Perspective

The past couple of weeks have in some ways had their challenges but bright spots as well. I was reflecting yesterday at lunch with my friend Mike Chibbaro, a solid brother whom I love and just never get to spend enough time with, on some of the highlights related to opportunities I have had.

During this period, I had the blessing of Laura Story's cd release party and mini-concert at Christian Supply in Spartanburg (www.myspace.com/laurastory). It was such a blessing to me and my family to be there amoung friends and hear a precious sister lead us in Praise to the Lord and see Martin, her husband and cheerleader who is continuing to recover from a brain tumor, there as well.

I had a lunch meeting Tuesday sponsored by my friends William and Lisa Renfrow where Jim Dismore, a former Walmart exec. who has for many years consulted businesses who would like to know how to do business according to God's plan.

I had a conversation with my friend Richard Smith, a Spartanburg pastor at Hope Point Community Church (http://www.hopepoint.org/). As always I so enjoy being able to chat with Richard even though we really only see each other a few times per year.

At a recent wedding shower for Deb Mathis and Jason Read (Deb is one of my favorite people and Jason is a fine dude and very fortunate), I had the opportunity to talk with Caz McCaslin (http://www.upward.org/), Rick Mathis, one of my heros and dad of another hero David Mathis, main man to John Piper. Dave Edwards, the Toyota man not the comedian, was also there and such a blessing as always. (Deb, hope that was better!)

I also had communications with my friend Alexia Newman, a sister in Christ (http://www.carolinapregnancy.org/) regarding her upcoming banquet with Ken Davis (April 15th). As always it will be "The Event" of the year in Spartanburg. Always a blessing, the event and especially Alexia. She's also one of mine and my family's heroes.

Pat and I also had an incredible tour of Milliken & Co. Research in Spartanburg where so many friends work. Our friend Jeff Lane blew us away with all that we saw. Quite impressive and we saw Tom Hamilton while touring.

Crossfire on Wednesday nights in the Hangar (http://www.lifewaylink.com/templates/cusfbspartanburg/details.asp?id=21501&PID=119293) have been incredible worship services lead by Seth Buckley and the Hangar band in with help from the Media team. Wow! These guys do an awesome job!

As I said, I have just had an unusually blessed few weeks. Then I read a note from a friend who is away right now...way from friends and family being stretched in ways that are frightening to most of us. The note puts into perspective the "softness" of my life which leads to complacency. Bless you my friend for faithfuless, like Paul, and needed perspective. May your Easter be blessed.

Naming this Blog

In case you wonder where the name for this blog originated, it's from a song by one of my favorite songwriters, Steven Curtis Chapman (www.stevencurtischapman.com). Great Invitation is from the cd Speechless. Below are the words:


In the palace in the land of mercy
The king looked out from his throne
He saw the sick and the homeless and hungry
He saw me lost and without hope
And moved with compassion
He sent out his only son
With the invitation to come

This is your invitation
Come just the way you are
Come find what your soul has been longing for
Come find your peace
Come join the feast
Come in this is your invitation
So I stood outside the gates and trembled
In my rags of unworthiness
Afraid to even stand at a distance
In the presence of holiness
But just as I turned to go
The gates swung open wide
And the king and his only son
They invited me inside

So now will you come with me
To where the gates swing open wide
The king and his only son
Are inviting us inside
This is our invitation
Come sinner as you are
Come find what your soul has been longing for
Come find your peace
Come join the feast
Come in this is your invitation
This is our invitation
This is the invitation

The website allows you to hear the song which speaks to my heart because I was once the invited, the one in filthy rags with no way in, and God in His Great Mercy had compassion on my sinful heart. His Son Jesus, traded His Righteousness for my sin and invited me in...and that has made all the difference!

Thank you Lord for your incredible grace and gift of music and artists like Steven Curtis Chapman.

Just for Starters

Wow!! This is actually a bit scary for Newbies but I really wanted to see how this works. I have enjoyed reading a few of these and keeping up with friends. If you are wondering about the name, it comes from a song of the same title from a few years back....about God's Great Invitation to us. There will be more time later to explore the subject further. For now, I can't wait to see how this works and looks. This is a family photo from 2006 Florence Italy.