Keep Learning..SERIOUSLY!

I turn 55 later this month. I know…OLD! With all those years under my belt, I know this for sure: I STILL HAVE A LOT TO LEARN!

I spent Monday and Tuesday this week with a small group of church leaders learning and growing together. This group, and ones similar, have been so important to me throughout the years.

This week I was able to visit People’s Church in Oklahoma City. It was cold!! (Not the church, but the weather.) It was a great experience. Pastor Herbert Cooper and their executive staff were great hosts. They were quite open and vulnerable about what they’ve learned during their journey of building a great church. Our group discussions took the “information” to another level as we all shared from the context of our situations.

With Easter right around the corner and our new Children’s Building on the way this Fall, I felt these two days were great for me to process all we’re trying to do and the best ways to get there.

Wherever you’re at and whatever you’re trying to accomplish: NEVER STOP LEARNING.

But please, let that learning, that wisdom, that education begin with the One who knows best!

“Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.” (Proverbs 1:7 MSG)

And… HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!

Help for the Hurting

“I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power. Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving.” (Psalm 69:29-30 NLT)

We launched our “Where’s God?” series this weekend at Community. After each service I was struck by the number of conversations I had with people who are hurting right now.

The pain is real. A marriage on the rocks, a murdered child, cancer at war with another victim, and much more. The pain is significant.

In the midst of each conversation there is hope. Hope, not from any words I could give, but hope from the ONE who is very much with them in this difficult time.

One person even said, “I have days when I’m not sure God is even there, but then I come here and I’m reminded that He is real…and that He is with me.”

Whatever your pain and the fear associated with it, keep these words in mind:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. …  For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:10 & 13 NIV)

The “Sunset Series” is here!

I told you a couple of weeks ago that I was working on some greeting cards. Well, they’re here!

If you missed the announcement, all of the profits from the sale of these cards will go towards our Children’s Building. Each pack of cards contains 12 cards (three of each of the four images).

They are blank inside so you can use them for encouragement, sympathy, birthdays or whatever you’d like.

They will be available during the week at the church or preschool offices. Here is the pricing: 1 pack of a dozen=$12, 2 packs of a dozen=$22, 3 packs of a dozen=$30.

Thank you ahead of time for your support of this idea and the future support of our ministry to the families of this Valley of ours!

“God made the heavens— Royal splendor radiates from him, A powerful beauty sets him apart.” (Psalm 96:6 MSG)

Foundational Priority

While they frame and prepare to pour the foundation for our new Children’s Building, I’ve been thinking about foundation of our lives, relationships and families. Our culture offers all kinds of options when it comes to the way we build our lives and what we build them on.

However, Jesus made it clear that obeying His teaching is the only way to build a foundation that will last.

“‘But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”
When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard.” (Matthew 5:26-29 MSG)

I didn’t mind getting wet…AT ALL!

This weekend we had 3 more baptisms. Each one is special. Each one unique and powerful with their own redemptive story. What made this weekend special for me was that one of those baptized was a good friend that I’ve been praying for these past 6 years.

Mike Emerson, and his family, moved onto our street early in 2012. Mike quickly became a good friend and a few years back was the main influence in my taking up mountain biking. We have had a lot of fun together!

Mike and Zabrina have been a part of our LifeGroup for the last several years as well. Here’s part of what Zabrina sent to our LifeGroup Sunday after Mike’s baptism. With her permission, I share it with all of you so that you might get a sense of the power of the relationships built in a LifeGroup.

“I just wanted to say ‘Thank you’ from the bottom of my heart for all the love and support ALL of you have and continue to show Mike and I. … I never understood “LifeGroup” until we were in one. The friendships you create are so amazing and priceless that until you are in a group you can hardly understand it.”

When Mike hugged me after he was all wet, I was just as excited as he was! Dripping wet I was grateful for my friend…and new brother in Christ!

Do you have a friend or family member you’ve been praying for? DO NOT GIVE UP!!!

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NLT)