What a Weekend!

07/07/08 10:42 PM
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Wow - what an amazing weekend (with huge Kingdom implications)! Had a great time at Charlie & Kathy's for the 4th. Got to connect with some old friends, the Culbertson's, who were on their way to Florida. Now they're only a day trip away! Yeah!

On Saturday, spent the day putting the finishing touches on Sunday, met with a couple from out of town that I'll be marrying next year, listened to our band practice, and got ready for Wes' arrival. That's right - our new Youth & Worship Pastor, Wes Roberts is here. He got here late Saturday night with Brianna's brother, Rian ("the Temp" - a great guy).

Sunday absolutely ROCKED! We kicked off a new series, "Wanted: Healthy Families." It's a Western theme, going along with our "Cactus Canyon" VBS that starts next week. The decorations and props look great. Wes opened the service by playing and singing Bon Jovi's, "Dead or Alive." I asked him last week if he could do it and he said, "Yes." He did an awesome job!

The Worship Team - what can I say? You guys are unbelievable! Daniel, you are a gifted Worship Leader. It's so cool to see Father/Son playing, singing, and leading together. Your parents have been telling me about you and your gift for a while, but come on, it's your parents, what are they supposed to say? Well, come to find out, they were right and if anything they held back a bit to let me see and hear for myself. I don't want to put pressure on you (ah, who cares), but I can't wait to see what God could with you and Wes.

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My message, after a three week hiatus, was called, appropriately enough, (like all the commas?) "Cowboy Up!" We talked about the need in our families for men to be the men God has called us to be. My text came from the first 5 verses of Job. I've spoken several times lately to and about men. And you know what? The men at Coastal have responded big time. I see examples all over of life change in our men - serving, leading, giving, and sharing. I'm proud to lock arms with you guys and do life together! Let's continue to beat down the gates of Hell together and rescue more lives for Jesus!

And I can't say enough about Wes. He's a great guy. God just keeps confirming his calling to Coastal. We had a great time Sunday night at WAVES. Our students are already responding big time to him. I got chills just listening to them respond to Wes leading them in worship. Wes and I stayed up after 1AM this morning just talking about the church. We are at the beginning of something very special. And then we had 8 students and 4 adults help unpack Wes' truck this morning. We got it done in 30 minutes!

Wes' wife, Brianna, and their little girl, Charlotte, arrived this afternoon. What a beautiful baby! I can't wait for you guys to meet them. They'll be in church on Sunday.

VBS starts in one week! Pray and invite!
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