Zig Ziglar is recognized as one of the greatest motivational speakers of our times.  He has a unique delivery and an energy that is captivating.  I have read several of his other books.  This book was inspired as a result of an accident which has left him having lost a good portion of his short term memory.  This has altered his career in that now his daughter travels with him and interviews him in front of audiences since he can no longer speak the way he has in the past.

Zig’s accident took place one night when he got up in the middle of the night to write something down.  He tripped on his stairway and fell down the entire stairway landing with a hard blow to the head on the marble floor entryway to his house.  I found this interesting because I have a tendency to get up in the middle of the night with some of my best thoughts.  I too will often get up to write them down but have become very cautious about climbing the stairs since reading the book.

I am sure for some this book will help them to embrace the challenges they face in their lives but it was not a book that really touched my life.  I only read half of it but at that point, I had not really gleaned much from the book that was memorable.  I know for those die-hard Zig Ziglar fans that is hard to believe.  Based on that I can’t say I recommend the book but for some I am sure they will find it a great read.

This afternoon several members of FOTP Grapevine went out into the neighborhood to introduce ourselves and to see if any of our neighbors had prayer concerns.  I have to admit that I love doing this sort of thing.  I know for some people it would be way out of their comfort zone but it energizes me.  The first door I knocked on was answered by a lady who told me that she had lost her job this week after 11 years with the same company.  Two doors later, I visited with a lady who lost her husband a year ago.  On other lady apologized for not inviting me in but she had the flu. 

There was one house I skipped because there was a very unfriendly dog in a not so safe looking fence.  I felt badly because somehow I knew that perhaps the people needed a visit.  When I walked back by the house a man was coming out.  As it turns out he and his family are interested in attending our church.  His daughter has been looking for a youth group. 

We took the prayer requests back to the church and will be lifting them up.  I am always reminded that most people would say that people don't like folks knocking on their doors and trying to approach them but my experience has always been just the opposite.  Almost 40% of the people in America describe themselves as being lonely and the American Oxford Dictionary just voted "unfriend" as the word of the year.  The fact is that people are open to those who show an genuine interest in their lives and struggles.

Saturday a member of FOTP Grapevine called me to let me know that a man she worked with had been taken to Harris Hospital in dwontown Fort Worth. He was bleeding internally and the doctors only gave him a 50% chance of living.  She (Cathy) asked if I would pray for her friend Marty and go see him.  She also informed me that her boss who is not a believer would no longer let her off on Sunday mornings so she could go to church.  I prayed for Marty and her situation at work. 

I headed to Harris Hospital and had a chance to visit with Marty.  I shared the gospel with him and he was so ready to commit his life to Christ.  His mother attends a church regularly and I am sure had been praying for him.  It just reminded me again of the joy of seeing others realize thier need for grace and God's desire to extend grace to them.

On Sunday, Cathy showed up for church.  It seems just a few hours after we prayed that he boss called her to let her know she could start coming in later so she could attend church.

God is amazing!

God's hand of favor is on FOTP Grapevine.  This past Sunday we had our highest regular Sunday attendance in the history of the church.  What is so unusual about this is that the average church usually has a peak in attendance in the August-September time frame but we have continued to grow through the fall.  Our Sunday morning youth program led by Jon and Cathy Brooks started with a handful of kids in Sept. and we had 17 youth this past Sunday.  God continues to bring some incredible families our way who are committed to reaching unchurched young families.  I remember the day when we only had a few children on a Sunday and this past Sunday we had 45.

All of this seems small compared to the many large churches in our area but considering that a little over a year ago, FOTP Grapevine consisted of a few couples in our living room, it is truly amazing.  More importantly, are the lives that have been changed.

I have never been a part of a more loving, committed group of Christ followers in my life.  Pat, Caroline and I love the people of FOTP Grapevine!

This is the second year that we have played Gainesville State School.  Both years, part of our fans have cheered for the Tornados.  It is truly an amazing experience.  One of the players from last years team now lives with a Faith family and just auditioned for a movie that will star Nicholas Cage.  This is amazing considering this time last year he was incarcerated.  God is amazing!

Wade Phillips opened his press conference yesterday saying that he was going to the Faith game.  He was there along with Jason Witten and Jon Kitna.  We also had lots of news coverage this year.

A movie is being made about the game check it out http://www.oneheartmovie.com/