Runnin’ my first 5k this weekend thanks to your inspiration. Thank you.

Stacey and I have had to let things soak in a bit before writing. Or at least I certainly needed to. So here’s our story and tribute to Pastor Dave.

[Eric] I was that ostracized guy Pastor Dave talked about so many times. You know, the one riddled with self-inflicted gunshot holes to the soul? The one who didn’t know how to communicate. The one raised by awesome parents, in a Godly home and in traditional church both Baptist and then non-denominational charismatic. Ten years into my first marriage, all the bricks built in my theological wall were up, communication was minimal, repressed anger was seeping out and a powder keg was all but ready to light. I was hacked off at God and everybody. I started drinking and hanging out at the local bar to self-medicate the pain. It became daily pretty quick. A whirlwind of self-destruction, an “un-invitation” from my so-called pastor, discovering other pastors were told not to let me in their church, my whole network of church-centered friends followed the status quo and turned the other way after knowing me my whole life…..left me in a very, very dark place. A place of no excuses but alone nonetheless. Yeah, that’ll teach em huh? I had the support of my parents who loved me but were certainly disappointed. A fifteen year marriage destroyed and my children hurt in the process.

Then the first of a series of great events happened. I met Stacey. Just as Dave said of Paula, Stacey has saved me in every way a man can be saved besides his spirit through Jesus. She will force you to communicate if it takes a hammer to accomplish it. However, to discuss church at the time seven years ago would have ended up a fight parlance. The second event was taking my new step-daughter and her friend to BCC one Saturday night for service despite not having any inclination to step foot in a church. This was so I could continue to ignore the bold and loud call I have heard from God since I was a teen. As I sat in an auditorium with a thousand people, I felt as if Dave was talking directly to me and I was the only one in the room. BAAMM! This was it! This is the Gospel I had read for years but never seen followed. This guy looked like me, loved bikes like me, was raw like me, rough around the edges like me…..but also humble. In the months following, I would mention to Stacey things like going back to school for bible studies and seminary. That’s when the “look” would come my way. The look of fear that her husband was going to become some bible-thumping, street-corner screaming nut case. Then the third great event happened……Stacey’s turn. I’ll let her tell her side of the story in a few.

Although I have felt the call of God all my life, I have, in retrospect, ran as fast and far away from it as I could. How many of us know you can’t run from our Creator? I was a Jonah or a Moses at the burning bush. God, you must have the wrong guy. Please go find somebody else better qualified. Well, I have spent the past 5 years as an eager pupil under Dr. Foster. He met with me to give me wise counsel in many areas of questioning. He was never too busy for his Gathering family. Losing him has felt as if I lost a blood brother. Figuratively, we all did. I venture to guess Dave knew it but knew also that I would have to come into that all on my own. Your mission is a personal thing between you and God alone.

Last Sunday night, the 8th, my mission and the call I’ve felt all came together like a ton of bricks as I was driving back to Nashville on I-24. Without answering a call, we look toward our physical talents to put food on the table. In my case, I was tearing things apart and putting them back together just out of diapers. I am a mechanically-inclined Tazmanian devil. I suppose being a tool & die maker endeared me to Dave even more. However, this is not where my purpose and mission intersect. It may continue to put food on the table but my mission is clear. I am an ADD poster child. I can’t sit down to watch a movie. My attention span is sitcom sized. That’s it. BUT……when I write…..I lose hours of time in a zone I simply cannot describe. I’ve written political essays for local papers, blogged about a few things and always told that it was great work and creative. I didn’t put two and two together until last Sunday. I have no idea where this will take me. I do know that more training is necessary. I’ll be revamping my bike shop into a business plan of buying, restoring and selling vintage bikes rather than clientel work so my schedule can be more flexible for my theological studies, etc.

I am orthodox in my belief that my calling is from God and His call is intentional. Pastor Dave didn’t accomplish anything that God hadn’t already ordained to happen. Pastor Dave was God’s instrument to bring the Gospel to a man who was well-versed in the Bible, raised in the church, a son of a theological expert, grandson to a seminary professional and defiant of all of it while in a dark place. Dave walked the walk where many are just talking-heads. If it weren’t for Dave, I’d still be running. Because of Dave and Paula following their call, I have been stopped long enough to finally listen to mine. And thus, God’s provident plan moves on transforming people one to the other. I have been blessed with a family who knows I’m messy and a work in progress and you don’t care. They are there to not leave me alone to my own devices. I have brothers now who will call me out and punch me in the name of Jesus and love if I need it. They know I’m there in the same way. Iron sharpens iron.

