Some Sundays are a confusing mix of good and not so good, yesterday was one of those Sundays. As for my musings …

-We prayed for, and commissioned, all the people in our church who are working in our school system this year. We also gave them each gift card to Starbucks for those days when they need an extra boost.

-The congregation was interested but didn’t seem fully engaged yesterday. The worship service went well but I was praying for much more.

-Last week I was called out 2 nights because I had people in the emergency room.

-I also had people connected to our church in a hospital out of town with very serious injuries from an accident. Fortunately, they are doing much better.

-This week volleyball season kicks into high gear with our first match. I know the girls are ready to play someone other than each other, but I wish we were going to have a few more practices.

-Last week was graduation for the latest Fatherhood class at the prison. It was a very encouraging and humbling time. This was a great group. Hearing them share what the class meant to them and how they were applying what they learned was awesome.

-On Saturday I had a funeral, it was the first one in 4 months. It was not a family from my church. I was glad I could come alongside them during this difficult time.

-Yesterday my message was “Building Others Up in a Tear Them Down World”. One statement in the message was, “To forgive inspires kindness, which produces compassion, which will change the world.”

-I am excited that we will be having a baptism service very soon. Baptisms are awesome. Listening to their testimonies and then seeing the joy on their faces as they come out of the water is always highlight material.

-We are experiencing some growing pains in our children’s and youth ministries. As the number of children and youth grows we had to make changes in how we divide up the groups. Whenever this happens it causes some to get upset during the adjustment period. It is a good problem because it is a result of growth. It is a problem and we must keep working on how we handle it.

-Last week on my day as Chaplain at the hospital I was reminded that I have been doing this for a few years. There were 3 different patient rooms I walked into where people called me by name as I walked in because they remembered me. One was someone who has been in the hospital a few times and remembered me visiting. One was a family member who recognized me from other ministry in our community and one was a grandparent of some kids who have attended our church.

-The Lord is really working on me recently about my motivation. It is not a lack of motivation, but it is adjusting what is driving my motivation. Is it others driven, or is it me driven?

-I am having trouble focusing this morning. That is not a good sign given everything that needs to be done this week.

-I just realized that I had been thinking I had more time to get some things done that I need to finish in August. I knew the date, but somehow I was adding extra days to the month in my planning. I better get moving.

Here’s hoping you know what day it is and use this day to encourage others.

Dennis