Crazy Week

Well it's Holy Week and I love this time of year. I love taking time to reflect on the wonderful gift of our Savior Jesus Christ and what that means in my life. Unfortunately this year I have been so busy that i haven't been able to do that as effectively as I would have liked. This week I have been busy preparing for a Thursday night service, Friday night Service, Saturday night service and 2 Sunday morning services. I'm thankful that God has given me the opportunity to work with such a wonderful church family. I pray this weeks services are a blessing to Him. Please pray for me this week as Satan has been having a hay day trying to disrupt things. Thanks my friends.

Myrtle Beach Outing 2009

I can't believe I've been back almost a week from my trip to Myrtle Beach with a group of guys from the church. Let me tell you something...it very well may have been one of the best times I think I have ever had. I have never laughed so much in my life. These guys are incredible. We ate and golfed and laughed and ate and golfed and ate and laughed some more. Real authentic fellowship. 12 guys from different backgrounds and places coming together for some good old fashioned fellowship. I'm pretty sure Jesus assembled 12 guys to walk with during his ministry. What a hoot. I honestly can't wait for next year's trip. (March 24th, 2010). It's already on the calendar!! Thanks to Mike, Ken, Mike, Steve, Dan, Doug, Dave, Eric, Don, Jim, Terry and Jeff. We will see Carl, Jay, Aldo and Ray next year!! Thanks men for a great trip and for your incredible friendships.

My Friend Jill

Well...I finally have a night when there are no meetings to attend or emails to answer or phone calls to return so I decided it would be a good idea to spend some time updating my blog which I have neglected horribly over the last few months.

I have settled into my new position as the Interim Pastor for our church as we go through some transition. It keeps me extremely busy but I love what I'm doing. God certainly has a way of keeping the job interesting. I continue to work with the Youth and Family of the church and maintain my duties as the Executive Pastor. It is a full plate but I have a great team I work with.

A short time ago I found out that a dear friend of mine from high school learned that she had cancer. It was devastating news for her and her family. Frankly I was pretty upset too. She is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet and it just didn't make sense. Why Jill? I suppose we all wrestle with that "Why" question but this time it made me mad. She is a great mom and wife and had a awesome love for God. It just didn't make sense.

We have talked and written several times over the last number of weeks after losing touch for almost 20 years. I believe God reunited us for a reason. Jill has an incredible husband who loves her more than anything and they both have an unshakable faith. Together they have leaned on God through this terribly trying time and they have held onto the promises of His Word. I'm so thankful for their friendship and for the example they set with their faith.

Please pray for my friend Jill and for her family. Our God is good and is love endures forever.

Spring-The Good-The Bad-The I Just Don't Know

This spring has been rather difficult. Usually for me spring is a time of new beginnings and all things new. I'm excited about Easter and the fact that summer trips are just around the corner. I got to do a wedding for a really great couple last weekend and see them off to a fresh start. It's usually a really happy time of great expectation. This year things have been a little different. We have had at least 6 or 7 funerals this spring already. I learned that a few of the people I am close to have cancer and others are being deployed overseas. It's been a troubling time. But I guess that's kind of how life goes...there's the good, the bad and the I just don't know kind of days.

A New Hobby

So I picked up a new hobby over the last month. I got together with some of my good friends and accountability buddies and they took me out shooting at the range. I decided to get a handgun and they helped me pick out a Glock 45. It is pretty sweet if I do say so myself. We then added a Ruger SR9 to the collection. My personal favorite. We have a great time hanging out at the range and doing some target shooting. It allows us some great time to enjoy God's creation, talk and catch up with one another. I really missed shooting since I left the Army those many years ago. We are starting a Sportsmen's ministry at the church in a month or so to help teach Gun Safety and as an outreach to some of our unchurched friends who like to hunt and shoot. We'll see where God leads this new ministry.

Legal Defense Fund

Hey everyone...Our church has just established a Legal Defense Fund to help with the legal costs that we continue to incur as a result of the battle we are in for the church property. Please take time to visit our Legal Defense Fund website: www.pcclegaltruth.org and please make a donation to help us as we move forward. Thanks so much for your help.

Jeff

Winter Blast 2009 Update

Well, we are down to a day and a half before we head north to what could possible be the best Winter Retreat ever. Not only is Jay Higham speaking but Justin Bowers and Brandt Fuller are leading worship this weekend. (Well at least Brandt will be there Friday night). What a blessing. It's gonna rock. We have a lot of first time students coming along so praise God for the opportunity to share the Good News with them. I'll make sure to post pictures and an update when we get back. Stay tuned...