Yesterday was a very full day with some great moments, some confusing moments and some difficult moments. Let’s get to the musings …

-It was great to be back worshipping with the people in my churches. It was great to be gone last Sunday and it was great to be back. I love my people and I love being their pastor.  

-It was awesome to see several people stand and make a choice toward hope. They stood to commit to reach for the hope that Christ has already provided for them. They chose hope so that they can break out of whatever is keeping them from living as God intends for them to live.

-It was great to have new people attending in both churches.

-In the afternoon my wife and I attended the celebration at another church a few miles away who were celebrating the 75^th anniversary of that church and its ministries. There was a small group 75 years ago who committed to bringing the love of Jesus and the message of salvation to that community and they stuck it out in some difficult times. We won’t know, this side of heaven, all the lives changed because of the courage and faithfulness of that small group in that small town. Wherever you are serving remember that your ministry is not just for those you are currently serving, but also for those who will come in the future.   

-In the evening I met with another church that I am coaching through some church health issues. It was a full day, but one with many moments of encouragement. Just realized that I was in 4 different churches yesterday.

-Yesterday was one of those Sundays where many people arrived late. What the attendance was when the service was about to start was much different than what it was when the service finished. That messes with me.   

-For those of you keeping track, my fantasy football team won this week.

-I was grateful that my daughter and son in law made it back safely from their mission trip.

-My discipleship group is passionately digging into God’s Word and asking tough questions of themselves. I am loving watching them wrestle with things and seeing the growth in their relationship with the Lord.

-I am struggling with direction for our Christmas focus this year. Not sure at this point exactly what my sermon theme is going to be, and I don’t like being this close to Christmas without knowing.

-I participated in a 20^th anniversary renewal of wedding vows on Saturday. That was fun.

-It is time, past time is more accurate, to get in much better physical shape. I had conversations with 4 other pastors this past week who are feeling the same need for themselves. It is time to do something about it. Here’s hoping they will join me and we can help each other.

-I am praying fervently for some people who are struggling with the loss of loved ones. It is going to be more pronounced with the holidays approaching.    

-It looks like I am going to be able to take my regular day off this week. My wife and I will be able to spend the day together. We haven’t been able to do that for a few weeks.

Here’s hoping that you will choose hope this week and that you will share that hope with someone else.

Dennis