Missing Mack....

I heard the sad news this morning that a friend of mine, Mack Osburn passed away last night at his home. I'm only sad because I know what a great gift Mack was to the Cornerstone and Emmaus communities. He was one of the most transparent Christians I ever met. Mack wasn't afraid to share his heart with anyone about the way he loved God, and had come to depend on him.

Mack and I only knew each other for a short time, just a couple of years, but many times during that time he would leave me notes or letters or voice mails, encouraging me in ministry. Sometimes he wouldnt sign them, like I wouldn't recognize his hand writing.

I used to kid him all the time because he was always carrying his bible, and often would walk off without it. He'd call the church and asked if anyone had seen it. Sometimes I think he did it on purpose so people would have to talk about Jesus to him.

He was a sweet man who LOVED working with youth, trying his best to help them understand the importance of having God in their lives.

I wish we had met sooner, before I was appointed out in KC, because I think we could have had a great time in ministry. None the less, today I am missing him....

Godspeed my friend, well done good and faithful servant.....

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Wow my blogging time has gotten away from me!! Since my last post One Spirit has undergone nearly $100,000 worth of renovation and repair. A new sound and video system as well as gutter, paint, drywall....we are starting to look fresh and new again. Some ask why that's so important.

To me it is important that as a church, we are ready for people when they come seeking. My experience is that people searching for answers seek with their heart and navigate to a place of comfort. Because of that I think we need to provide a pleasant and safe environment for people so they find comfort first, and find healing of their hearts next.

This week I'm preaching on evangelism for the first time at One Spirit. It will be interesting to hear feed back as they listen to the 126th Psalm, one of the Psalms of Ascent that inspired the classic hymn, bringing in the sheaves.

It is good to look around at the grounds beneath the sunny days...fresh white paint, solid crack-free walls, new gutters....lights...finally spotlights on the steeple....yep, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood....