Highlights

I wonder how many incredible moments escape my memory. Maybe that is why God wanted things written down in His book so that we would remember what He has done and said. The most memorable moments from 2007 are:
Vacationing with the family in Puerto Rico
Discovering Maize Ice Cream in PR and the beautiful beaches
Sarah and I going to the Dominican Republic together with Hope International
Our Niece Tabitha visiting us from Minneapolis and going to the symphony
Family time in KC at Thanksgiving and Christmas
Bethany preaching at Abundant Life
Ebay
Heimel's Auctions
Sign n 4 Him winning 1st Place and performing at the RCA Dome
The Indianapolis Colts Superbowl Champs
The pastors conference in DR
Water Baptisms at ALC
Golfing in Naples with Bob Moberly
Welcoming new friends to the ALC family
Watching Debbie handle the crisis of being downsized
Danielle's graduation and moving in with us while she attends IUPUI
Sarah getting accepted to attend NCU in the fall
Going to the Butler vs Bradley game

Now I have a written record that will help remind me of a few good things from 2007. Thank you Jesus!

Leadership Challenges

The Christmas season really is the most wonderful time of the year. I am looking forward to the fellowship and food with the elders/deacons and spouses tomorrow night. Our resident chef, Dave Darga is always a great resource and help when it comes to food/menu prep. We are going with a surf and turf theme for the menu. I know it will be great.

We have a great leadership team. Tomorrow is about saying thank you for all they do to bring life to as many others as possible. We are looking forward to an evaluation time in the near future as we look at our strengths/weaknesses and opportunities to make disciples through the ministries of Abundant Life. Thom Rainer's book "breakout churches" has become a tool to guide us through the process of striving to go from "good to great" .

We are convinced that what we are as a church does not match up with what God intends. We are believing HIM to help us become what HE has purposed for us both individually and as a church body.

New to the blog

I have been impressed with many colleagues who have used this format to open their lives to the whosoevers of the world like me. Leaders like, Mark Batterson, Jeff Leake, Herbert Cooper etc. have made deposits in my life as of late by way of their blog sites. So here I go. A bit initimidated and unsure of myself but willing to use whatever tools are available to share my heart and life as I strive to do life in and with God. Today Matters is the site name. Yesterday's gone, tomorrow hasn't come and today is all we have. (sounds like lyrics from a country and western song) The-Bos comes from an old nick name going back to what many of my friends in high school used to call me.

I love the opportunity to share life. Last night was fun. I reconnected with Larry Crouch from our old pastorate. He and his wife Jill were one of the first to come to Christ in our church plant in Peoria, IL in 1985. I had the privilege of baptizing Jill when she was 9 months pregnant with her son Jeremy. Last night I watched this incredible young athlete Jeremy Crouch play basketball for the Bradley Braves vs Butler Bulldogs. The dogs won. But it felt so cool to watch this young man play and to recall the times of Bible study and great fellowship in his parents home. Thank you John Williams for the tickets!