I’ve told you for quite a while now that I am a “recovering Eeyore.” Part of that is a strength since I have the ability to notice problems and difficulties often before anyone else. Another part is a weakness in that I can sometimes get stuck in a sort of “Oh no, Oh me, Oh my" mindset. Our latest electricity shutoff has been another chance for me to make a choice. Am I going to groan (and stay stuck) today, or am I going to grieve (move forward) today?

Let me explain. I was with a couple of friends last weekend, and they brought up the difference between complaining and lamenting. They shared how easy it is to become stuck in a mindset of complaining. They commented on how some people see nothing but BAD in this season of disruption which seems to cause them to become complainers and victims. They helped me consider how counter-productive it is to have a complainer mindset.

They shared the idea of choosing the mindset of lament instead of complaint. It may help here for me to define the two words. To complain means to express feelings of pain, dissatisfaction, or resentment. To lament, on the other hand, means to express grief, suffering, or sadness. Do you see the difference?

Complainers believe that if they make enough noise that someone (God or someone else in power) will notice them and fix the circumstances that create such an inconvenience. Lamenters believe that if they let God know their deep sadness or grief that someone (God or someone who cares) will notice them and offer to help them carry their burden.

As I look at our world right now, I’m seeing lots of complainers, and I’m calling myself out here, who want someone to come in on a white horse and save the day and relieve their angst. Instead, what I believe is that we need people who will be lamenters – people who cry out to God about the grief, sadness, or suffering they see. Folks, only God can comfort the hurting in our world, and He’s called us to be His ambassadors. He wants us to be people who express empathy and sadness, people who seek to understand before being understood, people who want to help more than want to receive help, people who want to listen before being heard. Imagine how that would change the tone of our conversations.

My friends gave me a great gift by helping me take my eyes off things that inconvenience me or bring me angst. They helped me put my eyes on God and by faith talk to Him about the things that make me sad. Here’s to becoming a better lamenter than complainer because that can truly make a difference in us and the people to whom we get to be an ambassador of Christ.

John Fairchild, Mare Dibert, and the Fall Family Festival Team have come up with a creative approach to FFF this year. We’re going to offer our community a drive-thru extravaganza complete with crafts, food, music, surprises and of course CANDY! As you can imagine this is taking a huge amount of planning and preparation in order to help everyone have a great family experience that is safe and sound for all. You’ll hear more about this really soon. You can begin helping today by making your candy purchases and dropping it by the church or ordering online from your favorite retail store and having it sent directly to our church office.

Parents, we are eager to offer your children an opportunity to engage spiritually here at church. Starting this Sunday, September 13, we’re going to offer a kid’s worship experience at 9:00 and 11:00am. Each gathering (one for pre-school – 3 year – kindergarten – and one for grade school 1^st – 5^th) will be limited to 14 kids, so registration is a must. Find out room location and registration protocol on our website. I appreciate Bobby and his team for doing the diligent work to make sure we have a safe environment for all.

On Sunday we’ll continue our RISE UP series by looking at Nehemiah 11-12. Nehemiah and the people of God have completed the wall and now they get to have a time of joyous celebration as they dedicate the wall and themselves to God for His glory.

During this time when it’s impossible for us all to be on campus together, please make sure to stay engaged online if you can’t be here with us either outside or inside. Our services will continue to be streamed live at 9:00 and 11:00am, or you can watch them on demand any time you want right from our website or APP. Here’s an idea: When you’re watching online, please invite your friends to join you. If you haven’t downloaded the TCC APP, just go to the APP store and search for TCC GRASS VALLEY and download it today.

Our outdoor venue is for people who want to be able to sing and sit outside during the service. We have tents and fans outside. Each week we’ll continue to adapt and flex as we expand that opportunity at both 9:00 and 11:00am. We are a church of people  who gather together both online and onsite, indoors or outdoors to offer our worship to God.

Joyfully living everyday life on mission in intimacy with Jesus and others,