Thursday, July 26, 2007

future olympian


My son Christian loves to swim. I think we are going to the Olympics next year. Why, you ask? He won the trophy for "High points in his age group" (8 and under boys) last night. He did that in his first year of swimming and he did that even though he missed 3 meets! It took Tiff and I by surprise, and he was more than proud... Joi promptly took his medal and wore it all night...she thought it was hers of course. Thanks to the swim coaches and Ruthie Stockdale for all their hard work and to all the people who make up the swim team. They have won championships for like 18 years straight now. They might need to start looking into doping allegations if this keeps up.

Speaking of his skills...he did almost drown by the way last week when we were in Cali...a huge wave took him out while we were at Huntington Beach (The home of Surfing and last weeks U.S. Open Surf Championships). He got nailed and I watched (are you serious...I am not getting in 65 degree water) as he heaved water on the beach for like 5 minutes...a special time of bonding as Father-Son.

As for the Olympics, I am serious. Christian and I are going to China next year to see my parents and the Olympics are in Beijing...which is a long haul from where they live, but hey...a once in a lifetime opportunity. They might even need me to sub on the USA Basketball Team. I still got skills ya know...even without my tonsils and gall bladder...and hair.
The pic is from a beach called Dana Point, south in Orange County, 6 miles south of Laguna Beach. I come alive most when I am at the beach. The Lord's presence, power and majesty engulf me. There is no other place I would rather be when I need to think, meditate and spend time with the Lord. Now...who wants to join us next year? Send Tom a buzzzz and he will be sure to sign you up!
Many of you asked about our trip...he was a brave warrior and loved the plane ride. The beaches and Disney were amazing, but when you ask him his favorite part...he said, "the conference." He is so pc it makes me sick...no...I am really excited to hear him say that. He has the passion and heart to reach many in his generation. I pray that this heart continues.

Anyway...way to go Son!

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new teaching series


I am really excited about our Summer series, "Why You Shouldn't Come to Church This Summer." You should be too because YOU picked the topics! I won't give them all away just yet, but this weekend we being to unpack the torrid task of church leadership and what Scripture says about how the church should be structured. There will be a visit from a very special guest that some of you might remember from 5 years ago.

Next week we will be tackling a very difficult subject that was asked about on several occasions. What happens to someone when they commit suicide? I think that the question is much larger than that, and I challenge you to invest and invite your friends and family who might have been devastated by someone who left this world by their own hand.

Bring a friend...that's what the mission is all about in Loudonville, Wooster, wherever you call home! I promise you they will not fall asleep with antics I have in store for the weekend.

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not goodbye...but

While we say hello to new staff, we say goodbye to old, I mean young, departed staff. I could write pages about how God used Kim Morgan to shape our church and ministry, but that would embarrass her.

I have told her this, and I tell this to all of you: She saved my ministry at New Hope. When I needed a strong leader to help me at the darkest time of my career, she stepped in and said, 'Whatever you need.' As Kim stays around the church and listens to the Lord for her next steps in ministry, give her a hug and tell her "thanks..."

I will miss her greatly on the day to day level, and I pray that God will one day re-open a door of service for her here at NH. But wherever He leads...you will find Kim close behind.

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