Occasionally, I get the wonderful opportunity to write an article like I did the other night; Harry Potter, Humanism, and Radical Christianity. You never really know how people are going to respond. It's amazing to me the lack of discernment and spiritual blindness in the body of Christ today. I love the scripture my dad taught me when I was about 7, a couple of years after he gave his life to Jesus. It is found in Joshua 24:15 ..."But as for ME AND MY HOUSE, we will serve the Lord." That became a standard in our home growing up. It would do many Christians well today if they did the same in their home, raise a 'godly' standard. I will share more on this perhaps tomorrow, tonight there's something else on my heart.

As I'm sitting in my apartment in Brooklyn I have so many things I could be excited about. Our first service tonight on East 7th. Wow! What a beautiful church! (how bout that air-conditioning huh?!!) 3 stories! This is by far the best place we have met. I could think about my incredible meeting with Pastor Bill in his apartment a few mornings ago! Man what a meeting! What an honor! One word describes that meeting; NATIONS! He must have wept at least 5 times as we discussed the needs of the youth in this City (I have never met anyone so broken over suffering humanity). I could think about the awesome youth ministry God has blessed us with here at Metro and the opportunity to reach tens of thousands of youth over the next few years! What a time to be alive! However, tonight my heart is touched so deeply as I think about the greatest treasure in our lives outside of our children; our beloved team.

This last year was an intense season of personal sacrifice, testing of hearts, refining of character, and renewal of passion for God and for the lost, not just for a few individuals, for ALL OF US. Most people will never know what you endured. I am so PROUD of the COURAGE, HONOR, and FAITHFULNESS that each and every one of you displayed. I am so PROUD to say I know you. It's one thing to face adversity, it's another thing to face it and win, to pass the test. MY FRIENDS, you have passed the test. There will be many more on this journey, but keep persevering, and keep winning.

Thank you for not giving up. Thank you for not forgetting why we do what we do. Thank you for believing in this dream. Thank you for loving New York City. Thank you for loving the inner city. Thank you for loving people. Thank you for fighting to keep your heart free from bitterness and offense. Thank you for remembering why Jesus went to the cross. Thank you for understanding Becky and I (especially me; Jack Bauer Jr.), and for loving and believing in us the way that you do.

The only real way to end this 'shout out' is with a quote from Teddy Roosevelt I found on my cousin Dennis's MySpace page (thanks cousin!!!). I do not believe there is a better quote which so adequately describes the team that God has blessed Becky and I with:

"It is not the CRITIC who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. THE CREDIT BELONGS TO THE MAN IN THE ARENA, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, WHO STRIVES VALIANTLY...who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, WHO SPENDS HIMSELF IN A WORTHY CAUSE, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of HIGH ACHIEVEMENT, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while DARING GREATLY, so that HIS PLACE SHALL NEVER BE WITH THOSE COLD AND TIMID SOULS who have never known neither victory nor defeat."