These are a couple of JJ’s most recent photos.
Here is the challenge before us – we have a deadline of Mon, March 2nd to raise the necessary funds for his adoption. I have not asked for the last couple days how much has been collected to this point but I know we still have a long way to go. Here is the truth – I have still not given. Denise, Seth and I are committed to helping but the deadline has not pressed us to hurry up and act. Many of you are probably like me. So now we know – March 2nd. Please be praying about how you can participate/ One reason we switched blog servers was because this one, WordPress, is supposed to be easier. That appears to be the case, before now I have never posted a photo. Look out Bill Gates!

Several thoughts to close out the day.

* Seth one won first place in the 1st and 2nd grade poster contest. They had to do a poster board that was a symbol of freedom. Most all kids did the flag, an eagle or the liberty bell. Seth did a cross and called it Freedom to Worship. It was made out of real bark and he sprayed it to the board with adhesive. He also put a verse under the cross, He did a great job and we were so proud of him. We celebrated with a 1.00 ice cream cone at Baskin Robins.
* I love mint chocolate chip
* General Tso’s extra spicey for dinner
* Several phone calls today
* Visited with an attorney doing some pro-bono work for the church – thanks Skripko.
* My blog is getting a new look – thanks Caruso
* My blog may be down for about 24 after this post
* Another first at Parkview this weekend – something involving a human music video?!
* Friday night is going to be awesome – if you want to sign up to come to Fireproof email us info@parkviewlife.com
* I am thinking about using Nare on my face – shaving is such a pain. (how is that for a random thought)
* I was laying in bed with Seth tonight and was praying for him. I realized I pray to much for the church and not enough for my family and seen as how my family is more important I am going to make some changes.
* The lighting in the auditorium is coming along real well – they should be testing it by the end of the day Wed.
* Jack Bauer is so tough that he blows bubbles with beef jerky.
* Have a good one!

I never post on Saturday but I just received confirmation that I can make the 2nd big announcement of the week.

This Friday night Feb 20th at 7pm we are showing the blockbuster movie Fireproof. The movie and childcare are free! (no that is not the big announcement!) Our students will also be selling food and snacks as a fundraiser for their summer camp trip.

The lead actress in the movie is Erin Bethea. Well, here is the big announcement – ERIN WILL BE WITH US IN PERSON AND I WILL BE INTERVIEWING HER AT THE CLOSE OF THE MOVIE! I had the privilege of meeting Erin last week and she has agreed to come as our special guest! This is a phenamenal opportunity for our church family.

I need to run and get ready for this weekend but I wanted my most faithful bloggers to be the first to know!

Just a couple quick things this morning

* Pray for the Goolsby family today – 11am is the funeral for Tina’s mom
* I am very excited about something in regards to our staff team, hopefully I will be able to go public with it in a few weeks.
* Be sure to sign up to see Fireproof if you have not already done so!
* Last night we filmed a segment with Dr. Darren Peterson and Dr. Steve Bower and we will be showing it in this weekend’s services – Jehovah Rapha part II
* I am still waiting for confirmation to see if I can make big announcement #2 this week – stay tuned – perhaps tomorrow.
* VERY EXCITED about announcement #1 – if you missed it read below. I want to encourage every reader to prayerfully consider participating. Adopting a child is a major undertaking and it is going to take everyone’s involvement!!!!!
* God is good – have a blessed day.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: The people of Parkview are going to adopt a child!

I have never heard of a church doing this before but I am calling on the friends and family of Parkview to participate in an adoption. You will recall last week I asked you to be praying for Tom and Renee Stauffacher as they continue in the adoption process. Thank you for prayers – I need you to continue to pray!!! In this post I am also calling you to put action to your prayers.

Tom and Renee have spent several thousand dollars to adopt JJ. JJ currently lives in a children’s home in Peru. I ask you would you rather live in a loving, caring, Christ-centered home or a children’s home? I think the answer is more than obvious and that is why we are acting!

Several months ago I called on my faithful blog readers to help save a family from eviction. I called, you answered and the family was saved from losing their home! They are still in their home and the Lord has continued to provide for them. When I gave you an opportunity “to be the church”, not only did you respond but you said please allow us the opportunity again. Here is another such opportunity! When you responded to the last opportunity, your giving was so good that we had a little extra money come in. Because of your generosity we are able to take $500 and allow it to be the first gift towards adopting JJ. With the total need being $5,000 that leaves us with needing to raise an additional $4,500.

In order to raise the $4,500 it is going to take a couple of big gifts, several medium gifts and MANY small gifts. In this endeavor every gift will count! This is a phenomenal opportunity to make a lifelong difference in JJ’s little heart and as a deaf child I think this will change his entire life.

You can make all checks out to Parkview and you can also give online at www.parkviewlife.com. If you drop your gift off at the church you can give it to Pam Compton. Make sure to note in the designated area online or on your check “Adopting JJ”.

Lord, thank you for the work you are about to do in us and through us. Thank you for blessing us so that we can be a conduit of that blessing to JJ. Reward your people as they give joyfully and generously. Right now I lift up Tom, Renee and little JJ! AMEN!

In this past weekend’s message I spoke a good bit about our structure as a church and explained it’s model that is found in Acts and the pastoral epistles. I also mentioned that we would put a link on our website to give people the opportunity to view our by laws. We printed about 50 copies and gave them out but we didn’t want to have to cut down an entire forrest so rather than printing any more we are making them available on our website. On our home page go to the Who We Are link and clck on Our Vision – the by law link will be at the bottom of that page. I strongly encourage all members to read our by laws!!!!