Hi Pastor, Even though I'm a long way from home, I still read your E-Ticker. Just so you know...I'm a cracked pot so all my flaws show! Love and miss you all! K

I do read these messages and appreciate the time and effort you put into them.  We love you and what you are doing for the church.

I read the e-ticker from here in Colorado Springs. I appreciate the fact that it helps me feel connected to my church family up there at Hillcrest. Love and miss you all!!

tim 

I read the eTicker every time I receive notice that it's there (thanks Tiffany). I find it helpful for keeping my finger on the spiritual pulse of the church and to hear the heart of you, Brian. Its such a great use of an emerging technology (texting/blogging) that is communicating the message to younger (and some of us older) members.

Your closing comment about pretending and being welcomed at Hillcrest is excellent. Often we come to church, learn the motions, put on a happy face long before we are ready to have our hearts changed. It's through these acts of pretending that we often half-heartedly submit our shell to Christ and expose our core to God. Through the dedicated prayers of those upstairs lifting up the service to God, the Spirit seeps in and starts His work. Slowly and with deliberation, the Spirit enters into the minds and hearts of those you may think aren't listening, are dozing off or inattentive and the change happens. Lets not discount the pretending of some, it just may be rehearsal for a true life change.

Yes Brian, I read your e-ticker.

Brian, Yes I read the eTicker...but I never wanted to be the first one to make a comment!  Thank you for all you do for Hillcrest.  CL 

Pastor Brian - first paragraph, second sentence - I know it is human nature to wonder, we all do it, but sometimes wondering can open the door to doubt.  And doubt can lead to frustration or anxiety.  Search though I may, I can find no reference showing doubt, frustration or anxiety to be reflections of God's love for us.  Don't let the wondering disrupt the Spirit providing that message - we are listening!  And reading!  :o)

Well, Brian, plain and simple, I just can't read.  I assure you, though, that if I could read, I would read your e-tickers. 

All kidding aside though, as far as pretending goes, I've done pretty good at it most of my life...had a lot of people thinking I had it all together while I privately stuggled with my demons.  One thing I've learned in this church though, everyone has their own struggle.  I'm not the only one that has trouble living in this world in this body. and I try to live better (some days I try harder than others, though...old habits die hard). 

Keep on doing what you do, Preacher man; we love ya!

Yes, I read them and find them very thought provoking.  Thank you

Read and appreciated!!!

I read them too!

I'm not sure if this is leaving a message where I want it to.  Anyway, I read the tickers.  You are making a difference.  You are attempting to be in touch with all of us.  You are demonstrating you care.  That is very important!

I read them. And you do make a difference!

I sure do read everyone that I recieve.  AND YES,  Brian you do make a difference.  I pray for you and your family every day! 

Brian,

I do read them and like many do not usually make a reply. It helps to know people really do read what you write. When I pray I pray for you the staff and all the members of our church. God Bless and keep writing they are read, no pretenses.

Bob

Brian,  Ariel and I both read your eTickers.  We appreciate your sermons too, especially last Sunday that emphasized: "You can never do anything to make God love you more, nor can you do anything to make God love you less."  Good stuff.   You are doing a great job.  Keep up the good work.  :)

I read them also. Good stuff.

You already know that I read them every week, sometimes more than once.  But, yes, at least one person is listening.

From time to time I wonder to myself, “Does anyone ever read these posts?” Kind of like on Sunday mornings when I wonder, “Is anyone really listening out there?” After all, we all want to know we are making a difference, right?!

In his book, Messy Spirituality, Mike Yaconelli offers a solution: “When you and I stop pretending, we expose the pretending of everyone else. The bubble of the perfect Christian life is burst, and we all must face the reality of our brokenness.” For me, “bursting the bubble” means admitting that I care what people think about me. I want to know that what I do makes a difference. And if it’s not making a difference to you, then I want to know that, too. And I want to know why. But to not know, and to pretend I’m okay with that, is just pretending…

Why is “pretending” such a bad thing? Because pretending is usually about covering something up – withholding information, withholding love, overcompensating for insecurities, always thinking you are right, always playing the victim, never willing to forgive – and Jesus was never an advocate of covering things up. He was always exposing things to the light. Light has a funny way of revealing the flaws in the façade that we create for ourselves. Besides, I think people who know they are flawed are a lot easier to love than people who pretend to be perfect…

Are you “pretending” at something? Then Hillcrest is the right church for you! But, do us a favor: Quit pretending so that we can get to know the real you…

P.S. If you read this, leave a quick note by clicking on “New Message to this Topic” at the top of this page. After you type your name then a box will appear for you to write in. Thanks for reading…