March 2017 - Pastor Dan

 During the Miracles Concert on the afternoon of February 12, I was moved to tears on several occasions. They were tears that welled up because of Gods unfolding awe. It was as if God had a vision for Mount Zion before time began and some of us got to see a firsthand glimpse of Gods vision and dream for Mount Zion. I don't often get to sit in the sanctuary where I get to look out the picture window and see Cat mountain, but that's where I was seated for the concert. It was a mostly cloudy day. At one point in the concert, Grace DePuit was in the chancel area and was performing an outstanding rendition of The Gift, (with Joey Feek as back-up). As she sang, the clouds parted enough for the sun to hit Cat Mountain as a bird flew by in the distance, soaking up some of the suns rays as well. It was one of the most awe inspiring and humbling moments for me, as one of the pastors serving the faithful people who congregate at Mount Zion.

 I have had dreams and visions for the congregation of Mount Zion ever since I arrived in May 1999. I used to go onto the vacant property to the east of us and I would walk that property praying for the land as I envisioned a new sanctuary, with a cry room filled with children. I envision a place where people would come and learn about living with Jesus the Christ and come to love Jesus in new and awesome ways. I envisioned and prayed for Mount Zion to be a place of serving our neighbors with our hearts and our love of God and neighbor. And you know what?? Not a one of those visions and dreams have come about in the manner in which I saw them in my mind. God has indeed surpassed the dreams and visions I have dreamed and envisioned. And the Lord has done it in amazing and awesome ways in which only the Lord can do. Thanks be and praise to the Lord.

 Since none of the pictures and images of the visions and dreams I once held for the people and campus of Mount Zion have come to fruition, maybe I should just give up and stop dreaming. Maybe I should no longer attempt to envision a future for the people and campus of Mount Zion. Currently, my batting average is 0 for about 936. A few things that I've learned over the years is that I will never stop dreaming and envisioning a future for Gods people who gather at Mount Zion. I will never stop dreaming on behalf of Gods people everywhere. And neither should you. Because, another thing I have become certain about is that when we stop dreaming and envisioning a better future, we stop being alive, we stop being human, we top being faithful, we stop loving God, self and neighbor.

 I encourage all of us to continue to dream and envision for a better life ahead. What God does with those dreams and visions as they all come together in Christ is amazing. God brings those dreams and visions to be seen and made known in our worldly realm in ways far more awesome and amazing than any one person could dream or envision. God takes our thoughts and dreams makes things happen in Gods ways and in Gods times. I could never have envisioned Grace singing in such a beautiful setting, but God took all our dreams and visions and fulfills our dreams and visions in ways that bring complete humbleness and tears of joy and awe. Such moments as these bring fullness of life and living faithfully in the comfort of Lord. Thank you all for your dreams and visions and prayers for the people and campus of Mount Zion and for all of Gods people throughout the world.

In Christs love and service,

Pastor Dan