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Thoughts from Sunday

• The three services are going really well, even though by the afternoon I definitely need a nap.  I love seeing people connect and grow, and that 11:30 crowd -- they LOVE the later service.  I've had more comments from that crowd than from any other about how they love having a relaxing Sunday morning and then heading off to church.

• If you've been finding the 2nd service still a little too crowded -- sleep in, have a nice breakfast, read the paper, and then join the crowd at the 11:30 service.  It makes for a great day.

• Parking is still pretty crazy and people are parking over at Pedretti Park and walking in.  Don't forget that there is a lot of overflow parking out behind the church on the grass.  That's where I park every week and it's a pretty easy in and out.  Try it!

• Thanks to Jim Hampton for the shovel.  My hope and prayer is that we'd all start using THE SHOVEL.  If that doesn't make any sense, listen to yesterday's (1/18/09)  message.

• Gena and I both talked to a number of people yesterday, and God is doing some deep, transforming work in them.  Some of them have faced (and are currently facing) some difficult situations, but God is giving them strength and hope and life.  You might be hearing some of these stories soon.

• Lori Dougherty and Ben Lindskoog did a GREAT job leading us in worship yesterday.  Their hearts of worship yesterday was infectious.

• THANKS AGAIN to Frank Grubbs for sharing with us about World Vision and how making a difference in even ONE child changes the world.  Frank was amazed yesterday that 41 kids were sponsored during the three services.  Thank you NLCC for being willing to invest in life change!

• All of our kids ended up heading off to different sleepovers last night, so Gena and I were able to have a mini date night and went out to dinner and a little shopping.  What a treat!  I have such a great wife that I get to spend my life with!!

Happy 2009!

2008 has been a great year, and I'm looking forward to an even better year in 2009.  God has truly blessed our family and I'm so grateful for His direction, provision, and care.  We have faced some unique challenges and also taken some brand new steps this year, but through it all the Lord has had His hand on us.

I hope and pray for each of us, that this New Year will be a time when we live out this "crazy love" for our Heavenly Father in bold new ways.

P.S.  If you notice on the left hand side, I finished one of my goals for 2008.  I completed reading 53 books this year, averaging out to 1 per week.  It ACTUALLY was more like 1 book in 3 weeks, and then 3 in 1 week!  Sometimes I felt that goal hanging over my head and other times it just flowed…kind of like most other things in life.  I think I'm going to ratchet that goal down to 36 books this year.

This is getting out of hand…

On Christmas Eve, my son Peter and I had dropped by RiteAid to pick up a couple of things.  NO, we weren't Christmas shopping, I was done WAY before that.  But while I was standing in line, Peter tugged my arm and said, "Dad, look at that."  It was a display in the aisle for Cadbury chocolate Easter Eggs and Reese's peanut butter Easter eggs.  These were NOT left over from last year.  These were the new displays for Easter candy and supplies, BEING PUT OUT ON CHRISTMAS EVE!

I think this is getting out of hand.