Growing Up On Purpose

Friends,

As a child I wanted to be a Cowboy and an “Indian” when I grew up. Clearly, I was a conflicted kid. Certainly these aspirations changed as I grew older and my passions shifted from a “home on the range” to art, communication, and ultimately theology. This leaves me to wonder, when did I grow up? When did this actually take place. I understand it was a process, but it seems that I should be able to point to some graduation or birthday and say, “Yup, there it is. That’s when it happened. That’s when I grew up.”

I’m reminded of a recent meeting where a young adult told me he felt he was getting old but he didn’t want to let go of his crazy, youthful life. I was thinking, “Bro, you’re 30. It is indeed time to graduate from adolescence.” I think, too often, our twenties and thirties are spent continuing to dream about what we will do when we grow up. Here we are. All grown up. Men and women fully capable of being used by God and leveraged for His Kingdom. Why does it seem that sometimes our agenda gets in the way of that ultimate agenda?

This marks a new season of The Porch. I cannot look backwards without being overwhelmed with gratitude. The Porch leaders and volunteers have done an amazing job of hosting, shepherding, communicating to, and connecting Dallas Young Adults. Thank you. God has been so faithful to continue to reveal Himself to those in our midst and it seems every single Tuesday some have entrusted their lives to Him. We have been able to talk about real-life issues of Dallas singles and young adults, and we have looked at how the scriptures address these topics. We have been able to worship God uninhibitedly, with our whole selves, offering our lives to Him.

This next season we will focus on living life on purpose. We will, with your help, raise awareness that there are no accidents in the Kingdom. God is in control and He desires to accomplish things through us; Ephesians 2:10. Among Christians, there are no random acts of kindness, just intentional acts of obedience and faith. As we start this series, you have an incredible opportunity to invite that co-worker, neighbor, or old friend to join you for The Porch and free concert January 18th, 7PM. We have 2200 seats for American Idol’s Jason Castro. I look forward to being with you then, and talking through what this next season has in store. Please pray with me over that evening and the Tuesdays to come. Our team is excited to serve you and your friends and lead you into full service to an AMAZING God. Let’s grow up on purpose, together.

Sincerely,

JP