Ode to Albert Pujols

This is my poem written to the greatest baseball player of all time. I like it, even if none of you do.

Albert, Albert, burning bright,
In the infield, in the night,
What sportswriter, near or far
Could guess thy fearful UZR?

And what feeble outfield mitt
Could catch the quickness of thy hit?
In what manner could he try
To stop your smooth walk-off Big Fly?

And what stat won’t see your skill,
Making you seem over the hill?
Slugging, average, OPS?
Your results are always ridiculous!

Why the sore elbow? Can surgery wait?
In the midst of a season, is it fate?
With hairline receding, why no glee,
With thy above-par goatee?

When next season comes your way
When the Cards prepare to play
What are the heights of your success?
Is it possible to even guess?

Albert, Albert, burning bright
In the infield, in the night,
What sportswriter, near or far
Could guess they fearful UZR?

Zachary Pittman: In His Own Words.

Recently I was watching a cable news channel and a commercial ran for a show called, "Barack Obama: In His Own Words." It was a recap of the presidential campaign and his first year in office to see if he has followed through on what he had promised. As I watched this commercial, I had a variety of thoughts. First, I thought that show should be used for all politicians! How long do you think the average person in office would stay in power if they had shows like that one run about their careers every year?

Then I wondered what would happen if someone made a show like that about my life. How would my actions measure up to my words? That is when I got a little nervous. I realized it is much easier to see the hypocrisy in others than in your own life. Our ability to be self aware is the driving force of integrity. If we aren't willing to own up to our short comings, we won't ever experience the type of growth necessary to become the type of people God uses to change the world.

You may not ever have a nationally televised show dedicated to checking to see if your actions match up to your words, but you can live a life of honor and integrity by matching your deeds to your words.

Our Homes of Honor series is meant to help us do just that. I think everyone wants to be able to say their home reflects their belief in God. This series will equip you with the knowledge to build a home that brings honor to God. I hope you can be there. Class starts on Wednesday night here at the church at 7 pm. I hope to see you there!

The Colt's Night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the city,
Not a Colt fan was a stirring, it was such a pity
The playoffs were set, with a bye all secure,
Yet the Indy fans felt 16-0's great allure

The DEs were resting, with Peyton on the sidelines
While visions of a 4th MVP just wouldn't fit my rhyme.
The kids in their jerseys and I in my cap
Watched Curtis Painter on the field, taking a crap

Up on the scoreboard, our hopes took a batter
As the 3rd string left Painter in the pocket, to splatter
Away from the game, I clicked like a flash
As my post holiday cheer started to crash

A pall set in on the crest fallen crowd,
As defeat covered the Luke like a burial shroud
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
Santa Jim Caldwell yelling for all to hear!

"On Peyton, on Reggie, on Saturday and Joe!
Off Painter, off Baskett, off, Simpson and Ugoh!"
As dry leaves that before the hurricane must fly,
When met with a deficit, mount to the sky!

Up over the Jet’s defense, the passes they flew
And instead of trailing by 9, it was cut to just two!
Then Freeney arrived with with a bone jarring crack
And left poor young Sanchez, stripped with a sack.

Brackett tumbled toward the ball without tarry,
and scooped it up quick, like a yummy Christmas cherry.
He had a broad face, and a little round belly,
and rumbled for 15 yards like bat out of helly.

The crowd spoke not a word as the offense went to work,
To leave the Jet’s coach crying, that loud mouthed jerk.
As Peyton fit in one more pass to Garcon right on the nose,
Everyone's undefeated hopes at once all arose

He found Clark at the twenty on a pretty slant route
And turned to the ref to burn the last Indy timeout
Stover's kick split the uprights and passed from our sight
It's the 16-0 dream I keeping having, night after night.

How Quickly Things Change

Am I the only one that thinks this Christmas season is flying by? By the time you read this, Christmas will likely be only 2 weeks away. The home stretch of 2009 is here and it seems like I was trying to get a tan (and failing) and scheduling tee times a couple days ago. Of course, in Indiana that is closer to the truth than not, isn't it?

Things change so quickly. The transition from shorts to pants in our city can happen in an afternoon, and if you don't make it your life could be in danger with -15 degree windchill at night! Our lives can change just as suddenly, for better or for worse.

