Welcome, Gathering Friends to October 1, 2009.  Could there a more significant day in our life as a community?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  I'm believing that this ONE day is one among thousands that God is going to show us His significance in our journey.  Is it weird to mark this day?  I don't think so.  I remember the most random dates and events sometimes: the day I graduated college, the day I started my first real job, the day I left for Germany last fall, the day my stray dog showed up on my door step.   If we actively strive to remember something, we are more likely to respond to it in unique ways. 

I think October 1st is a day that will go down in our history books as one we won't forget, even if it seems like just another fall day.  For the Gathering Network staff, the last 6 months we've said, "We're really doing it this time guys." as we walked out of meetings, often a little dazed and confused.  Today, Glenn said to me, "We've really done it this time!"  It's true, and in really doing it this time, it has only just begun.  

So let's agree: It's been a big week..  It's one to mark in our minds, in our journals or at least on a post-it note somewhere.  Can you imagine what life will look like for us a year from now?  October 1, 2010: who will be found that was once lost?  Who will find that He is the "hope of everyone on earth, even those on who sail on distant seas"?  What miracles will we have witnessed?  What mission will exist that isn't even on our minds right now?  What wrong things will be on their way to being made right in our city?  What prayers prayed will be "faithfully answered with awesome deeds"?  Where will we find ourselves in 12 short months?

I believe we ARE and we WILL "stand in awe of His wonders" and we will learn to not hold back in sharing the things that "inspire shouts of joy."  It's been a journey, one that won't stop just because October 1st has come and gone.  Can you imagine what this beautiful table will look like when we round this corner again next year? 

I can hardly contain myself. 

The river of God has plenty of water; it provids a bountiful harvest of grain,
for you have ordered it so. 
Psalm 65:9b