Wow - what a weekend! Simply fabulous weather and packed full of stuff!
Friday - Melody and I went to the Rolex (it's a horse thing - where horses walk funny - I don't get it - but I was surrounded by a bunch of people who do - it was fun).
Saturday - Mowed the grass - had an awesome service Sat night - a young lady was baptized - I never get tired of that!
Sunday - Two more great services - one more baptism, a couple of folks transferred their membership - and several others responded in some awesome ways.
We have had 12 straight services where people responded to Jesus!
First weekend w/out Nell Anne - We miss her - but the team rocked - so many stepped up and we got 'R done - and done well! Thanks team!
Total attendance - 1208!
Sunday after church - grilled steaks - Sunday evening grilled a pork loin - yum yum!
Can't wait to see what God is going to do this week!
Sunday night I came home, sat in my chair and cried (OK - maybe just a little teary).
It started Sunday morning - last service for Nell Anne, very nice recognition after church, lots of hugs, tears, and "good lucks". Also some friends from 100 years ago (my own youth group days) were in for the afternoon. Then I get the text message. Dan (our Exec Pastor) writes - "we need to get together for a very important meeting - 5:30?" Oh, great! What could be going on that requires an emergency meeting on Sunday afternoon? Who's had an affair? Who is resigning? Who is in crisis? UGGGGHHHHH!
Then I get to the restaurant where we are to meet... and I see them - a bunch of people that have one singular connection - me. There are folks from the staff, all my family, including my brother Joe, and my friends from the past (with some extras now). My wife had pulled it off! She surprised me with a 50th B-day party. She had to wait till 2 weeks after the fact to do it.
There was cake (I had only a bite - not very carb friendly), I got lots of hugs, some gag gifts and some really nice ones too. People said some nice things about me. And then it was over. I went home, watched a little TV and then it happened - I started to cry. It was just Melody and me and I told her - "nobody should be blessed this much".
As I looked back over the last 50 years, mostly the last 35 I realized how God had brought so many people into my life. Melba (Wilson) Mastin was there - she and her late husband were youth sponsors. Tom and Jimmy were there - my two closest friends from the past who have been there ever since. My brother. My wife, children, grandchildren and son-in-law. All who make my life rich. My life team - guys you just don't know what you mean to me! My staff and an Elder. My golf buddies, the list just goes on.
And so I just sat there and wiped away the tears. And it dawned on my. I'm not just in tears because I'm blessed. I'm in tears becasue I KNOW I'm blessed. And that is perhaps the biggest blessing of all.
OK - where's the kleenex? I need them again! And it's a good thing. No it's a great thing!
Talk about a roller coaster week! Have you ever had one of those weeks where it's just up and down every day (even moment by moment). Well that's been my week.
The weekend was just awesome, celebrating the resurrection with the largest crowd I've ever preached to, seeing men, women and children respond, even a baptism - wow!
Then we go public with Nell Anne's resignation - and while I had been able to deal with it for a few weeks personally - others were in the initial shock stage - so there was some comforting and encouraging.
Tuesday in my life team (and the other half - we split a year ago) - we see two men accept Christ - AWESOME - this is why we do Lifeteams!
- Wednesday we get the disturbing news that some punk kid has been messing with my baby - and yes for a moment I was ready to get a gun! We survived the drama and trauma and with Connie Morse's help saw it dealt with professionally and effectively - its all good and some valuable lessons learned.
In the midst of all this - there was some infighting trying to rear its ugly head. Good people on both sides of a tough issue - and the Devil in the middle trying to get everyone side tracked. FOLKS - THE DEVIL IS REALLY "PISSED" RIGHT NOW - SO WATCH AND PRAY! But it all worked out - humility ruled the day, there were some "sit down face to face" meetings that I think honored Jesus and helped everyone! For those who know what I'm talking about - YOU GUYS ROCK! For those who don't - just learn this - don't battle via e-mail, facebook, or blogs... if you have an issue with a brother or sister - go to them personally.
Then I get to sit down with Mike (a guy who is going to be baptized this weekend) and watch him receive Christ by faith!
Thursday I take a couple hours to play golf - get about 100 phone calls and e-mails and just post a horrible score - 96 - ugghhhh. No problems - just folks trying to show love for Nell Anne.
But now it's Mel-O-Day (formerly known as Friday) and I get to spend it with my honey, Melody - hence the name change.
And through all of this, I'm reminded of maybe my favorite verse -"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us," (Eph 3:20 NIV)
Folks - I just can't wait to see what God is going to do this next week! Wow!
Most of you got this news through our e-mail blast. Nell Anne Gossett will be leaving our staff.
She has been an incredible asset to Harmony for the last six years. When she joined our staff it was in a part time postion when we were running about 250. Today six years later we are averaging over 1100. In the last six years she has championed many changes. We now have an incredibly strong and talented group of people who help lead us in worship each week. She has assembled other incredibly talented people who help with graphics, audio/visual, and set designs. She has been with us through two major building campaigns (one a relocation).