A lot of you have asked me about this Tiger Woods drama that has been going on since many of you know I have been a golfer for quite some time and was a big fan of his. I don't want to add the the contrived outrage coming from many in our society, but I do think there is one important lesson we can learn from Tiger's very public mistake. In some respects, watching what has happened to Tiger recently is enough to send a person into a depression.

I mean, if this guy can't be happy, then who can? Tiger Woods hit every single marker the world sets for happiness and fulfillment. He is the best in the world at what he does, probably the best ever, he is rich beyond belief, he is married and has a beautiful family. To all outside observers, his life was perfect and fulfilled. We now know it wasn't. He was searching for something in his life that his fame and money could not provide, and could never provide.

So when are you going to give up the idea that the things of this world will make you happy? You may end up very successful someday, but I doubt you will bank as much as Tiger has and will. Sorry to disappoint! Success doesn't satisfy. Maybe there is more to fulfillment than what the world tells us. Maybe it is time for you to stop settling for a life of success and move to finding a life of significance. This comes from giving your life away to a cause greater than yourself, and there is no higher calling than the family of God, the church. Service results in significance. This Christmas, if your holiday bonus (or lack of one, in this economy) affects your happiness more than your loved ones or your purpose in life, it's time to reset your priorities.

Live a life of significance today. Because things change so quickly.

Healing Through Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the only way to healing.

Think about it. We live in an imperfect world with imperfect people. All of our relationships are broken because of it. This brokenness makes forgiveness an essential part of our lives. We must learn to forgive because we don't love perfectly! I will both cause hurt and be hurt in life; it is undeniable and inescapable. The way I can be heal and offer healing to others is by accepting and practicing forgiveness in my life.

Remember that God's path to healing travels through forgiveness. He paved a way for us to all be forgiven of everything we have ever done that was against his heart. This path cost him his son. That is the cost and high calling of forgiveness. When we forgive and release those that have hurt us, we become more like God in our character.

When we forgive we also release ourselves. We are released from the crippling effects of bitterness and resentment. Sometimes we think holding onto these feelings is a means of revenge on those that have hurt us, but don't be fooled. You are only hurting yourself by clinging to anger. Forgiveness will break the hold those that have hurt you have on your life.

Forgiveness isn't about having conditions and setting goal posts for other people to meet before they are released. It is unconditional. Forgiveness also isn't rolling over in life and subjecting yourself to endless abuse and hurt. Sometimes you have to stand for what is right and that can mean moving away from a negative influence. Forgiveness is a balm for broken hearts. If you practice forgiveness, you will find that God will take the broken pieces of your life and replace them with his peace.

Let Go and Let God

I have to admit this is one of my least favorite popular sayings of Christians. Not because it isn't true, but because of how I perceive it is misused and misunderstood. Many times people will say this in a very passive sense, as if God controlling our lives means we no longer care about our actions or take responsibility for them.

Giving God control of our life does not mean that he does everything for us. It is not an abdication of responsibility. In fact, letting go may mean taking on a greater level of responsibility for work in his kingdom than you ever have before. The only way this wouldn't be true is if you were perfect and had nothing to work on in life. Since none of us fit that definition, God controlling our lives will always mean him calling us to a higher standard.

You may be afraid to let go of control in your life because you know God will ask you to do something you don't want to do. You may even know exactly what it is! Whether it's making a commitment, restoring a relationship, or taking a risk, letting go will mean that God asks you to do more for him, not less. The only question is one of courage and faith. Do I trust God enough to let him control my life and lead me where he wants to; regardless of what it may require of me?

Don't live a passive life. Let go and let God direct your life in the direction that leads to healing and happiness in life.

A New Community

Have you ever been on a flight with a first class section? I have several times, and without fail have felt the jealousy as I walk through this section on the front of the plane to the back with all the "commoners." The world of first class is a magical place, and of course if you aren't first class then by definition you are second class at best. The airlines don't call it that of course, but if you have flown coach then you understand the difference between the two sections.

In first class you can get food that actually tastes like food; in coach you are lucky to get peanuts from the 1990s. In first class you get a roomy chair and a moist towel to refresh yourself; in coach you are crammed together and forced to sit in your own sweat. The greatest offense takes place before the flight though. The flight attendant will pull a curtain shut between the sections, blocking the view to first class. After all, you can't let the riff raff in coach see what is going on in luxury!

We hate it when it happens to us, but the truth is that we can put dividing walls between ourselves and others all the time. Our society is great at division, whether it is between races, men and women, or young and old. It should not be this way in the church! One of the purposes of Jesus' death and resurrection was to bring together all of the groups normally separated by culture and human nature. Paul says this in Ephesians 2:

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

Paul saw what Jesus accomplished on the cross and for him, that curtain was gone. No more is there separation between people; we have been united in Christ and we are a new community. That is why our love for one another is important. It reflects the amazing love Jesus had for us all. Our community is proof of our faith and a powerful witness to our world.

Pursue the purpose of community!

Giving it All

It can be easy to think that your participation isn't significant. Every one of us can be trapped from time to time by feelings of inferiority when we compare our abilities or resources to others. Our call to be generous is no different; we can feel hesitant to participate in this effort because of our own perceived insignificance.

Interestingly, Jesus isn't impressed by the amount that anyone gives. He is impressed by giving inspired by sacrificial love. A story in Luke 21:1-4 illustrates this beautifully. Jesus is at the temple and watches some very rich worshippers make their offerings, followed by a widow who is only able to give 2 tiny copper coins; equivalent to less than a penny. Jesus is so proud of this woman that he makes her an eternal example of what the spirit of generosity looks like:

"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:3-4

Jesus makes it clear that it isn't WHAT you give, it is HOW you give. Jesus is interested in our hearts. This woman showed her heart belonged to her Heavenly Father by faithfully giving all she had. So what is God calling you to give? If you know God is calling you to give up something and you can't obey, then you no longer own that object. It owns you! So many people end up letting their possessions posses them. Don't fall into that trap. Recognize that everything you have comes from God and then faithfully release everything into his hands to use as he sees fit.

Be generous this week, and make generosity a part of your character.

You Can't Walk on Water with Your Feet in the Boat

It is hard to break a reputation once you have earned it. One of the great examples of this in the scriptures is in the life of Peter, probably the most well known of the 12 disciples. Throughout the ministry of Jesus, Peter is the guy who is the first to act and the first to speak in many pivotal points. Sometimes this leads to him saying some pretty profound words. After all, Peter proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, the chosen one of God, before any other disciple. There are many touching moments when the tender heart of Peter is revealed in various situations.

However, Peter is a bit more known for his other side. He is the guy that runs his mouth first, usually saying something foolish. He makes promises he cannot keep, most notably his promise to never betray Jesus; just hours after that promise Peter managed to deny Jesus three times. Peter is also the guy who rushes into action without thinking things through; he is the man who cut off a person's ear when soldiers came to arrest Jesus. I get the feeling that would have been a bigger deal if Jesus didn't step in and heal the poor guy by reattaching the ear. He gets labeled as a coward for abandoning Jesus the night before the crucifixion, like all but one of the disciples.

Another time Peter seems to fail is in Matthew 14. One of the most famous scenes in the Bible takes place here when Jesus walks on water through rough seas to reach the boat his followers were on. Peter sees that the figure moving toward them was Jesus, and he asks Jesus to call him out onto the water. Jesus does, and Peter gets out of the boat and begins heading to him. The high seas become too much for Peter, and he begins to sink until Jesus rescues him. Peter is rebuked for his lack of faith, and all the disciples are amazed at what they saw. This event gets written down as yet another time when Peter failed to rise to the occasion.

Call me crazy, but I think Peter deserves some credit here. As people, we tend to focus on the failures of others and overlook their success. As far as I know, there have only been two people that walked on water. One of them was the Son of God. The other one was Peter. Isn't that pretty incredible? How many of us are on a list that short and in such good company? The other disciples all had the same opportunity Peter had; yet none of them were willing to risk that first step. How much courage did it take to leave the safety of your boat and set foot on those waves?

I think there is a lesson here for all of us. If you want to achieve something incredible in your life, you have to get out of the boat. I can promise you that the path God has created for you will not be found in the safe place you are accustomed to; it will be found in the swirling danger far from your comfort. If you allow your fear to lock you in place, the most you can ever be is an observer. Don't just be a spectator in life, participate! Take a risk, and step out of the boat and into the waters of faith.

The Art of Living

Life is art. The most beautiful canvas that has ever been used are the lives of people. The way we live is the artwork we are creating, our choices are the medium used to form this art.

