A Loooong Sunday

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What a Sunday! That’s how I feel this morning (Monday). I’m exhausted, for sure, but I’m amazed at God’s kindness to our church and me. There are several things on my mind today.

Minor Prophets

Late last year, when I planned this series, I don’t think I could’ve planned the impact that this series would have on my soul or our church. Originally, when I read through the Minor Prophets in 2020, I was struck by the fact that God never deviated from His commands to His people, and He never stopped pursuing them. Before exile, during exile, and after exile, God was always active. The issue was His people. During 2020, this hit me hard. During the 2020 pandemic, I found myself, and I heard from many other Christians bemoaning what we all thought God was “doing.” The Minor Prophets have taught us that God is always at work, and He’s doing more than we could imagine. And they have taught us that the problem is never God. Often, during the history of the Minor Prophets, we noticed the people questioning God, compromising their faith, and forgetting their God. But God never forgot them. And God will never forget us. He’s always at work, and He always cares.

Family Meeting

Our annual family meeting is always a joy, but this one was especially so. For our members, we will send out a recap and audio of the meeting this week, Lord willing. For others, if you’re interested in this, please let us know if you’d like a recap. We recapped this past year in the ministry at CLF. But the big news was the viewing of the renderings of the proposed new building. It was faith-building. After giving our church why we think it’s time for us to pursue this, there was palpable joy and faith in the room.

After the meeting, I received a wonderful text from Don Kaiser about his daughter Sheri’s response to the family meeting that I wanted to share with you (with his permission).

From Don: When I arrived home after the church family BBQ, I found this on the table. Sheri told Shannon that she doesn’t need this and she wanted to help the building program! Her widow’s mite! Just had to share.

This is simply amazing and a wonderful example of child-like faith.

BBQ/Potluck

After a long day at church, we planned a church-wide BBQ/Potluck at Two-Shy. Two-Shy is owned by CLF members Lyle and Danielle Hruda. We realize that this wasn’t the best planning due to the long day at church and family meeting, but it was great being together for a very relaxing night. I’m not sure how many came, but it was over 100. It’s something we plan to do again, but this was an unexpected joy. Knowing that it was such a long day for many, I am grateful for those who “stuck” it out with us.

And I am very grateful for the Hruda’s hospitality and willingness to serve our church like this, and I am thankful for Kip Morse leading a team of BBQers to cook up the burgers and hot dogs.

A Good Tired

And yes, since many of you asked me, I was tired last night and today. My voice is really tired. Preaching two services and leading the family meeting was exhilarating but tiring. I told my wife on Saturday night that I was ready for Sunday to be over:). That was mainly because I knew how taxing it would be. My MO is to look at hard or stressful things and just put my head down to get it done.

But it is such a good tired. I got to bed last night full of faith, energized by the response of our people, and incredibly grateful for what God is doing in our church.

From the Cheap Seats

I’m praying for Mike Leach, the Mississippi State Head Football coach (one of my favorite interviews to listen to), who is in the hospital in critical condition.
The lineups for the Phillies and Padres seem daunting. But how often have you seen a team that seems to win the offseason doesn’t win in the regular season?
Locking up Jonathan Smith for several more years is smart. Great coach in the perfect situation.
I’m not sure what to say about Morocco. Those guys are playing at a ridiculously high level. I learned this weekend that their coach has only coached them in 8 games. 8 games! It’s unreal. And I’m not a fan of France. Here’s to Messi and Morocco meeting in the World Cup final.

To watch or listen to the sermon described in this post, please click here.