Kimberly and I just finished our video devotional for this week. After Sunday’s message on confession and the response I received, we felt led to expand the  thoughts from the message just a bit more. Confession can be one of those confusing spiritual disciplines. Some people associate it with guilt and shame. Others have a view of confession as the way to gain God’s approval. And still others see it as something that they need to do to earn God’s forgiveness.

This is why it is so good to have a clear view of confession. Here’s my definition: Confession is agreeing with God about what He says about me (primarily through His Word) based upon His character and righteousness. He is the One who determines my need for confession. At the same time, He is the One who meets me right where I am in that moment of decision with His mercy, grace, and forgiveness.

Confession is not meant to make us feel bad. On the contrary, it’s meant to help us feel good. As James Brown used to sing, “I feel good.” That’s what confession does for us. At the same time, though, it’s sobering when we realize how far from God we’ve actually moved. This is why confession is a discipline we will want to regularly practice.

We can do that through our 2020 Church Prayer. Every Thursday we take time to focus on asking Him to forgive our sins as we have forgiven the sins of others. It’s at that moment when we say, “Forgive us our sins,” that we can stop and confess them. I was told one time that since we commit our sins one at a time, it’s good for us to confess our sins one at a time. Once again, it’s not to make us feel bad or guilty or stuck in shame. Instead, the process is designed to make us feel free and clean and joyful. If you missed Sunday’s service, please make time to give it a look this week. If you were there or watched online, you might want to give it another viewing because there may be more that God wants to free you from.

Thank you to those who supported our Drive-Thru Food Drive last Friday. We’ve typically been filling around 42 banana boxes, but this week, we filled 73!!! I am so amazed at your continued generosity. If you want, you don’t have to wait for a food drive. You can stop by Interfaith Food Ministry and donate your non-perishable food items there. Our next Drive-Thru Food Drive is Friday, September 25, from 8:00 to 10:30am.

Kimberly and I had a blast Sunday evening with the kids and parents who came to their Block Party and Back to School Jam. I want to give a big shout out to the staff, volunteers, and parents who helped make this so fun and inspiring as they focused on friendship.

Parents, we continue to look for the opening for us to be able to offer opportunities for your children to engage spiritually with us. We’re going to try to move toward having a kid’s worship experience beginning September 13. Our plan (of course we’re ready to pivot if necessary) is to offer an option for families of preschool and grade school kids at 9:00 and 11:00am. Each gathering will be limited to 14 kids, so registration is a must. 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 10. Last week we ended chapter 9 with God’s people making a commitment to live for Him. On Sunday, we’ll take a look at the elements of that commitment and how God wants us to be like them.

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. 

During this season 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,