The choices we make form qualities in our life that can make a beautiful picture or a marred image. Nobody's art is perfect; our mistakes and shortcomings serve to distort the picture. No matter what imperfections are a part of your painting, know that Jesus came to cleanse the impurities and give us all a clean slate. We can learn to create a true masterpiece by incorporating qualities in our life that are noble and honorable.

Join us this Sunday as we learn together how to master the art of living by living a life of courage.

Stepping into the River

There is a constant battle raging in our world today. Some may think this battle is only between good and evil, but I am not certain that is the case. The primary battle in the world is between fear and faith. If you think about your life, most of the decisions you make aren't between a horrific sin and a truly good act. If you are like me, your decisions are between what you know and what is uncertain, between what is comfortable and safe and what is outside your comfort zone and may cost you something.

The people of Israel faced a similar choice in Joshua 3 when they reached the bank of the Jordan River. The edge of that river represented the beginning of a new era in the history of Israel; it was the boundary of the land that God promised them many years ago. They had been here forty years before and had let their fear of the monstrous people within the land keep them from pursuing God's purpose for their nation. Now a new generation of Israelites had an opportunity to follow God boldly into the land and take possession of what they had been promised.

The problem was the river itself. It wasn't the typical calm, gentle current the Jordan usually followed; this was a raging river during the flood season. God provided a way across this river; he told the priests of Israel to take the ark of the covenant and walk right into the river. God promised that if they trusted him, he would make a way for the entire nation to cross the Jordan River safely.

Now the people of Israel had a choice to make. They could play it safe and stay on the other side of the Jordan, or they could take a step of courage and faith into the raging waters of the river. I think we all have similar decisions to make in our lives. We can play it safe on the edge of the river where life is calm and secure, or we can risk it all by stepping into the chaos of our world. The willingness to risk security and comfort is a must if you want to experience the best God has to offer you. God's best never comes easily! All too often we choose the easy path because of our fears.

Know this: whenever you play it safe you reinforce your fears! We spend so much time talking and arguing with ourselves and others about the proper path in life that we forget to actually do anything. Don't debate it. DO IT! Reject the natural impulse to always play it safe and instead choose to get your feet wet!

Learning to Let Go

Resentment can be a powerful enemy in your life. It is so easy to hold grudges and allow hurt to fester in your soul. The words and actions of other people have a far greater impact on our lives than we are willing to admit. It can be strangely satisfying to hold onto your anger or hurt toward another person instead of simply letting go of those emotions. It is almost like we believe that the way we feel inside can actually strike back at those who have hurt us.

Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. Job 5:2 (NIV)

In reality, the opposite is true. Resentment kills! I have found that the person that can make me angry controls me. The same is true in your life. The only way to find peace is through forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn't condone the behavior, or mean that you pretend that what happened to you was ok. It does mean that you are forfeit your right to be angry at others. Your forgiveness releases those that have hurt you from condemnation; and it releases your soul from damaging hurt. If you don't release the people that have hurt you, you will begin to resemble them.

Practice forgiveness this week. After all, Jesus has forgiven you!

Mastering the Mind

It can be very difficult to master our thoughts. There is very little accountability for what takes place in our brain, at least not until someone invents "thought billboards" conveniently showing our daydreams to the world. Certainly we would be more cautious about what passed through our minds if it was broadcast so clearly to the world!

Fortunately, that hasn't happened yet, and hopefully it never will. However, we are still given the responsibility to govern our thoughts and align them with God's principles. Fortunately, Paul gives us some insight into what God expects in our minds.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

God wants your thoughts to be focused on things that are true, right, and decent. Your mind isn't to be used as the storehouse for all of the hateful things you wish you could say but don't, nor is it to be used to conspire against others or to drool over the attractive person close to you. (Unless its your spouse....then by all means drool away!)

No, our thoughts are to be positive and pleasing to God. We shouldn't think about all of the negative potential of people and situations; that isn't helpful and it pollutes our minds. Instead of filling your mind with thoughts that are negative and unproductive, fill your mind with the goodness that comes from God. Pay careful attention the things you read, listen to, and watch on TV. These probably have a bigger impact on your thoughts than you realize.

Let your thoughts reflect the transformation in your heart and mind that only comes from God.

