The Power of Prayer

Psalm 118:21, I will give you thanks, for you answered me...

Yesterday, one of our church members came home from the hospital. His name is Walt and I posted a picture of him here today. What is amazing about Walt is on February 14th, he was in a traffic accident as he was literally run over by a car while standing on the side of the road. His injuries were catastrophic to say the least. He spent a month in a trauma unit in Orlando, a few weeks in a hospital that specializes in care for trauma victims in Melbourne and a some time in a rehab center in Palm Bay. Today he is home enjoying the company of his wife and their dogs!

I was with Walt the day of the accident and to be honest I was speechless. His injuries were so bad, we were expecting the worse. Obviously the worse did not happen. Walt got better! While the doctors, nurses technicians cared for Walt physically, there was another team of specialist working for him as well. the hundreds of prayer partners who lifted him up daily and sometimes hourly before the Lord. God moved in a mighty way.

Walt is an example of the power of prayer. Oswald Chambers said, "We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties." Over the last few weeks we have focused our prayers for Walt on the one who is able to handle our difficulties. This week if you are facing some difficulties let me challenge you not to focus on the problem but focus on the one who has the solution - For God is able to overcome all the difficulties of this life - just ask Walt.

It all goes back in the box

Every Saturday I meet with a group of men for a small group study. Our current study is John Ortberg's book "When the game is over it all goes back into the box." This is a great study especially for a men's group. Ortberg truly has a way with words and concepts that men struggle with on a daily basis. So far we are two weeks into our study and both weeks have been both challenging as well as inspirational.

John has challenged us to look at our life and ask the question are we rich or are we rich toward God? That is an interesting question. For many of us struggle with the ideal contentment, in fact the apostle Paul taught said contentment is a learned activity. Our human nature is not based on contentment, rather it is based on acquiring more and more. What is needed today is a desire to be rich toward God. To seek his will and his ways in our lives.

I am not sure where this study will take us, but I am looking forward to discovering what it means to be rich toward God. I believe learning what it means to be rich toward God is the one of the greatest needs in our churches today. For if we could get a handle on this idea; we would be able to get out of the chase for riches that are temporary and put our energy on the things that are eternal.

Sunday Night Reflections

A few thoughts from an amazing day...

• Wrapped up our series on Total Forgiveness today looking at the topic of guilt.
• Guilt can have either a positive or negative effect in our lives.
• Positively, guilt can bring us to take responsibility, seek forgiveness and experience freedom.
• Negatively, guilt can cripple our relationship with God and with other people.
• There is also another aspect of guilt - false guilt.
• False Guilt, like worry is an emotion created by our imagination.
• Hey people - Stop picking up bricks!
• Kristin's communion meditation truly reminded us of the love of God - and reading from The Message gave all of us a fresh perspective.
• How can the month of April be almost over?
• Honestly, Preaching without a net is both freeing and scary!
• I had a friend scare me today - and I did not like it!
• Several of our winter folk are heading back north for the summer soon - I am going to miss them.
• John Ortberg's "Box" study is really challenging me.
• This weekend is Chip n Chew - this is probably the most creative scholarship fundraiser I know of - a tip of the hat to Ted and Julia and their team for all their hard work over the years.
• Next week I begin a two part series called Ripples - PBCC family you need to hear these messages.

Today

I am sitting here trying to make it to the 10:00 local news, but I am getting a serious case of the nods. I was wondering why am I so tired so I did a quick search of my calendar today...

• Up at 6
• Gym at 7 - 2 miles on the elliptical and a lower body workout.
• Arrived at the office at 9
• Answered Church email (27 total) - why am I getting so many emails for Viagra?
• Proofed Sunday's worship bulletin
• Finished the sermon outline for Sunday
• Met with preschool director
• Made a decision about a purchase for the church
• Checked in with my study partner via phone call
• In depth discussion regarding a statewide ministry with a ministry partner via phone call
• Filed left over sermon material from sermon series on Total Forgiveness for future reference
• Checked on a friend's heart cath - got good news!
• Edited Church Newsletter
• Found my Mic for Sunday - this was a big relief!
• Read 10 pages of notes from leadership that inspires website - real good stuff
• Spent some time talking with staff about nothing - not very productive, but a very valuable communication that develops a deeper friendship.
• Dinner with my wife
• Watched Flash Forward
• Answered personal emails
• Followed the NFL draft - Why do some teams continue to make bad choices year after year?
• Spent a few minutes on Facebook - Connected with a cousin and sent birthday wishes to a couple of friends

Now time for the news - I am beat! I hope I do not doze off before the end of the news.

