Southview Connect

First Week in Rome

Well, we made it and we are surviving!!! The weather has been incredibly beautiful and so far we've averaged over 8 miles walking each day! But let me start from the beginning!!!

It was not a good start. We arrived at check in only to find out that our connecting flight from Munich to Rome was cancelled... so we were rerouted thru Frankfurt... After quite an eventful trip with the group making themselves well acquainted with just about everyone (in a good way! It included Rob being screamed at by a German security officer... it had something to do with the bald head and taking photos in secured areas!), we finally made it to Rome!

Italy is like another world (lost in the twilight zone!). Airport security was so lax that we all somehow ended up in the wrong place to pick up our luggage (the national airline area)... so we went through customs and security, walked around to the right place, went through security, picked up our bags and went through security again... we were actually checked only once, and everytime the buzzer went off when one of us went thru the metal detector, the guard just waved us through!

From the Spanish Steps to Villa Borghese, from the Coliseum to the Trevi Fountain, from the Catacombs to Rob's uncle's gelato store... we've been pretty busy. This evening we're heading back downtown to Piazza Navona to experience the sites of Rome by night. Tomorrow Rob will be preaching at a local Evangelical church followed by a pasta lunch and time planned with Bill Quinert. He will be talking to us about the difficulties of being Christian and the challenges of outreaching in Italy.

So, apart from the daily 8 mile walks, the little bit of sunburn and the occassional mosquito bite... we are all fairing well! It's been great to see the kids and their reaction to the so different environment  they now find themselves in. Especially the historical factor... you cannot hide the significance of Christianity in this place. The dominance of an ancient world power that could not stop a movement that began from a lowly Jewish man from a small, insignificant town, in a small, insignificant provence. The sacrifice those Christians made to further God's word, not only prepared to suffer for their faith, but also die for it... this is one thing that as a teacher, you hope the teaching and the talking will help people understand. But it is something else when you experience it, touch it, and physically see the place where so many gave their lives!... and our kids are experiencing that here and now.

The Southview Sluggers Crowned Champions

The Southview Sluggers were crowned Softball champions last night after defeating the top seeded team coming into the playoffs by 9-8. In a nail biter, the winning run was scored at the bottom of the final inning with 2 outs! It was a great effort from all players, but a special mention needs to go to the coach, Don Collins, whose mastery of game tactics and motivational inspiration kept us all playing at 110%! Good on you guys! A big thank you to all of you who showed up to support the team, it was much appreciated.

Time away

Soon I'll be heading out of town to spend some time away with my family.  It is such a blessing to be able to do that - to pull away and to spend some time resting and focusing on my wonderful wife and my great girls.  Please pray that I would be able to "unplug" and recharge my batteries during this time, and that I would come back ready to lead the charge on all that God has in front of us.  The mission is clear - and the power we do it in is His. 

May we be faithful to the mission that He has entrusted to us - reaching people who do not yet know the hope that we have. 

May our hearts be broken over people who are living far from God.

May we never forget the reality of what eternity apart from God will be, and may we commit ourselves to seeing as many people as possible rescued from that eternity separated from God in hell. 

May everything we do be because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

See you when I get back,
--Pastor William 

My "One Prayer"

My schedule the past few weeks prevented me from taking part in the “One Prayer” Series.  Back when William first brought the notion of our church participating to the Elders and explained the concept it immediately started me thinking and reflecting on what my “One Prayer” would be?

For those not familiar with the question behind “One Prayer” it was simply that if we could ask one prayer and know that God would answer it, what would that one prayer be?  I’m sure during the time of developing the program across the large number of churches that participated many possible prayers arose including one that asked God to send Christ back today and end all of the pain, suffering and struggle we see around us. 

As I considered that particular prayer however I realized I’d be selfish to ask it as it would forever prevent the saving of all the lost souls who will come to know Christ between now and His return.  And, in fact, it may be that the very pain, suffering and struggle I see around me today will be exactly the motivating force creating the opportunity for another of God’s creation to find Him through Jesus.

Approximately three weeks ago I began to sense that for me there was only one prayer I would beg to have God answer; that being that everything I do would be pleasing in His sight.  As I continue to reflect on this one prayer it convicts me in so many ways and causes me to be more reflective and purposeful in everything.

Like Paul I struggle between knowing what to do but actually doing the opposite.  It seems at times that the harder I try to do “right” the more I do wrong, and the harder I try not to be “of the world” I find myself sliding back into it.  But I can see that at the center of everything we say, think or do, is our motivation, our “character”.  As Chuck Swindoll once said, “character is who you are when no one is watching”. 

If I can only have one prayer answered, then, it’s that my motivation and my actions, my character – all that I say or do, will be pleasing to God.  That is my heart’s desire and my one prayer…let me know what yours is and I’ll pray with you that God will also answer it as I know He’ll answer mine.

In Christ

Wes

Whatever it takes

"As our blessed Lord has required us to pray that his kingdom may come, and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven, it becomes us not only to express our desires of that event by words, but to use every lawful method to spread the knowledge of his name."

This "whatever it takes" approach came from William Carey in An Enquiry into the Obligation of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens.

May this approach and attitude be true of each one of us and of Southview in the days to come.

--Pastor William