But God has given us his Spirit. That's why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think. 1 Corinthians 2:12

Your Identity Unlocks Freedom

Have you ever been discouraged when following God? Sometimes it can seem impossible to stay on the right path consistently. Life is too good at throwing obstacles in our path that bog us down and keep us from becoming the person we want to be.

God understands our struggle and he realizes how inconsistent we can be. Instead of simply condemning us and leaving us to fend for ourselves, he made a way for all of us to be given a new identity. Jesus lived so we can be fully alive in God. Too often we forget this identity and slide back into the old habits that defined our old selves.

That old identity is gone forever, replaced by the newness of God through Jesus. Don't live your life trying to earn what God offers to you freely. The secret is in simply accepting what Jesus did in your heart already. The more you realize who you are in Jesus, the more you will desire to act like one of his brothers or sisters. It won't be something you have to earn, it becomes an expression and realization of who you already are.

This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

One day God is going to write his law on our hearts and minds. Following him will just be.....natural. The way it was intended to be. Until then, we continue living our lives the best we can, making the most of the days we have been given, celebrating our identity. Never forget who you are. Don't let anyone tell you that you are less than what God describes you as being.

Live in freedom. Live for him.

Pastor Zac

If you can dream it, you can do it

That is the saying right?  I can't help but think this saying is wrong.  I mean, I have plenty of dreams that are outside my ability to do.

How about you?

Honestly, if you can achieve ALL of your dream, then you don't have a big enough imagination!

I think the opposite of that statement is truer.  It may be more negative, but it's also more profound.....if you don't dream it, then you won't do it.

Not everyone gets to be a star.  We don't all grow up to be President, even if you were told that you could be.  (This next election will be for the 44th US President....that's a VERY exclusive club!)  Just looking around will reveal to us that we all don't get a high profile.

But everyone has a part to play in making the world a bit better.  Everyday, thousands, millions, of people contribute in small ways that add up to a big difference.  Their dreams make the world better.  Are you dreaming?

If not, you won't see your world change.

Dare to dream.  And live Wide Awake.

Our Part and God's Part

We love to shift responsibility.  In fact, this is one of the key characteristics of our culture:  we want and desire to have authority shifted in our direction, but we don't want the responsibility that comes from having that authority.

We can even see this in our lives of faith.

We all trend toward a life of apathy or inaction.  What's worse is when we use biblical words to support unbiblical ideas.

Have you ever heard it from a friend who believes in God when asked about their role in the world?  "Oh, I'm not going to participate.  I'm just going to hope in the Lord!"  Have you ever said it?

How have we arrived at the place when our faith is used as an excuse for our inactivity?  Is there anything in us that knows faith, hope, and love are all activist ideals?  One cannot practice these principles and be dormant.  A life of faith is not static, it is active!  Hope isn't passive, it is passionate and bold!  Love certainly doesn't rest, it aggressively pursues.

Make no mistake about it:  God always does his part.  He always follows through and always comes through.

So if our lives are falling short of the dreams of our hearts, is it possible we need to play our part in the story?  Is there something we can all do to be a part of this narrative, the story of humanity?

Maybe we need to do our part.  Maybe God is waiting for us, drawing us, inviting us to be a part of the good in this world.

Will we have the courage to join?

Wide Awake

The average American sleeps 6.9 hours a night. Our average life expectancy is about 77 years. This means the typical American sleeps 48 hours a week, 105 days per year, and 22 years over the average lifetime. That's almost 30% of our lives! Most scientists that study sleep believe most people have several dreams every night and we simply forget the vast majority of them. Simply put, we sleep our lives away.

That sleep is necessary for our bodies to continue functioning at a high level. However, many people find themselves trapped by a completely different type of slumber. It is the slumber of daily life, the monotony of a daily routine, the acceptance of the status quo. This slumber begins when our nightly rest ends, and it too is full of dreams. Our lives are filled with dreams, current dreams that strangely keep us awake, and bitter memories of dreams that have gone unfulfilled. Our nightly sleep is full of dreams that we forget while our daily slumber is full of dreams that we cannot escape.

Our dreams, in a way, define who we are. We are shaped by our dreams because they reveal our deepest passions and desires. They also reveal what can wound us in the deepest way. Our dreams haunt us in ways only we can know. There is no joy like living in a moment when a dream becomes reality, and there is no greater pain when a dream we have dies.

