It is Tuesday, November 24th and I am in day two of my three day fall planning sabbatical. I am in a hotel somewhere in Dallas but you'll never know where because that is the whole point of a sabbatical. I am actually getting some much needed rest in the morning hours and then hitting it hard from just after lunch till at least midnight and then calling it a day. I go through this process every fall as I get away to prepare my sermon calender for the coming year, schedule many of the church events for the coming year, as well as finish up budget prep work for the coming year. I then conclude my week with getting on my face before the Lord and asking Him to renew my passion and my strength for the year that lies ahead. I will then leave this place on Thursday morning and meet my family at my mother-in-law's for a pig out Thanksgiving lunch and conclude that evening with a great time with my family as we do chili and snacks for dinner. Of course the week is truly not over until I join the men of COC on Friday for a mean game of Flag Football and hanging out EATING again. Don't worry men, in my alone time with God, I am asking that no one breaks or tears anything! Anyway, 2010 is going to ROCK at COC. It is going to be our greatest year ever. We have seen so many wonderful things since October 07 but we are only scratching the surface. Just to tease you a bit, I have planned some killer sermon series next year. Here are a few to wet your whistle: "Close Encounters of the First Kind", "Hyde - n - Seek", "I Am Not But I Know I Am", "Pirates", and "Fallen". Of course with the addition of Upward Soccer and our second Football/Cheerleading season, the best is yet to come. I look forward to watching God continue to do His work in and through us next year.
Now being that this is Thanksgiving week, I thought I'd just list for you all some of the wonderful things that I am thankful for this year. David Letterman has his top 10 but so do I. Here it goes:
1. My SMOKIN HOT wife and my two AWESOME kids. Sarah is the most precious gift God has ever given to me. She is such a Godly wife and mom and I am so blessed to call her my soulmate. Haley and Ryder, I love you guys more than I can put into words. I am proud of you two and look forward to seeing you continue to grow into the lady and man that God has called you to be.
2. My two sets of parents and my siblings. I am blessed to have great parents who love me unconditionally but who also pray and financially support the ministries of COC. Thanks Dads and Moms...you all are the best any son could want!!!! Thanks to my brothers and my sister who not only love me but put up with me and my lack of communication with them sometimes. I love you guys and I want you to know you mean the world to me.
3. My Grandparents. Thanks for praying for me everyday. Without your prayers, I'd be a mess. Oh yea, they all kind of love me pretty unconditionally as well. Actually, I'll put it this way, I can never do wrong in their eyes! Don't you just love grandparents.
4. My Mother-in-law, Margaret Coulter. Margaret you light up the room with your overwhelming JOY. Thank you for the gift you gave me in Sarah. You are a great mother-in-law and have always supported us in our endeavors in the ministry. Thanks and I love you.
5. The Pastoral & Elder Team of COC Metro. Wow, what a great team of like minded and like spirited people. You all make my calling a joy not a burden. I could name hundreds of Lead Pastors who would love to have our team as their team....Sorry, you're not getting them. They are at COC to stay!!! Thanks men and ladies for being willing to serve the Lord through the ministry of COC.
6. The people of COC. Wow, what great people God has blessed our church with. I am amazed every Sunday when I look around me. Your heart of generosity not just in areas of service in the church but to those outside our four walls just blows me away. Keep on keeping on. Don't look inward, always look outward and our church will soar. And of course, keep on worshipping!!!
7. Our mother church, Midway Baptist, and our sister church, Church of Celebration in Maricopa, Arizona. Pastor John and Pastor Josh, you are two of my best friends in all the world. COC Metro would never have gotten off the ground without you guys not only having vision for this but a heart for me as well. Love you guys and look forward to looking back with you all someday and saying, WOW!
8. My golfing buddies that most of you at COC do not know. Jim Morgan, Ken Adams, Steve Rebhan, Craig Jones, Matt & Kenneth Beresford, and Chip Knost. Thanks guys for calling me and saying, "Get out of that office and get your butt out here with us!" I need that. I appreciate your friendship and the competition. Remember guys, "I hope you have the round of your life and I beat you by one."
9. The people of the 380 Corridor. I don't know most of you but I am thankful that you are here...because that is why I am here and COC exist. Look forward to meeting you all in 2010.
10. My Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am amazed that you called me to do this. I am also amazed at your patience with me throughout my life. Your love truly is amazing and your power is overwhelming. Thanks for calling me into the ministry and thanks for the vision to plant a church on the 380 Corridor.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING