Crazy Day

What a day. This is a photo of the house across the street from mine. Or, more accurately, what’s left of the house across the street. I was home loading up the van for a busy day in Schaumburg when this house blew up. Literally! You can read more about the story here. The good news is, only 1 injury, to my neighbor Mary, and we think she will be OK, with some burn injuries to recover from. We were evacuated from our homes and couldn’t go back to get our cars, or anything from our house, until about 6pm. The blast occorred at about 10 am. This day was such a great reminder that possessions can be replaced; people can’t.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from Waterfront! We had a wonderful weekend. It started with a Good Friday Worship experience in partnership with the Romeoville campus of CCC. Our worship team did an amazing job! Then, Sunday morning was powerful! The worship, teaching, and fellowship was spectacular. Kids Cove was decorated like a party, and the kids had a great time. Our attendance was great, and we saw many new faces. What a mighty God we serve!

Nice article!

This article just came out at Christian Standard, which seems to be a pretty cool site.

Read the article here.

More buzz on the NBC piece……

http://www.catalystspace.com/catablog/full/are_these_people_crazy/

Response from the NBC Story

We have had an overwhelming response to the story NBC ran last night. You can see all the comments here.

Here are a few highlights:

“Wow! Just saw the piece on NBC Nightly News. Imagine a church that actually gives back to its members in need instead of lining the pockets of its leaders. Hats off to you and your pastor. Your story has reignited my faith in churches!”

“Wow from me too! I just saw the story and thought to myself, wouldn’t it be great if ALL churches actually helped their members with money instead of building these monuments to themselves and wasting the hard earned dollars of their loyal members. I applaud you and your efforts (and I’m an atheist). Keep up the great work and kudos for an even greater idea.”

“I also saw the news this evening and I wish I lived in the Schaumburg area. It is nice to see that there is a church out there that practice what they preach.
Kudos to you.

I hope you start a trend.”

“Your church is a perfect example of LOVING LOUD!! You are listening and GOD is working through you!! I stood up and cheered when I saw your story on the news. Your church family will be in my daily prayers!!”

Video from our first baptism

Brady School Event

Last Saturday I participated in the 6th annual Brady School Gift Mart. It is ran by my old church, CCC. You can read more about it, and CCC, here.

Over 9500 toys were distributed, and there were lines going around the building, and down the block!

This could be an opportunity…..

To love well, and to be God’s hands and feet in this crazy world. My prayer is for the christian community to respond to this election with the kind of love and grace that characterizes us.

I did not vote for him, but I now submit to his authority as Commander In Chief.

Romans 13

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Week 2 A Success!

Sunday, October 26th marked our second week at the Waterfront. This was a crucial weekend, because after the energy and fanfare of the “launch” we are left with what amounts to the “core” of our church. The band only had one helper from another church, and we were pretty much all Waterfront this week. And, according to typical church planting wisdom, if you can retain half of your opening weekend turnout you have done well.

More stuff on the web about Waterfront

Another article on the web here ……I love the comments best!

It’s amazing how something as simple as giving all the money away can be such a complex thing! As long as we are sincere in our desire to love God and people well through this, I believe we can change the world for the better! How about you?