Family,

It's hard to believe, but we are quickly approaching the ending of another year. It seems like yesterday that we were sweating the ominous apocalypse of Y2K and the year 2000, and here we are, almost a decade has come and gone since then. In one of the articles I sent from Montana, I joked about Einstein's theory of relativity being about how time speeds up as we get older. Well...I'm convinced now that I was pretty sharp (or maybe just lucky), and on to something. Good grief...Time flies! And, with the growing cognizance of time's flight, comes the exponentially growing awareness of our need to redeem the time. As I shared in my last email on "Thanksgiving," this year (08) brought so much good our way that it's hard to catalog. Well, this time of year always puts me to thinking about, and assessing what has come and what is coming with the new year. There are many horizons out there that seem fairly bleak and dark, like the economic and geopolitical landscapes. However, what looms on the horizon for the Family of God is, I believe, as bright and optimistic as can be. Perhaps, we will see a direct correlation between the growing brightness of our opportunities and the ever increasing challenges economically, geopolitically and societally.

One Thing of which we can be certain - that of which I am certain - is that the many good things we are enjoying, the growth we see happening is the result of you and your willingness to dream, to challenge yourselves, to step outside of your boxes and see what God can do. I am more convinced than ever that God loves dreamers! The only danger for us is that often times, dreamers scare and intimidate us; another "box" we need to step out of. Rather than being frightened by the aggressive dreamers among us, let them inspire you to embrace your own dream - that down-deep, aspirational vision, that you have allowed to stay buried far to long. What happens when that dream is freed?

• Young men and their families (without permission even :-) decide that one week a month we would look so much better in overalls, and the next thing you know, hearts and homes are loved, ministered to and healed.
• An older member takes the pain of his loss and establishes a memorial fund that blesses others in need.
• A Board of Directors decides we have to invest in our vision and outreach, and low-and-behold an FPU program is put in place bringing visitors to us, has opened intimate dialog among us and is producing disciplined change in the lives of those attending that will benefit our family for years to come.
• Another young man steps up and says that I have skills that will enhance the technical capabilities of our new media system, the one put in place by the vision and hard work of senior members who saw the need for putting tools for growth in place. Now information, congregational life, beautiful images, praise and inspiration grace our assemblies every week.
• Our ladies gather and say this congregation could use a "ladies touch" and viola, a schedule and assignments are in place for the day to day things that make a church family really shine; the things that often go unheralded until you don't have them.
• More ladies gather in something resembling a football huddle in the fellowship hall and the next thing you know bright beautiful blankets are being assembled by loving hands, to be given to shelter children that wonder why their little worlds are like those on TV; blankets that rap them in a message of warmth and love.
• A community says "we need you" and a cadre of military like servants assemble in line and love and serve soup to less fortunate and often broken lives that a world often forgets, but who are loved as much by their God as we are.
• The needs of our children are raised and:
  • Tirelessly...often thanklessly, Bible school teachers fulfill their other life obligations, yet still find the time, year after year to prepare, pray for and pour themselves into our children, with love that no reward is worthy of.
  • We say our children need color and life and the artistic among us paint mind blowing murals, put up beautiful displays, donate TVs, buy videos, learn songs and watch as the smiles and self-worth of our precious little ones grow exponentially.
  • Another new member thinks this should be a friendly, accommodating place for community youth. Next thing you know Cub Scouts know we're a friendly place for them to come, play and learn.
  • Many say we need an age appropriate worship experience for our kids, the next thing you know, a sister, past the "little ones stage" says "I'll take care of all the snacks," grown men are putting furry animals on their hands and making silly sounds, others...not in the shape to do so, are standing in front of those same children leading them in songs and making karate kicks. So many others, ever present, here-there-everywhere, helping...!
  • A young woman steps up and says "if no one else wants to, I'll organize, orchestrate and shepherd this so that it succeeds." Then she invests countless hours, money and forays to the church building to work, that usually only the preacher sees. What's the result? An assembly of grumpy adults, smiling so hard their faces are breaking, because they are seeing one of the greatest demonstrations of worship they've ever seen in the eyes, voices and hearts of children, and a fellowship hall is transformed into a tropical "fruits of the Spirit Market" where the Spirit of God is tasted with a ripened flavor perhaps not experienced for some time, if ever. And...AND... a lone, somewhat less than ripe pineapple causes otherwise financially responsible adults to spend $600 to start a fund for this same WEE WORSHIP program. I can't wait to see what she has in mind for our Christmas program. All the while she trys to stay in the background and seeks no personal recognition...but alas we see and recognize what she does.
• A call is raised for new ways of gathering, celebrating, fellowshipping and worshipping. What happens? The first annual, of many firsts and annuals, is put together...A Fall Festival. Games, face painting, cakes coming out of our ears, grown senior saints dancing (aaaaahhhhh!) around a cake walk table (it wasn't a pretty site. Then again... it was beautiful!), horses, bunnies everywhere, a jumpy-house thing, hamburgers & hotdogs, and a young woman who brought her band and beautiful voice and led us in worship, reminding us that unused talents in our members is a terrible thing, not to be tolerated anymore.
• Everywhere, signs of imagination...dreams...faith are popping up and threatening to bless us and bring growth.

Did I miss something? A category? A dream? A person? Undoubtedly! Because there are so many wonderful things happening. Know this however, your works are seen, felt and appreciated. I am most concerned with any category I have overlooked that immediately jumps out at you. Why? Your ability to see with clarity what I have missed is more than likely tied to Your "deep-down dream." You know which one! The one God sowed in your heart and has allowed to lie dormant waiting for the right conditions to bloom. That time has come. Your dreams are wanted. Your gifts solicited. Help us see what we are missing in you!

We are growing. New families and individuals are joining us. More are coming. Do you know why? All of the above! Mostly, because of YOU...God's family...THE FAMILY OF GOD! How blessed Paula and I are to serve with you along with the many whose lives through the years have blessed us.

With Everlasting Love and Devotion

Jack