Yesterday we enjoyed our first snowfall of the year and we received at least 3 inches of beautiful snow. It arrived in huge flakes that fell softly. The fact that the snowflakes were falling as people were getting ready to head to church certainly had an impact on attendance. As for my musings…

-Yesterday was a difficult day for me. There were several things that did not go as planned and some of them forced me to change my Sunday morning preparations. I am generally a flexible person so it bothered me how much this bothered me yesterday.

-I was both very excited and very burdened about yesterday’s sermon. I was excited because it was one of those times where I felt I really heard from God during my study time and knew that this message was very applicable for many people. I was burdened for how relevant this message was for people and I desired for people to hear and engage with this message. I was pleased with how well people were listening and with some conversations about the message following both worship services. I was disappointed not to see some specific responses to the message. But my call is to present and attempt to persuade, I cannot choose for others.

-My wake up time the past 3 mornings has been 3:30, 2:30 and 4:30. These times were earlier than my alarm was set. On 2 of the mornings I did get back to sleep for a few minutes, after going out to the living room. All 3 of the mornings were times when I woke up suddenly with eyes wide and mind racing. I did not enjoy it at all. Here’s hoping that trend ends tonight.

-I am broken by the large number of people I know who are going through difficult family turmoil. It is magnified because it is taking place during the Christmas season.

-My fantasy football team won this week. It still looks like I will be on the outside looking in for the playoffs.

-My wife is awesome.

-This year I am praying for something I have never prayed for, a grandson as he takes his college final exams for the semester. How did he get this old? Especially considering I am not aging at all. (Yes, I am delusional at times.)

-Our new church website is almost ready to go live!

-A unique experience for me this year will be having a Christmas Eve service at my 9:00 church and a Christmas Day service at my 10:30 church.

-I was a part of a District wide strategy meeting on Church Planting. It was exciting, humbling and it prompted a lot of thoughts for the future.

-My clothes have convinced me that it is time, more accurately it is past time, to make some changes concerning my food consumption and the quantity of my movement. I am going to ask some pastor friends to hold me accountable and join me if they feel so challenged.

-From my reading and prayer time this morning, “One of the great dangers we face spiritually is learning how and forgetting why.” (Mark Batterson in Draw The Circle)

Here’s hoping that you remember your “why” this week and pass it on.

Dennis