Celebrate the victories

One of our core values at VL is celebration. Many times we ask God for things, plan for things, pray for things - and too often we miss the opportunity to celebrate the victories that God allows us to be a part of!

The last few weeks at VL have been awesome - not just in our worship services, but what is going on in the lives of the people (which again - the church is PEOPLE, not a building, structure, program, or a Sunday service).

A few victories to celebrate:

• High School student was led to Christ by his Community Group Leader over lunch one day recently. This took place through conversations and investments from his mother, Group Leader - and others I am sure God has used. I am very excited for this student - but even as much for his Community Group Leader!
• Man in our church has been coming with his wife and came to faith in Christ in his Community Group - again, so excited for him and for his Group to be a part of this!
• Last Sunday, December 2, we had our first VL 101 - which is our Process of helping people understand who we are, our mission, to get involved, and to become a member of VL if they decide to. This was a GREAT start and I believe this is going to be a vital part of our mission and process for people to Come, Connect, and Commit. Through this, we had about 15 new people join our church!
• Yesterday was our Breakfast with Santa. MANY families came to be a part of it - and it was full of people, pictures, food, fun, and the famous St. Nick himself - and even Mrs. Clause came along! Another element to celebrate was all of our WONDERFUL people that served under the leadership of our preschool director Melissa - and her team - it was a great success!
• I must celebrate our amazing staff at Vinings Lake! I am honestly blessed to have so many great people around me who serve, are loyal, see the vision and understand our mission - that is priceless. Brian, David, Matt, Derek, Melissa, Rhonda, Dana, Hannah - you are the best!!!
• I want to celebrate the victory of my constant challenge to pause, take time with my family - and enjoy each moment, each day. God willing, I will forever be Hollie's only husband and Hope and Addie's only daddy - may I not take that lightly!
• Today, I started our Christmas series, "The List" and I talked about the HOPE of Christmas that we have in Jesus because He did walk and talk and live on this earth and as Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us - can sympathize with us in our temptation and we can celebrate that He was without sin - He can and did bring us HOPE!