Anticipation!!

It is Sunday morning! I always wake up early anticipating what is going to happen today. I know God doesn't just work on Sunday's, but for a pastor Sunday is a day of expectation. I know God works everyday of the week but I really look forward to when the doors of the church start swinging open and people from all walks of life start pouring in. The needs, the desire, the hearts yearning for a change, make my faith reach up to heaven believing that there is a God that is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. Since I was kid Sunday has always been a special day.

I hope you wake up today with more than sleep in your eyes. I hope you wake up today with a faith filled anticipation - THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE!! Let's see what can happen.

May all your days be SUNDAYS!
DS

So thankful

I woke up earlier than I wanted to this morning. It was the first night in my own bed this week due to the fires around us. The first thought on my brain was how thankful I am for God's hand of protection upon our family and the Escondido church family. We are so blessed. One of our newest members of the church lives in Rancho Bernardo where a lot of the damage has been caused by the fires. I spoke with him yesterday, knowing he had to evacuate and asked how things were. He told me that the house behind him and the house beside him was destroyed but his place remains standing. Our prayers continue to go out to the many that are hurting during this time. If you read this I would ask you to pray for us that we will have God's direction in reaching out to our community during this time.

Thankful that I know HIM!

DS

First day of fire

I have posted some pictures of the fire in our area. I will post as many as I can for you to look at. God is good.

We are back in our home

What a wild week. God kept his hand on the Sargent family and the NPWC church family. We are thankful that our home was not destroyed and that no one in our church experienced any loss of property. Below is the footage taken on Monday, the day we had to evacuate, and the days following. We are now back in our home and are thankful for that. No one in our neighborhood experienced any damage that we know of even though the fire came right up to our subdivision. Please continue to pray for many that have experienced the tragedy that this fire has caused.

Where Did the Summer Go?

Can you believe it? My last post to this blog talked about the first day of Summer and all that Summer brings to us and now here I am sitting in my kitchen on the 3rd day of October wondering how in the world I missed most of this great season. I vaguely remember kids being out of school wanting to dive in the pool the minute they woke up (at 6 am). I kind of remember the vacation we went on and the fun we had. It all happened so fast I feel like I missed it.

At this stage of my life, long gone are those days where it seemed would never end. Life happens and if we are not careful it will be here and be gone before we know it. I guess what I really am trying to say is - Dont let life pass you by without enjoying the things that have been placed in your life - take time to enjoy a sunset - take time to laugh with your kids - take time to remember why you were placed on this earth. Stop long enough to breath in and be reminded of the goodness that God gives to each of us.

I dont want to be 99 years old and wonder what I have done with my life. I want to seize every moment like it was my very last and live to the fullest of the potential that God has placed within me - I want to have an impact on my generation, my friends, my neighbors, my family and my church.

I refuse to let life pass me by and look back one day and say where did it go? I read a book one time that challenged me, it was called CARPE MANANA - seize tomorrow - Makes sense to me! Lets do it - lets live for today with tomorrow in our grasp.

For more summers (and falls, winters, and springs) filled with fun and ice cream,

DS