The Bare/Bear Facts !!!!!!!!

OK, I asked in my Weekly Church Email the Question of where I was writing the Email from. I have had numerous comments and guesses of where I was Writing from. Everyone assumed it was from a familiar location, from Gatlinburg ,Tennessee, Key West, New Orleans and some other places. (This post is from last week)

No one Wins the Drink on me from Kona. I was writing from 35,000 feet above the earth on the way to our Pastors Retreat. Our Pastoral team has spent the last several days in The Smokey Mountains. We return Saturday. It has been a great couple days. Its been several years since we have been able to get away for several days. This was long overdue and has been exactly what our Pastors needed. This retreat was very different than the past ones. We actually have discussed many of the same topics. We have planned and laid out some new things for the coming year. There are a number of items in our new ministries of 7 NOW, and the new North Miami Campus that needed to be tweaked and improved. This week we have begun the plan. 

Why different? Well while much is the same, I wanted to make this one more laid back. With 7 NOW and many new initiatives begun in the last several years our last couple years has been very intense in our planning meetings and prior retreats. This year, we included our meetings in the great outdoors. Climbing mountains on the Appalachian trail, 50 degrees with high winds made it feel like winter. We prayed on the top Clingmans dome, 6200' elevation.  We hiked up to Laurel Falls and just spent time listening to the falls and taking in the majestic power and beauty of our Gods Creation.

We sat in the cool green grass in Cades Cove. Located in the valley between the beautiful Mountains we had climbed the day before. We made some really big decisions that will impact our ministry for years to come,sitting in the grass with buildings built in 1839 in the backdrop. Not one of our meetings was done in a room, or building. How different , but how refreshing.

Today we saw 5 bears in several locations. One was with her three cubs, not 20 feet away. Incredible !! Great weather, fire in the fireplace and just an awesome trip. God has gifted our church with a wonderful team of pastors. I am so grateful for the gifted men He has given me to serve our congregation with. They are very special. I feel so blessed.

We head back Saturday and look forward to seeing those of you who attend on Sunday. Ill look forward to being at several 7NOW services this week. For those who love a cheap flight, check out an airline I found several months ago. It flies to lots of small regional airports like the one we flew into, Tri-Cities, in Bristol ,Tennessee.  This is the second time I have flown Allegiant Air for $29.00 each way. What a Bargain!!! (Not all flights are that cheap, but you can find some really great fares) Be prepared to buy your water, and Coke though. Everything is ala carte. But I was happy to find out the Bathroom is Free , so you wont need change!!!!!!!!!!! 

Note: Two of our Pastors were unable to come, in case your wondering where James Brown and Kevin McCord are. James is in Houston with his DAd . He had surgery this week. Kevin had prior commitments. We sure missed you guys!! 

Comments

[David B]

that is very cool.....when me and my family went to Tennessee, we also climbed Clingmans dome.....its pretty amazing, the views and all. Well, glad you guys are having fun....see you on Sunday

[gabi]

WOW!!!!

[Jim]

The outdoors is where I meet God! Not in buildings. Glad you guys had fun. Looked cool!

[chuck pendergast]

i wasnt invited maybe next time. if you could just write a journal of were you been in the last decade. iwould be content to just read it.any crabs up there?