This one is a struggle, just like many things were yesterday. As for my musings …

-Announced the resignation of my Assistant Pastor in worship service yesterday. He is taking a position with a larger church about 40 minutes away. He is going to be able to be full-time in ministry. He was part-time with us and had to work another job. He, and his family, are going to be missed. We wish them the best. Now we pray and trust that God has someone else in mind for us.

-I began a new sermon series yesterday entitled “Dream”.

-I found it a struggle to preach yesterday. It may have been the swirling emotions of announcing my Assistant’s resignation. It could have been that I had promoted this series and the beginning of some new fall groups and then the attendance was not good. It may have been that many people seemed distracted during the service. It may have been a lot of things. Whatever the reasons, the struggle was real.

-We are beginning some exciting new groups and ministries within the next two weeks. A new mid-week children’s ministry. We are going to try doing a mid-week meal for a few weeks. We have a parenting of young children group that will start in a couple of weeks. There is a weight loss and health accountability group that is starting tonight. A new discipleship group will start next Sunday. A 6-week Ladies Bible Study and a Bible study to bring healing to damaged emotions will start in another week. A lot is beginning, maybe too much. Some of this was planned, some of it is happening organically and all of it has great potential.

-Praying often for family and friends in the southeast that have, or are about to, deal with hurricane Irma. So far, the ones I have heard from are all safe. Some have damage to property, but are physically safe. In Houston and Florida, the recovery is going to be difficult and long.

-The American football fans in my family had a mixed bag of results over the weekend. At least 3 of us were happy with our college team, but none of us were happy with the results from the NFL. I specified “American football” because I have several family members who live where the subject of “football” means something different than a pigskin, 100 yards and goal posts.

-There is no doubt that the departure of my Assistant Pastor and family will be a setback for us. I am believing that if God moved him on to another place, then He has something in mind for us. In this moment, I am having trouble seeing it, but I am trusting Him.

-I was encouraged yesterday when a few people stated that they would be willing to step in and work in some of the areas that my Assistant Pastor has been leading.

-Praying for several people to become a part of the new discipleship group that will begin this Sunday.

-Praying that our church would be a place where people who have felt left out can, and will, come in and be welcomed, loved and able to embrace all that God has for them.

-My Cubs are still in first place, but they seem to be barely holding that position.

Here’s hoping that you can see some positive things in your path this week and that you can encourage someone else.

Dennis