My twins got glasses

Tonight I took Abby and Sara to Sam's Club to pick up their new glasses. I can not think of a time that they were both more excited about getting a gift. Except this is something they really needed as opposed to a toy or item of clothing they wanted. They went on and on about things they could see. They kept taking their glasses on and off comparing how well they could read signs and pictures in the store.

It makes me feel bad knowing they'd gone months without being able to see well. It was only recent that Melissa and I found out that they both were having to sit near the front of the classroom to see what the teachers were writing on the boards.

New Message Series on Relationships

During the month of February we'll be in a four week series on relationships called, "Making Love Stick".

Here are each weeks message titles:

Feb. 6 Just Like the Movies
Feb. 13 The Road Less Traveled
Feb. 20 After I Do
Feb. 27 Always

Rally for Life

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the Greater Columbus Right to Life, "Rally for Life" in front of the Statehouse.

I was asked to close the time in prayer after three ladies spoke on the topic of pro-life. One of the ladies was Janet Porter,President of a ministry called, Faith 2 Action. She spoke about a bill being sent to Ohio's State Representatives: "The Heartbeat Bill". It basically is calling for protection of the child in the womb once the heart begins being. I asked Janet when that happens and she said it is between 18-24 days after conception. Often, this is before a woman even knows she's pregnant.

It was very cold and icy out, schools were all closed and most people must have assumed the event was cancelled. The 20 or so of us encouraged each other to go as sent ones to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.

Today's Service

I must tell you that when I walked into the school this morning and saw the seven members of the worship band practicing I was blown away! That's the most people we've ever had leading on a Sunday morning. I feel that our worship has been led very well by Dalan Zartman, our worship & creative arts coach and also by Rob Dubois his apprentice. But these two are now taking it to another whole level. They are beginning pass on the leading to other faithful men and women and it's exciting to me that the whole congregation gets to witness it. They are living out our core value MULTIPLY, which I spoke about this morning. You can also see Chrissy Jacobs hosting the service and Greg Blatt giving a testimony about his trip to Bulgaria with his sister to rescue a little gal from an orphanage. All together it was a powerful morning.

Our core value - MULTIPLY

Tomorrow I'm playing this video in our service to remind our people of the partnership we have with the NewThing Network and to help emphasize the mission we have to see a church born out of Encounter someday.

New Believers
New Leaders
New Churches