In Praise of my Assistant

Today was administrative assistant's day - if you forgot it is not too late to thank the one who keeps your office running smoothly. Today I dedicate my blog to my assistant, Cindy. Cindy joined our staff a little under two years ago and has done a great job keeping our office organized and running smoothly. One thing about a church office each day brings it's own set of challenges. No two days are the same. So it is a gifted person who can be my personal assistant as well as church secretary for 250+ members. Cindy has demonstrated the ability to keep the office smoothly, even when things area little chaotic.

Today, I treated Cindy with a plant (thankfully my wife picked it out) and a gift card to one of her favorite craft stores. It was a small gift, but it was just one way of saying thank you Cindy for all you do for PBCC.

One last thing members of PBCC - I hope you will take an opportunity to thank Cindy for all she does for our ministry. Cindy does more than send out emails, answer the phones and print a weekly bulletin - she is focal point to our office, and I for one am glad she is our church secretary! Than you Cindy - You are appreciated!

More Thoughts on Leverage

One of my favorite verses on partnership and companionship has to be Ecclesiastes 4:9-12...

⁹ Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: ¹⁰ If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! ¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? ¹² Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands in not quickly broken.

This section of scripture teaches us the value of leveraging our resources, our strength and our talents to accomplish more for the kingdom of God. there are three principles we should note when it comes to leverage...

1. When we leverage ourselves we have a good return for the work. We are more effective when we combine forces. I know of 2 churches in Indiana that combines their efforts for Vacation Bible School each year, as a result they are more effective in ministry; because they are partnering together for a common goal or having a quality VBS ministry.
2. There is also a sense of providing genuine aid to one anther. Solomon says If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Life is tough and we need one another to help when we fall down (and we will fall down!) I have been in ministry long enough to see that over time, strong churches become weak churches and weak churches become strong churches. It has been my experience that we seldom come to the aid of the struggling church and too often we are jealous of the strong church. However, when we practice the concept of leverage, we begin to partner together helping all churches to grow stronger.
3. We have a built in defense system. Solomon says, "a cord of three strands is not quickly broken." There is strength in unity. Unity sends a powerful message or both purpose and priorities. Want to see what disunity looks like? Just look at Washington D.C. Two parties that cannot agree on very much. They have divided purpose and priorities and unfortunately not much is getting done and there seems to be lot of frustration! However when we unite there is a power of transformation where God's plan is revealed to all people - that is why Jesus prayed for unity. John 17:20-21, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Who can I partner with today? That is the question I am asking myself? I hope you will ask the same question of yourself as well?

Leverage

I grew up in Jacksonville Florida before there were full time youth ministers to oversee the youth ministries of the church. One thing I remember about that time was how active our youth ministry was back then. There were spiritual retreats, fellowship events and opportunities for discipleship. All done by volunteers in the local churches in the Jacksonville area. What made it work was the volunteers leveraged their resources to bring about a meaningful youth ministry. Some adults were good teachers, some were good at relationships, and some were great with creativity; all working together to make our youth ministry work.

Here is my question for today; why don't we leverage our ministries any more? It is my observation that most ministries have an individualist mindset rather than kingdom minded mentality. I wonder what would happen today if we would become more kingdom minded rather then working on our personal kingdoms?

When Jesus announced the kingdom of God was near he was stating a movement was about to begin that would conquer all other kingdoms through the love of Christ. For the kingdom to be effective we must constantly move forward with the unity that God desire and Christ prayer for. This happens when we begin to partner with one another to see Christ glorified.

So I ask; are you building THE kingdom or are you building your kingdom?

Sunday Night Reflections

A few thoughts from an amazing day...

• I will never get over the high price of forgiveness of my sins - after all, God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us [me] , so that in him we [I] might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
• Do you really understand "Jesus Paid It All"?
• We now know 99.9% is not good enough.
• Discovered one of our college students has a summer internship with CIY - I am very excited for her.
• We had 23 in our new parenting class today - good things are happening.
• The world needs to know forgiveness from sin comes from Jesus alone.
• If the world really understood the cost of forgiveness they would beat a door to churches.
• If the church really understood the cost of forgiveness we would constantly strive for holiness.
• Remember you sins and mine are not rolled back, postponed or covered up they are forgiven.
• I was extremely encouraged by our concert tonight, each band was a true blessing.
• There is nothing like hearing 250+ teens, young adults and others rocking to "I'll fly away".
• I really appreciated the Christ like service our tech and worship teams put in for tonight's concert, it was a true labor of love.
• Next Sunday I will preach on releasing our guilt and shame, PBCC you need to be there!

