During our last Saturday night service of 2006 at Healing Place Church, I made such a discovery about myself that I have always felt and sensed but never would put words to. It was during an awesome time of reflection and soul-searching at the end of the service, when I invited many to come to the altar just to be with Jesus. Right then and there, God showed me something about myself - that many times it is hard to preach and communicate to others when you yourself feel tremendously in need also. It is like I wanted to stop and say to everyone up there, “Hey this is hard for me because I don’t have a lot of this down either.” It jolted me - I suddenly felt such an awareness of how much His grace covers and collides with my many inadequacies. I just wandered off the stage to let another staff guy close up in prayer.

In John 15 Jesus says, “Without Me you can do nothing.” What a truth for me! I hope it will be an awareness that stays with me in 2007. I just can’t do anything without Jesus.

The other day I added up that I spoke 272 times in 2006 - probably more opportunities in 2007 - I will need every single one of them just as much as the next person.

Thank you, John Newton for your perspective on grace that has so described me.

One of Healing Place Church’s band members, Greg Smith and his wife Lori have a 5-month-old baby that is facing some serious medical challenges. You can check out the whole story at the website they’ve set up for prayer for Hannah.

I have been so blessed as I’ve talked with Greg and Lori and prayed with them through this whole ordeal. They are so full of faith. Such a huge challenge but so full of faith. He told me the other night that they “just trust God because we know He is in control.”

I would love it if everyone would pray for Hannah Smith like she was your own child. And visit their site (click here) and let them know you’re praying. Leave an encouragement for them - help keep their faith strong, and join them in believing for a miracle for little Hannah.

Here’s something for you church planters out there who read my blog: on January 22-23 in New York a FREE conference on starting a church from scratch hosted by Nelson Searcy. One of the top experts in the church planting field, offering a free conference where you can go and learn and ask question and meet people. What more could you really ask for?

If you’re planting a church or if you just want to interact with some others who are doing the same thing, then this could be a great way to connect. Click here for more info on the conference. It’s coming up really quick, so hurry if you have any thoughts of attending.

Today (Christmas Eve) at church I had a few pictures taken just to celebrate some of the friendships that I value so much. Dan Ohlerking and I have been friends for 22 years now and have worked together in ministry for most of that time. Dan works with me in my office with communications and a bunch of things including this blog - without him it wouldn’t be what it is.

In the little gallery (click here to view it) there’s a picture of Earl Rentz, who has been my friend just as long, and Mike Haman - another 20-year friendship. Then there’s Bro. Wayne and Jim Rentz - two of our presbyters - who have spoken into my life for 20+ years and mean so much to me.

There’s pics of Johnny Green, Angie Bellard, Marc Cleary, Jope Pursiful, Emily Morrow, and even a Sherriff’s Lieutenant Robert Stone - all of whom are part of the team who make things happen here on weekends - and are great friends.

Be blessed this Christmas and enjoy the family and friends that God has blessed you with.

Merry Christmas!

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Some of the team getting ready to head out to give away Christmas presents.

I just got an update on the number of gifts that we’ve collected for Christmas to give away from Healing Place Church to people in our community.

1982

Being from the class of 1982, the number has a little extra special meaning to me. Made me think about all that God has done in my life since that year - and thinking how cool it is that so many people have taken the time to buy Christmas presents for people they don’t even know. I’m so glad we get to do this.

It’s all about people. There was one place our team went that there was just an eight-year-old there babysitting her infant sibling. They were waiting for their dad to come home but had no idea when that would be. Our team talked with her and prayed with her - and actually led her to the Lord right there. One life touched and changed.

It’s cool to see 1,982 gifts being given - but not because it’s such a big response to a need. It’s cool because each of the 1,982 gifts represent individual lives touched in Jesus’ name.

Thanks again to all of you who gave - the new class of 1982.

I just added some more pictures to the 2006 Christmas Parties gallery (click here to check it out). The new batch of pictures is from last night - I stopped by Boutin’s where they were having the Christmas party for the HPC KIDS church volunteers and workers and their families. Boutin’s was overrun by HPCers! Table for 385, please.

Three hundred and eighty-five of the hardest working, God-filled, joyful servants of the Lord. All our campuses had their teams there, celebrating a huge year and some great blessings from God in the lives of the children of HPC. I love these people - they love our kids.

There’s one child in particular that I want to ask you to continue to pray for. We mentioned Hannah Smith this weekend a church - the four-month-old daughter of Greg and Lori Smith (Greg is one of our guitar players at the Highland campus). Hannah is in the hospital with some heart trouble - please pray for her and for Greg and Lori. Pray like Hannah is your own daughter.

Thanks.

And thanks to the incredible team that serve our children every week here at HPC. Thank God for Sherrie and Ronnie May. I love y’all.

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