I want to thank all of you here at South Cobb for the wonderful ways you have been supporting the many works that have been taking place this summer at South Cobb. Bible camp was (as always) a success because of your monetary and spiritual support, with many children coming to camp because of your generosity. Further, many of you have been working on Vacation Bible School as never before – getting things ready for what promises to be one of the best Vacation Bible Schools we have had at South Cobb in a long time. For every one of you that are participating and helping by painting or other things, we say thanks!

The church functions best when all of its members are active and working for the cause of Christ. Whether it comes by serving the Lord in a public way, or by working “behind the scenes,” we know that when each member of the body does their part, the body will grow (Ephesians 4:13-16). The key is getting all of the members to find a place where they can be used and will be used. Are you actively helping the body of Christ? Are you finding your niche and helping in the way that you can?

Some of you may have noticed over the last few weeks that some of the elders and deacons are gathering together in one of the front classrooms every Sunday morning before services. More than ever the leaders of this congregation have come to the conclusion that we need God’s help in all that we do, and every morning before services start the leaders are gathering together for prayer. We want to encourage all of our leaders to be here at 9:30 to ask God’s help for our worship to him. If you have any prayer requests for this time of prayer, please let us know.

This year we have been trying to emphasize the importance of spiritual growth in all of the members of the body of Christ. We have tried to stress that spiritual growth is important, for if you do not grow, you die. We have tried to stress ways to grow spiritually – by feasting DAILY on the word of God and maintaining a relationship with God and Christ through prayer. We also know that growth comes by being tested and tempted, and coming through the trial and temptation victorious (1 Peter 1:7). At the same time, spiritual growth often happens when we faithfully do what God has called us to do in the gospels.

Recently, due to the generosity of Barry and Tina Broadway, I was able to plant a garden again. In my community there is a homeowners association that tells you what you can and can’t do on your property, with the idea that everyone will not do anything to destroy their property and thus keep the homes values up. I haven’t been able to have a garden because of that, and I have missed it. When Barry and Tina allowed me to use their spot this year, I jumped at the chance. Every week I spend some time in the garden. I weed it, water it, fertilize it, and do everything necessary to have the garden (and Barry and Tina have helped out when I couldn’t be there). I have watched the plants grow and spread all over the garden. Now, slowly, it is producing the fruits that I had hoped. It took time. The plants had to have time to grow. There were three to four weeks when nothing seemed to happen except that the plants grew bigger and bigger. Now, even some of you have enjoyed the fruits of our labors.

My point in all of this is to say that spiritual growth happens the same way. At first, we may not be producing many fruits, if any at all. But that doesn’t mean we are not growing. The word may be taking some time to produce the fruit in us. God knows each one of us, and knows what we need when we need it. He will fertilize us and “prune us” (John 15:2) to help us grow and be useful and fruitful for His glory. We need to be patient with God, with ourselves, and with one another in the body of Christ to grow. I commend those of you that are making the effort to grow and be used by God. We need you, and you need to be used, and be fruitful for Him.

Thank you again for all you do and may God continue to bless us as we grow in Him!
Tommy