Yesterday was a wonderful, powerful and crazy day. As for my musings …

-Sitting in a Starbucks in Kansas this morning.

-I am back out here to see my Dad. He took a couple of steps backward after we saw him last weekend. So, I made the crazy decision to throw things in a suitcase and make the nearly 6-hour drive as soon as our worship service was finished.

-Last night, Dad was doing okay, and I had a nice visit with him. Going to see him again in a few minutes.

-Our worship service had a powerful spirit all through the service yesterday. That was a great encouragement.

-Began a new sermon series yesterday, “Moving to Yes”. This series will take us right to Easter. Part of the message from the feeding of the 5,000, was “Remember who is asking” and “Remember, Jesus always has in mind what he is going to do”. So, say yes and then keep moving your feet to the yes He is calling you toward.

-Yesterday we received our “Give it All Away” offering. Everything that was given will be given away. Half of it is going to a church planting project in another state. The other half will go to a local pregnancy resource center. I haven’t gotten the numbers as of this posting. I love that my church does this act of generosity.

-Our attendance was back up to our average, or a little above.

-The 8^th grade volleyball team I help coach finished 2^nd in our county tourney last week. It has been a long time since our school finished this well in the county tourney.

-We are just 6 weeks away from Easter.

-I am so grateful for my family.

-I am working on two sermon series now. The “Moving to Yes” series that began yesterday and will take us to Easter. Also, the “Yes You Can … Because God Will” series that is to begin the week after Easter.

-Thinking of the great legacy my Dad had created throughout his lifetime. 44 years of ministry as a pastor. 5 or 6 years as a representative for our denomination’s publishing company. Years of assisting my step-mom with senior adult retreats. Many times, sharing devotionals, or leading services at nursing homes and retirement homes until a couple of years ago.

-I think his greatest legacy will be the impact on his family. His example of being a godly man. His example of perseverance through many difficult circumstances. His example of enjoying life and always seeking to make others smile or laugh. His example of being a wonderful pastor.

-Seeing some pictures recently of the grandkids in Africa makes me swell with pride (the good kind), tear up from missing them and increases my prayer time. It also makes me appreciate the times that I am able to be with, or talk to, my grandkids who are living in the states.

-Started another group at the prison, teaching about fatherhood for 12 weeks. Each group has gripped my heart in a special way. I love the opportunity to speak into their lives, to pray for them and with them, to see them begin to believe that they can make a difference as a dad.

-I am excited that baseball spring training has begun. Go Cubs!

-I have been reminded often recently of the power of a word of encouragement.

-Missing my wife. She was not able to make this trip.

Here’s hoping that you will encourage someone today and that you will be encouraged by someone or something today.

Dennis