Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)

This scripture has really resonated in my heart since I shared it in my message a couple of Sundays ago. I really don't have any additional comments to make on it other than the story I told, but I think it's good for us "city folk" to pay attention to these words in our busy lives, sometimes walking past hundreds of people a day.

Random Words of Wisdom

...from my experiences this week:
- Remind your children to never put fuel from the "green" pump in your car. It's called diesel. It won't work.
- Take a day off. It's smart. It's healthy. It's responsible. It's biblical.
- Close your car windows before it rains.
- Keep exercising every day, regardless of how busy and tired you are.
- Chihuahuas LOVE to chase squirrels. Let them have fun and do it occasionally.

- 18-year-old boys playing hide and seek on the golf course at 1:00 AM can scare elderly neighbor ladies ... or at least that's what the police say.

- Build relationships on common ground. Seek it out and camp there for a while.

Problem is, I'm not really familiar with the cool places to spend a couple of days between here and Columbus. (Honestly, I don't know if Columbus itself has anything cool). We've done the Memphis thing, so this time we're considering spending a few days in Nashville on our way back. Any ideas or suggestions on fun things to do there for both Rebecca and me as well as a 15 and 18 year old? Really, send me some ideas. I need help!

What are your summer plans? I'd like to know.


Pastoring a downtown church can be interesting. Even though a lot of people are out during the summer, it's always been a time of steady growth for us, while May is one of our leanest months historically. 

So, I'm predicting we will see several new families checking out City Life and making this their home in June, July and August. Looking at the trends, I expect our September services to be very full, possibly reaching our capacity. 

Here's how you can help make Summer 2014 a success at City Life:
1. Meet people whom you do not know and invite them to lunch or coffee. We love to warmly welcome those who visit, but connecting at a deeper level is a real encouragement to our newcomers.

2. Give consistently. Since we began transitioning to our new PushPay system, almost 2/3 of our giving last month used this method. Please consider setting up your giving as "recurring". A few people have already done so, and say they love it.
 

4. Sit near the front on Sundays. Let's begin to intentionally leave seats near the back for our guests and for those who come late. It also helps when I'm preaching to see your eyes. Seriously.
 

7. Attend TEAM Night! (see end of email)

I've not finished my "parenting career", but I can surely say this, now: The hard work, love, attention, compassion, correction and discipline pays off in a huge way.

He's held a party last weekend with about 40 of his friends. (We made him cap the invitation list at 40. Ha!). It was fun hosting his friends. The dogs were happier than I've seen them in a long time, making new friends.


As you know, I serve on the Mayor's Faith Leader's Cabinet, and last week, we had terrific meeting. After hearing back from the group, Mayor Betsy called us to create a resolution for the City Council to approve, paving the way for a 5 year plan to make Fort Worth and intentional city of compassion.

The idea is that we would work with business, education, government and the church to involve the city in a steady stream of compassion-related activity that can be sustained. It even involves our city giving to children in need in third world countries. 

It's all in the very early development stages right now, so please pray for the architecture of the plan. God has called City Life Center to influence the culture of our city by influencing the culture makers. When the culture of a large city shifts, allowing a greater work of the Holy Spirit among us, it flows out to the suburbs and small cities everywhere. Also, it will influence other large cities to do the same. Remember this: Cultural change in America ALWAYS flows from the hearts of America's largest cities.

Try finding another large city in America with a "Mayor's Faith Leader's Cabinet". I doubt you'll find it. Therefore, Fort Worth is blessed, and we want to help serve our city leaders to make Fort Worth a better place to live, play and do business because of a greater measure of the Holy Spirit's activity in our city.

What are your thoughts?

If you answer YES to ANY of the questions below, TEAM Night is for you!

Great! Then make plans to join me for TEAM Night. 

What to Expect at TEAM Night:

• Hear about exciting developments
• Understand our leadership structure
• Meet the leaders
• Childcare
• Snacks for all (not a meal)
• Get the latest "inside scoop" from Pastor Tim
• Meet and hear from your team leaders