Yesterday at Otter Creek

Hey church,

Sorry about the extended Meet & Greet yesterday!  It dragged (drug?) on for 5 minutes...partly because of my poor management of it, but partly because of a last minute OC member need...

And if you want to hear more of Dennis Jernigan's life testimony (God's work in his life to help him defeat homosexual lifestyle), go to www.dennisjernigan.com 

If I haven't said it lately, I love this church, and am so thankful to be here!

Very helpful quote

We talk a lot about worship being 24/7...I found this quote very helpful.

“The best public worship is that which produces the best private Christianity.”  Bishop  J.C. Ryle

AWESOME!

This morning the Otter Creek Elders gave the answer to the long-awaited question, "Who will be our next lead minister?" 

Answer:  TWO PEOPLE!  It's a team approach.  I'm so pumped. 

Lead Preaching & Teaching Minister will be Josh Graves (starts September 1, 2009)

Preaching & Pastoral Care Minister will be David Rubio (transitioning out of our Youth Ministry over the next 15 months to begin full-time work as part of the preaching team in Fall 2010.)

God is so good!  I'm so excited and humbled to get to work with these two godly men.  I've known David since he was 7 yrs old, and God has had his hand on David for significant ministry all of his life.  I met Josh almost 5 years ago and have been impressed with him over the years.  

A team model, I'm so proud of our elders for breaking the mold and launching out in a new direction!  New times call for a new model.  

Go to www.ottercreek.org for an incredible video created by David Woodard that recaps the new plan...

This Coming Sunday

So excited about our new Dialogue Series...John York continues it this Sunday with a message from John 3 about Nicodemus.   The recording software crashed last Sunday morning, so we missed Rubio's sermon series kickoff, plus Charity's debut!   I'll never forget it though.  The little 4 year old taught our whole church a new worship song "We love you, Lord"...incredible. 

Songs we're singing this Sunday:

• Let God Arise (another great Tomlin song...it's on Zoe's Fearless CD)
  
• I Love to Tell the Story (don't mess with me, it's Fanny J...)
  
• Ancient Words
  
• Blessed Be Your Name (thank you, Matt Redman, for giving us language & notes to express pain and trust and praise simultaneously)
  
• How Deep the Father's Love
  
• I Will Change Your Name  (on this note, check out Jonathan Nelson's new song, My Name is Victory)
  
• Before the Throne of God
  

Happy Friday everyone! 

Worship in the Round

On Easter Sunday at Otter Creek, we had the praise team on stage, as well as 15 other singers to fill out a new song we introduced.  It was sort of like...and I do mean sort of...but it was almost "seating in the round" and I really really liked it.

Otter Creekers, what are your thoughts/suggestions?  

We could actually fit about 75 people up there comfortably...

Stories of Faith & Eli

On a recent road trip to IN Faith was displaying frequent defiant and disrespectful talk and I had had enough. I firmly told her that she was not to talk to me that way and that if she did it again I would pull the van over. She replied, "O--KAAAAY (in a very sarcastic tone), she waited a second and said, "NOW PULL THE VAN OVER!!"

Clearly, I need to work on clarifying what happens if I have to pull the van over.

I wanted to reply back, but I looked at Jaime and we both busted out laughing! We were in shock!!!

And Eli has actually started praying now...I can't believe it...I saw it first last night at the dinner table. He bowed his little head and folded his hands and was moving his lips...then abruptly said "men!" raising one hand in triumph. It was the most adorable thing ever.

Then at bedtime, he wanted to pray again... It went like this....."God. (little pause) Men. (Amen)". I think that simple prayer brought a big smile to God's face. It sure did ours!!! Isn't that all we need to do most of the time? "God, I'm here, that's it, Amen."

I'll post about my date with Faith to the cupcake cafe later this week...

Gratitude List

1. the advent of spring.
2. spring.
3. warmer weather (get the picture)
4. my lovely wife who puts up with me being uber-defensive on most days
5. my precious kids who are determined to keep me young
6. we SOLD OUR HOUSE IN INDIANA! Thank you, God!
7. Got to meet Amy Grant (again, but I don't think she remembered me from the last time...why?)
8. Tokens totally rocked. Thanks Lee!
9. being a part of a funeral today, it's a great perspective-putter
10. Starbucks iced tea (black & green, mixed, sweetened)
11. being at Otter Creek, all the thoughtful people and sweet notes of encouragement
12. Tatiana did not make the final 13 for this season
13. Being able to be an intermittent blogger