Staff Appreciation is coming Nov. 12

Hey Horizons,

On Sunday, Nov. 12, we'll be setting aside some time during Sunday Worship-Celebration to say thank you to our staff members. You know who they are: Pastor Steve, Candie, Jamie, Erin, Mark, Jaime and Dave. We'll be saying thank you in various ways: maybe a card or letter telling them how they've served you during the years, a financial gift or even a gift card for movies or dinner or groceries.

Our staff works so hard to keep our church family intact, our ministries are served and they do this often times away from their own families. Think about how you'll say thank you to our staff. We can tell them anytime during the year that we appreciate them, but on Nov. 12, we'll take time to show them.

LMF

Living Beyond Myself -- your turn

I'm home after 10 days in the hospital. I'm feeling a bit disconnected from people and pretty bummed that I've been missing out on the Living Beyond Myself study. I'd love to hear what everyone has been discovering through Steve's messages and from the small group discussions. Please post your thoughts here -- anyone can comment.

If you took a digital picture of Steve aka Superman, please email it to me so we can get that posted. So sad I missed that!

Don't forget, the ministry fair is Sunday. Stop by the tables and check out the opportunities available to serve at Horizons.

Finally, a huge thank you to my Horizons family. You all are so supportive and I appreciate all the prayers for me and my family.

LMF

Bedside blessings

Being stuck in the hospital has changed! Who would have thought you could get free wireless Internet from your hospital bed. The nurses aren't bringing me lattes or anything like that, just the morning newspaper. But being able to read emails or surf sure helps beat the boredom.

Right now, we're trying to give my body time to heal. The medicines take time and some patience. Slowing down is hard. I'm trying not to fight it. Trying to settle in and let God work.

Did you know we have a hospital prayer ministry at Horizons called Hands of Hope? I knew they were an active group of women. What I didn't expect was that I would benefit from their ministry. Today I had a nice visit from Sue B. and Sarah C. We talked and prayed. Their visit blessed my day!

LMF

Times when you shouldn't blog

Sorry about the absence. I've been sick and feel strongly that narcotics and blogging don't mix. I'm waiting for a wrap-up on the Big weekend at Horizons. I got to experience the concert and yes, the HAIRCUT. I have pictures to post soon.

In the meantime, if you have some comments or suggestions about the weekend, feel free to add your comments here or send me an email at lmf@neb.rr.com if you want your comments kept private.

Don't forget, Living Beyond Myself begins Sunday. Serving is a passion of mine, so I'm looking forward to the weekly messages, a new small group to meet with and some good reading.

LMF

Dust off those walking shoes

If you know me you know this: I don't exercise. I think about it. I just don't do it. So, I'm a little torqued about yes, even a 5k walk. I'll be there. I'll walk. The whole thing, yes. But I won't be happy about it.

But I'm using my anger (thanks, Steve). I'm more angry about a woman (who has medical insurance) being denied coverage for a medical procedure than I am goofed up about walking. That boils my blood. I have had insurance hassles I won't bore you with, but nothing in the half million dollar range that Tracy is having to confront. It's just not right in my book.

Apparently, it's not right to a lot of people. We have more than 100 walkers. That'll be a good crowd of pink making a statement. There's also $650 raised toward a much-needed haircut for Chris B. (OK, the money is for Tracy). I'm not angry about Chris' hair but I'll tell you it's hard to take a picture of the guy because he's always swinging his head to get his hair out of his eyes. I've never seen his eyes, but I think he has two.

Saturday morning, please come out to Horizons and sign up for the walk. You can check in at 8 a.m. and we'll start walking at 9. You can sign up that day or drop off your registration at the church office during the week. If you want to contribute to the $1000 goal for Chris' haircut, you can bring it Saturday at the walk, drop off at the church building or bring it to the Concert on the Hill beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday.

I'll see you there.
LMF

The next cool read

Today is a big day for a new friend of mine. Today his new book, "In a Pit, with a Lion, on a Snowy Day," comes off the presses.

Mark Batterson is the lead pastor at National Community Church in Washington, DC. I've been reading his blog for about a year now and I was able to meet him at MinistryCOM in Phoenix. Mark is a funny guy and he really speaks to my heart about how we as the church can reach out creatively to the unchurched, dechurched, post-churched, and re-churched.

I've been looking forward to Mark's book for months now.

Here's the publisher's description:

"Your greatest regret at the end of your life will be the lions you didn't chase. You will regret the risks not taken, the opportunities not seized, and the dreams not pursued. Stopping running away from what scares you most and start chasing the God-ordained opportunities that cross your path.

In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is inspired by one of the most obscure yet courageous acts recorded in Scripture (II Samuel 23:20-21): Benaiah chased a lion down into a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it.

Unleash the lion chaser within!"

***
The day my copy arrives (Thanks, Mark!) I'll be blogging less and I won't return your emails because I'll be busy. However, as soon as I'm done with the book, I want to pass it on to someone at Horizons with a prayer that the book makes the rounds of our church family, unleashing lion chasers all over Lincoln.

How cool would that be!

If you want my copy, send me an email with "I want to be a lion chaser" in the subject line. If you can't wait for me to finish with my copy or want your own or want to give one as a gift, you can get it at Amazon.com. I'm not sure about how easily you'll be able to find it locally but you could try calling Lemstone, Family Christian or other bookstores.

Cheers to Mark! Go God!
LMF

What more? Pride (In the Name of Love)

How many times can you go to church and come home unable to get a U2 song out of your head? Wow, is all I can say. Big thanks to Jamie, Chris and Bill for shaking up my brain with a little Bono and a big message.

Go God.
LMF