Brad Wilkerson // COC Metro

Outward...Not Inward

Could it really be true that a group of people from many different backgrounds could come together in the name of Jesus Christ to minister to its community?  It most certainly can happen when those people, not only claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but when those people look outward and not inward.  By the way, just as a side note, most churches fail to reach their ultimate visions and goals when the once desire to reach out is replaced by traditional inward rituals.  COC was started with a vision to ultimately evangelize our world but to reach out in areas of need as well.  In regards to outreach, the leadership of COC began praying and looking for ways to minister to our communities during such tough economic times.  God led us to launch Angel Food Ministries in November with the ultimate goal of being fully functional with it by January 09.  Well, we got off to a great start with our first distribution day this past Saturday.  I have to tell you, it was so cool as a Pastor to pull up and see so many people excited about helping distribute the food to those who had placed orders.  Wow…I was overwhelmed.  I am so thankful to lead a great group of people who love to put others first.  Thanks to the Brawners and the Zwaskas for leading this ministry and making it something that not only helps people with physical needs, but ultimately their spiritual needs as well.  It is a privilege to lead such a great group of people.  I have the greatest job in the world!

If you would like to be involved with Angel Food Ministries or if you have questions about how to place your order please send an email to angelfood@cocmetro.com and one of our AFM representatives will contact you.

Again, great job COC…you all are awesome!!!!

Did Jesus Really Do That…and…Can He Do It Again?

Over the years, I feel like I’ve come to understand people a little more.  This ‘God-Thing’ is not really the main issue with one’s unbelief.  People are not necessarily anti-God, they are more anti-Christian.  They’re like, “If that’s Christianity, I don’t want it.”  To me, that’s the sad fact.  When you really think about it, Jesus was either who He said He was, or He was a total liar.  We actually can draw that conclusion quite decisively!  Nobody really denies that He existed.  We have plenty of evidence that proves that He did indeed exist.  But do people believe that He was who He said He was?  It’s not my desire to prove whether He is or is not today, it’s just to provoke your thought process a little in acknowledging the possibility that AMAZING THINGS DO HAPPEN! 
 
Picture this: Jesus is walking through this town; everywhere around there are people lined up.  Jesus evidently stops and notices this blind beggar and He stops the whole parade, the whole processional and addresses this issue.  The Bible continues on with the story and says something very interesting…”Jesus spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and smoothed the mud over the blind man’s eyes.”  To me, I think that’s kind of funny.  Of all the ways that Jesus could ‘HEAL’ this guy, this is how He chooses to do it.  He’s talking to this blind man, then He spits on the ground, and He takes the saliva and makes this ‘mud pie’.  The Bible doesn’t really say “mud pie” – that’s just my quirky mind’s translation.  He makes the mud pie and puts it on his eyes and simply says, “Go wash it off.”  Then the Bible then says, “When he went and washed, he came back seeing”.  Here’s what this story basically says all summed up… Jesus CAN bring healing to the hurting – Jesus HAS the answers for the skeptics (if they’re willing to listen)-and Jesus proves His power to all mankind.

Now here is my thought.  If He healed the blind eyes of a beggar with spit and dirt could it be possible that He could change your life with His grace and mercy.  The answer is a definite yes.  You might not be physically blind but you could possibly be spiritually blind.  Let Him heal you of your blindness with the forgiveness that is offered through the sacrifice of His life for yours.  Don’t live a status quo life…live A Changed Life.  Ask for His mercy, express your thankfulness to Him for it, and never forget what He has done for you.  Finally, complete the process by showing caring for others by showing mercy to them and wake up every morning yearning for His mercy on you life.

If He healed physical blinded eyes back then…He can do it again.  However, maybe for you it is your spiritual eyes.  Either way, you can live A Changed Life.

There's A Chill In The Air

Wow, how the weather changed overnight.  When I went to bed last night it was a nice fall evening and when I awoke it was cold and damp with rain showers forecast for the rest of the day.  No doubt, there will be no golf today.  As the weather begins to take a change and we enter the 2nd full week of November I begin to anticipate the Holiday season that lies ahead.  I love the Holidays, especially Thanksgiving.  Our family has so much to be thankful for this year.  It is hard to believe that it was this time last year at the big family gatherings that my extended family was asking me how COC was going and I really only had one answer.  In November of 07 it was pretty simple.  We had just gotten started and we had so much ahead of us.  Now look what has happened in one short year.  We are off and running and we have the pedal to the metal.  Last night was just incredible as we baptized six at our second baptismal celebration.  That now makes sixteen baptisms for COC since June.  It was such a great moment for those being baptized as well as a chilling event.  Thanks to all who came out and celebrated with those taking this huge step in their walk with Christ.  It was truly a victory for COC and we shared in that victory together as a team.  I look forward to finishing 08 strong as we continue to make plans for a great Holiday season at COC.  Have a great week and continue to create an atmosphere of generosity.

Audience Of 1

Wow, Sunday at COC was great.  American Expressions came to a beautiful conclusion as we saw ultimate generosity happen right before our eyes.  It was really cool to do something so radical and unique as a church.  Generosity feels so good when it is done with trust, the right motive and consequently letting God use us as a conduit of His grace.
 
As I write today I am sitting in my truck watching Ryder practice football.  Our third grade team made it to the playoffs and the boys are getting ready for their big first-round game against the Sherman Bearcats this coming Saturday.  They have had a great season going 5 and 2, entering the playoffs as the number three seed.  I am so proud of Ryder as he has learned the game and become more skilled at his positions throughout the year.  He is the smallest kid on his team and most of the time the smallest on the field during a game.  Yet even facing a size differential each week he has played hard and never once quit or been discouraged.  He has a great champion’s heart and he knows there is coming a day when all this hard work will pay off.
 
He reminds me that it is in the younger years and in the days when you aren’t the biggest kid on the field that you really gain your character.  I feel that way as the Pastor of this nine week old church.  These are the days that prepare us for future days to come!  If we can’t do it with upmost character and integrity now what makes anyone think that God would allow us to do it on a larger scale some day in the future?  If you are a part of COC I encourage and challenge you to never quit and never stop striving for excellence for the glory of God.  If you are reading this and you are not a part of COC I challenge you to live your life for God and to serve Him in your church with excellence as well.  In the past few days God has reminded me that it is not the number of seats filled that matters. (Oh, I want large numbers…don’t get me wrong) But here is the deal, if there is 100 or 10,000 it is still all for an audience of 1.  Oh, and by the way the 1 is way more important than the 10,000.
 
Have a great and blessed week.