Reading Blogs

Here are a couple of post that really hit it out of the park the last couple of months...

• Tony Morgan thinking about the church and Target Department Stores
• Joe Putting reminded me everyone needs Jesus
• Jud's post on faith really got me thinking about MY faith
• Steve Furtick reminded me it is not all about me
• Aaron's blog regarding marriage was really, really, really good!
• I really appreciated Perry's honesty about church leadership

To my fellow bloggers thank you - you truly blessed me the last couple of months!

Taxes - an opportunity to make adjustments

Tax day has come and gone. By now we have all paid our dues for another year. What amazes me about doing our taxes is the amount of receipts and records I kept for 2009. Some things that I discovered about my spending in 2009...

I spend a lot of money at Walmart? I really like eating at Chili's. It looks like my favorite place to buy gas is 7/11. Christianbooks.com is still my favorite place to buy books.

Looking back over the last year I noticed the amount of money I spent on several different items and it really surprised me just how much money I spent on items. In reality, spending money is a lot like spending life. We can go through life not really aware of how we are spending our years. Yet there is one big difference between spending money and spending our life. Uncle Sam requires us to have a yearly reckoning which allows us to look over the previous years spending and if we do not like what we see, we can make a few changes. Life is not that way, scripture teaches us we will face a judgment at the end of this life. Unfortunately that judgment comes at the end of our life with no opportunity to make adjustments. My challenge to each of us is take a little time to check out how you are doing from time to time in this thing called "Life"; ask yourself some probing questions...

• Am I living a life that pleases God?
• Am I aware of my life purpose?
• Am I making decisions in light of that purpose?
• Who is influencing me?
• Who am I influencing?
• Who will cry at my funeral?
• Am I spending time with the ones who will cry at my funeral?

These questions will help you to make the necessary adjustments to your life, so that you will be able to live a life that honors God. When we make adjustments, we no longer focus on our past, rather we focus on our future and that helps to live a life that is both fulfilling and purposeful.

Perseverance

Here are a few verses I think about when ministry gets a little tough...

• 1 Chronicles 16:11, Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
• Job 17:9, Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.
• Psalm 37:24, though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
• Psalm 73:24, You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.
• Psalm 138:8, The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.

Sunday Night Reflections

A few thoughts from an amazing day...

• Another baptism today...good stuff
• Taught my favorite class today Discover Palm Bay; 7 people attended, can't wait to see what happens next.
• Preached without a net today - kinda scary, but I think it was effective.
• I have been wondering lately what am I doing to enlarge the kingdom of God personally?
• There are three types of forgiveness; Detached Forgiveness, Limited Forgiveness, Full Forgiveness - which one are you practicing today?
• Remember your horizontal relationship with others ALWAYS impacts your vertical relationship with God.
• Remember forgiveness is always a choice.
• We kicked off our new parenting class today 14 families are a part of this new ministry.
• There are some songs our worship team performs that really get me jumping - thanks team!
• Car trouble always causes me stress.
• Next Sunday PBCC hosts Sanctus Real, Me in Motion, Addison Road and Above the Golden State - for tickets check out bearbonez.com

Hey Jude

I am part of a men's small group that meets on Saturday mornings. We have just finished a study on the book of Acts and we are getting ready to begin a new study on John Ortberg's book; When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back in the Box. This week we had a one week break in our study, so we took a quick look at the Book of Jude. I must tell you this small book packs a punch. Jude challenges each of us...

• To contend for the faith.
• To cherish sound doctrine
• To be careful of those who abuse grace
• To remain in God's love
• To show mercy

24 verses - has anyone every said so much with so few words? This should be a reminder for all who preach each week. It is not length that counts, it is content of the message. Remember that as you step into the pulpit this weekend.

By the way look at how he closes out this letter...

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

What a great way to end a letter and what a great thought to have as you enter the pulpit.