Perhaps you have let the pain of your unfulfilled dreams stop you from dreaming at all. Maybe your life resembles a restless night, tossing and turning, seeking some resolution and peace. I want you to realize the incredible dreams God has for your life. They are bigger and grander than anything you can imagine! I truly believe there is something heroic inside every single one of us that is waiting to be discovered........explored...........ignited.

It's time to recapture our God given dreams. It is time to rise up from the slumber of everyday life. It's time to wake up to what God is doing in our lives, in our families, in our community, in our world.....its time to live Wide Awake!

When your dreams reflect the dreams of God, every day becomes extraordinary. Let's journey together and see what God is dreaming for us all.

Make sure you are there for our 8 year anniversary service! Please consider this your invitation to attend! Invite a friend to be a part of this service, you won't regret it! Remember that the dreams God has for humanity are not just for us, they are for all people. Make sure you include all of those who are around you.

Why do what you do?

Have you ever taken the time to examine in your life why you do the things you do?  Things like work, relationships, education, spirituality...why do you engage (or not engage) in certain things?

I have been thinking about this a lot from the perspective of our community of faith at Higher Calling.  If I am not careful, it is far too easy for me to become apathetic.....maybe you are the same.  In these times it is important to me to know WHY I do what I do, it gives me motivation, passion, and purpose to know the WHY of my life.

I have decided I do the things I do because I genuinely love God.  I am confused by Him, I rarely understand the path He chooses for me and for others, but I trust Him and love Him.  The only reason I can continue doing what I am doing is because of His power working in me, and I will always be grateful for the many blessings He has given me.  I do what I do because of what He has already done for me.

I also sincerely love people.  Not just love people, either, I actually like them (I just lost some of you!).  I like meeting people and getting to know them.  I like being a part of people's stories, and I like being with people as their journeys are shaped.  I like sharing with the highs and the lows

More than anything, I like introducing people to God.  I'll tell you what's the most incredible thing of all:  when I meet people again after they have met God.  It's like meeting a completely new person.  I love that.

And its why I do what I do.

Let's try this again

Did you miss me?  I am going to be writing on here again after a three month hiatus.

The last blog experiment went pretty well, but I think writing too much burnt me out a little bit. Its hard to come up with a new entry everyday!  If you like reading, you can help out by sending in questions or topics for me to handle so I don't have to think of them.  I want to post 2-3 times a week, on good weeks you may get even more.  We will see how I feel.

Let the journey begin.....again.  Higher Calling Online Journal v. 3.0 starts......now.

(If anyone is reading this, even if you know me from church, leave a comment or something.)

Fuel For The Week

I hope everyone is having a great week!  I have some news to share with you about upcoming events at Higher Calling and some encouragement to send your way as well.

Next Sunday is August 3rd, and it will mark the two year anniversary of Pastor Don's death.  Many of you knew Pastor Don, and many of you didn't, but all of you have been affected by his story because of your presence at Higher Calling.  Most of you know that Pastor Don was my dad, and obviously that day will be difficult for me and my family and for so many of you who knew my dad as a friend and as your pastor.  On any emotional day, we all must choose how to respond to the stress of the day.  My dad had to make those choices in how to respond to life with cancer, and he chose to believe God even when circumstances were difficult.

That is why we are putting together a special service on August 3rd.  Instead of choosing to withdraw and reflect, our church will be reaching out to people who need to hear that God can do something amazing in their life.  God still changes lives; we are all proof of that, and we want to see him change more lives on August 3rd.  Many of you have expressed a desire to share the story of the church to friends or family members; this service will be the perfect opportunity to do just that!  I am asking that you do all you can personally to get as many people as possible into our Worship Center so many can be touched by this message.

Don't sit this one out!  We are putting together an inspirational and reflective service that will touch the hearts of everyone involved.  If you know some people who don't usually go to church and may only go once a year, make sure they are at this service because God is going to move in a powerful way.

If there is one thing that I learned from my dad, it is this:  always trust God.  That is why I believe August 3rd will be an incredible time as we reflect on the story of our church and our incredible vision for the future.  Let's all believe God for something even more than we can imagine.  Pray that the lives of people close to you at this service will be changed forever because of what is shared.  

We are all in this together, and I am glad to be on the journey with all of you.