God is doing a new work at our church, and I am grateful to be a part of a great church family as we seek to be faithful to God's calling. If you were with us this past Sunday (Sept 28), you had the opportunity to hear our pastors share a little bit of their story and how the good news of Jesus Christ brought transformation to them. I was greatly encouraged Sunday, and I am constantly reminded by God of my calling to preach the "good news." The conviction is stronger than ever that we have the greatest news to tell the world. The more we are aware of what Christ is doing around us, the more we want to talk about it. Like Peter and John in the book of Acts, we won't be able to stop talking about the things we have seen and heard Christ do.

It was great worshiping with you all this past Sunday as we looked at the statement from Jesus, "I am the vine and you are the branches" from John 15. I was tempted to stop the sermon after William Summers articulated perfectly the image of the vine and branches for us. The image of God pruning us as branches so that we might be more fruitful continues to challenge me as I want to be more fruitful, but I am not so sure I want to be pruned in order to do so.

It dawned on me this morning that I have officially been at Old Hickory Church of the Nazarene for nine weeks. Nine weeks is how long it takes to hear a baby's heartbeat for the first time. As I remembered the story of hearing my son Wesley's heartbeat for the first time at nine weeks, I realized that I am just now beginning to hear the heartbeat of this church.