Gilbert Thurston

Random Thoughts About Life, Ministry and Whatever Else Happens to be on my Mind

Inside Today’s Experiences

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Brian Chrissy Proposal

  • Really fun day.
  • Not having to preach but yet still attend was great.
  • Hectic morning getting everything set-up because of all the elements in the Experience but we got it done.
  • The worship team knocked it out of the park on both the worships songs and also with the specials…great job everyone!
  • Really proud of Josh…can’t wait to see what God has in store for him in the future.
  • Selfishly I hope it’s something with us, but my prayer is that God’s will be done.
  • He brought a great message for the close of the Hostage series.
  • Go get your crew!
  • My only real responsibility today was to do the announcements and not mess up Brian’s surprise.
  • For those that were in the 9:15 you got to experience something really cool.
  • Brian Miller who was my intern two summers ago and to this day is sort of my right hand man, FINALLY got up the nerve to propose to his long-term girlfriend Chrissy Weaver.
  • We were able to set it up perfectly so that even Chrissy’s parents who live a few hours away were able to be there without arousing any suspicion.
  • I typically don’t get nervous but I was for the whole set-up and getting Chrissy on to the stage without giving it away.
  • It was awesome watching her as the lightbulb came on to what was happening.
  • When she turned around (picture above) and Brian was down on one knee there on the stage it was awesome.
  • I looked out and everyone was crying…which was hard for me to see because I was bawling.
  • Brian and Chrissy mean so much to Lisa and I…we couldn’t be proudier of “our kids”.
  • So 10:45 crowd you really missed out…
  • Hey speaking of…for the first time ever the 9:15 crowd was larger than the 10:45…that’s really cool!
  • Well as soon as I post this, I’m offically on vacation!
  • I’ll miss you guys, but I’m definetely ready for a break.
  • Next week Craig Groeshcel (Lifechurch.tv) one of the greatest pastors and communicators in the country will be speaking to the United crowd as we begin the One Prayer series with the message, God is Love.
  • I may check in from time to time to blog about what’s happening on vacation, but don’t count on it.
  • If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call (717-263-9523)  or e-mail (office@mycfcog.org)  the church office.
  • See you in a few!

    • Inside Today’s Experiences

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  • Another good day!
  • Disappointed with attendance though…guess people think that a holiday weekend means God is on vacation as well.  :)
  • Really proud of Alex for coming in and drumming for us even though he didn’t get home from his trip until 3:30 this morning.
  • Considering he only had 4 hours of sleep, he did awesome.
  • Everything else from a technical standpoint went well…couldn’t have asked for a smoother day.
  • Really enjoyed the band’s version of “Came to the Rescue”.
  • After last week’s message and response, it felt a bit anti-climatic preaching today, but all in all I was pleased and hopefully we further cemented the fact we can live free.
  • Spekaing of…I met an active duty Marine after the 9:15 who was visiting and he was really appreciative that we took a few moments out of the Experience to recognize not just those who have given there lives but our current troops as well.
  • For the first time in awhile we were early getting done.
  • In fact we were so early, the guest reception wasn’t even ready by the time I got there…now that’s early.
  • Looking forward to hearing Josh’s message next week as we wrap up the Hostage series…make sure you invite someone.
  • As I said in the message, one of the best things you can do is be a part of a small group…tonight our full group will be together…love my peeps!

    • Great Challenge

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    Brent Stains who attends United wrote a comment on the web-site that I wanted to make sure got spread to as many of you as possible.  Brent writes…

    Spot on brother, it was simply spot on!
    I was at the 9:15 experience and I simply want to thank you for sharing your heart. I believe it’s very evident what happens when we submit to God and follow His lead. There’s no doubt that today God used you in kingdom ways for kingdom purposes! Thanks for being obedient!

    I will use this message to share my heart with my friends. Just think what would happen if the 150+ who submitted to God today would also submit to bring a friend next week. Are we ready?!! We can be sure that God is!

    Brent is right…what might happen if we all invite someone next week?  We’ll never know unless we try…so invite someone today!

    Inside Today’s Experiences

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  • What a great day.
  • God’s Spirit was definetely present and lives were changed big time.
  • Having been away all week I wasn’t able to get something together to help cement the message in people’s minds so I thought yesterday that perhaps a good old fashioned altar call might be appropriate.
  • WOW…between the 2 Experiences we had about 150 people come forward.
  • At 9:15 especially it was amazing to see 2 and sometimes 3 rows deep of people the entire length of the stage.
  • The opening video of me being held hostage can be watched here.
    • That video was emotionally and physically demanding, but well worth it…perhaps the best we’ve ever done.
  • Two funny things from this morning…
    • One of the projectors must have gotten hit by a basketball this week (ok that’s not funny at all) and so we needed to get it adjusted.
    • The lift though was not charged up and so we had to patiently put Andy up in the air a few feet at a time.
    • I thought once we got him half way up we should have unplugged it and left him there.
    • My thinking was what better way to illustrate someone being held hostage.
    • The other funny thing was I ran out of water right before I went on stage for the 10:45.
    • I reached in our backstage fridge, but the bottle was completely frozen.
    • Now with less than 2 minutes before I’m to go on stage…and extremely thirsty…I had to figure out something…
    • …so I quickly stuck it in the microwave, not knowing what would happen.
    • Luckily it didn’t explode and I got just enough out of it to take care of my thirst.
    • It’s about 3:00PM as I write this and it still got a big block of ice in it.
  • All in all I’m pleased with today…
  • …it was a very emotional and draining day though so I’m physically hurting big time.
  • Time for a nap and then off with friend’s for dinner and cards.

    • Things I’m Excited About…

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  • Going to the Caps game tonight with Andy.
  • That God has promised never again to flood the entire earth (it’s pouring rain outside as I type this).
  • That I’ve had about a half-dozen couples approach me during the Re:married series saying they want to get married instead of continuing to live together in sin.
  • That other testimonies are coming in of broken marriages being restored.
  • That Lisa and I practice what I preach.  :)
  • That John Winebrenner, the founder of our denomination and whom I’m reading about in a biography right now, was such a rebel.  He was criticized for his methods but yet he was passionate about reaching people for Christ no matter what, even when it meant he got kicked out of his church.
  • That the same Holy Spirit who inspired such faith in men like Winebrenner resides in us.
  • That even more of the questions you wanted answers to about marriage, dating, relationships and sex will be answered this week as we wrap up our Re:married series.
  • That our next series, entitled, HOSTAGE will most likely be one of the most life-changing series that we’ve done yet.
  • That vacation is now less than 1 month away!
  • That I get to pastor such an awesome group of people who are more concerned with making a difference for eternity than money and material possessions!