It is not unusual for Monday mornings to be difficult for a pastor, this is one of those mornings. As for my musings …

-I am heartbroken over the tragedy in Orlando. My prayers go out to the families of those who were killed, to those wounded and those who escaped but witnessed this horrific event. I am also praying for all of the medical personnel who are caring for those who were wounded. I am praying for the law enforcement personnel who will be investigating dealing with the aftermath. I am praying for the churches in the Orlando area to be beacons of hope, love and care for all. I am praying but I am not always sure what to pray, fortunately Christ is interceding where my words fail. 

-I had invested a lot of time, emotion and energy into the sermon and the planning of the whole time of worship for yesterday’s services. That means that no matter what happened I was bound to feel a letdown. Yesterday on a whole was a mixed bag as far as whether the worship time was impactful or not.

-There were a lot, I mean a lot, of distracting things that took place during worship at both of my churches yesterday. From video issues, to temperature problems, to low very low attendance, to a lot people moving in and out during the service, to being able to hear people who were not in the worship center as they moved about during worship to name a few. After this many years you would think I would handle distractions better, but yesterday I was very unnerved by them. 

-Last evening someone dropped by and gave my wife and I a homemade, fresh out of the oven, cherry pie! I love cherry pie. 

-Yesterday was our first very hot Sunday as far as outside temperature. That created a problem at one of my churches because we did not give enough lead time to cool down the worship space.

-I am encouraged by the fact that people have come to each of our 5:30 am prayer times. Today began the 7^th week of 5:30 to 6:30 am prayer times on Mondays and Fridays at my 10:30 church building. There has never been a prayer time when it was just me praying. There have been 1 to 5 other people showing up and praying each time. I have had a few people let me know that their work schedule did allow them to come to the building but that they have praying at that time, or another designated time on those days. Only good can come from this, in fact I know it is already making an impact. 

-It is fun to see our new Assistant Pastor getting into his role and contributing. I can’t wait until we are able to move him into more than a very part-time position.

-In less than 6 weeks we will be able to see and squeeze our son, daughter (in law), and 5 grandkids who have been serving as missionaries in Kenya for the past 3 years. I am hopeful that we will be able to get all 18 of us (that’s correct we now number 18 in our family) together in one place for a couple of days.

-I am rejoicing this morning as I reflect on recent reports of God moving through the ministry of some my brothers and sisters in Christ who are serving in other churches.

-Yesterday’s sermon was on forgiveness. I was very burdened for this message (see my previous post) and for the response of people. I am praying that God is still working in people’s hearts and minds this week about the need to accept and give forgiveness.

Here’s hoping that you embrace the forgiveness Christ has given to you and that you seek the freedom that comes from giving forgiveness to someone else this week.

Dennis