Monday Morning Perspective

Ok, I know it's not Monday but it's been a hectic beginning of the week. I have to tell you I am still pumped from Sunday. What an incredible day in the life of our church. I have heard so many positive comments from people, so many who chose to attend both services. Everyone, at least those I was talking with, was so excited. It was absolutely heart pumping to look around and see such a crowd in both services. The new time helped add to our sunday school attendance, it certainly helped in my household. Just can't wait to see how God is going to show off and we get to be a part of it. Isn't He good?
Eddie kicked off a series on the fruit of the spirit. Great message on love, hope you didn't miss it. It was fab both times. Just a sideline, not meaning to use so many football phrases however with the SuperBowl approaching why not, anyway, have to say I loved Eddie's stye in the 11:11 service. I guess that's just how I know him best, relaxed in his casual wear. That's how he is when we sit and talk and he shares where the sermon is going with me. It just kinda seemed like we were sitting there talking about God's love with 800 people listening in. Ok, enough of that. You prob don't want to hear all that.
I am bummed that I will miss this Sunday. I'm going skiing with our high schoolers and college kids to chaperone. It's kind of last minute, but sometimes those turn out to be the best. I will be checking it out on podcast when I get home. I know it will be great so don't let anything keep you away. Invite! Invite! Invite! Let someone else in on the blessing that I know awaits.

I have to say that last night was true highlight of my life. Stephen, my 17 year old, preached his first sermon. Jacob, our student minister, has a real heart for teaching kids how to do ministry so he gave Stephen the opportunity last night to preach the message at the middle school worship service, LiveWire. I had talked to Stephen several weeks ago about knowing God's plan and the call on his life. One of the things I said to him was just keep taking the opportunities God brings your way. And that's just what he did last night. I'm so thankful for a student minister who sees potential in his youth and allows them to serve as he walks alongside them. I have an incredible amount of respect for Stephen as a baseball player. You see he's a pitcher and I can't for the life of me understand how someone throws a ball that hard and by the way they throw it make the ball do all sorts of things. It's beyond me I guess cause I'm a girl and I don't get it. I love to watch him play the game, his calmness, the way he seems so "in the zone" and comfortable on the mound. I'm just amazed by it. But I have to say my amazement at him went to an entirely new level as I sat and watched him preach. I've watched his dad preach since I was 17 and 26 years later I am still in awe of him and how clearly he presents God's Word. But let me tell you... to sit there with his dad and watch our 17 year old open the Word and preach his heart out to what is probably the hardest audience to speak to, middle schoolers, it's just beyond words. I have to admit, I am so excited to see how God is going to take his love for baseball and his talent to play the sport and his call to ministry and his love for the Lord, bind it all up and continue His good work in Stephen's life. I love to see God show off in the life of our teenagers.

A New Day

Inauguration Day. What a special day in the life of our country. I hope that none of us take for granted how blessed we are to live in America. Yes, I know there are problems. People are out of work, economy is bad, we have corrupt leaders in places, so on and so forth. But God has placed us here. He could have placed us in a lot of other countries, but praise God He didn't. He put us here with a purpose in mind. He has called us to be salt and light and make a difference for His kingdom. Are we doing that or are we just complaining about how bad things are? Are we busy fussing about our past president or our new president or are we praying for them? I heard a lady say the other day that she didn't vote for this new president and she wouldn't support him. How horrible is that. He's our president and God's Word commands that we pray for him and we trust God as He holds our leaders in His hand and He turns their hearts any way He chooses. I think sometimes we limit God and think that our well-being is based on who is in the white house or how the economy is going. Friends, God is limited by nothing and noone. He rules and reigns and He is the only One who can bring true change. Maybe that change needs to begin in our own hearts with our own attitudes. Let's pray for our country and our president and cling to God knowing that He is truly the one in charge. A shout out to former President Bush... thanks for all you did to keep us safe for the past 8 years. You showed leadership even in the toughest of times. And thanks for giving us a First Lady who always appeared to act like a First Lady. This new year may we all pray for President Obama and his family.