Today

For the past six years, I have been privileged to pastor this church called Capstone. In fact, Capstone began exactly six years ago tomorrow - Monday, May 5. It's hard to believe it has been six years. We've seen God do some amazing things in these six years. We've seen many people saved and lives dramatically changed by the power of Jesus Christ. As I looked out at the audience today, I thought of the many roads we have walked together. So many of the people sitting in those chairs would not be in church today had God not planted Capstone in Anderson. I praise Him for that and we give Him all the glory.

Personally, I have grown in huge ways. God has stretched me beyond anything I could have imagined when we began. I have made many mistakes along the way. With the Lord's help, I believe I've made some good decisions as well. The greatest time of stretching came as I made the really hard decisions --- those that required standing on the Truth rather than giving in to what people wanted, what made everyone happy or kept them comfortable. I've been criticized and some have wanted to skewer and barbecue me --- I'm sure of that. I've shed tears over the heartache that comes with pastoring. But through it all, my heart has been to honor God with my life and lead His church in the way He directs me. At the end of the day, that is all that matters: leading in the way God leads.

Even though I have the amazingly wonderful and humbling responsibility of being "pastor," I am also a member of the flock. Today was evidence of that as I shared my "burdens" with my fellow church members. It was so amazing to be able to safely stand before you and tell you about my family's trials and ask you to pray KNOWING that you will do that. It was amazing to see the church BE the church that we knew God wanted us to be from day one: a church that loves God and loves people above all else. My family and I got to be the recipient of that love today (as we have many times before) and I thank you for loving, supporting, and standing in the gap for us. Please keep praying.

The amazing thing about this life is that we do not know or understand so many of the turns that the road takes. The ride can be dangerous and difficult. It can even be down-right scary at times. But because of our loving Heavenly Father, we can know with confidence that there is a plan that is greater than anything we can ever ask or imagine.

My hope, confidence and faith is placed today in the One who made me, who loves me, who has never failed me, and who never makes mistakes. Even though I cannot see where this road leads, I know who walks with me and who awaits me when I get to the end. And even when it all looks bleak and there is no hope, YET I WILL REJOICE.

"Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior."

Habbakuk 3:17-18 (NIV)

Thank you for continuing to pray for my wife and me, for holding up my arms (Exodus 17), and for carrying our burdens. I love and appreciate you more than you know.