In the months ahead, my agenda is to formally start an Iron Sharpens Iron group within The Gathering, to blog, to re-start my schooling and train to write or even speak whatever God has for me to say which honors God, speaks light into dark places, redeems and restores the broken, the beat-up, the betrayed, the bothered, the bored and the burnt among us. Inside Dave’s dash are two more people and their children affected by his and Paula’s example. That dash is made just a bit deeper and wider as a result of impacting our life. I see your picture on your tee-shirt of the Vista Cruiser Station Wagon and the words “Are we there yet?”. Yes brother you finally made it. Enjoy! Welcome thou faithful servant. Thank you Dave. I won’t say “goodbye”. I’ll say “See ya later!”. Oh by the way, if you catch this blog and Indian Larry is around, line me up an old flathead WL tricked out. No hurry. I’m sure it’ll wait fine until it’s time.

[Stacey]

I was coerced and drug to BCC by my daughter and her best friend. They promised me that it was something different. I did not want to go. I was hacked off at God. I felt as if He had betrayed me, He left me and allowed horrible things to happen to me and my family. I had no acceptable answers. So I decided that I would go to keep everybody quiet and put up with one hours worth and get the “hell” out of there. That hour changed my life. I couldn’t figure out how Pastor Dave knew some of my secrets. It was as if he was speaking to just me. Finally, someone was talking about how to be a Christian without being perfect and constantly failing and explaining it in words and ideas that I could actually use in my everyday life. Since that time, Pastor Dave has taught me that it’s ok to trust people. It’s ok when they betray you and that you can heal from all of this and not let it destroy your life. He taught me that I can’t exist in this world alone. God knows I tried. I needed not only my family I was born into but I also needed my church family. Especially my sisters. Dave took me from being “Hacked” off at God and blaming Him for the bad things that had happened to being at peace with it. I understand that bad things happen to good people because people are free-will. Dave taught me to spread hope and to treat each and every person that they matter even if they weren’t treating me the same.

With exception to my personal family, I had intended to remain invisibile. I didn’t want to deal with it. I didn’t want the disappointment or the committment. I liked being alone. But, it caused depression when I thought I wanted to be alone.  Now, I know that it is great to not be invisible anymore.  I’ve learned that within a church, there can be absolutely incredible women who can be relyed on and are there for you when needed. When I was sick in the hospital, Dave and Paula visited, a group of women from church banded together, cleaned our house and brought food to Eric and the kids. Some of these women I didn’t even really know at the time. I was so overwhelmed with the kindness extended, the hope, the help from these women. This was the church in action as Dave has taught us to do.

Seven years ago, had someone told me that I was going to be an active member of a church, tithe my hard-earned money to, in a bible-study group on Ester and wanting to go……I would have laughed hysterically and asked them what they were smoking because I’d like some too. Dave’s messages showed me a better life, gave me healing, gave me peace, laughter, direction, gave me hope and made me a better and worthy person having a true relationship with Jesus Christ.

Sometimes I didn’t like the message from Dave! The one that comes to mind is not having control, clarity and certainty. I am a control freak. However, after several discussions with others and hundreds inside my own mind, I realize Dave was right. As usual.  Now I’m giving up the control. It feels good. I am always amazed at how Dave could speak directly to each of us and show us how to use it in our everyday life.

Dave did this for thousands of people. If I can just do the same for one person, I will feel as if I had accomplished pushing this movement further.

I am honored that I knew David Foster and was able to learn from him. I am deteremined to be a part of this movement called The Gathering.

[Eric and Stacey]

STILL IN ONE PEACE BABY!!!!

Even though I’ve heard many of Dr. David’s sermons over the years, the one that stuck with me the most came in the summer of 2003, when  a little girl, whose family belonged to the church, died in a freak accident playing in her backyard.  The entire congregation was in shock about her passing, and I knew that Dr. David would address her passing at the next service.

He talked at length about what a wonderful child she was and how he knew God was taking good care of her.  Toward the end of his sermon, he confessed that while praying to God and asking for guidance on how to help her family and the congregation in dealing with her passing, he said, “God, I am sick and tired of trying to make you look good!”

