Sunday afternoon reflections

I had forgotten how much holidays like Thanksgiving affect attendance & offerings - but we survived this weekend, and still saw some new folks give their lives to Jesus, which makes everything we do worthwhile!

I also observed a lot of parallels between today's BEARS' game, and our church:

• you don't win football games or grow effective churches on one star player (not that I'm a star anyway, but seeing "The Ridiculous" Devin Hester couldn't beat Denver by himself lets me know this is still true!)
• when you don't have a solid team at every position, it shows (am I the only one that thinks this way, or are the Bears making every opponent look like Super Bowl champions? Man, it seems like every unsung player we face becomes a star against us)
• it's the little things that make churches effective, and win games! (too many examples to choose from, but blocked punts and 3rd-down tackles and extra-effort by Adrian Peterson after he should have been stopped all come to mind)
• What were you thinking? (Seriously, folks - why would anyone kick to Devin Hester? And, for that matter, how many times have you wondered that about churches? Or about me and some of the boneheaded decisions I've made through the years?)
• it's not over until it's over (not just today's game, but a lot of church services come to mind, too!)
• No matter how ugly, a win is a win, and it sure feels better than a loss.

Bottom-line for the Bears - I still think the season is over, and I'm really, really ready for Kyle Orton. (I really don't need to see any more tipped passes or fumbles to know Rex ain't it, Lovie - surely you know that by now)

Bottom-line for CLC - we NEED you! Regardless of how insignificant you feel your role is, the truth is, we cannot effectively minister to others without every member of the body fulfilling the ministry to which God has called you!

And speaking of your role: don't miss this weekend! Dr. Buddy Bell is not only as enjoyable and humorous a guest as we ever bring to CLC, but he will help you realize your infinite value as a "Gospel Helper" - Saturday at 6pm and Sunday at 9 & 11:15 a.m., plus a special workshop on Sunday afternoon at 2pm. See you there!