Today I’m sitting at NewSpring getting ready for Unleash. By getting ready, what I mean is I’m sitting in the offices trying not to get in the way. I was going to do an update on my blog, but Zac works in an environment that is way too fun. There are lot’s of people and activity as they are in fact preparing for the 3000 guests they’ll host tomorrow morning. People are walking by in all the scurry of the day prepping for tomorrow, and here I sit at a desk while they glance over and go hhmmm. So, I can’t process my thoughts for the blog. And I need something to do. So this is the blog I promised I’d never write. Pointless, other than letting anyone who reads this know that I’m alive and staying out of the way in Anderson.
Author: Mark
Hubby to the greatest gal, Pastor of an amazing community, brother to a bunch of people called my family, lover of God, follower of Jesus.
Watch Zac online today
Today I’ll be watching online church at NewSpring. This is where Zac works. Today at 4 AZ time, you can watch the service online where they will show a video of Zac. I can’t say much about it yet, because I’ve not seen it either. But, I’d encourage you to go check it out. Let’s see what God is up to.
Go to: http://www.newspring.cc/
We Need Him!
I remember when I was like 20, if I ever woke up in the middle of the night I thought, “cool, it’s 2 a.m., that means I have like 4 or 5 more hours to sleep”. Then I’d turn over and sleep soundly for another 4 or 5 hours. It was like I got another night’s sleep.
I don’t know when that changed. But it changed. Now, if I wake up at 2 a.m., I’m completely bummed. Because I know there’s a good chance that’s it for the night. I’m going to lie there and watch the digits change on that clock sitting across the room.
This morning was one of those mornings. I have no idea why. I wasn’t anxious. I didn’t need the little boys’ room. I didn’t have coffee yesterday afternoon or evening. I was just wide awake.
I got up and sat where I always sit. Next to my Bible I had put my ipod, so I thought I’d find a soothing tune to read by, in an effort to calm myself and hopefully find a couple more hours of sleep.
I found Fernando Ortega and listened to several of his mellow tunes. He’s an awesome musician for your 2 a.m. needs. Then came an old classic song that I just love, but we don’t really sing in today’s church. “I need Thee, O I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee, O bless me now my Savior, I come to Thee.” I grew up with the old King James, so I don’t mind the Thees and Thous. Actually, I rather like the sound in this song.
You see, at 2:15 or so, I wasn’t especially worried, but I was awake and thinking. As I heard this mellow tune, with that amazing voice…”every hour I need Thee”, I realized why I was up. I think God wanted me to know that I NEED Him. Every hour.
I’m so blessed in my life. I have an amazing wife. I absolutely love our church family. God has graciously blessed me with wonderful people to work with at my office and throughout our ministry. It’s like God was saying to me in this moment…”please don’t forget this one very important thing…”
How are you doing today? Busy? Overwhelmed? Enjoying His blessings? Remember, along with me… “We Need Him…and yes, every hour.”
Quick Update from Dr. Visit
On Laurie’s facebook page she wrote:
“We just returned from a great visit with Dr. Wesche (the excellent surgeon who did the recent biopsy/lumpectomy). The short version:
Two more DCIS were found in the lumpectomy tissue and some microinvasive cells with hormone receptors were found in the two sentinel nodes that were removed. (FYI: DCIS is a tumor that eventually turns into invasive cancer; microinvasive tumors are microscopic and ten years ago would not have been discovered at this stage.) The next step is to meet with the oncologists and form a plan of attack. At this point it looks like it will probably include radiation (localized) , as well as some chemo (systemic), but the details will be clarified after the oncologist appointments.
Thanks for your continued prayers. The Lord is obviously very near and meeting every need. We are trusting in Him, our Shield and Defender.”
Thanks to each of you for your prayers and encouragement. Laurie knows she’s loved and that so many dear friends are praying for her. Thanks.
Laurie’s Update
My wife had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy today. She’s home now and we’re thankful for good docs. Because her previous surgery was less than a month ago, she’s a little tender and sore. Her mom joined us yesterday for the week. We’re so blessed and thankful for great family and a gracious church family. Thanks to all for support and prayers.
We expect to know sometime on Tuesday if any more cancer was found.
For now, we’re just thankful. Great to have her mom around. I’ll update as we learn more. Thanks.
Unplugged was Awesome!
