Before I Die...

I'm not sure about you, but for me, this Before I Die... series has made me think.  Think about my family.  Think about my church family.  Think about priorities, and the juggling - balancing of all the busyness of life.  Think about my dreams.  Think about Before I die...
Just this past week two different people shared with me the loss of a loved one.  Tom, you may know him as "the Greeter guy" (Tom's the one with the big smile just inside the doors each week as you come to the TC).  Tom shared with me that his niece - only 55 years old - died last week.  She knew she was going to die because of a diagnosis only a short time ago.  And then my friend Kyle, he had a friend of his die suddenly from a heart attack just this past week.  He came home early from work excited for a men's event for their church last Friday, wasn't feeling well, and then quickly died of a heart attack at age 42.  We never know.  PC has shared the verse in Psalms 39 "Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.  Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away..."
So how about you? Have you been challenged during this series?  Dreams. Desires. Reorder. Relationships.
If this series has not caused you to think on a personal level (and it has had to, I hope) at least I hope that it's caused you to think about others. If you look at "the board" outside the entrance to the theater, you can't help but think of others.

Some of them have been fun to read.

• I want to bungee jump. 
• I want to skydive. (Me too. Anyone with me!?)
• I want to see the Red Sox beat the Phillies in the World Series. (Yeah, right!)
• I want to ride an elephant (o-kay????)

Some of the comments are read with a grieving, or heavy heart.

• I want to kiss my son just one more time.
• I want to make things right with my dad.
• A few sexual desires listed...
• I want to say I'm sorry
• I want to kill my parents

One of my favorites so far - and I hope - I've been praying - whoever wrote this - that it really does happen before they die....that they get to "meet Jesus".  That they meet and know Jesus. And know that He's the one that desires for them to live life to their fullest and their life will never be the same because of meeting Him.

Before walking in Sunday, read the board.  Makes you think.  I'm so thankful to be apart of a church that desires that people take their next step in their relationship with Jesus.  The chalk writings are evidence that we are literally right in the middle of a community that is hurting, confused, and desperately needs the HOPE that we know and share each week at Victory Church.

So how about you? What thoughts have stirred in you because of this series? Let's hear them....

See you Sunday.  Can't wait!
~Rick

Wrecked

If you weren't at VCTC today you missed a great week! Not that they all aren't great, but hey, the weather has been 70 degrees all week, the theater was packed, walking in you saw the Before I Die... board was about as full as can be, and the worship band rocked it today!
...and that's what I wanted to share about today.  The last worship song in the set was the song Anthem.  Heather and the band always do an amazing job of ushering us into the throne room, and helping us engage into time of worship.  Worship for none other than, Jesus himself.  Today, during the song Anthem, I witnessed our Pastor engaged in an intimate time of worship between him and Jesus.  Pastor Eric was wrecked during that song.  You maybe couldn't see it in our dim-lit theater, but Pastor Eric was in a posture of worship literally flat on his face. Composing himself, he shared some of his heart during a quick interlude between verses and was emotional then too; and we continued to sing.  As we continued to sing, Eric came to me handed the mic and said "I need you to do welcome and announcements, I can't right now." 
I share this to brag on our pastor.  And he would NOT want this posting at all, I'm sure of it, but hey, I'm posting today. :-)   There was nothing pretentious at all with Eric's worship experience, it was just that...and experience, and encounter with God.  And I love that about our pastor.  I love that with Pastor Eric, what you see is what you get.  I have opportunity to minister along side Eric regularly and as a laboring partner in ministry and a friend, I feel I know his heart.  He loves Jesus, his family, and his church, and people. Period.  That sums up Eric, and I love his heart. 
Hey VCTC, you should love that your pastor is broken, and wrecked.  Our campus tribe is being led by a man that loves you.  He loves how God is working in the people of our church, and our community and wants God's best for you. You'll hear him say that often.  So publicly, thank you Pastor Eric for being wrecked.  Speaking for the tribe, "we love your heart!"
...and hey, VCTC, worship one more time with Anthem.  Shout it out.  Make this your Anthem, your hymn of praise....to the ONE who has WON the VICTORY!!



I LOVE MY CHURCH!!!
~Rick Glass

VCTC,

First official blog of the Theater Campus blog site.  Now in the world of blogging with Rick "Mack Daddy" Glass.  Have an awesome rest of the week.  Keep moving forward!

Blessings,

Eric