Great Wall of Integrity?

      In ancient China, the people desired security from the barbaric tribes to the north.  So they built the Great Wall of China.  It was too high to climb over, too thick to break down, and too long to go around.  Security was achieved or so it seemed.  The only problem was that during the first hundred years of the wall’s existence, China was invaded three times.  Was the wall a failure?  Not really – for not once did barbarians climb over the wall, break it down, or go around it.

     How then did they get into China?  The answer lies in human nature.  They simply bribed a gatekeeper and then marched right in through a gate.  The fatal flaw in the Chinese defense was placing too much reliance on a wall and not putting enough effort into building character into the gatekeeper.

 

“The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.”  (Proverbs 10:9)

 

A Big Wow!

Last Sunday was huge!  TrueNorth Church had its first service in the North Augusta High School gym with a near record crowd.  I've told many people how TNC is a dream come true for me.  Back in the 80's I used to dream about having church in NA featuring contemporary Christian music in a casual, relaxed atmosphere with relevant, passionate Bible teaching that would reach across all socio-economic groups.  In my mind, the only place I knew of in NA that could hold a crowd like I had imagined was the NAHS gymnasium.  On Sunday morning, that dream came true. 

 

I thought that Stevens Creek Church was as close as I would ever get to seeing that dream become a reality in the CSRA.  As I posted a few weeks ago, the adventure at SCC was awesome and I thank God for that experience.  But Sunday morning was almost too much.  I can't tell you how many times I have envisioned in my mind what actually took place at TNC on September 10, 2006.  It was a surreal experience for me. 

 

I praise God for Steve Davis and the core leaders who started this ministry just over 2 years ago.  It is incredible to see what God is doing.  As my former pastor and boss used to say, "The best is yet to come!"  I truly believe that and I can't wait to see what God is going to continue to do at TNC.