Thankful for the cloud of witnesses who stayed the course in front of me so I could find my way…

I think about back in the day, on a cold Friday night in November of 1982, what it must’ve taken for Oasis, this band with blue leisure suits, to show up in Rochester, NY.  I don’t know what it cost their families or how tired they might have been singing four-part harmonies – but Jesus used their faithfulness to reach a broken-down, sinful guy like me.

Phil – the guy who preached and sang bass:) – told me about Jesus. He talked about the cross, my sin, God’s offer of forgiveness, and about grace and mercy.  And he gave me the chance to give my life to Christ.  I said yes – in a heartbeat, and I’ve never recovered.

I’m really grateful Phil didn’t bail.

Who’s counting on you not bailing?  Someone you love?  Someone you’ve never met?  You can remain faithful, friends. You can run all the way to the finish. You can break the tape.  I’ll be cheering you on.

p.s. Reflections on a remarkable weekend coming up tomorrow. One of my favorites in recent history. Jesus was so close!

1. I am surrounded by one of the best teams on the planet at this great church. Quest’s pastors, elders, directors and leaders love Jesus and love Questers with an uncommon love, and I am so thankful to get to work alongside of them in this place. Happy Pastor Appreciation Month, friends. Thanks for the ways you make Jesus shine here.

2. Had a blast this past weekend spending time with Corey in Dallas. More about that later, but…(a) Cowboys Stadium is actually a prototype of heaven, and (b) Hanging w/Corey is one of my favorite things on the planet.

3. Thanks again for all your letters, emails, tweets and messages. I’m really grateful for the ways you’ve learned to trust Jesus in this place, and I just wanted to say again how thankful I am to be your pastor. Let’s advance the kingdom of God together for a long time and make Jesus famous!

My son just pulled out his own front tooth.
(I tried and couldn’t do it…so he just took care of it himself.)

Way to go Carson!

This is no ordinary kid. (Check out that neck…that afro…that gap.) And text the tooth-fairy: self-extracted front teeth get a way better return…he’s gonna make a killing.

1. The NFL FINALLY kicked-off again last night. All is right with the world.

2. Praying for 414 brand new Christ-followers who asked Jesus into their hearts last weekend at Questapalooza! Now THAT’s worth celebrating! (Begging God to bring back 1000s to Come See for Themselves this weekend!)

3. Loved being a part of The Nines yesterday…a great online conference put on by the Leadership Network.

4. I am seriously pumped for this coming weekend at Quest. Come See For Yourself!

Don’t give up on your invites! If they couldn’t make it last weekend, let them off the hook. But if there’s a chance they might come now…risk it again and invite them for this weekend! Seriously. This series could change their lives FOREVER.