JON ALLEN

Thank you to everyone who was a part of the High Rock worship services this weekend. I was blown away that our church family continues to grow and this weekend we had 736 people participate in a High Rock service church-wide. God is good all the time. Make sure you come check it out again next week because we will be talking about our church focus on community outreach. It will be sort of a continuation of our “Whatever It Takes” series so you don’t want to miss it. And also don’t forget to bring your winter coats so we can take them to the homeless shelter!

I asked everyone on staff to be sure and blog this week, and Doug ragged me today because I hadn’t done it yet. Seems like I am always behind. I guess I was just waiting for the right thing to prompt me. Something kind of cool happened tonight that I thought I would write about.

Jess and I went to Bailey Collins’ basketball game tonight (highly entertaining) and out to Tokyo Express afterwards for dinner. We were standing in line and a nice woman came up to me and asked “aren’t you the preacher at High Rock?”. It caught me totally off guard, but I replied, “yes I am”. She reached out her hand and had some money in it… “we want to pay for your dinner”, she told me. This surprised me even more, so I said, “really?” and she said, “yes, we really appreciate what you are doing.” I didn’t even know what to say except thanks. And then like that… poof… she was gone and I couldn’t find her anywhere.

We have been doing so much giving lately I didn’t know what to say when it was my turn to receive. Giving is really important, but sometimes we get so focused on giving that we don’t think about receiving. I know that sounds weird and some people may think it sounds kind of selfish, but it really isn’t. Normally I would have refused to accept it… but if I had done that she would not have had a chance to give. In order to have giving, there must be receiving. So thanks to the woman who did that for us and I pray that God blesses her and she continues to give.

What a weekend… clothing giveaway, gas buydowns, services, 101, so many great things! God is good!

To top it off, Saturday night Jess and I were sitting in bed winding down from the day and JD was sitting in between us in his Boppy pillow. I was about to get up and take him to the nursery when he suddenly (like he was dreaming) smiled and laughed out loud. It was the first time he has actually laughed. It was so precious, Jess and I didn’t know what to do. We just smiled. God is good and He blesses us in small ways and large ways. I can’t say it enough, God is good.

Have you ever noticed that God sends encouragement right when you need it? This weekend I needed it and God sent it… between the salvations at the Hallelujah festival, the connection with people at the gas-buydown, the connection with God during the worship, and the connection with everyone else in the church this weekend, my spirits were lifted right when they needed to be. It didn't hurt that the Bills were on today either (even if they did lose, I still got to watch them). October is Pastor Appreciation Month, but every other one should be Church Body Appreciation Month!

We are getting ready to start a new series this weekend called “Whatever It Takes”. I am REALLY excited about this series, not because of the messages, but because of what our church is actually going to be doing during this series. We will be doing some things we have never done before and really reaching out to meet the needs of people in our community that are hurting. You don’t want to miss one week in this series, it is going to be amazing!

I have really been praying that God will give me focus this week. Often at the beginning of a series (especially one as involved as this) my head gets to spinning. There are sermons to write, graphics to create, events to plan, videos to make, and much more. The week before a new series is always the craziest. So I am praying for focus and you can do me a favor by praying as well. And as we launch into a new topic and chapter of HRCC, to God be the glory great things He will do!

We had something kind of cool happen on Tuesday night…

In small group we were doing the first “Fireproof” study which talked about commitment and basing the love that we have for our spouse on they love show to us by Jesus Christ. It is a sacrificial and committed love.

During the whole group there had been a storm brewing in the sky above our house and it had started thundering and lightning(ing?). When we reached the end of our study the challenge was to commit to taking time to spend with our spouse this week that did not include the kids, cell phones, computers, tvs, yard work, etc… when all of the sudden… BAM!!! And every light on our side of Dunn’s Mountain went out. We were left sitting there in complete darkness. If that isn’t a reminder from God to eliminate the distractions in our marriage, I don’t know what is!

It turned out pretty cool though because we lit a bunch of candles and had our prayer time by candle light. It was a neat atmosphere. I just hope our neighbors didn’t see us and think we are some weird cult!