Five Things From Today

Grant said I stole his "Random Thoughts" title for a post. So since apparently who owns the rights to that name now, I'll call this "Five Things From Today".

1. After my devos this morning I received an email from a guy who attended preview service yesterday. Great guy, enjoyed the service, gave some great compliments following the service. His email though was weird, hard to read. It was suggestions on what we could do better and what kind of church Cheyenne needs. I know his intentions were well meaning but MAN it was our first EVER service. Some of the things mentioned are things we're doing but he hasn't been to them or been to Unplugged to know who we are or what we're about. I hope he comes to Unplugged to find out what Element is.

2. This morning another guy walked into the office from Preview and his take was 180 degrees different. He was lit up about Element. He's a former staff pastor at a church who has been looking for a place to belong. He's probably 40, retired military, and LOVED Element. He gave me a hug following church and said "God used you today brother". Him and his wife are very excited. He emailed 25 people yesterday and invited them to Element. Really cool guy. Said "you wouldn't believe how many good Christians can't find anything here in Cheyenne." Those of us who were in the office talked with him for over an hour. It was awesome. They are coming to Unplugged this week.

3. Two teams from OWU stopped by the office today for a while. The one team who helped us yesterday was here and then another team that is working at my sis's church in Greeley, CO this week were here. It was cool seeing there genuine excitement for what we're doing and being servants to us and encouragements to us. The team that helped yesterday SAVED us. They really were HUGE in the service.

4. We received this email today from a young man that came yesterday. I emailed everyone who filled out a connection card a thank you for attending preview. This was his response.

"Thanks for the email! I really enjoyed your service and so did the friends I brought along with me. I also thought your preaching style was a nice break from the norm. I was glad to go! I also enjoyed helping your crew take down the musical equipment, because it gave me a chance to get to know everyone better. I'll see if I can make it to the service you are having over at the Holiday Inn this Sunday. No promises though, as I also help out here at the base chapel with worship. I also help teach the youth, but they are currently on vacation for the summer. But I would definitely like to get involved with what your church is doing here. Cheyenne has needed a church like yours for quite sometime, so it's nice to finally see it happening. I'm sure I'll be seeing you guys soon!"

That is what it's all about!

5. This one just capped off the day. We took our kids to the spray park tonight to have some fun and relax. I thought Sab and I would get some time to talk and we both took a book to read. I opened up my "Courageous Leadership" by Bill Hybels and the story begins. The guy next to me asked what the book was about. I said it was written by a pastor so it's more of a church leadership book. He asked what church I was with. Told him Element Church. He remembered us doing the gas buydown. Anyway, we spend 30 minutes in a heart to heart where he opened up and shared about difficulties in his marriage he's having. He wants to get back into church and took one of our cards. It was AWESOME how God put us next to him at the park and he opened up and "happened" to be looking for a church. He grew up in church and had attended another church here in town until their pastor had a moral failure.

Anyway, there are five cool things that happened today! I love this stuff.

Following Christ,

Jeff