God and his church get a big shout out

Well, its Tuesday post Easter and I'm just now getting my feet. It was an extremely busy week for me and I know it was for many of you as well. Many of you will be getting or already have gotten a very personal thank you's from me. But I wanted to publicly applaud your efforts here on the blog as well.

--First to Sarah "freakin'" Haddox our Crew project manager. Sarah was there every step of the way with her hand in everything. Thanks for being the glue. She also, with the help of Cindy Arrowood/Beth Davis, designed and created our set that we used through Lent. It was unbelievable how well the theater worked for what we wanted to do. I had my doubts, but God used you to relieve me of them.

--Second, Jen Edwards took vivid pics that were displayed for our 7 deadly sin series. It added that visual touch that tied the series together. Thank you.

--Third, Ash Wednesday was a huge kickoff event for Lent and I want to thank the entire Crew for throwing themselves into a liturgy that was outside of the comfort zone. Thank you Sarah Perry/Christina Bailey for your eye for design and decor. This night of repentance is something we'll never forget.

--Fourth, Brad Grampa, Kim Adkins, and Sarah Haddox weekly designed our videos, skits, interviews, media, creative communions, and worship order. We had a weekly multi sensory worship experience that didn't just happen. These guys were the gifts of God to our church that made it easy to meet God on Sundays.

--Fifth, Kim Adkins is a super star. She has been unbelievable in putting together our Lent Reading booklets, maintaining our website and blog, and packaging all of our events and gatherings in an attractive way. Your addition to our team can not be put into words.

Now to last week.

--We fed about 80 folks a Passover meal that was extremely detailed. What is Endive? The shopping started a week before, the prep started on Tuesday and went through up until the very start of our Seder. Karen, Frank, and Matthew Bogges stepped up big time to cook, set up, and decorae the room for a night that I'm still hearing about. Thank you for your time, taking off of work early, and your sweat. I'm proud to serve you and alongside you. A huge honorable mention goes out to my wife Sarah who was there throughout the entire process. My kids for beins so well behaved. And Brad Grampa, who even though had to be out of town all week, set up and prepped the room prior to leaving town. Atta boy Grampa.

--Thursday was inspiring as I read the blog post from our prayer vigil. Thank you for participating and stirring my heart and emotions as you let us in on your night with Jesus.

--Friday, oh bloody Friday. This was a lot more involved than I anticipated. But again the devil can make even watching a movie hard on us. The easy part was Mark McKee and Jaybles black, setting up the media and the screen. Thank you o faithful ones. I can always count on you both. Thank you for being reliable and easy to ask for help. But the sound and dvd was a different story. This is where our expertly trained sound tech Kevin Simpson and one of our newest Crewites Kent Hayes saved the day. Thank you for your patience with an out of whack sound system and even more for you flexibility. I have no idea what it is you do, but I know it's essential. Finally thank you to my parent Rosalene and Jeff Black for loving on my kids for 3 hours post a 12 hour day. Your love for your grandchildren is a model to me even though about 20 years away. It better be at least 20 years Dan, Jack, and Alli!!! But thanks.

--Saturday was a huge let down in terms of results. We intended to prepare the city league softball field, of which we're a part, for the spring season. But it was underwater, even though it hadn't rained in 3 days. Who knew? Thank you Tim Bailey for all of the planning, resource gathering, and prayer that went into the day. God doesn't waste our lives, so there was a lesson in there somewhere. I'm not sure what it was yet though.

--Sunday was the marquee day wasn't it? It started at our sunrise service.

Thanks P Diddy for leading us in worhsip with your 6 string in 20 degree whether. I couldn't feel my tongue, I don't know how you felt your fingers.

Thanks Sherry/Mike Burke for our breakfast feast. I'm still eating the food this morning! She was ably assisted and rescued on occasion by Jen Brooks, Anna Keffer, and Brenda McKee. They were there all day Saturday until about 2pm on Easter. Sleep well my friends, sleep well.

--Most importantly, thank you God. Thank you God the Father for creating us in your image, calling us to holiness, loving us rather than scrapping us, and for pouring out your wrath on your Son rather than us. Thank you Jesus for being everything to us. We need nothing other than you. Thank you for being perfect and worthy to die for our sin. Thank you for willingly dying on the cross for our sin in our place as our substitute. Your death has taken ours. Your life is now ours. Easter is about You. Thank you Holy Spirit for indwelling us and empowering us and gifting us to serve God and one another.

Quite simply the best Easter of my life. Thank you Jesus and Crew for making that happen and allowing me to journey with you for the last 40 or so days.