This week our standard poodle gave birth to 9 … NINE labradoodle puppies. They are enormously cute as you can imagine.

The whole idea of breeding our dog has been a long time coming. My wife and son love all fuzzy things. Truth be told, I do too but as “dad” I feel it’s my job to limit the number of living beings under our care. If I didn’t, I’m pretty sure we would have a llama, pig, and miniature horse by now. We’d certainly have a donkey or two. Instead, we have 3 humans, 2 dogs, a seemingly immortal fish, and 9 puppies. (Did I mention there are NINE?)

Ultimately we decided to breed my sweet Izzy girl because we love dogs, she is a great one, and you only live once! We also did it because we wanted to use the experience to teach our kid about life and the way it works. Turns out the experience has provided such great opportunities to learn about the unmistakable power of the Creator. It also turns out, having puppies is way more fun than I could have ever anticipated (just don’t tell my wife I admitted that).

The night after the 9 puppies were born, my son and I sat in an EZ chair together rocking and talking about the experience. We were relieved that all the puppies were born safely and each one looked to be in good health. We began talking about how just a few weeks ago, those puppies were nowhere. They didn’t exist until Bear and Izzy met. Then, God worked in his incredibly creative way to let them bring forward brand new life! From nowhere to 9 little independent puppies alive and in person! Pretty remarkable – and only something God can do. Then we talked about how Izzy knew just what to do to take care of those puppies. And the puppies knew just what to do. Blind and just born they knew to crawl around in search of their mom’s life-giving milk!

I share all this because it is easy to forget how evident the hand of the Creator really is. There is no one like Him. He is so creative, so thorough in his plans for everything he does. If he is so careful to ensure each of the 9 puppies is able to thrive from the moment they are born, how much more so for us – who he created in his own image! Powerful thoughts for not only my 8-year-old son, but for this old dad too.

I pray you take a look around today and see God at work. I promise you he is. And if you don’t believe me, I’ll show you 9 examples!!!

Love,

Ryan

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TRIUNE GOD | Message: God is here now. God, the Holy Spirit

Isaiah 11:2, Acts 2:1-4; John 14:25-27 | All Campuses

WATCH ON-DEMAND!

We broadcast our services on-demand every weekend.

The choir and orchestra will present a service of "God And Country" on Sunday, July 2nd. The choir is looking for additional singers to add their voices to this special service. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings at 6:15 in May and June. If you love to sing, come and try out the choir for this special event!

Family and friends in the death of Artie Giotes.

Gary and Ann Hornung in the death of her father, Dr. Sidney Holt Richardson. Also to his granddaughter and family, Katy and John Griffis, Preston, Vivienne, and Mitchell.

Ruby Kirkpatrick, Troy Watson, Priscilla Scott, Bill & Judy Bauer, Sandy Ray, Jodi Bawcom, Gene Murff, Billy & Linda Laughlin, Larry Owens, Arlen "Kay" Clendening, Ingrid Forward, Evelyn Munos, Herb Harding, Cecile Truitt, Brandon Lawson, Bill Martin, Patrick & Margie McMillin, Lloyd & Betty Fason, Margaret Elliott, Cindy Knapek, Danny Bostick, Dave Guyer, Bob & Harriet Johnson

SUNDAY, MAY 21:

• Message: God is here now. God, the Holy Spirit | All Campuses

MONDAY, MAY 22:

• Health Shapers | 9:30a | Chapel | Main Campus

TUESDAY, MAY 23:

• Prayer Team | 1p | Chapel | Main Campus

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24:

• Band of Brothers | 7-8a | Chapel | Main Campus  
• Midday Worship Service | Noon| Downtown Campus
• Women's Get-Togethers | 6:15p | Main Campus | Contact Joann
• Youth Bridge | 6:15-8p | The Garden Room | Main Campus 
• Traditional Choir Rehearsal |6p| Main Campus | Contact John
• Orchestra Rehearsal | 7p | Main Campus 

THURSDAY, MAY 25:

• Men's Prayer Breakfast | 7-8a | Commons | Main Campus 
• Health Shapers | 9:30a | Chapel | Main Campus
• In Stitches Knitting Group| 10-11:30a | Main Campus 
• Men's Top Golf Event | 11a-2p | Sign up here
• Joy Game Day (age 50+) | 1:30p | Chapel | Main Campus | Contact Karen

FRIDAY, MAY 26:

• Church Offices Closed

SAVE THE DATE

MONDAY, MAY 29:

• Church Offices Closed | All Campuses | Memorial Day

SUNDAY, JUNE 4:

• Carter Blood Drive | 8:30a-12:30p | Main Campus | Contact Dave Guyer

SUNDAY, JUNE 4-TUESDAY, JUNE 6:

• REVIVE CHILDREN'S CAMP

SUNDAY, JUNE 11-WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14:

• GOSHINE WACO | Youth | In-town Mission Week | FirstWaco/Youth

MONDAY, JUNE 26-THURSDAY, JUNE 29:

• MAD CAMP (Music, Art & Drama) | 9-11a | Main Campus | Register here

SUNDAY, JULY 2:

• God and Country Service | 11a | Main Campus

SUNDAY, JULY 9 - THURSDAY, JULY 13

• VBS | 6 - 8:30p | Main Campus |Register to attend or volunteer here

SUNDAY, JULY 16-THURSDAY, JUNE 20:

• REVIVE YOUTH CAMP | Camp Buckner | Register here

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

MONDAY-THURSDAY | 8:30a - 4:00p | Main Campus