From the Inside Out

We lost two icons today — one was a music legend and the other a famous actress. Farrah Fawcett lost her three-year battle with anal cancer this morning.  She was 62. Her best-selling poster and “Charlie’s Angels” stardom made her one of the most famous faces in the world. Although her death was not surprising (her health had declined in recent months), it was sad to see another life snuffed out by cancer.

Today’s shocking news was the sudden death of Michael Jackson, the “king of pop.” At only 50 years old, he collapsed at his residence, suffering cardiac arrest. He died soon after at UCLA Medical Center. The exact cause of death is not yet known, but new sources are reporting that an autopsy will be conducted on Friday.

These deaths, along with the recent passing of Ed McMahon, serve as a not-so-subtle reminder that life is fragile, fleeting, and altogether precious. Every moment should be savored.

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James 4:14 KJV

Times like these should force us stop and think about our priorities. There’s more to life than work, responsibilities, and duty — so much more! Take time to smell the flowers and gaze at the stars. Hug your family members and tell them you love them. You may not get another chance.

Life doesn’t come with guarantees. It’s a time limited offer — here today and gone tomorrow. Don’t miss out on its joys while you are still here. Try to make a difference, and be sure to develop a relationship with the first person you will meet when you pass to the other side. A friendship with Jesus not only makes this life amazing, but it continues onward through eternity. Don’t put it off. You never know what the next day may hold.

For all the members of Abundant Life Church (ALC), this Sunday was a day of rejoicing. It was a day that will be etched in my brain for a long time. I’m not sure why, but there always seems to be a sense of excitement when you experience something new. I remember when Gary and I moved into our new home in Allen. We had watched eagerly while it was being built. We couldn’t wait to move. I still remember how awesome it felt when I stepped inside for the first time and realized that it was finally our new home.

It’s strange, but I had similar feelings today when I stepped inside the new home of Abundant Life Church. Watching your vision become reality is an incredible experience. It hasn’t been easy at times, but it has been worth it. Through the ups and the downs, He’s been there every step of the way. I’m amazed at what He’s doing in my life — and in the lives of my friends and family at ALC.

You could feel the excitement today when you walked through the doors. Here’s a glimpse of our new worship center before the crowd arrived.

Gary and I got there at 8:45 am for choir/band practice.

It was all new, but somehow oddly familiar — same people, same songs, same amazing God, new location.

We kicked off at 10 am with a scripture reading and prayer led by our pastor, and then launched into the first choir song, “Shout” (btw, thanks to my friend A.J. for letting me steal a few of his AMAZING pictures from today).

Closer view of the worship team and choir rocking it out…I’m one of the specks in the choir on the right.

Our pastor, Jeff Hennigan delivered a powerful, inspiring message today!

The place was packed full! No wonder we need two services on Sundays!

View from the platform

The celebration in the foyer after church was over

Bird’s eye view.

There’s still a lot of work to be done to the building, but today was almost perfect. Our church family showed up, and most importantly, God did too! It’s a new beginning, a great opportunity. I’m so excited, and I can’t wait ’til next Sunday.

We celebrated the end of an era at Abundant Life Church today. It was the last service to be held at 2021 E. Park Blvd. in Plano. For many, it was a bittersweet day. Everyone is excited about moving into our new facility, but we also leave behind a space where many fond memories were created. I came to ALC as a teenager in the Fall of 1988. At the time, I wasn’t happy about leaving the church we attended, but I know now it’s where God meant for us to be. My relationship with Him deepened there, and I was blessed to have one of the best pastors in the world, Dan Rigdon. I also experienced one of the most momentous occasions in my life in that building. It’s where I met and married my husband.

I have many great memories from my 21 years at ALC — there are just way too many to list them all! The great thing is that even though we’re leaving the building behind, those memories will follow me wherever I go. I have no regrets. One experience is ending. Things will never be the same, but through that ending, we have a new beginning. We have a remarkable opportunity to create new memories and to reach more people in our community by sharing the love and saving grace of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. What an amazing privilege!

In honor of our last day in the Park Blvd. building, we held a special “reunion” service. The day started early for those of us in the choir/worship team. We arrived at 8 am for a 90 minute music practice before service started. It made for a long day, but it was worth it!

We had a good crowd before practice ended. By 10 am, the place was packed full. We had our regulars in attendance and many former ALC’ers showed up to celebrate also. I think we set a new record for attendance — 660! Wow!

The choir kicked off the day with an “old school” song from years past, “Total Praise.”

The presence of God filled the room and lingered the entire day.

I was scheduled to sing on the worship team today, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to help lead worship one last time at ALC. I’m not very sentimental, but as I sang, I experienced many emotions. I am so blessed. God is incredible. I’m amazed with His grace and thankful for the fabulous group of people we have at ALC.

We baptized 22 people today!!! They alternated between the baptistery and the “old school” method.

Jeff Manning baptizing “old school” in a trough

Memories video

Dan Rigdon addresses the congregation

Anthony Mangun shares his thoughts and leads the church in a prayer for Jeff, Miquell, and our church leaders.

NOTE: all photos are courtesy of (ahem…stolen from) Sheila Horvath.

“At the heart of the cyclone tearing the sky
And flinging the clouds and the towers by
Is a place of central calm:
So here in the roar of mortal things,
I have a place where my spirit sings,
In the hollow of God’s Palm.” -Edwin Markham

Isn’t it nice to know that there’s a place you can go when the cares of the world are too overwhelming to bear? Are you afraid? Are you tired of being frustrated. Do you feel like you are wandering around with seemingly no direction? Don’t despair.

There is a secret spot in which you can abide. In this place, you will find a brief respite from the storms threatening your world. The answers may not be apparent yet. The fear may still exist, but here you can rise above it and find peace. It is here where your soul can sing. It is here where you find joy and strength to go back out and face the storms.

It’s all in the hollow of God’s palm, and it’s my favorite place to reside.

Capt. Richard Phillips was freed today from pirates who held him hostage on a tiny lifeboat in the Indian Ocean. After a five-day standoff between the pirates and the military, good triumphed over evil.

It seems fitting that Capt. Phillips regained his freedom on the day we celebrate Easter — the day Jesus rose again thereby freeing us from our bondages. Like Capt. Phillips, we were once held captive — unable to break free, unable to pay the ransom that would deliver us from sin and death, but God provided a way out.

In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were offered as an atonement for sin. When God accepted the sacrifice, He “passed over” the judgment of human sin for a year. Yet these sacrifices were only a temporary covering. They never paid for the sins of the people.

Sin comes at a high cost. The penalty for it is death. The only way to find true redemption is for a blameless individual — one without sin — to substitute himself as payment for these sins. So God came up with a plan. He sent His son, Jesus Christ, into the world to become this person. That’s the depth of His love for us — it’s truly amazing.

The sacrifice He made is shocking. I am deeply moved every time I ponder it. The fact that someone so great would love me enough to die in my place is almost unfathomable, but it happened. He did it — for me and for you.

That act alone warrants my undying love and gratitude, but the great thing is that the story doesn’t stop there. Jesus not only suffered and died, but He conquered the grave and rose again. His sacrificial act provided redemption from sin and also eternal life.

That’s why I praise Him, not only on Easter Sunday, but every day I live. He is worthy. He is wonderful. He is my best friend. He is my redeemer. He is my Saviour, and He is alive!

Happy Easter.