"Sinfully Proud"

When my dad was Pastor at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Tustin, he had many sayings for which be was famous. One of the most popular was when he would tell his congregation that he was "sinfully proud" of them for something that they had done to reveal God's love and grace and justice to others. Well, I do not plan to use my dad's catch phrases too often in my career, but I do want to say how "sinfully proud" I am to be the pastor at Light of the Canyon UMC. Whether it is reaching out to people in need within our own community, or covenanting with a church in Mexicali, or volunteering at the Special Olympics, or fighting to end slavery and human trafficking in this world, the people at LOTC are engaged in doing the work of God's kingdom. On Saturday morning, March 14, a group of about 27 people from LOTC joined other groups to help prepare food boxes at the Orange County Food Bank. I am proud not only of the fact that so many from the church participated, but also by the genuine caring and joyous attitude that so many had. It was genuinely a great time. Check out this short video to see what I mean. And while one group was at the food bank, there was a smaller group, but no less dedicated, digging ditches at the church to help resolve an outdoor leak. Add to that the scores of folks who help out every day in a variety of ways from teaching a class to installing lights, to writing cards, to delivering meals. And the list goes on and on. One thing that I know is that the kingdom of God is built not only on the large dramatic events that take place in human history. More often than not, it is built on the brick and mortar of daily, faithful, seemingly insignificant acts of kindness, justice and mercy by ordinary people. And I am "sinfully proud" to be the pastor of a church that knows this and lives it.