Hope everyone is doing good today and resting in the reality that God is BIG.  We know this right?  But do we know walk each day IN this?  What does that even look like?  I believe it's a life that doesn't worry or fret.  It's a life that seeks to do everything with excellence and a life that is at peace knowing that this BIG GOD is working all things out for our good and His glory.  I need that and I'm glad I have that.  In the dark, scary moments as well as the lazy Saturday afternoon moments I have peace that God is big and that God is working.  There is nothing that surprises or scares Him.  There is nothing that is too big or small for this God.  Sometimes it's the things we know the most that too quickly escapes our thoughts and mind.

We continued our series called CENTER last night.  Center is all about getting to know the ONE who is at the center of all things.  Whether we accept it or not God is at the very center of all things.  So far we've looked at God being Holy and Omnipresent.  That is to say that God is perfectly perfect and has been everywhere forever.  That's mind-blowing isn't it?

Last night we looked at the reality that God is omniscient.  Big word right?  It simply means that God knows everything.  In fact, God is the truer and better "know it all."  Like He knows all things.  That includes educational knowledge but also personal details.  God has both complete knowledge and complete wisdom.  A potentially scary thing for us to learn but ultimately a comforting thing for us to know.  How?  Because although God know, He still loves.

The sermon is attached below.  You can also find the outline and Scriptures in the You Version app, under events.  If you save the event each Wednesday night you're able to view it throughout the week.  So if you can't find it today simply re-visit the app next Wednesday.

Something new here.  As parents we often feel alone.  We can easily feel no other parent is struggling the way we are.  It's only as we begin to talk, discuss and open up that we find we're not alone.  Then the reality that we are kind of "normal" begins to resurface.  We aren't that much different or behind or dare we say "failing."  But do we really set ourselves up for that comfort?  What is the comparison for us as parents/guardians?  When we feel as though we're failing what is that standard?  What if I don't feel that way?  What if I feel like we're actually doing pretty good?  Well, truth is we all feel each of those ways at time.  The hope in what I'm about to share is that we can simply come together and do so under the umbrella of seeking to raise students to simply Honor God.   How can I shepherd my child when I feel so out of touch with everything that's going on today?

We'd like to help you even more in this area.  The way I'd love to do this is to get together at least twice a year for something we'd call Parent University.  A simple time for us to get together and simply talk, learn and partner.   It will be practical, informative, encouraging and hopefully engaging.   We may not leave with every question answered but we will leave knowing we're not alone.  

Here's where I need your help. Two ways. 
1. Are you interested in this?  Would be interested in spending two hours with other parents learning, encouraging and partnering together?
2. What are some things you are currently struggling with?  Now I don't expect deep, dark things here but are there areas of a students' life you simply don't understand.  This could be technology or schedule management.   It could be how, when and where to begin financial planning.  It could be in the area of dating, friendships.  The goal is to see where we may feel we need help and then partner together to hear thoughts, share concerns and ideas.  

We've always heard that it takes a village to raise a child.  The Rock is glad to be a part of your village.  Consider this a little help to increase the size of that village.

Are you interested and How can we help?
This is also a good test to see how many of you actually read this much of the update!

October 12th - Hangout in the Gym (or date night for parents!)
October 30th - Hallelujah Night . (No Rock)
November 20th - RockFeast (our annual Rock Family Thanksgiving Dinner)
December 18th - Tacky Christmas Party
December 29-31 - Middle School Refuel - $90 - 

Good afternoon!  Praying everyone is doing good and eager to gather on Sunday to celebrate together the goodness of God.  Good, bad, ugly or just to the point of giving up pretty much sums the condition of everyone gathering in a church on any given Sunday.  This includes our church right?  Church is not a place to go and get things fixed.  There is not special ingredient to make our life better.  Life may still be tough, rough, and pushing us to the point of "giving up."  So how does church help?  How does me attending help me?  Gathering together each Sunday, and every other time we gather, helps as we're reminded that this world is not home.  It helps as we're reminded of a greater hope than what we see.  It helps as I remove the attention off of me and place it where it belongs, The Lord.  Life doesn't get better because we gather, it's simply better understood.  Perspective changes, attitudes change, and yes, maybe our situations change.  But the simple fact about us gathering is this:  We come to celebrate and lift high the name that is above every name.  In the good, bad and ugly we lift high the name of Jesus.  So I pray we see you Sunday.  You may very well come in all dinged up from the world....but I pray you leave encouraged, still dinged up, but hopeful in a God who is bigger than any situation you could ever face here.  God is greater, let's lift that high this Sunday!

Last night we kicked off our first series of the our new year and our new theme, Focus.  We ask a pretty big question that we all must consider.  What is at the blazing center of your focus?  What drives you?  What is the single most important reason to all you do and hope?  What should be there? One thing to consider is what was most important to Jesus?

So, what was at the blazing center for Jesus? God and His glory.
If this is the case then shouldn't God be at the center of our focus?
For the next 4 weeks we'll spend time learning more about who God is.
What is he like? How does he act? What does that all mean for me?

This may be seem boring, trivial, or way too big but we must know this:
If God is to be at the blazing center of all we do, shouldn't we spend time learning about who he is and how we can know him?

Last night: God is Holy.  The message notes are attached below.  Pray you are encouraged, equipped and informed.