Monday Morning Musings ...

Yesterday was another very good Sunday. It is no accident that every Sunday morning since we started our Sunday night prayer groups has been outstanding. The spirit was very good, and that was with a lot of chaos. Yesterday we highlighted our youth who participated in a recent District event of sharing talents. We had artwork and photography on display (they were outstanding), we had 4 who played piano solos and 2 who sang special songs. This created some pleasant chaos (how is that for contradictory terms?). We also took an special offering for those youth who are going on to a regional event in May, the offering will help reduce their expenses.

We were a little short on our worship band and worship team due to absences. We had some out due whatever this bug is that is going around and doesn't seem to want to go away this year. Even with all of those factors the spirit was good during our time of singing. We had a good time of prayer. We have 2 people who are heading out on mission trips this week, so we had them come to the altar and prayed for them as a part of our prayer time.

The message went well. I dealt with one of the questions that the youth had given me on Wednesday nights that they wanted answered. Since we were highlighting our youth I thought it was appropriate. The question was "How can I be Christlike (nice) in a difficult world?" I preached from Romans 12:9-21 with the focus on verse 21 and the word "overcome". We need to overcome evil with good. We need to be overcomers and not be run over by circumstances. To make this happen you need to decide that it really matters to be Christlike, that needs to be a sincere decision. No more posing, but really living it. Sharing is a great way to be an overcomer. Do not take revenge, it is not our job and God is much better at it than we could ever be. We need to learn to really rejoice and care enough that we can rejoice with others and cry with them depending on what is happening in their lives.

There was a portrait hanging at the Alamo with the inscription, "James Butler Bonham - no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by his family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom." No portrait of Christ exists, except that is seen in those who are follwers of Jesus Christ. So how accurate is the portrait of Christ you are displaying?

Our prayer group was another great time. We have really gotten down to real prayer and real burdens. I am encouraged by these groups. Our attendance was very good Sunday morning, in spite of illness, lousy weather and the absence of many "regulars".

Here's hoping that your portrait is looking more and more like Christ.