Here are some snapshots that I took in the office last week; I thought I would share them with you.

In the first, are Mr. Mike Landry and his precious daughter, Nichole Coriell, and daughter-in-law, Natalie Landry. Can you guess which is pregnant? Nichole and Natalie are due in the next few weeks. The Landry’s are going to have their hands full!

Next, check out Bro. Earl Rentz in his office camouflage! He must be so busy; he has to start blending in to get his work done without interruption.

This weekend was a huge win for HPC Student Ministries. Volunteer host homes throughout the church took in 6 to 12 students for an in-house weekend retreat like no other!

It all started Friday evening at the Highland Road campus with an incredible night complete with a live worship CD recording. Saturday the students participated in outreaches throughout the community, and Saturday night they were back on their knees worshiping their savior! By the end of the night (after a 4 hour service!) there were dozens of decisios for Christ and over 40 students were baptized in the lake out back!

Isn’t it incredible what can happen when a few hundred students with a God-given passion are unleashed on a city? This is just the beginning of a huge year for our student ministries, and I can’t wait to see the impact that our students have for the kingdom!

Praise God for opportunities and leadership that not only inspire but empower the next generation!

As I sit in the office this morning, I look at my calendar for the month of February and I see all of the things that I am supposed to do. All of my appointments, responsibilities, my to-do list, classes I have to teach, and things I can’t afford to forget. Each one is written in a square and each one of those squares represents my days. Every square has a number and it tells me what day I am on at the moment. I fill these squares with so many things, yet I can only live one square at a time. These four little lines, make up the box that organizes my life. Each box has an invisible door that leads to the next square.Next month, there will be a box with a number 8 on it. I will be 34 on that day. That means that I have experienced 12,410 boxes.

We all fill squares, most of us sense that our squares are chaotic, stuffed with too much activity, but that we will get around to what matters most, one day, when things settle down.

Psalm 39:4-5 // “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to you; human existence is but a breath.”

When I look at my life in that context, I believe that it is imperative that we fill our squares with what matters most. I don’t want to look back in my life over all that God has given me and have regrets, wondering if I have made the most of each opportunity.

All of life matters and every day counts; God has given us a gift and it is called time. So love the people around you, say the words that need to be said, do what is important today, because we are not promised tomorrow.

The past 72 hours have been a roller coaster of so many different emotions, feelings, & questions, but the faithfulness of God has been the anchor to our souls throughout. When Rachel & I got the news that Amy Stockstill had passed away Monday night, our hearts were broken. She truly was a princess, a gift to the body of Christ, and God had called her home. We drove to the hospital to be with Joel & his family in the early moments of Amy’s departure–that’s what friends do during times of sorrow and sadness. Scripture tells us to mourn with those who mourn. Sometimes we miss the importance of that in our hurried world. What an amazing peace God had placed on the family!

When HPC gathered to worship with Bethany at their south campus, you could feel heaven in the house. I think that’s exactly what heaven is going to be like–no logos or egos, no borders or boundaries, just one body lifting up our One Savior. Jonathan Stockstill encouraged us, reminding us that our faith is not based on outcomes but anchored in His eternal word. Pastor Dino unpacked the love of God for us in such a tangible way, and Pastor Larry Stockstill gave men & women the opportunity to respond to God’s irresistible love. It was awesome!!

Today, family and friends gathered in Baker to honor Amy’s life and remember the goodness of God in spite of our loss. I admire Joel’s remarkable courage and strength, as he stood and spoke of his devotion to God and his beloved wife. Her life touched so many, and even in her death, thousands were impacted. We’re believing the purposes of God will prevail, and an entire city can be reached through this. I Corinthians 15:54 says, “…death is swallowed up in victory.” I’m so glad God has the final word!!!

Many of you have heard about the precious Stockstill family at Bethany and have been praying with us for Pastor Joel’s wife, Amy, as she battles this sickness.

Psalms 133 says “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”

Isn’t that awesome? It is pleasing to God when we join together and pray in unity, regardless of what church we attend! The scripture goes on to tell about God’s promise to pour out His anointing as a result of that unity; an anointing more powerful than any sickness!

This Wednesday, we will not be having our regularly scheduled services at HPC (Refuge and Pathfinders included), instead we will all join Bethany at their South Campus, in prayer for Amy. The prayer service will begin at 6pm, and worship will begin at 6:30pm. Please join with us as we converge with the Bethany family and declare the healing of Amy Stockstill!

Below you will find directions to Bethany South. Please join us and spread the word!

___________________________________________________________________________________

From the interstate, take Siegen east (toward Airline) and turn right onto Industriplex Boulevard. Turn right onto Fieldstone and proceed directly into the Bethany South campus.