Side guests...

Several weeks ago, our oldest son decided he’s done living a “normal” life.

He’s on a quest now.

Not like “clean your room” quest…but real quests, exploring, discovering, making memories ?.

And honestly, I love it.

So, to fuel his creativity (and maybe earn a few parenting points), Leigh-Ann and I got him a drone for his birthday.

Which means…we are now a family learning how not to accidentally land expensive technology on a highway or in a lake.

A few days ago, we took it out to a park to practice. And flying the drone is pretty incredible. One minute, the drone is hovering just a few feet off the ground, giving you this up-close, detailed perspective. The next minute, it’s way up high, showing a bird’s-eye view that completely changes how everything looks.

Same park. Same people. Totally different perspective.

At one point, we looked at the footage and realized things that felt ordinary from the ground looked purposeful from above. Paths connected. Space made sense. Even us standing there looked like we actually knew what we were doing (which, for the record, is questionable).

It’s amazing what a change in perspective can do.

This Sunday, Cooper Chavis (our Youth & College Director) is opening up Luke 2:36–40 and showing us something we often miss…God is in the business of restoring His people.

In these verses, we meet Anna, a woman whose life, on the surface, could easily be defined by loss, waiting, and what might feel like a “less-than” story. But from God’s perspective? Her life is a testimony of faith, devotion, and restoration. She sees Jesus and recognizes exactly who He is because she’s been faithfully looking for God all along.

From ground level, life can feel fragmented. Disconnected. Maybe even disappointing.

But through faith, through the lens of God’s promises and the person of Jesus, we begin to see differently.

We begin to see that God is restoring our faith and testimony. All this happens through Jesus, who came to bring us back to God. Sometimes what we need most isn’t a change in circumstance…

…it’s a higher view of what God is already doing.

And trust me, you won’t want to miss this one. Also, in what may be the most compelling theological argument I can offer, there will be pancakes. Our students are hosting a fundraiser to support their mission trip to the Dominican Republic this summer, so come hungry, come ready to support, and come expectant for what God is going to do.

I can’t wait to hang out and learn with you on Sunday. Services are at 8:00, 9:15 (Full KidCity available), or 10:45 am (Full KidCity available), or you can watch the Livestream on YouTube (Like and Subscribe) or on our New Life website at 9:15 am. Also, we would LOVE for you to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Have a great weekend,
Troy
P.S. Tomorrow morning from 8-9 am, we are hosting a worldview and cultural training for those interested in serving with our Spanish-speaking service.… And we also have our men’s breakfast from 9-10 am. It’s going to be a great weekend!