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December 2, 2011

Dear Friend:

A SUNDAY OF FIRSTS

          Last Monday Night at our house was a blast.

          In the first order of bizness, Tyler, Linda and I wiped out what was left from the Thanksgiving feast with a few extras thrown in, we then staked out our places on the couch waiting for the kickoff. Although we love our native son Manning, on this night he wore the wrong colors, so we just prayed that he would not be harmed in the pending rumble of the awesome Black and Gold steamroller.

          Throughout the week, we had really thought about going to the Dome but as Linda said, while all comfy and getting a 1st quarter foot rub, "Oh, this is much better!" No parking problems, no drunks, no overpriced food, not to mention the TSA type frisking encroachments and potential restroom tribulations. No, on Monday Night, home was perfect and nobody threw up on our feet.

          After a few possessions, it was becoming obvious that our boys were "on", all 45 of them, including our injured coach who was waving his crutches like Moses waving his staff in the "Ten Commandments". It was a Monday Night to remember when everything went just right.

          The real driving force on that night, and in these last few delightful years, is the talent, the leadership and the character of Drew Brees. Classy since the first day he landed in the Crescent City, Brees, in his line of work, is as skillful as Dr. Michael DeBakey adroitly navigating his way through a human heart. He is one of the elite and a joy to watch. He has taken us from bags to bling, from worst to first.

          Midway through the third quarter the announcers started talking about certain records, some nearly 50 years old, which were likely to be broken this year by Drew. When this season ends, he will be first in many categories.

          Even in the Monday game, for the first time in NFL history, #9 was #1 in some league-wide categories. The first quarterback with 4 touchdown passes, 0 interceptions, over 350 yards, 60% plus in pass completions and rushed for a TD all in the same game! I think I heard he was selling popcorn at halftime, too!

          We just love talking about firsts and we just love making a big deal out of it.

          So does God.

          In Revelation 22:13, He emphatically states, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last!"

          He's first and He clearly wants us to live our lives and act accordingly, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6: 33)

          He even expects us to observe this concept and covenant in our giving, "Honor the LORD with your possessions and with the first fruits of all your increase." (Proverbs 3: 9)

          It is clear, when you put Him first, He is glorified and things will start to pick up over at your house!

          Now, before I go, I'd like to share another Sunday of "Firsts".

          A few weeks ago, after about 250 Sundays of smooth multi service commuting, I missed the 11:30 service. After waiting almost an hour and a half at the Causeway entrance for the fog to lift, the exasperated police made us all turn around and go home. I was not happy.

          The fact was, God didn't really need me anyway. You see, Linda, having already made it over an hour earlier, was already on site. With a 15 minute warning and, along with a great team of folks, she rocked the house in Drew Brees record setting fashion.

          My message of that day, "To Infinity and Beyond", was the eighth, "cherry on the top" message after our "7 Weeks, 7 Churches" odyssey. The anointing of the Lord was on our first service and I hated missing the opportunity of sharing the Word with the whole church. Thus, bringing us to another first.

          This Sunday is the FIRST Sunday of the month and, as always, we flip the schedule. On December 4th, the 9AM service will be on the South Campus and the 11:30AM meetin' will be at the North Campus.

          However, this FIRST Sunday, for the FIRST time, I will be ready with two messages.

          9AM-South- "After the 7 Churches: To Infinity and Beyond!"

          11:30AM-North- "FOG: The Favor of God!"

          These last few LifeGate weeks have been very special and the touch of the Master has been more pronounced on our Word, our Worship and our Walk. It appears that we will close this year with a bang and will then dive head first into a new year of new horizons, new challenges and new blessings.

          It all starts this Sunday, the SUNDAY OF FIRSTS! Don't miss it, ya'll!