Within the past few years, my Dad would toss me the keys when we would go for a drive. This was tough for him because he loved to drive and clung tightly to his strong independence. But when I took the wheel and backed out of Dad’s driveway, he would always direct me with, “It’s OK this way.” Turning left at an intersection, Dad would give me the same assurance. “It’s OK this way.”
Dad was 90 and a month and had plugged back into a church with great excitement. He and his wife, Wanda, would pray at length for all they could remember as they gave thanks for a meal. With miles between us, my Father and I shared a daily devotional called “New Morning Mercies.” If you would have asked Dad about church and faith, I think he would have said, “It’s OK this way.”
Like the song suggests, “I Can Only Imagine” Dad now at the eternally strong age of 27 — more productive, creative, and entrepreneurial than ever before. The above picture was miraculously snapped just minutes before my dad collapsed on Oct. 3rd and left this broken earth. Suddenly he was gone. And now, if someone wonders about heaven and eternity, I can hear Dad say with great conviction, “It’s OK this way.”
On Sunday, we begin a new day at LifeBridge. Our anticipated series, “Essentials,” will unpack a new vision and mission for our church. I can’t tell you how ready and excited I am to gather and teach.
If you’ve been at LifeBridge for a while, please be sure and secure a seat come Sunday. If the pandemic took you out of the church groove, get your groove back this Sunday and check out these new vision dynamics. If you have moved on from LifeBridge without a landing place, please come back and experience what God is up to this Sunday.
The Bible says, “without vision, people will perish.” Biblically, the word vision is not a business term but rather points to revelation. And THIS is why I’m excited about Sunday. We’ve not worked to form our own ideas and words; we’ve slowed, waited, and prayed for God’s revelation for LifeBridge — and HE has been faithful to give us specific, fire-you-up revelation. This isn’t about Alan, the elders, or human effort. Sunday is about God graciously pointing us in HIS direction. And like the good, good Father HE is, I can hear him say, “It’s OK this way. It’s OK this way.”
I’m excited to see you Sunday. Please bring someone with you. Let’s do this.
Blessings!
alan
p.s. – This recent season of losing my Dad has been difficult. But LifeBridge has provided my family and me with such loving space, grace, love, words, prayers, and incredible support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It has all blown me away. I love you too.