“What if we intentionally had a few more Unplugged services throughout the year?”
“It felt a little bit like Grace when we first started, but with more people! It also makes me realize that we don’t need all of that “stuff” to have an incredible Sunday morning.”
“We had to sit close to other people! :)”
“There is no stopping the people of God who desire to gather together to praise and worship God.”
“I don’t usually turn around and look, but I did Sunday, Wow!”
Flagstaff saw 52″ of snow and major closures throughout the city for several days. With no equipment we all spent Sunday morning together. We’ve only done this a few times in our history. It was an amazing time as 500 people squeezed together for a time of acoustic worship and preaching without a mic. I loved it. Snow didn’t hold us back in our worship and service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Thanks to the Grace family for being so flexible. And remember…
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Grace Unplugged
What an amazing week. I’m not clear on the total amounts of snow reported, but let’s just say a lot! Last night we needed to make a visit to the hospital, so while we were out, we drove by Bookmans and saw the fallen roof. We also drove by our Ministry Center and saw a broken street sign and piles and piles of snow that had been shoveled off the roof (thankfully!).
It’s been beautiful and dangerous all at the same time. Our life with Christ is somewhat like that. Beautiful because of His grace and kindness, and dangerous because we bear His light in a dark world. We are called to love God, love one another and love our neighbor. Times like these give us ample opportunities.
Tomorrow will be somewhat unique at Grace. It’s been a few years since our last ‘Grace Unplugged’. We will all be together in the auditorium, no children’s ministry, and we’ll have an acoustic worship set, no equipment set up. Our trailers are buried as I’m sure the loading doors to the school are as well. Our guys will arrive and get the parking lot and sidewalk ready for you.
This will be a unique service for our church family to gather and pray for one another and for our community and hear from God’s precious Word. Come expecting.
Haiti: Continued
This is just a reminder to continue to pray for and help minister in Haiti. As we all know, there are disasters and devastation around the world on any given day. Sometimes by natural causes, sometimes by war or disease, crime or terrorism. What’s unique about Haiti is that you already have one of the poorest places on our planet. Add to that the sheer size of the earthquake and mounting damage, this certainly has us all awakened and concerned.
As you pray for God’s work in Haiti during these days of recovery, please know that God hears you. Let’s be active in praying and helping.
At our church, we’ve simply adopted two of the many organizations that are on the ground in Haiti.
For personal donations, please go online and help Samaritans Purse.
As a church, we’ll send some additional help to a new initiative called Churches Helping Churches. This is being led by Mark Driscoll and James MacDonald with a specific target to see the churches in Haiti helped along with perhaps new churches being planted as the Lord opens doors.
Remember, just because our fast-paced news moves on, the day-to-day life in Haiti will be slow going for a long time. Let’s pray, and as God leads us, let’s give.
Good News Bad News
Good news: The doctor said, “that’s about the smallest cancer I’ve ever seen”.
Bad news: That little piece of cancer is inside my wife.
Laurie and I had a visit with an oncologist this past Friday. He is very optimistic based on the size and location of the cancer. Laurie will have one more surgery to see if there has been any spreading. Then she’ll probably proceed with a recommended radiation treatment. We too are hopeful and confident based on information we’ve received and based on our trust in God and His great love for us. That great love does not translate into a trouble-free life or an instant on-the-spot healing. It’s based on God and His goodness. He is good. Whether in life or death, health or sickness. We’re on a new journey, and we’re as ready as we know to be. We continue to thank God for allowing this to be seen so early.
Here’s Laurie’s take on it as she reflects on church yesterday:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=259289994367&id=1325443316&ref=nf
Pray and Help for Haiti
Words fail when we realize just how bad the news is in Haiti after yesterday’s earthquake. Like me, you may be wondering what you can do. I honestly don’t know what we can do. I do know that there is an immediate desire to pray. Pray for God’s mercy on those whose lives are in the balance. Pray for the thousands who just lost a family member, a home, and a way of life. Pray for those trying to help.
Here are some pictures to help us realize how bad this is. http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/01/earthquake_in_haiti.html
If you feel that you want to help financially, there are probably many good ways to do that. Many organizations and ministries that are designed to help and are somewhat prepared. Let’s help them. Let’s pray they can be the hands and heart of Jesus to these who are hurting. Let’s pray and help. One such organization is: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/.
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