I am reflecting and musing after the noon hour today. My wife and I are at our District’s Pastor and Spouse retreat and I was lazy this morning so I am just now getting around to typing. This retreat is a much needed couple of days away and I am so grateful to my church for sending us to this retreat. I serve a great group of people.

-Yesterday the music and prayer time in our worship was very powerful. There was a tremendous sense of the God’s presence and power in the service.

-Illness and other things really piled on yesterday as our attendance was very low. This was the lowest worship attendance in my 8 months here. I did not see this one coming.

-The congregation seemed very engaged during the sermon. I am praying much that our church will really take hold of the opportunities they have in prayer. That they will pray with confidence and courage. That they will pray boldly. That they will begin to make prayer their default action no matter what they encounter.

-I received a sweatshirt of my favorite college team from the youth of our church and my wife received a beautiful plant. These were part of a Pastor Appreciation plan they are doing for us. Did I mention I love this group of encouraging people?

-My wife and I left in the early afternoon yesterday to head to our retreat. We actually came a day early to get a little extra time of refreshment. I love spending time with her.

-We kicked off a renewed focus on Children’s Ministry yesterday. We have several people involved who have not been involved recently and I am excited about the changes. Unfortunately we didn’t have many children in attendance yesterday.

-I am loving the many reports I am receiving from my people about their prayer times. Especially how God is opening doors for conversations with the 3 people for whom they are specifically targeting in prayer to see them come to faith in Christ.

-I love how God upholds me when I am struggling. Yesterday was a difficult day for me and I was doubting a lot of stuff about our ministry plan, and other things as the day began. As I prayed yesterday I really asked for strength and help to focus on the great stuff that is happening. God was, and always is, faithful and he really lifted me yesterday.

-We are trying to get everything together, money and plans, to be able to go visit our son, daughter-in-law, and 5 grandkids in Kenya just after Thanksgiving. I don’t know if they need to see us, but I know we need to see and hug them.

Here’s hoping you can reflect on the presence and blessings of God today. If you ever desire to have another person praying for you, just send me a note and I would be honored to lift you in prayer. God is still God no matter what you are facing.

Dennis