Here I am facing my computer on the first Monday of the year. It is not only the first Monday of the year it is the first Monday in which we are facing real winter weather. December was incredibly mild in temperature and precipitation. So here we go with some musings …

-I made another major goof yesterday. I got the correct outline in the bulletin but I was watching the wrong clock. Just before the worship service began my wife pointed out that the clock at the back of the sanctuary was about 8 minutes slow. We didn’t have time to get a ladder out and correct the clock. So we just reminded ourselves and others that the clock was off and not to count on it. I got into my message and completely forgot that the clock was wrong. I finished at our normal time, only it wasn’t. It was actually 7 minutes past our regular. I felt terrible. People didn’t seem to notice and they weren’t staring at their watches. But I didn’t need those extra 7 minutes, so I felt terrible.

-We had a great time of worship during the music and prayer times. It was a great way to begin a new year.

-We had a lot of people out with illness and I am guessing a few of our older people stayed home because the roads were a little slick. It was the first Sunday with any winter weather.

-Even with all the illness and the condition of the roads our attendance was well above a year ago.

-Our small group met last night for the time in 3 weeks. It was great to be back together. We had some fun conversations, some great laughs and some very deep sharing as well. That is a definition of a great small group meeting.

-The message series that I began yesterday is entitled “Directions” Finding your place in God’s plan. I am very excited, and burdened, for this series of messages. I am convinced that this is critical for how our church will impact our community this year.

-I am approaching my one year anniversary at this church later this month. As I look back I am humbled to see how God has worked in our church this past year.

-We are beginning to pray for our Revival services that will begin in 2 months.

-I am encouraged as I hear that several people in my church are seeking to read the Bible a lot more this year. Getting the Word in people is always a positive thing.

Here’s hoping that you are looking forward to this week and that you can find a few people to encourage.

Dennis