Feels like Spring

Well the Hawpe Fam got back from some spring breaking last Saturday. We had a marvelous time - that went way to fast - down in Williamsburg. We got into Busch Gardens, and hit Great Wolf Lodge for one day. Very nice to see the kids having a blast. Landon loves the wave rider - I do too, and we both are getting down some good moves. Kinda fun to hear the onlookers cheering you on.

Today really is nice. It is one of those days in which I didn't mind the birds waking me up. Normally I silently curse them. Three cups of coffee, two learn to read books for Chloe and I am out the door to sunshine and trees getting their leaves.

Something inside me is saying that good things are on the way. Good things happen all the time, but sometimes as the "toil of life" begins to "spoil the life" we aren't counting our blessings. Why is it so easy to complain, and so hard to stop and really count the good in life. Right now no matter who reads this - there is probably an issue, a concern, a fear, a disappointment that you are facing. Yet - there is good. We are free, as Christians forgiven, as Americans blessed, and as human beings - granted the good of this day. Let us all make the most of it.

I read the other day in preparation for the message Sunday about Paul's hardships. Really, really, I have never had a day like many of Paul's. Shipwrecked, bitten by snake, beaten with rods sometimes with whips. Stoned, run out of town. Yet he just keeps on serving God.

SO keep on keeping on - there is much to do. Let us live a life of serving the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Shalom (Peace) to all

Jay

Easter thoughts

Well I have not blogged much over the last few weeks. So much has happened as we (Horizons Church) have moved into our permanent facility. If you think moving a home is stressful, magnify that ten times over. From construction, to inspections, moving, cleaning, preparing, petitioning, all of it is quite a ride. Thank God I can now write this today from the comfort of my office. Easter is coming Sunday so we are getting ramped up for this blessed Holiday.

To note - our past two Sundays have had large attendances as we said good bye to Colonial Forge and opened this new facility. Nearly 600 in one week and over it the following. Wow! That is a lot of people. More importantly we have seen many make a decision for Christ. That is what it is about.

Listen - it is tough sometimes in the pomp and circumstance of church life to be focused on souls, but it is exactly why we do church. Not for facilities, not for numbers, but for people and empower them to be followers of Christ.

So for this Sunday we will be talking about His Story. The story of Christ and how that story from the beginning of time to now is a life changing one. Invite your friends, neighbors, family and co workers to celebrate His Story - it could change their life to.

Pastor J

Here are some pictures