Awesome! Yesterday was full of awesome moments. It was a day of new beginnings, a day of celebration, a day of new life, a day of encouragement and a day of powerful worship. Before I give everything away that happened yesterday, here are my musings …

-We baptized 4 in my 10:30 church and then in the afternoon 1 from my 9:00 church was baptized. Hearing each of them share their personal testimony was so powerful. I bounced from tears to joy to cheers. Then I got to have the best position in the building as I baptized each of them and saw the joy on their face as they came out of the water. I am still pumped this morning as I think of each one. I love baptisms.   

-I was very encouraged by the number of people in attendance at the invitation of those being baptized. Every one of them got to witness the baptism celebration. Everyone who was in attendance heard the gospel through the testimony of each one who got baptized. Those words likely had a stronger impact than anything I said. Praying for fruit from the witness of all who shared.

-I love the cooperation developing between my 9:00 and 10:30 churches.

-There were a couple of people who made a decision to accept Jesus in worship at my 10:30 church. Time to schedule another baptism service. There were 2 other people who told me that they would like to be baptized after witnessing the baptisms yesterday.

-I administered a church health survey at another church in a nearby town yesterday evening. I love being a part of churches that want to make a difference in their community and the world.  

-This coming Sunday will be a very special day. My son and daughter in law will be speaking at both my 9:00 and 10:30 churches. They will be sharing about the ministry they have been involved in for the past 3 years in Kenya and about the new ministry they will be starting as they return to Africa. The new ministry will be in Central Africa Republic.   

-I had the honor of praying with a family as they went through the final hours of a loved one’s life in my role as Chaplain at the local hospital. That is 3 times in 4 weeks. It is difficult but also an honor.

-My fantasy football team got beat yesterday.

-We had very good attendance at both churches yesterday.

-As I listen to a family cleaning the church this morning, I am reminded that we have many people who volunteer every week.  Some of what they do is seen by many and a lot of what people do is seen by very few and yet they continue to serve. That is backbone of the church.   

-I have been encouraged by the number of people telling about friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates and family members that they have been inviting to join them in worship.

-I loved overhearing someone telling a new family about the exciting things taking place in our church.

-Yesterday we had 7 youth in Small group/Sunday School at my 10:30 church. That is after having 9 last Sunday. For us that is a really big deal and a sign that we are finally beginning to get something going with youth. We also had about 25 (not exactly sure of the number) children in attendance during worship.

Here’s hoping that you recognize some things to celebrate this week.

Dennis