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I'll tell you what I'm going to do....

I love the turn of the calendar year.  It is a time of reflection, of anticipation, of vision forward.  I love to take this time to make plans for the year ahead.  And Christmas sets the perfect framework for what is important; our relationship to God, our family and friends, and those we have yet to impact for Jesus.

I am thankful for so much that has happened this last year.  God continues to smile on my family and on Abundant Life.  We’ve had some big challenges this year, but more significant, some very big victories.  God has us positioned for some great things in 2010.  So what’s next?

Here’s one of my favorite versus…  James 4:13-15

 ¹³Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." ¹⁴Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

We have a team called the Pastor's Prayer Partners.  They lift the pastors of Abundant Life up in prayer every day, based on requests we send each month.  I usually send a pretty long list of stuff that's on my mind, but this month I’m going super simple:

Please pray that God would go before me in all my thoughts and plans for this next year.

How about you? How was your year? Are you making some big plans for this next year? I pray that God finds His way to the center of your thoughts and leads you to the center of His will for you.  Happy Holidays!

This is going to be a BIG YEAR at Abundant Life!

Behind the scenes things are buzzing.  This week I'm interviewing for our open HR position, welcoming our new Worship Pastor, and doing financial reporting among other things.  All in preparation for the future.

Lifegroups and Care Groups are launching, the Men's Breakfast is this weekend, George is back on stage with Scott Miller leading worship at Happy Valley. All very exciting stuff today.

But pulling back and looking at the big picture, George and I are both sensing God has something BIG in mind for Abundant Life this year.  We can feel it.  He is enlightening us for how to be better shepherds than ever for those who call Abundant Life home.  We see our teams (both volunteers and staff) stronger and more focused than ever.  God has expanded our influence in the community and into other churches. 

So what's next? 

Well first, we are working to offer better care and follow-up to those who call Abundant Life home.  This means getting people connected and helping them stay that way.  Connected to the church family, to the resources we have for each person's growth, including opportunities to grow in relationship with others, to serve and grow in our passion and giftedness, to the calling of Abundant Life to reach others as well.

Then what?  We can only imagine.  We still have a Sandy Campus launch on the table.  We're just waiting on God for the financial resources to make this a go!  Other things?  Well, I think that's plenty for right now for a church that likes to keep God out in front of our plans.

And God only knows at this moment what He really wants to do through Abundant Life this year. I know one thing for sure.  Changed lives in relationship with Him will be the end result! 

So, are you ready to be a part of what God is going to do this year through you?

Still crazy after all these years...

This weekend Abundant Life will celebrate 20 years since first opening in 1989.  I was there that first day as an interested party.  My wife Cynthia was a part of the singing group "Destiny" and they were the special music.  Many of the families there were our close friends. 

That day planted the seed in us that God would take the Clothers on a new adventure. By November we had handed off our responsibilities at the other church, and were in at Abundant Life with both feet. 

Through the years, Cynthia and I have had the pleasure of serving in just about every role, and have watched God work through a crazy bunch of people who simply wanted to be real and love others for Jesus.

Abundant Life has never stopped moving, changing, growing.  No time to rest on our laurels.  As we truly love people for Jesus, God continues to work through us, reaching more people and drawing them to Him.  And every day is exciting, with something new. 

July 5th we're shutting down all services and meeting in Happy Valley Park.  It's going to be a little crazy with parking and so many people in one place at one time, but it is so worth it.  We're a little nervous about the logistics, but it will be a great opportunity for people who would never darken the doorway of a church to see what God is doing at Abundant Life.  Be sure and invite your neighbors!

That morning of July 5th we're also hosting a breakfast to honor all of our volunteers at the Happy Valley campus.  Be sure to come by and let us honor you in this way before the service in the park.

Happy Anniversary Abundant Life, and thanks to each of you for being a part, even if you've just joined us.  Together, we are the beginning of the next 20 years!