The latest on 'Life at Metro'

Your generosity makes it possible to update this into a usable space. We're grateful and can't wait to share the finished area with you all this fall.

During Aron Osborne’s message on Noah this past Sunday, I was reminded of the following devotional I had written a while back. Aron pointed out so well the mercy of the Lord (He provided for Noah and his family; He pursues us; He is the initiator of our salvation!) and how the Lord’s mercy enables us to respond in faith-filled obedience. My short writing below focuses on trusting the Lord in times of waiting and how He mercifully develops contentment in us. I hope it encourages you.

Dear Lord Jesus, as with all the Scriptures, ultimately, these verses make me think of you. There’s no one more filled with kindness and gentle answers than you; no one with a wiser, loving, healing tongue than yours. You ever live to use your words to pray for us, bless us, and sing to us of your great delight in us, and irrepressible affection for us. Hallelujah, many times over.

You may think they were cruel, but nothing lifts my spirits quite like having a joke pulled on me. It was just what I needed during this stressful time, and my friends knew it. Hearing them laughing and cutting up on speakerphone was good for my heart. Why is home group so important? I never need to ask myself that question.

My name is Daniel, and I am really glad to share with you what the Lord has been doing in my heart, as of late.

Our church has experienced the deaths of close friends and family members recently. One in particular inspired this post. Steve Ballinger and his wife Peggy have been members at Metro Life Church from the very beginning. They raised their children here together and taught them what it means to live a life sold out for God. Steve passed away a few weeks ago after a long illness. His daughter, Noelle, declared at his memorial service that we are not like those who grieve without hope.

The Creator wired us to connect with stories because He has a grand story He wants us to know and respond to. The Bible, which he inspired and led men to write, is the epic true story of God revealing Himself to us. It’s the ultimate story. Jesus also used the power of story by telling many parables about living as God’s children. The stories of God moving in our daily lives are also powerful. Our stories of God guiding and helping usâ€"if we remember themâ€"can give us hope for the challenges we face today and can encourage others.

May 19, 2013 will forever be noted in history books as the Sunday where no Metro Life Church members were seen in Tijuana Flats. Difficult to believe as it may be, the popular (and nearby) Tex-Mex chain was not closed for business, and it wasn't a church-wide day of fasting. This time, our lunch drove to us.