Loving this song today. If you don’t have plans for Easter Sunday morning, I’d like to personally invite you to Rock City Church. We’re launching our third service this Sunday so you can choose from 9:00am, 10:45am and 12:30pm. We are the light of the world friends and we’ve gotta let our light shine.
Now THAT was a party! Yesterday was the one year birthday of Rock City Church and they didn’t disappoint. I missed the morning service due to “the boy” playing in an AAU basketball tournament. My wife said it was a great and according to reports, they broke another attendance record. The things that are happening, lives that are being changed and growth in the first year of this church are remarkable. This is a testimony to about a dozen people that followed what they believe God called them to do in this city. God has honored their obedience and for that, I am so thankful.
An incredible group of volunteers and those that serve at Rock City gathered last night to celebrate the birthday of our church one more time. Our Pastor took some time to recognize the many people that sacrifice so much just so church “happens”. There are no words or gifts that would say how much we appreciate each and every one of those people. We also had an opportunity to have an “open mic” time of sharing. Somehow I ended up with a mic in my hand and little time to gather my thoughts. How can I sum up the last several months of being a part of this fellowship and community? There really is no way to describe it.
After I said whatever words came to mind, I reflected on the many other things I could have said. There was an entire room full of people that I could have pointed out and thanked for how they are molding our lives and sharing this road. There are people that have poured into my kids lives and loved on my wife and I. There are people I look forward to seeing each week. We’re investing in one another and becoming a family. It is home.
There isn’t much time to pause as we launch our third service this Sunday. Throughout scripture we saw so many people pause to create an altar to remember what God had done in their lives. Last night we built an altar. We pause and reflected. On Sunday we begin another chapter in this remarkable story that God is writing in Columbus. Buckle up, it’s going to be an crazy ride!
THIS is one of the many reasons that we call Rock City Church “home”. If you don’t have plans Easter Sunday, join us for one of the three services. Details (HERE).
The game has only been over for about 2 hours now and I’m already writing the obituary on the 2012 season. What a season it was. It all started ranked #1 as well they should have been. It started by opening the season on an air craft carrier! How cool was that game? It ended last weekend. I know. I know. It actually ended about two hours ago at the hands of Kansas in the Elite 8. Like I said in my last post, let’s be honest…it ended last weekend. I’m not a pessimist. I am a realist. Kendall Marshall makes all of these parts work. NBA talent? Sure. Even NBA teams need a point guard that makes it all go.
This is in no way a knock on Stilman White. Dude flat out played! 13 assists and no turnovers in 2 games? Are you kidding me? A kid that was a walk-on insurance policy played in the most critical games of UNC’s season and had zero turnovers. Remarkable. Yet in both games this weekend the offense went stagnant. It missed the floor general that knew where to get the ball and where it needed to go. More than once the center and power forward were outside the three point arch in the half court. Hint..that’s not where they need or want to be.
Winning a Championship takes a lot of luck, good health and talent. The Tar Heels ran out of two of the three and were running on empty in the last one. The starting backcourt AND the teams best shooter were sitting on the bench in suits (McDonald, Strickland and Marshall). John Henson was getting numbing shots in his heavily taped wrist just to play. Oh, by the way, he rolled his ankle 3 minutes into the Kansas game and limped through the remainder of the game. Harrison Barnes twisted his ankle early in the season and his stat line would show he never was the same. Yet this team kept pushing. With all of the talent, they should be able to do what they did. I can’t question their heart or their effort. Each player stepped up when called on. Yet there was one player they couldn’t afford to lose and they did last weekend.
All that being said, no excuses. You have to put the ball in the basket and they didn’t do that enough in the second half to win. Zeller now graduates with honors. Barnes and Henson most likely bolt for the NBA. Marshall and even a long shot MacAdoo could at least entertain it. This was the team that had the best shot to hang another banner. Now they rebuild and start the process all over again. I’m still proud to be a Tar Heel. Always have been. Always will be.
You all know I’m a fan of the Tar Heels. You’ve probably also heard that Kendall Marshall broke his wrist last weekend. This is, by far, the worst possible scenario for UNC. Since most people don’t follow the Heels as closely as I do, let me give some perspective. Take any team still in the tournament and remove the starting backcourt and one reserve. This would represent what this team has dealt with this year. The first two loses (Leslie McDonald and Dexter Strickland) were weathered earlier in the season but left a very thin bench. Now their floor leader and best ball handler is gone too (possibly). I don’t expect there to be much sympathy, but it is what it is.
Brutal.
There are few teams in this country that could handle this. Think of Kentucky without Teague, Lamb and Miller. Think of Ohio State without Craft, Smith Jr. and Scott. Would you like your teams chances heading into this weekend regardless of the opponent? It’s safe to say that I’m less than confident that this team will make the Final Four. It’s not that I’m not a fan. I am a realist. If it happens, it will require a legendary performance for 4 straight games at this point. We’ll revisit it next weekend either excited about the Final Four or as a reflection on what could have been. My gut tells me they MIGHT get by Ohio University tonight but Sunday’s game could be a hot mess. Like I said, let’s be honest.
One of the highlights of last nights concert. Filmed somewhere else but he did the same thing.
Another great time with “the boy”. Jason Aldean can sure put on a show.
