I don't own a cell phone or a pager. I just hang around everyone I know, all the time. If someone wants to get a hold of me, they just say 'Mitch,' and I say 'what?' and turn my head slightly.
- Mitch Hedberg

That quote has nothing to do with my blog but I just thought it was pretty cool. Maybe a tad bit extreme but I like his point.

Ok, on to the part where God rocked my world in Exodus this morning....

This whole book is full of excitement. A plague of frogs, blood, gnats, flies, boils, hail, locusts, etc. You name it, God dealt it to the Egyptians. The cool part is that he hardened the heart of Pharaoh so that he still would not let the Israelites leave Egypt, which meant more terrible plagues, which meant more chances for God to show his awesome power! Eventually Pharaoh gives in after all of Egypt's firstborn children are killed. God continues to make Pharaoh stubborn and he and the Egyptians chase after the Israelites. God parts the Red Sea for the Israelites and drowns the Egyptians as the attempt to follow. I mean can you imagine this as a Hollywood hit? Anyways, Moses can finally sit back and relax right? He has done God's work, he has completed the mission, he has conquered Pharaoh and the Egyptians. WRONG! Well, he did do all that but he definitely was not allowed to relax. His own people, who were slaves for all their lives and finally free, COMPLAINED from the moment they were free. Heck, Moses was afraid his own people were going to stone him because they did not have food or drink.

Moses would wake up every morning and listened to the complaints of his people and take them to the Lord, which of course He had an answer for each time. The only person that Moses had helping him throughout the exodus from Egypt was his brother Aaron. Aaron was the one that actually spoke to Pharaoh while Moses performed the miracles that God empowered him to perform. So here we have two guys trying to control thousands of unhappy Israelites. In comes Jethro, Moses's father-in-law. Jethro gives Moses some advice. He tells Moses that he is going to wear himself out trying to carry this burden on his shoulders alone. He advises him to continue representing his people before God and to tell them His decisions but to find a group of honest men who fear God and let them control the smaller issues. Moses tells them how to conduct their lives while these men get more specific with individuals. Sound a bit familiar?

It would if you attended Newspring Church! I am constantly impressed with how this church runs. They don't seem to miss a beat...EVER. Perry is the best speaker and leader that I know, but he doesn't do it on his own. If he tried, Newspring wouldn't be one of the fastest growing churches in the US. It would be just another church that didn't make it. I haven't personally witnessed the preparation for every Sunday, but I have heard Perry talk about it. Anyone who regularly attends Newspring has. There are a group of honest people who fear the Lord that all come together to serve this church. They honor the vision of their leader and listen to what he has heard from God, and they put it all together into a sermon that the people can understand. A pastor doesn't need to be the one to visit members in the hospital, conduct weddings and funerals, and do all the baptisms. He needs to be the person that focuses on hearing from God and translating it into something the people can use to conduct their lives! If you don't believe me read Exodus 18:17-23.