What a day it has been! I am not sure when was the last time I had so much fun in one day!
It all started with a fun and crazy run around morning... as most Sundays go with two little men! I came in from shoveling the snow off the driveway and it was time to eat! So, we (Stacey, myself, Erin Allman, Calyn Blair, Jayden and Zeke) were sitting around the table enjoying the wonderful breakfast Stacey made... right before we were heading out the door. All of a sudden we hear running water over by Erin. We stare at her initially, wondering... "what is she doing?" We soon realize the sound has nothing to do with her. There is a steady flow of liquid coming from Zeke's high chair. Erin soon exclaims, "I think he's peeing!" And boy was she right! We sat waiting and wondering: 1) how this happened since he wears diapers and 2) if he was ever going to stop!
We had a choice at this point how we were going to let this affect our day. We decided we were going to laugh about it and let it be one of those, "what can you do about it" things! Sure enough, that set us up for a very fun day!
on to church:
We had a full Sunday School class and learned about Crises. The lesson came from Mark 4:35-5:43. We had a new couple that visited today, Curtis and Gabriel. Service was really powerful as well. The song time was really touching (even with playing the guitar and usually having to concentrate more than getting to "worship"). And the message hit right at home as Brother Frank preached on Matthew 13:47-52 and then read the entire last two chapters of Revelation. If you have never read these chapters I would recommend you taking a break from this note and giving it a shot.
After church, several families including some of our Sunday School class, the Shows, the Lentzs, and Curtis and his family went to eat at Pizza Hut. There is something really refreshing about hanging out with your church family outside of church. I mean, anyone can be "family" in church. However, I think there is a special bond that comes when you can extend that relationship outside the walls of the church building. I feel really blessed that the churches I have gone to have this kind of companionship!
After lunch was over, we took the boys home for a nap. I then had the privilege of hanging out with my buddy, Dan, and going to "The Man Store" (also known as Lowe's to the general public.) Dan's wife Kristen kept Stacey company while they painted one of our bathrooms that desperately needed it.
It was time for another adventure when the men got back from Lowe's! Jerry, another good buddy from church, came over and Dan, Jerry, and myself went sledding with the boys! We had a good time. More importantly, the boys had a blast!
Soon after this I get a call from Vince Henthorn. Vince is a
friend of mine from college and he was on his way to the big city of Holts Summit to sing at our evening service. I have been looking forward to this for a while since we have not had the chance to visit for quite some time!
Well, to shorten this note that is turning into a novel, Vince did a FANTASTIC job! He really did a great job ministering through his music! Following the music LP, our associate pastor, prepped us for the 7th chapter of Hebrews (which we will study next week, I think) by teaching us the importance of why Melchizedek is mentioned, what is meant to the Jewish culture, and why it matters to us as New Testament Christians,. This is a neat study and I will not try to explain all of that in this note.
After the service, a couple families from church went to McAlister's Deli with us and Vince. Then Vince came to our house to hang out for a little bit before he headed back to the big city of St. Louis.
So, now I write this note at 11:00 on Sunday Night. I felt extremely compelled to do so and I don't exactly know why. I do know this... it has been an extremely long day but for some reason my heart is full of joy tonight. Not only joy, but peace in the relationship that I have with my Lord. I feel closer to Jesus today through the things He is challenging me with than I have in a long time. And I believe today's blessing of all of the friendships and ministries happened because I made a choice at the beginning of the day to not allow the negative distractions control me. I think this is area that I don't always succeed in... but you know what, it sure does bring a lot of joy when I do!
Hebrews 12: 1-3
1.Therefore , since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2.fixing our eyes on Jesus , the author and perfecter of faith , who for the joy set before Him endured the cross , despising the shame , and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God . 3.For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself , so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Posts