When Nell Anne joined us it was because God was leading her to be a part of Harmony. She now feels that what she was called to do is done. Nell Anne loves a challenge and that is what she has had for the last six years. A challenge that she was always willing to roll up her sleeves and get at. Now is the time for her to move on to new ones. I, for one can't wait to see what that will be!
Please be praying for her, Wayne and their family as they transition into this new time in their lives. Also pray for Harmony as we seek God's direction in filling this position. The other leaders and I have no doubt that God has the right person already prepared to jump in and build on the great foundation that has been laid.
This Sunday will be her last weekend with us. We will be having a reception for her after the 10:45 service. Come tell her how much you love her as only Harmony folks can do.
Wow - Amazing - Unbelievable - Incredible - etc. etc. etc !!!!!
The weekend was simply amazing. Getting to celebrate the resurrection is always awesome - but this weekend was "off the chart". Here are some highlights.
- Awesome worship set - the band and praise team rocked the house and exalted Jesus Christ!
- We had people respond to Christ at all three services!
- Volunteers - what can I say? You all were amazing! I mean AMAZING!
- Staff - I love you all - you are such a joy to serve with!
- Cardboard testimonies were strong!
- 2294 in total attendance - Outstanding, and a mere glimpse of what we will be seeing in the future!
A big thanks to Emily Kouns - she posted this video on Facebook - I wanted to share it. Have a very blessed weekend celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
OK - I warned you! I'm not sure what is the most disturbing here... that goofy outfit, the obvious messed up lip synching? Or the fact this is a church service? But it got me thinking. How often are we guilty of lip synching?
I think it's way too easy for us in the Christian community to simply give in to "church speak" without any real substance in our lives. We say we love Jesus - but do our actions back that up? Are we really living for Him? We say we want to see people come to know God's love - but then just hang out with folks who already know it. Folks - we will never win people we don't have a relationship with!
Certainly the world knows something just "smells funny" when they see us just go through our religious movements without seeing any real change in our lives. It's our version of "lip synching".
This weekend we challenged everyone to seek God in finding at least one person outside of Christ and then allow God to use us to win them for God's glory. Let me give you (and me) a warning - lip synching will not work - EVER! It's one thing to go out and sign our names to the "big one" - it's quite another to break out of our comfort zones and really connect with someone who is lost.
Several Years ago two up and coming stars saw their careers crash and burn because they got busted lip synching. Don't let what happened to Milli Vanilli happen to you! It's not just us who will pay the price!
No Jason Brown, I'm not telling you! OK - that's an inside joke that I'm going to let you in on. Jason Brown, is a preacher friend of mine who's parents attend Harmony. He has been wearing me out on Facebook wondering what's going to happen this weekend. I keep telling him he'll just have to wait like everyone else!
But Jason is not the only one asking - and I'm not the only one being asked - all the staff is being asked - what's the buzz? What's the big surprise? Are we launching a new service? Are we going to buy another Wal-Mart? Are we finally getting a good preacher? OK - let me give you a hint - No to all those suggestions and many others I have heard.
But I do want to clue you in a little bit. Come Saturday or Sunday (or both) expecting something unexpected! Imagine you are at Rupp Arena, the Cats have just won the NCAA tournament (I know for some this might be a stretch right now), the place is packed, and everyone is waiting the arrival of the team. They are coming into the arena on a big bus. They finally get there, and as they are filing off the bus their names are blaring over the sound system. Just how excited would the Big Blue Nation be? And what if you could be right there?
Well we are going to issue a challenge this weekend that is so big - and the expectation so high that you will either think we have lost our minds or you will just pass out! OK, you may not pass out - but we will have smelling sauce on hand. But my prayer is that you say wow - what if? What if we really did see this happen? What if what is being proposed is actually the reality a year from now? What if what God is doing at Harmony is bigger news than John Calipari coming to Lexington? What if it's so big that we know without a doubt that it's a God thing?
Well, Jason Brown you'll just have to wait, but like I said, "you are welcome to come out on Saturday night and be with us." And everyone else is welcome too. You really don't want to miss this!
242 / +1.8 / 23 (weight today / +/- since last post / total loss)
OK - I'm back - well sort of - still recovering! But what a great trip.
Sunny and warm for 6 days - 83-90 degrees but windy! 20-30 mph everyday - tough to fish on Istokpoga with that wind. We did fish three days and caught fish every day on the lake. Decided to go to the Everglades (to fish the canals). Tons of fish and the wind was manageable in the canals. We caught 60 one day, 150 another day, and 350 the last day. Yes 350 bass! Biggest was about 3.5 lbs.
Last day it was storming in the morning and the weather report for the afternoon was 30 mph winds -so we loaded up and drove home.
All in all a fantastic trip. Thanks for the prayers for safety - it was a very good trip - but I'm glad to be home and pumped about this weekend and next - EASTER!
And hey - I basically stayed true to the diet and did not gain any weight! Sweet! Still got a ways to go - but I'm getting there.
Oh, the guy in the picture told me to say "hi to all my friends"....
242/+2.6 / 23 - I was bad!