He paused, and added, “Then I heard God tell me, ‘Son, I don’t need you to.’”

I realize now that Dr. David was right; he didn’t need to make God look good, because evidence of God’s goodness is all around us, even in times of pain, like now.  While I am crushed that he is gone and will miss tuning in on Sunday mornings for his messages, I am so aware of how lucky I am to have had his words and his message for as long as I did.

I’m so thankful to Dave & Paula for their years of inspirational messages, guidance on how to live a Christian life and motivation that I carried with me each week. Pastor Dave taught me how to live a life God would be proud of, knowing I’m not perfect and loving me anyway. My husband and I were touched by his incredible writing and speaking skills for over 12 years. Our girls found a safe and happy place to learn about God. Meeting in a school? I thought it was crazy, but it led us to Hope Park and we were truly blessed. He reached thousands over the years and loved FB, Tweets and podcasts~ any way to spread the word of God across the world! Yea God!

The Gathering family has meant so much to us over the years, connecting with friends and doing our best to be a Renegade for God.  I had hoped to share another meal with Dave and Paula and/or maybe ride again. He was such a wonderful example of a Godly man and a follower of Christ emulating how a husband and father and friend should be. You wanted to be a better person each week and each lesson seemed directed at me and my situation at the time. He guided me through some of the best and worst moments in my life. I am forever grateful. I loved him and never got the chance to tell him how much he meant to me…He knew how to touch people. It wasn’t what you had, but how you make people feel. He succeeded on all counts. Each time I think of him now makes me smile and cry at the same time.  I aspire to be better… Still in One Peace!

I had a dream several nights ago. Pastor Dave (he loved being introduced as our pastor)  gave me a hug and said everything is going to be alright. Then we sang that great theologian Bob Marley’s song “Every little thing is gonna be alright”!  :) Just like him to try to make me feel better…

Much love and many prayers for Paula, Erin, Lindsey and Paige and their husbands. I cannot fathom their loss. I pray for our church as we grieve. We’re all better by having known him, thankful and blessed to have had him enrich our lives. I am so sorry for our loss.

I need another tissue… Love and Light, Wendy

1)     Poor Bubba & Bubbette

2)     Sista from another Mista

3)     Checkup from the neck up

4)     We are meant to be Thinking, Acting, Feeling people if you get this out of order you are in deep weeds

5)     Toxic people should not be allowed to wreak havoc in your life

6)     Parents sometimes want relationships with their adult children that they didn’t cultivate as children. Don’t feel guilty setting necessary boundaries

7)     Pray big hairy bodacious prayers

8)     Jesus is a renegade, comedian, and rowdy.

9)      One savior one lifetime and you ain’t it.. Aren’t you glad

10)  I never ever got tired of Pastor Dave telling the story of David and Goliath…. Pimple-faced cheesy bread delivery boy.

11)  “That’s in the Greek”

12)  As a motorcycle guy I loved how he would talk about flicking the sign to fellow motorcycle guys. Just spot on.

13)  I will never settle for anything but complete authenticity from a pastor ever again. I refuse to go to church to listen and watch a persona or a song and dance. Thank you Dave!

14)  He taught me what it looks like to be a good husband and dad.

15)  He helped me avoid so many common pitfalls of life. Or at least when I was in the pit I had a good idea why that was.

16)  Why not me?

17)  He revealed to me that God almost exclusively used royally screwed up messy people to achieve anything of worth in the Bible. What an awesome message of hope for all of us.

18)  Christian county is wet and Bourbon county is dry

19) Smoking is a spiritual gift inKentucky

20)  He always made it ok to question God.. doubt is ok..

21)  It’s about a relationship

22)  Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable

23)  It was at BCC that I experienced the shear joy of tithing faithfully. Awesome.

24)  You won’t hear that at the (fill in the blank) Church down the street.

25)  Don’t you just want to smack those people… in the name of Jeeeesaahzz?

26)  How are you? I’m fine… liar liar liar pants on fire… F.I.N.E à feelings in need of expression.

27)  If you’re not a reader please keep it to yourself

28) 6 and 1, 6 and 1… God’s divine rhythm to life

29) You don’t want a JOB (joyless obligation box) you want to find your FIT.. Does it Fulfill a need, Inspire you, and do you have the Talent?

30) Love God, Love what he Loves and do what he’s blessing… do the next right thing

31) Going to BCC was truly the highlight of my week.

