Jeana is on her way to meet Meredith for the great hand off of letting us keep Reese Caroline for several days. Jeana’s Mom will join her as well, so until Monday, we will have the two of them as guests. This is our first experience of keeping Reese Caroline without the presence of Nick and Meredith. She is walking now, so it is time to get ready!

Nick and Meredith are leading a missions team to San Diego. They are investing in the Cross Church San Diego church plant. Nick is still at the Prestonwood North Campus working with adults.

Now, we will need prayer when Reese Caroline’s cousins, Peyton and Parker, come over to see her. Reese has started walking, Parker is crawling at a world record pace, and Peyton is in control of everything. Jeana and I will have our work cut out, so pray for us in these days. Oh, it will be great! Grandchildren are certainly a delight.

God is good, yes, all the time!

We spent some time in our Senior Staff Team today talking about what we are calling “The Principle of Continuous Improvement.” This principle, we have determined, will be developed and emphasized to reinforce one of our core values, excellence.

Many times, when we go through personal life and career experiences, if they are good, we accept them, and if they are bad, we learn to live with them. Regardless of whether an experience is good or bad, we need to pursue and practice continuous improvement. Our commitment is to improve daily. This can only happen when we practice the principle of continuous improvement.

We have to question ourselves continually with things like, “How could I have done this better?” When we stop long enough to ask the right questions, we can improve continually and become better.

The culture we operate in should not be threatened by that kind of honest evaluation. Everyone needs to embrace this principle of continuous improvement personally and professionally. Why?

It will only make us better.

Oh my friends, it all begins today here in the wonderful state of Arkansas. What begins? You mean, you don’t know? What is it?

Football begins today in the state of Arkansas, even with temperatures at 100 degrees. High school and college football practice begins today. The expectations will be high all the way until that first game. The results of that game will either intensify or decrease the expectations for the rest of the season.

While football is unpredictable, God is bigger than all of that. Our expectations of God being there for us and working through our lives can always be counted on. He does not leave us. He does not ignore us. He is there. All the time. While we cannot feel Him or see Him or touch Him, He is here. He is ALWAYS with us.

Therefore, set your expectations high this week as you walk with Christ. Without a doubt, He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or even think! All of that is because of the power of Christ that is within us.

Yes, it all begins today, not just football, but much more–expecting God to move mightily among us!