With Gratitude
I just wanted to take a moment this evening and say “Thank You” to the hundreds of you who have taken the time over the last several days to write notes of encouragement or to give me a call. Between my wife and I together, we are close to five hundred individual expressions of love, encouragement and appreciation and we have taken the time to read or listen to every message. Indeed, you have ministered to us with your kind words and testimonies of how the Lord has used our ministry in some way in your life. Ithas also been gratifying to hear from some many of our friends from across the country and even around the world. It is deeply humbly and we are thankful for the privilege to have been His servants at Northside during these last seven years.
We are doing well and haven’t had a great deal of time to gather our thoughts. Please forgive us for being unable to answer all the emails and take the calls, but know that they haveencouraged us deeply as we look forward to the next phase of our ministry.
I am looking forward to preaching the Word to our church family this coming Sunday at our two morning services and I look forward to seeing our church family together for worship as usual. We are alsolooking forward to seeing some long-time friends who are passing through in the coming days.
In a few weeks, we will slip away for a few weeks of rest and rejuvenation with my extended family in the Midwest, some of our kids will be continuing their summer jobs and there is a missions trip punctuating that schedule as well.
Monday, we took our two youngest children for a delightful tour of the new Billy Graham Library and I look forward to sharing some of our observations with you in the next day or two on this blog. I’m spending some time this week with a few of our fine Northside teenagers and lining up several projects I want to work on as I approach my time of transition.
Again, I want to express my gratitude for the many sweet expressions of love and encouragement from our church family and friends around the world. As I mentioned Sunday during my conversation with the church family, I’m simply resigning and will be changing ministry directions — I’m not dying. But it is nice to receive the wonderful letters and testimonies of folks who have been touched by our ministry in Charlotte and we thank you for taking the time to write.
One downside in the coming weeks might be that I’ll have more time to write, so I suspect this blog will get more attention than it has in recent months. Brace yourselves!
Martha Pryde said,
June 7, 2007 @ 1:02 am
Thanks for the reminder that you haven’t died :).Please give my warm regards and love to your dear wife and kids.
John & Vivian Brooks said,
June 7, 2007 @ 10:13 am
Enjoy your blog! It is refreshing! Love to you all! Love, The Brooks
Dr. Andrew Wood said,
June 7, 2007 @ 3:22 pm
I am Chuck’s brother. We jjst had lunch today here in Indy as they were heading to Lynchburg then Charlotte. He speaks so highly of you!!
We are just leaving what I consider a spiritual abusive situation and feel free at last! Bud
Matthew Earnhardt said,
June 7, 2007 @ 8:26 pm
looking forward to more from your blog! I might even find the time myself of a healthy debate or two with some of your comments, just like the good ole days :>)
John Lentz said,
June 8, 2007 @ 5:31 am
Dan
I am praying for you and your family during this time and that you will follow the Lords direction as to what He would have you to do with the rest of your lives. You have had a great influence on a lot of people. God Bless You and your family.
Thanks
John Lentz
Ros Horton said,
June 8, 2007 @ 4:54 pm
Our prayers are with you as you transition into whatever God has for you next. The Christian life is anything but dull that’s for sure! Thanks for the assurance you won’t stop writing as your posts are a blessing. Let us know if you are ever scheduled to speak in this neck of the woods.
Reg O'Connor said,
June 8, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
Pastor,
Words cannot express my love and gratitude to you. I know how much you love the LORD and your commitment to serve Him. So my prayer is that when you look back a few years from now you will see how God has carefully guided your life and how He used this experience to bring even greater glory to His name. Give my warmest regards to Julie and the kids. You are always in my prayers.
Reg
Phyllis Lazenby said,
June 11, 2007 @ 10:39 am
Thanks for all you’ve done to build Northside. I know of no one who doesn’t love you and your family - especially that Josh and his unique and insightful observations. I know that God has great plans for all of you!
Phyllis Lazenby