Prayer

As I write this, the news is on in the background from our new home, Colorado Springs. There have been thousands of people displaced, many homes lost, and a whole region in emotional distress. I am asking you for prayer for the people who are fighting the fire in Colorado Springs area, those who are displaced and have lost homes and property, and for the churches in the city and area that are ministering now, as they will have a large task in the coming days.

And, staying with the theme of prayer, Amanda and I are asking for 50 people to partner with us in prayer as we step out into church planting. If you are willing to join our prayer partner list, please send an email here.

MEANS TO AN END…

WHY COLORADO SPRINGS FOR ONLY ONE YEAR?  WHY TWO MOVES SO CLOSE TOGETHER?

These seem to be two very common questions these days, and understandably so!  It is so difficult to know who knows what part of the story.

We are super excited to move to Colorado Springs, CO in August. Speaking of, OUR DEMOPOLIS HOUSE IS UNDER CONTRACT!!!  Huge work of God, definite confirmation of this whole journey and another measure of peace for us!  Our time in Colorado Springs will be limited to 12 months, one full year of learning and being part of an established, “successful” church plant.  This is a residency program, designed to be hands-on, intense, daily training for Eric and myself.  During this time, Eric will also work a “secular” job to help provide for our family and to become a part of the community and culture.

Ultimately, though, our call is to Denver, CO.  In October 2011, we underwent an assessment weekend with the Mile High Baptist Association.  They will be our overseers when we move to Denver, but we agreed together that some experience in the trenches of church planting and starting from the ground up was essential, before we jumped in on our own.  Our assessors encouraged us to explore residency options and, after much applying and interviewing, Eric was chosen for the Vanguard Church Planting Residency program in Colorado Springs.  This is a great match because the culture will be much like Denver and will allow us an experience as much like what we will encounter, in 2013 and after , as possible.  The last two times we were privileged to visit Denver in person, God began to lead us specifically to the “neighborhood” called Lowry.  I have included a few pics this time to help you pray specifically.  Even during our time in Demopolis and our residency year, the people of Lowry are our heart and prayer.  Lowry is a neighborhood of approximately 10,000 people and has not one evangelical church!  We are praying for God to already be preparing the hearts of the people to hear, believe and serve.  May He be glorified in the means and the end, for He hears our prayers and loves the people of Demopolis, Colorado Springs, Lowry, and around the world!  May we love like He does and be a privileged part of seeing many come to know Him intimately!!!

Blessings

June 12, 2004, I began a journey that has taken me further than I ever thought it would. I cannot believe that I have been blessed to be a part of Fairhaven Baptist Church for eight years. It has truly been a blessing to serve this people. God has shaped me, challenged me, and walked with me at Fairhaven more than any other time in my life.

Thank you Fairhaven for encouraging me and my family, loving us deeply, letting me fail, challenging me where I needed it, and seeking the best for us. You have been a blessing to the Sanford family and I look forward to seeing what God has in store for “this place called Fairhaven”.

Fragile

Time and time again lately, I have been reminded how fragile life is. Several friends and aquaintances have given birth to babies well before due dates, tragedy has snuffed out life, loved ones are aging and ailing. God has been reminding me daily of how precious life is, what a gift daily breath and life are and how He is the giver of life, worthy to be praised for His remarkable creation!
Ultimately, though, with the breath of life comes responsibility. We are each given many choices to make in the course of life. As a young child, I memorized Romans 3:23 and 6:23 which say, “For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” So if we have all sinned and the price to pay for sin is death, then we all deserve to die without hope. BUT…we can choose our ending bc “God so loved the World He gave His one and only Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)! He gave His only Son for me and for you. The Bible says it is God’s will that NONE should perish but that ALL should have eternal life. We must make our own choice whether to admit we have sinned, believe He is who He says He is, and confess Him as Lord of our lives. It’s true, life is fragile. None of us knows how long we will be here. But God made a way, a very sacrifical gift of grace and mercy, available to each of us to live out our days knowing without a doubt that we are His and He is ours. The price He was willing to pay for us was the very life of His perfect, sinless Son.
God has gotten my attention with some fragile lives lately. He has restored my burden for those who do not know Him, do not believe in Him, or know but are missing out on the abundant life in Christ. I am burdened for the people of Colorado, but that’s not all. Many of you reading, who I know well and love deeply, haven’t made this eternal decision or need to be reminded how fragile life is and return to a Savior from whom you’ve strayed. Message us, call us, email us. God’s Word is true and doesn’t return void. May we all be challenged to greater things for His Glory!
“If our God is for us, then what could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?”