This is a reminder that on July 25, Larry Cotton sent you an invitation to become part of his or her professional network at LinkedIn.

Follow this link to accept Larry Cotton's invitation.

https://www.linkedin.com/e/-gkhb0b-gqtbewjq-4y/doi/3638166827/7-ns-Dhz/gir_875581349_1/EML-inv_17_rem/

Signing up is free and takes less than a minute.

On July 25, Larry Cotton wrote:

> To: [post.gotritown.blog@squarespace.com] > From: Larry Cotton [larry@greenhouseprojects.org] > Subject: Invitation to connect on LinkedIn > > I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. > > - Larry

The only way to get access to Larry Cotton's professional network on LinkedIn is through the following link:

https://www.linkedin.com/e/-gkhb0b-gqtbewjq-4y/doi/3638166827/7-ns-Dhz/gir_875581349_1/EML-inv_17_rem/

You can remove yourself from Larry Cotton's network at any time.

--------------

-- (c) 2011, LinkedIn Corporation

This is a reminder that on July 25, Larry Cotton sent you an invitation to become part of his or her professional network at LinkedIn.

Follow this link to accept Larry Cotton's invitation.

https://www.linkedin.com/e/-gkhb0b-gqknhjjl-68/doi/3638166827/7-ns-Dhz/gir_875581349_0/EML-inv_17_rem/

Signing up is free and takes less than a minute.

On July 25, Larry Cotton wrote:

> To: [post.gotritown.blog@squarespace.com] > From: Larry Cotton [larry@greenhouseprojects.org] > Subject: Invitation to connect on LinkedIn > > I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. > > - Larry

The only way to get access to Larry Cotton's professional network on LinkedIn is through the following link:

https://www.linkedin.com/e/-gkhb0b-gqknhjjl-68/doi/3638166827/7-ns-Dhz/gir_875581349_0/EML-inv_17_rem/

You can remove yourself from Larry Cotton's network at any time.

--------------

-- (c) 2011, LinkedIn Corporation

I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.

- Larry

Larry Cotton Teaching, Leadership, Consulting at GreenHouse Church Projects Austin, Texas Area

Confirm that you know Larry Cotton https://www.linkedin.com/e/-gkhb0b-gqit2e3u-4e/isd/3638166827/7-ns-Dhz/

-- (c) 2011, LinkedIn Corporation

You see in Matthew 9:35 Jesus says, "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"

With the vast problems of illiteracy, injustice, poverty and disease in every city and nation of the world, the work far surpasses the number of workers.  This prompts feelings of hopelessness and questions like...  

"Is it really possible for every man, woman and child in a city to hear and see the Gospel lived out?" 

"How can more Gospel centered workers be trained and sent?"

First Jesus says to pray.  This means it is ultimately God's job to send enough workers into his own harvest. We can trust God to raise up people to work... to go... to make disciples.  We are instructed to simply ask God to send them!  

Will you take the 9:35 challenge?  Set your phone or watch to buzz, ding, or bark... whatever it takes to remind you to pray.  "God, send out workers into your great harvest."

Leadership GreenHouse is all about seeing workers raised up and sent out.  I will be explaining more in the blogs to come... 

A disciple is: a learner, a follower and a reproducer.  Most "church guys" have done well with the learner part... then they may make a passing grade on being a follower... but the reproducer part... oh well... not so great!

The action point for most men is to just take the knowledge you currently have... take the relationship you currently experience with Christ... and pray for God to show you one other man to disciple.  Ask that guy to meet you for coffee and begin to read through the Bible... or study a book together.  Get to know them, hang out with their family and friends... just build a friendship.  This NOT rocket science... just become friends and do life together.

Give these thoughts some time to percolate... pray about it and jump out there... Jesus never instructed us to do anything that He will not empower us to do.

Let me know if I can pray for you or if you have any questions... I'd love to know who is taking this step of action.

We celebrated Easter and invited friends to join us at the Erwin Center in Austin.  The Austin Stone Community Church hosted the service.  This idea of using the UT basketball stadium for an Easter celebration was a dream of Rick Barnes, UT's coach (and a fellow North Carolinian, I might add).  Matt Carter, pastor of The Austin Stone, invited Coach Barnes to open the service with prayer.  

Over 12,000 people gathered to worship and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.  This will be a milestone in the work of God in the city of Austin.  We were especially thankful to participate.

For the past two weeks, men have gathered at this local restaurant to discuss their faith journeys.  It is our hope to expand these lunch groups to other parts of Austin.

Click here to see or download the 99 Wondering Questions.

Please know how much we appreciate your prayers, encouragement and support for the work here in Austin!!! Thank you.

>> Here are some specific prayer requests.

Dude Perfect the Game!!

http://www.facebook.com/DudePerfectGame 

 ¹²"If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
    for the world and its fullness are mine.
¹³Do I eat the flesh of bulls
   or drink the blood of goats?
¹⁴ Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
   and perform your vows to the Most High,
¹⁵and call upon me in the day of trouble;
   I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."

I needed this perspective adjustment.  Too often I slip into the notion that I am serving God and "helping Him out."  My work and my efforts become my focus.  

However, God does not depend on my sacrifice or surrender.  My work does not meet His needs (hunger and thirst).  In fact, all creation belongs to Him and follows His direction perfectly.

Instead, my reflection on Him, my thankful expression of His work in and around me is what pleases Him.  My obedience to follow His direction, just like the creation pleases Him.  My quickness to call on Him when I'm troubled pleases Him.  And when He delivers... when He rescues... when He acts, then He receives the glory.