This morning I am having trouble putting into words what God did yesterday. A few words or phrases that spring to mind are: memorable, moving, life-changing, freeing, empowering and take a stand moments. As for my musings …

-The altars were lined with people surrendering issues, fears, relationships, and questions about the future at the conclusion of my 10:30 church’s worship service. It was a holy time and powerful for all who were here to experience it. It was a God thing for sure. My sermon wasn’t anything special. There was nothing compelling about any of the human elements of the worship. But God … I love those “But God …” moments, don’t you? But God was present, He was working and people responded obediently to His call. It was humbling to witness that kind of movement.

-Last evening my wife and I each began a new small group study at our 9:00 church. We had a few people attend, I was hoping for a few more, but any time anyone chooses to take time to study the Word and share with others it is a very good thing.

-In the 10:30 service, I got a sense that God was up to something special during our prayer time in Worship. I just felt something in room shift and there seemed to be a different spirit during the next song we sang. There were a couple of people who just spontaneously came to the altar during that prayer time. I believe they helped set the stage for what took place at the end.

-We were missing a lot of people in both churches yesterday. Coincidentally it was an outstanding day with the best weather we have had all spring.

-On Saturday 11 ladies from my two churches were at a special Ladies Day at Olivet Nazarene University. They had a great time in fellowship with each other and were encouraged by the musician and speaker for the day. It appears that laughter was a major part of their outing.

-With my wife gone Friday evening and all day Saturday I enjoyed some outstanding junk food. Today my stomach is feeling a bit funky, but I am sure there is no correlation between those things.

-I am very excited for the next several sermons that I am working on.

(The above image is not an actual depiction of me, I am much more distinguished. I can’t believe I just typed that)

-Mondays are an interesting day for pastors. We spend time reflecting and evaluating the events of Sunday and yet are already looking ahead to the next Sunday. Sundays keep coming every 7 days. Mondays are often a day of conflicting emotions as a result.

-Prayed for a friend who ran the Boston Marathon today. He has been having some physical issues that have limited his running recently but he wasn’t about to miss this opportunity to run Boston no matter how he was feeling.

-Had a first time visitor in our 10:30 church and one who had not attended since I began at my 9:00 church. Love seeing new people.

-Spent some time in extra prayer over the weekend for a few people that are facing some extremely stressful circumstances at the moment. It seems that the “this is big” portion of my prayer list has grown exponentially in recent weeks.

-Part of yesterday’s sermon came from Mark 14:42 where Jesus said to his disciples “Rise! Let us go!” He said this as he went to meet his betrayer. I am praying that it becomes something of a rallying cry for us. Rise up! Let’s go and do what Christ is calling us to do today.

Here’s hoping that you hear the rallying call of God in your life this week. I am praying for you as you rise up. Let’s go be who we were created and called to be.

Dennis