I was invited, but I did not qualify

I think one of the greatest inventions of our modern culture has to be Caller I.D. I absolutely love the fact that I can screen telemarketers and political surveys and all other nuisance calls. This morning my phone rang and the caller I.D. popped up as one of those vacation clubs, you know 4 days and 3 nights in some great place all you need to do is listen to a a brief presentation on the benefits of vacation club ownership. Instead of hanging up, which I normally do, I began to listen. I told them the destination I would like to visit and they said great they had an open and looked forward to seeing me there. Then the consultant asked me a few questions...

• Was I married - check
• Was I between the ages of 28-55 - check
• Was I willing to listen to the presentation - check
• Finally; one last question did my income meet a certain level - no

It was at that point she said I am sorry this offer is not for you and she hung up. I was available, I fit the profile they were looking for, I had all the qualifications they desired but one - my income did not stack up!

After she hung up the phone, I started thinking what if God dispensed his grace in the same way? Can you imagine having all of the qualifications but one and then being told, I am sorry but this offer is not for you! No God does not work that way everyone is welcome to his "Ultimate Vacation Club a.k.a. Heaven" And just in case you are unsure about this look at these verses.

John 14:1-3, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Ephesians 2:8-9, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Luke 14:15-23, When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' "Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.' "The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room. Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.

I love that last verse, "Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full."

Just in case you are still not sure, read this story from the day Jesus died. The one who deserved hell received heaven, and that is good new for all of us!

Why I do What I do

Yesterday's post regarding longevity got me thinking about longevity in ministry. I stated yesterday, the average NFL career is 3 1/2 years. That is not very long when you consider all the time that is spent to get one to the NFL. I was thrilled to discover recently ministers are sticking with their calling longer than the average NFL player. Currently the average stay of minister in one church is 7.7 years. This is good news, when I started in ministry 29 years ago the average stay was 4.5 years. Ministers are staying in their churches longer and that is a good thing for both the minister and the congregations they serve.

Why has the length of ministry increased over the past few years? I can think of several reasons.

1. Ministers are better equipped for the changes of ministry, education and resources are readily available for ministers to continue refining their skills in ministry. The allure of "greener pastures" is not nearly a draw as we continue to grow in our present ministry.
2. Longevity increases the minister's ministry to the local church. Research tells us the longer a minister stays with a local the church the more healthy the church becomes. Church leaders and ministers understand it is not enough for the church to simply grow numerically, the church needs to be healthy as well; one of the best ways to secure congregational health is through a long term ministry.
3. Attitudes have changed regarding ministry friendships in the local congregation. When I began ministry 29 years ago, there was an unwritten rule not to have close friends with members of the congregation. I am glad to say that attitude has changed. Some of my best friends are members of my congregation, my small group is essential for my spiritual as well as emotional health. We are a relational people, we need people in ministry. I cannot imagine a ministry without good friends.

I am closing in on 5 years of ministry at PBCC and I can honestly say, I think my best years are a head of me. I serve a great church, yeah we have our ups and downs, but I cannot think of a better place to serve. PBCC has given me opportunities to grow continually by sending me to conferences and purchasing resources, we are constantly looking at our systems with a goal of become a more healthy church and I have many good friends in the congregation. PBCC is a place where I can grow in my ministry and I look forward to continuing my ministry for a long time.

Longevity

ESPN announced this morning Brett Farve is a grandfather. Now that is not big news, men become grandfathers everyday. What is news is the fact that if Farve plays next season, he will be the first grandfather to play in the NFL. That fact alone speaks to his longevity. Brett has been around awhile! Considering the nature of the NFL, this speaks volumes about his ability to play in a league where the average career is 3 1/2 years. We should congratulate Farve for his accomplishment and celebrate the fact that here is a man who has found something he enjoys and still has "a fire" in his bones that keeps him playing despite the occasional injuries, the routine of training camp and the contact of the game.

Longevity is necessary in our Christian walk as well. Our faith is not a sprint, but a marathon. We do not get points for a fast start, but for finishing well. The Apostle Paul told his young apprentice, Timothy that he had completed the race well.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7,8

So my challenge for all of us is to stay faithful to the cause of Christ. However, the challenge for the believer is not to simply grow old in the faith, but to grow up in the faith. We grow old in the faith by simply letting time go by, but we grow up in the faith, by practicing the disciplines of faith; prayer, study, fasting & giving, just to name a few. I believe those who grow up in the faith have a better chance of remaining faithful to the cause of Christ. Those who grow up in faith remember the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:58,

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

It is that attitude that keeps us going for the long haul. We need to finish well, for Jesus is waiting for us at the finish line. So congratulations Brett, may we have the same desire to live out our Christian faith as you have had for the game of football.

