Mike’s 3 Cents

Our famous friends!

Aug 4, 2009

I have quite a few famous friends…but you likely don’t know them. They’re not that famous – just famous to me!  But if you watch closely today and tomorrow you might see a familiar face on 10-TV in Columbus, Shepard Smith’s FOX Report (fair and balanced!), and the Early Show on CBS.  Our very own Taviano family has attracted some attention with their recent zoo-trotting adventures.  Some of you know of their journey and Marla’s aspirations to write a book about it. Marla loves to write! Apart from being super-talented, Gabe and Marla, are serious about their faith.  I met Gabe when we were interviewing for a web designer. It was our desire to not only find a talented graphics and code guy (usually they’re one or the other), but also a guy that understood his talents are most effectively used when they are employed for the good of others and for glory of the One who provided them. Gabe hit the mark on all three.  He’s a graphics guy, a code guy and a ministry-hearted guy. As a result we compensate Gabe not only to design and maintain our site, but to sit around the table with us as we figure out what God wants with Vista. This arrangement allows him not simply to be involved on an contract, as-needed, sporadic basis, but in real-time.  Our hope then is that our technology will keep pace with the ministry opportunities we have.  And relevant, user-friendly, timely web pages are crucial to Vista as we continue to find creative ways to stay conneced sans church building.  Both Gabe and Marla have a unique love…apart from Gabe’s love for technology and Marla’s love for writing…they both love to “see God at work.”  I’ve seen Marla actually moved to tears for someone she didn’t know well, but knew that God had answered prayer in their life. Gabe has passed on more lucrative career directions because he’s seen the impact our church is having in peoples lives. In fact, if you listen closely to what the Taviano’s (along with their three darling girls) will say about “52 Zoos in 52 Weeks”, their comments will likely reflect what God did through the process. This was their hope – that God would show up. In large measure – it was the rationale behind their initiative – to do something that would be fun, but that they knew would bolster their faith. They knew going in that God would have to show up for them to finish. And they’ll tell you when you talk to them…and it’ll for show up in Marla’s book…He sure did show up! God likes to catch people’s attention (if we pay attention), so it doesn’t surprise me that their faith has caught some national attention. And I’m awfully proud of them – they’d like the attention to stay on God. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works (Psalm 145:5). We often miss God beacause we fail to realize some of the most amazing works God does cannot be captured on film, but happen in our hearts.  I talked to Gabe this morning…they would very much like our prayers through what will likely be a brief and whirl-wind media experience. That the Taviano’s would represent Jesus well – in a way that others might appreciate and see his wonderful works…in them.  Hey, why don’t we all try that this week?