GOD Himself teaches us that the role of spiritual leaders is to “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God…” (Ephesians 4).

As we labor together, siblings in the body of Jesus Christ, are we being equipped?  Are we equipping each other?  How do we do this but by modeling loving lifestyles as individuals and communities.

When I lead my family to move up to Tuolumne County, I believe I had predominately good motives and God-honoring hopes.  Yet, along with my business, I have repeatedly sown to an unhealthy model of leadership that I’m learning by degrees about day-by-day.  I’m also learning by degrees about Jesus and how He leads us.  I’m learning from examples both living and with the Lord IN-PERSON NOW IN HEAVEN!  I can simply say that I’m slowed and quieted more often lately.  I told our Friday morning gathering of young believers in Christ yesterday that I’m in awe of the godly lives around me up here in Tuolumne County.  I’ve come to admire both leaders and local church body members as well as some wild wondering believers ; ^ ).  In fact, I’ve been a bit of a wild wanderer in some ways since I believe God cut the plan for planting a church up here any time soon.  My wife and I didn’t commit to membership at Chapel in the Pines, not because of having any major concerns but because I had been leading initially toward us planting a church.  Chapel was so welcoming and encouraging and even included me in some of the equipping of the body here and there.

Through all of what this year has entailed, we have learned to slow our pace and focus on people and genuine care for one another amongst God’s people as well as genuine engagement with the people God has placed in our lives.  As we enjoy this labor and work of a local life of ministry as some of God’s kids, we hope to model this life along with other believers for the lost to encounter.  We hope to learn by doing and continue to befriend and encourage believers of all shapes and sizes.  We’re leaning toward moving back to Merced for the time being to simplify our life as a family.  We want to spend more time with one another and our son and doing life together, encouraging others together, and laboring in a less-fragmented way to live out God’s call on our lives to love one another amongst believers and love the lost with the hope of Jesus Christ.

This is more of a developing Moe story blog post, but I trust that is fine.  We love and admire so many and are enjoying watching God at work in both Tuolumne and Merced counties through the body of God’s people.  May Jesus Christ be the One we are seeking to know above all, and may His people be undone and then composed by the love of Jesus as shown to us on the cross!

We admire You, LORD, above all.