Sadly, in December of 2011, I lost a good friend, Stephen Getzelemann.  As Stephen battled against a Strep A infection, our church surrounded he and his wife and son. It seemed like everyone was praying and pitching in to help, support and do whatever they could for the family. This care and concern didn’t go unnoticed. Stephen was first cousin to Kimberly Williams Paisley (Father of the Bride) and Ashley Williams (How I Met Your Mother), and cousin to Brad Paisley (County Singer) by marriage. They all were exposed firsthand to how our church practiced the biblical charge to serve and care for one another.  As a result, just this past April, Brad Paisley released his new album, “Wheelhouse” that included a song, “Those Crazy Christians”, at least partially inspired by the care he saw Stephen and family receiving. You can click here to read the Parade Magazine article where Paisley explains the motivation behind the song.

If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

2 Corinthians 5:13-15