Yesterday was my first Sunday back to preaching at just one church. It felt strange at first, because it felt like I had a lot of extra time on my hands. As for my musings …

-I enjoyed being able to have breakfast at church and talk with several people before our Sunday School/Small groups. I especially loved that they served biscuits and gravy, one of my all-time favorites.

-My wife and I made a quick trip to visit with my Dad, stepmom and other family on Friday. It was good to spend time with them, especially my Dad. He had been back in the hospital recently. I was glad to see him back in his apartment. Then we all went to their house so that he could go through a lot of stuff in his office. He was worn out by the time we got him back to his apartment in the Assisted Living center. We got back home Saturday late afternoon. It was tiring but worth it.

-Things felt kind of flat in worship yesterday. Maybe it was the holiday weekend. Maybe it was attendance being down a little. Maybe it was just me.

-We got word this week of a couple of different people who were diagnosed with cancer. Our hearts are hurting for these friends.

-Our church had a pleasant surprise last week. My Assistant Pastor’s wife had a baby. The surprise wasn’t that she had a baby, the surprise was that he came 5 weeks early! Mom is doing great and the baby is doing well. He is still in the hospital while many things get checked out and to give his lungs, and other parts of him, a little more time to develop. We are all rejoicing and praying.

-One of the most encouraging parts of the day yesterday was seeing a lot of children in attendance. I was reflecting to 3 ½ years ago and rejoicing over the number of children we have attending now. Even more encouraging, is the fact that this was on a holiday weekend when our attendance was down.

-One of our elementary kids did some sign language during a song yesterday. I loved watching her worship and lead us in worship.

-My message was titled “Getting Back Up from Being Down”. It was looking at scripture to guide when we are discouraged, in despair or depressed. My prayer is that it helped some people in the moment and that it will help some people in the future. Another outcome that I am praying for is that we can be a place where it is okay to talk about our difficult times and help one another.

-Next Sunday we begin a new sermon series entitled “Dream”. I am very excited for this one. The hope is that we will embrace God-given dreams for each of us and our church. Also, that we will courageously act on those dreams.

-We are kicking off some new classes and small groups in the next couple of weeks, including a brand new option for children during the week. I have been praying for months that this would be a tipping point for our church and that we would experience an outpouring of people coming to faith in Christ, growing in Christ and impacting our community in even greater ways.

-Still praying for my kids in Africa to get government clearance and visas for the new country in which they are ministering.

-My Cubs are still in first place, and even though they won most of their games last week I am still not comfortable with their lead.

Here’s hoping that you find something to get excited about this week. I am praying that you will sense God’s prompting to dream and pursue those dreams for Him.

Dennis