32) Trying to convince my wife to give up her cow patty hairdo.

33) Don’t drink, smoke, or chew or run with the women who do.

What a legacy…

David Foster radically changed my life. Briefly, I became a Christ follower at age 10 in a Southern Baptist church inMichigan. Strayed away in College and was 6 mos into my marriage with our one year old son Jonah when my wife and I found BCC in 2002.

I was hooked from the first visit. My Pharisee antennae perked up when I noticed there was no “invitation” at the end of service. In a subsequent service pastor Dave explained that he wasn’t interested in selling tickets to heaven. He challenged everyone to work out their own salvation. This was a radical concept when I heard it the first time.

We followed Dave and Paula to Red Caboose park and to the hotel and to The Gathering before moving to Georgia. I listen to all of Dave’s podcasts and still considered him my pastor and mentor. David made me consider writing a book of my own some day. I am now a reader because of him. I have an infinitely more real and confident faith than I did some ten years ago.

Regretfully, I only ever let pastor Dave know once how much he meant to me via email (and he responded by the way with a question of “do you think Clarksville, TN is ready for a church like BCC?). I don’t know how many times I thought “I am going to email Dave” after listening to him speak. Matter of fact I had that very thought on the last podcast I had listened to as he told the story of how he never gets tired of hearing it.

There was moment between Pastor Dave and I that used to give me that momentary pang of embarrassment when I thought of it. On that day at the Red Caboose park in Bellevue as he was leaving I ran up to him (I think I was crying) and gave him a hug and let him know how much we all loved him. I used to think how silly I was in that moment and maybe I was, but now I’m anything but embarrassed of it.

I can’t imagine the pain Paula and the girls are going through. I feel selfish for even whining about I how I feel. I am a bit lost and scared I must admit. What I am going to do without his constant feed of encouragement and wisdom? I gotta grow up I suppose and get off the bottle. I can’t explain or articulate it well, but I feel like now I have to do something. I have to be a mentor, a leader, and a dreamer. I can’t live vicariously through Dave anymore.

You will be sorely missed my brotha from anotha motha.

Pastor Dave’s messages gave me hope again.

My favorite saying of his is “If God is for us, then who gives a rip who is against us”.

He cared for us messy people in a way that nobody else has. He showed us that Christianity doesn’t have to be boring or judgemental. I will forever be grateful for him letting us know how much we are loved and that our lives do have a purpose. I now feel more confident and ready to make a difference in the world.

Even though we are deeply saddened by your passing, we know that we will see you again one day.

David will be sorely missed but his spirit will live on in each and every one of us that have had the privilege to cross his path.  He was truly one of a kind.

The Gathering will continue to grow and glorify God just as David would have wanted.

Since those days I have changed my life completely around from a time when I hated every single second of my existence to now where I honestly feel that am living my dreams with my amazing children and my truly unbelievably rock solid wife. All things that I never thought I could ever attain before but Dave led me to believe that I was somebody and I meant something in this world. Yea God!

Heaven sure has gained a valuable new member.

Go get ‘em!!

I was amazed and instantly drawn to Dr. Foster’s  speaking style.  He was so easy to relate to, and made the scripture easily adaptable to my life.   I found a renewed love and enthusiasm for Christ!!!!!

My husband and I moved to Franklin in ’07, and BAM! discovered the Gathering about a year or two ago!!!   I truly believe that the  series he did on marriage saved mine!!!

He was an amazing man, and vessel for God’s word.

I’m still in shock that he has passed, and I know that he will be missed by SO many!!!

No one in that church even said a word or even looked at me.

Also because I was working realllly crazy hours at work and I needed the flexibility of an online church. I wanted more God. A better stronger connection that cut thru the pain and loneliness of living my life in my own strength.

Someone gave me a website but soon as the slip of paper hit my hand I knew it wasn’t it. I Googled and David’s site leaped off the page. God said, “Go there, I am there.”

I have gotten more words of understanding, compassion and God from a man I’ve never been in the same room with. More than all the churches I have been to in the past 10 years combined. God sent David to us.

When he was done, he took him home. I prayed and asked God to tell David how much his ministry meant to me. I know David knows now. And that makes this feel a little better. Thank you, Pastor David, for doing the things God told you to do with so much love , excitement and passion. It is still helping me to heal and do the things that God wants me to do.

From the bottom of my heart, YEA GOD!!!