What's Next?

Well by now many ministers have looked a their numbers from Sunday are pleased with the response. I have seen the numbers from several of my freinds churches and I must say Easter was a big day in many of our churches. The question now is what's next, what happens after the big day? Will there be responses next week? Did people see something last Sunday that will compel them to return next week? Maybe I am expecting too much, but I hope we did somethings Sunday that will peak the curiosity of some people for them to say, "Let's check it out again." Yesterday was all about opportunity and hopefully we gave people the opportunity to consider Jesus.

Speaking of opportunity, A woman shared with me today her experiences of visiting PBCC Sunday. She told me when she arrived she sat alone and then a man approached, introduced himself and then offered to pray with her. I don't know who the man was but I am glad someone seized the opportunity and prayed for her. She then told me a woman came up to her and sat with her though out the service. She said she was amazed at how friendly the people of PBCC were to a total stranger.

Two people seized the opportunity Sunday and as a result a woman's life was changed. Church, I cannot tell you how important it is to seize the opportunities and take advantage of the God moments in this life. With that in mind, I want you to know I am looking forward to see what's next!

Sunday Night Reflections

A few thoughts from an amazing day.

• I am amazed at the power that comes from the spoken word of God.
• Kicked off worship with a gospel version of "O Happy Day" - that will always get you excited about the resurrection of Jesus!
• All areas of the tech team hit it out of the park today. We used a variety of elements to communicate the truth of the gospel and they did not miss a beat, thanks team!
• Did you know a few of the guys on the tech team worked at the church until 11:30 Saturday night to get things right for Today?
• When people respond like they did today, I am reminded I am simply the instrument God uses for it is not about me or my ability.
• I started blogging 2 months ago; today I received confirmation that is wise a wise thing to do.
• I believe the series our new series on Total Forgiveness will be just as powerful as our "Storm" series.
• To all our childcare volunteers; THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
• Our Indiana friends head north this week, I will miss them all. Hurry back.
• I will admit I was a little nervous using the taxi driver and nun story today.
• Mark 16:7 has got to be one of the greatest verses ever recorded regarding forgiveness. The verse reminds us all that God is the God of second chances and it is found in the phrase "and Peter".
• Remember there is nothing to gain by holding oneself in unforgiveness and there is everything to gain by releasing oneself from unforgiveness and beginning the process of healing.
• I am still pumped from today's worship.
• Want to know if prayer works; Just ask the Hanke Family

It Never Grows Old!

The last verses of John 19 reads;

At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:41-42)

When you read these verses at face value they seem pretty bleak. Death by crucifixion, a hurried funeral and a borrowed tomb. Too often in life, we focus on bleakness of defeat, believe me it does not get any bleaker than John 19:41-42. However that is not the end of the story. For the next chapter of John begins;

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. John 20:1-8

Everything still looks bleak, especially in the eyes of Mary, note her words; "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" However, we see a ray of hope in the actions of the apostle John; He saw and believed - He saw what? A folded piece if cloth? An empty tomb? He certainly did not see Jesus (that would come later that same day) No, but he saw enough to believe something had happen that would change the world forever. He did not understand everything but he did believe. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and once again we will tell the story that never grows old - Jesus is alive. Thousands will meet in churches around the world to celebrate that fact that we serve a risen savior. You may have heard the account in John's gospel 20 times or you may be reading it for the first time today, but I promise you this if you will believe the words this account will never grow old in your life and one day when you see Jesus face to face you will be glad you chose to believe!

Coming Together

Things are starting to fall into place for our Easter Sunday Worship. The week's message is finished, the worship team is putting on the final touches for Sunday, and we have ramped up our volunteers. I am really looking forward to Sunday. I would be lying if I said this Sunday was not my favorite Sunday to preach, not because of the larger than usual crowd, but because this Sunday above all other Sundays focuses on the ultimate victory Jesus had (and has) over the grave. As a minister I have stood with many families in funeral homes and at gravesides as they mourned the loss of loved ones. For many the separation from a loved one is very difficult, However this Sunday reminds all of us our separation is only temporary, one day we will participate in the greatest family reunion ever! The reunion of the family of God. So while everything is coming together for Sunday, I look forward to the time when God brings us all together - See you there!