City of Champions!

Today the city of Pittsburgh celebrates the 6th Super Bowl win of the beloved Pittsburgh Steelers with a parade where hundreds of thousands will spill into the street to cheer. We had a blast watching the game on Sunday and we are so proud of being part of the Steelers Nation. I don't know what it is - maybe being part of something bigger than we are. Going outside and yelling on Sunday night was greeted with yells back from neighbors in every direction, fireworks and general celebration. Work found last week and this filled with common conversations of pride for our Steelers.

I guess that's what I love so much about Iron City Church too. Being part of a bigger plan than our own. God's plan. God's purpose for His people here. People driven by the love of Jesus and committed to obeying His instructions. The humility of being a cog in a wheel that is making tracks - slower than we'd like but making tracks that have eternal consequences. It feels good. It feels right. Oh - sometimes it feels hard too but then, I guess that's been a life lesson - hard is usually good stuff.

Sunday is a big day for Iron City Church. Be praying for God to make some things happen!

Preparing to be AWFULLY COLD!

Bob and I are getting ready to go to a bonfire.

In November.

And it's about 28 degrees out.

And it doesn't start for another hour.

We're crazy. Our church is crazy and we're still going.

Perhaps the consumming fire of our passion for God will keep us warm. Perhaps we'll hug, smile and say - love you all, gotta go! Pictures of ICC-icles to follow - hopefully. Unless the camera freezes.

Did I mention that our pastor is from the South and has the immune system like a seive?

We'll update - when we thaw out.

Iron City Church turns 1!

ICC turned one this weekend and it was an emotional day for me. My life is so different because God brought this church a block down the road from us.

Check out the pictures - double click for the captions.

But as always, He gave us the perfect illustration of the value that His church brings to the world. It isn't about the numbers - although we saw our summer average double this week and a dozen or so new folks. It isn't about how we sounded - although in a quieter chorus we heard the voices of the glorious praise ring above our own. He brought someone into that sanctuary that needed Him. Someone who needed Him desperately at that very moment and might not be in a place to be able to grab on as tight to His outstretched hand. So He sent ICC. He sent Michael with a hug and a listening ear. He sent Ami with a eye for the sadness and ear for the listening and hug for the hurting. Father, you sent your children. And I was a blessed witness to the love that you have for us and that runs over from each of us that you have blessed.

God is doing amazing things at Iron City Church. We aren't filling the seats like some of us wish but He's doing something that far surpasses that. And I don't want to miss that.

Celebrate with us. Christ is being proclaimed.

Prayerfully Heavy Days

Yesterday and today, I have been overwhelmed with the big-ness of the things in life that need prayer:

- Emily emailed yesterday that Nana is mostly unresponsive. She and Nana prayed that last night would be the last night she'd be in pain. I wanted to join them and add Dad and Emily and Aunt Becky to the list. I want to earnestly pray that each day for her.

- Our friend who is so struggling with a marriage and personal demons. That is a fiery furnace - refining at it's most painful.

- A friend who is struggling with a God-sized problem with finances and housing and custody that appears to have no earthly resolution.

But God's also given me this big list of things to pray in gratitude about:

- Due to some staff changes, Bob is now the permanent ICC worship leader. He is stoked about it. No other words to describe the amazing work He is doing in Bob's life.

- Emily shared how she prayed with Molly and Sarah on one occasion and Ben and Grace on another.

- I think I'm starting to understand where I fit in to ICC. God seems to be guiding me to be an encourager. It might be a temporary space but for now, it's working for His plan and His church.