AND AROUND THE WORLD.
• Check out advance2009.org and see the site that Nathan Boyd put together that shares our vision and plans for Church at the Grove. 
• I have been reading through Ezra, Nehemiah and Acts.  Ezra, Nehemiah and the Disciples in the early church all faced opposition.  It should not come as a surprise.  Vision and Dreams with the intent of honoring and glorifying God ALWAYS meet opposition.  I believe that we have been under attack and it will continue.  We need to pray and seek God’s guidance during this time.  I covet your prayers for our leadership and staff.
• Charles Spurgeon the great preacher stated, “Whenever God determines to do a great work, He first sets His people to pray.”
• God wants to do something amazing in and through Church of the Grove.  I am convinced of it!
• Don’t miss any Sundays during this ADVANCE series!
• Please be in prayer.  Use your journals!  You will get another prayer tool this Sunday called Park n Pray.
• Continue to invest and invite people with you on Sundays.
• Stay connected to your Community Groups.
• See you Sunday!  I am praying for you and your family!