“For as long as Earth lasts, planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never stop.” -  Genesis 8:22 [The Message]

Don’t forget to set your clocks forward this Sunday, so you won’t miss the Gathering!

On January 15, we will kick-off a series called The Three Headed Dragon where we will face off against the god of me, mine, and more. During this series we will encourage you to take your next steps with God by trusting him with your time, talent, and treasure.

In our economy, learning to get out of debt and keep your finances under-control seems almost impossible. But there is hope! We are partnering with another local church, Pilgrim’s Saint Paul, and a proven 13 week curriculum called Financial Peace University [FPU] to master your finances. More than 1.5 million families have attended FPU with amazing results. On average, these families paid off $5,300 in debt and saved $2,700 in just the first 90 days! Stop worrying about money, and start your journey to Financial Peace today!

Class Begins: January 30, 2012
Class Meets: Mondays at 7:00 PM
Preview Class: January 16, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Location: Pilgrim Saint Paul Lutheran Church
14224 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107
Cost: $99 for the FPU Kit

Get more details and sign up today!

On January 4, 2012 I wrote, submitted, and posted a letter to the person(s) who stole from our church trailer to a local newspaper and here on our blog.

Velocity Church, one of our partnering churches, spread the word to other news sources who picked up the story. On January 5th, I was interviewed by Fox 8 News.

Here is a list of all the news coverage…

• Pastor Offers Thief $1,000 to Return Stolen Items – Fox 8 News
• Lakewood pastor writes open letter to thief – WKYC
• Pastor makes a deal with New Church thief – 19 Action News
• Crook asked to return stolen goods – WTAM
• Ohio Pastor Offers Forgiveness, $1,000 to Thief in Name of Christ – Christian Post
• Have you ever had anything stolen from you? – K-Love

As I mentioned at the Gathering on 1.1.12 some of our audio and band equipment was stolen from our church trailer. In response I wrote this article and submitted it to the Lakewood Observer, but I wanted to post it here first.

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Dear Church Trailer Thief,

On New Years Day we picked up our trailer from its regular spot to find that you broke in and stole our equipment. You nabbed our church’s speakers and subwoofers, microphone stands, drum shield, bass cabinet and amp, and all of the cases that carry the items. All in all it was over $7,000 in losses.

My first reaction was anger. I wanted our church’s stuff back. I wanted justice. I wanted nothing more to hunt you down and find you, but then I remembered why I am a follower of Jesus. I am a follower of Jesus because God paid a great price to put my relationship back together with him and with others. I am a follower of Jesus because he pardoned my offenses and debt against him.

Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

God is a God of justice, but he is also a God of forgiveness and second chances. God has forgiven me much and I want to not only forgive you, but offer you grace. Grace is a concept that at a great price to someone else they offer you the reward, merit, or gift of the price they paid. If you return the equipment you stole I will not press charges. Instead I will write you a check for $1,000, no strings attached. I wish I could offer you more, but it is all I have. Email or call me at info@cityedge.org or 216-236-3970 and just say, “I have your stuff.”

Even if you don’t take me up on the offer I do not hold bitterness, anger or rage against you. I’m not going to hunt you down. I’m offering you forgiveness. I am offering you grace.

Love beyond reason,
Kevin Rush