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Thoughts from Sunday - 11/29/09

• I felt a little wiped out heading into the services after a great Thanksgiving weekend.  But after worshipping and connecting with so many of you I truly felt energized.  I LOVE being a part of the NLCC family!

• Thanks to Eli for his flexibility and "spur of the moment" grace as I just felt God wanted us to do "Amazing Love" again.  It's such a perfect picture of what we've been learning in this "The Real Deal" series.  

• All of our love, and even the ABILITY to love, flows from the fact that He loved us first!

• You can't believe the amount of shoes we've collected for Soles4Souls.  It is absolutely ridiculous!  Thanks NLCC for loving enough to give!

• I met a bunch of new people in the Intersection Cafe' between services.  What a great place to hang out, have some coffee, and make a connection.  Thanks Cafe' team for ALL your work in making such a welcoming place.

• Saw some Pastor friends here yesterday (they had the weekend off at their church).  The body of Christ is SO much bigger, diverse, unique, and special than I can ever wrap my head around.  We've got some great churches in this community and I'm honored to be on the same team with them.

• Thank you, thank you, to all the volunteers who serve and give each week to make ministry here happen.  I know other churches and pastors think they have the best volunteers and staff, but I know better.  The best of the best is right here at NLCC.  Thanks guys for giving 110% every single time!

• You do NOT want to miss this next Sunday as we kick off the Christmas season.  Our creative team is working overtime to really bring Christmas home.  Invite your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to come experience Jesus this season.

Stolen car…AGAIN!

Wednesday evening Hannah calls me and tells me that her car is gone…again!  Didn't we just go through this about a year ago?  Hannah's frustrated because her college textbooks are in the car, which I believe are worth
 more than the value of the entire car!  I'm still trying to figure out the allure of a '93 Saturn 4-door.

I call Turlock P.D. and file a report.  45 MINUTES LATER, they call me and tell me they've recovered the car!  Turlock Police Department are the BEST.  We get the car back, the books back, and they didn't trash anything (whew).  

When we pick up the car, the officer says, "I see you have The Club.  It doesn't do you any good leaving it on the floorboard of the car unless you want to BEAT somebody with it.  Next time…"  Hannah breaks in with a "I know, I know."  Funny how you know those things AFTER the fact.

Thank You Veterans.

Thank you to all who have served and currently serve in our military.  Your sacrifice and service secures the freedoms that we all enjoy.  I honor you and pray for you on this Veteran's Day.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 (NLT)

Thoughts from Sunday

I don't know what it was, but there was such an incredible sense of joy in our services Sunday.  It was powerful, and moving, and fun, and it connected us together.  It's why I love coming together so much.  It's why I love Jesus so much.  It's why I love New Life so much.

• I LOVED the worship bands take on this song, "I need a Savior" by Among the Thirsty.  You can click the link for a "youtube.com" version (not our band).

• We really messed up during the first service.  Somehow we got going and completely missed a time to pray and honor our veterans.  We did it in the other services but completely missed it in the first service.  My apologies to all of you who were there.  We admire and honor all who have served and are serving to secure our freedom.

• We were PACKED OUT during the 2nd service, standing room only in the back.  As exciting as that seems, I know it means a less than optimal experience for those who can't find a place to sit.  Some of our welcome team told me that a few people left because there just was no room.  While our First and Third services have good crowds, they aren't near to capacity yet (but getting there).  If you're a regular 2nd Service attender, I want to challenge you to make the move to First or Third and make room for new people that are coming to NLCC.  

• I loved being a part of seeing 15 families dedicate their children to the Lord.  Those are powerful moments for a family.  Keep praying for them as they love and raise their kids.

• There were 12 people that stepped across the line of faith and committed their lives to Jesus.  That NEVER gets old!

• It was fun to celebrate Pastor Jon's 40th birthday with everyone.  We capped it off with a staff BBQ and dessert for Jon on Tuesday.  We also managed to surprise him by emptying 10 cans of silly string all over him as we finished singing Happy Birthday.  I know he REALLY enjoyed it ;)  You can see the picture on Facebook here.