XXIII

Michael Jordan wore number 23. Perhaps, the greatest basketball player every to lace up a pair of shoes. The argument has been made that he’s one of the best but not the best. Regardless of his “rank” it is undeniable that he could play and play well. One of his biggest assets is how he can tune the crowd completely out. Jordan focused on the task at hand and played the game. It did not matter if he was playing at home or on the road, the crowds were spectators and did not influence his ability to dribble, shoot, or pass.

Over the last couple of weeks we’ve encountered a little noise as we prepare for September. If you focus on the noise, the noise takes precedent and you stray off task. It reminds me of Elijah on Mt Horeb. Elijah was running for his life and spent 40 days and nights on the mountain waiting to hear from God. He lost focus though. He was waiting to hear from God in the noise of the wind, earthquake, and fire. It wasn’t until the still small quiet voice came along that Elijah heard from God. You have to train your ear to hear it. If not, the noise will drown out the voice you are wanting to hear and the focus will be on the noise rather than the voice. And what good does it do to focus on the noise? It wastes time and you go nowhere quickly.

This week we were able to focus on the main thing and ignore the noise. We found a new home! Forum Credit Union operates a conference center in the heart of Fishers on USA Parkway. The conference center hosts, weddings, receptions, town hall meetings, and other banquets. Forum has more than adequate space and room for us to worship God in Spirit and Truth on Sunday mornings. We have signed the contracts to being using the conference center in June. Sundays at Forum is empty and quiet. Beginning with our soft launch in June, maybe we will be able to hear God’s still small quiet voice.

I also had a great time this week meeting with three pastors from Illinois.  Dow Baptist Church and Meadowbrook First Southern Baptist Church are going to be in Indy July 13-18.  They will be staying at Northside and serving in Fishers.  Holiday Shores Baptist Church will be coming to Indy sometime in August under the same arrangements.  All three pastors are excited about their churches being involved in church planting.  In our meeting yesterday they each expressed a desire not to make this a one and done trip.  Partnerships like this take Kingdom mentality where all those involved understand that every role is important, necessary, and crucial.  We are trying to align our schedules for me to be able to visit and share with all three churches in May.

God is good.