Yesterday was a powerful day and there were some unexpected moments. Also, we got snow again, fortunately it came later in the day. As for my musings …

-There was a wonderful, and powerful, sense of God’s presence all through our worship service yesterday. From our music, to our prayer time, to an impromptu testimony, to the fellowship among the people following the service everything was impactful.

-What is up with snow the first 2 Sundays in April? Last Sunday we got about 3 inches and yesterday we got about 2 inches. The good news is that both weeks it didn’t start snowing until we were out of church.

-The brief getaway that my wife and I planned was good, but not what we expected. We rented a cabin by a lake and hoped to do some walking and fishing. With snow on the ground the first 2 days and rain the last day, there was no walking and I attempted to fish for a few minutes. But being all bundled up and wearing winter gloves took a lot of the enjoyment away. Even with all of that we still rested, read and were somewhat refreshed.

-On Friday night and most of the day Saturday, I was blessed to be a part of our annual District Assembly. It was an encouraging and motivating time of celebration. 8 new churches were begun this past church year and there are 13 more scheduled to begin in the coming church year! 5 people were ordained, and 9 people received there first District minister’s license.

-Our District Superintendent rocks! His report on Friday night was awesome. He shared good news, did not hide from difficult news and challenged us to keep trying new things and promised to keep being the support and cheerleader that we need. Love that man and his leadership.

-On Friday afternoon I got the word that a lady in our church had passed away. She fought hard for 5 years after a difficult surgery for cancer. She was a sweet lady who did not allow her physical problems to keep her from serving. She was a regular greeter and helped with Bible School every year. She will be missed, but she is now enjoying her heavenly reward, and she is pain free. Her funeral service, which will be a celebration, will be this Friday. That will be the 9^th funeral I will be involved in this calendar year. I am ready for the funerals to stop for a while.

-I started a new group last Wednesday evening and another one on Sunday morning. Both groups had a great beginning with wonderful discussion and sharing. I love this congregation.

-On Wednesday this week my wife is scheduled to undergo a double knee replacement. Prayers for her and the surgeon are appreciated. Last Wednesday night 17 of the children in our church, 4 years old through 4^th grade, gathered around her and prayed for her and the surgery. How awesome is that? Our children are being taught well and they are beginning to lead us in faith and following the Lord.

-Yesterday I began a new sermon series entitled “Yes, You Can … Because God Will”. We will be studying the life of Daniel and some of his buddies as they faced difficult circumstances and how they made it through those circumstances. They did not always have great things happen to them, but they made it through it. Our theme is summed up in this statement: “Yes, you can! No matter what you are facing, you can make it through it. No matter how you got here, you can make it. You can make it because God will be with you, God will give you the strength and God will guide you. It may not be easy, and it certainly won’t be painless, but you can make it. Yes, you can, because God will.” The sermon was well received, and I have been praying for this series for a few weeks. Praying that people would be encouraged and become courageous in facing difficult times.

-Yesterday I heard from 2 different people, who are relatively new to our church, that the ministries, and people of our church, are making a difference in their lives. I love hearing those kind of reports.

-I am currently reading a couple of very challenging books. I love to read, I love being challenged and I love when my reading makes a difference in my personal life and the life of my church.

Here’s hoping you find some encouraging words this week.

Dennis