Monday Morning Musings ...

Yesterday was a very good day. There was a tremendous spirit in the service from the beginning. We had sound issues and couldn't use the CD player, so the planned special song couldn't happen. Great time of prayer during the service, God really spoke to me during the service. The message was continuing the series on Relationships from James 4:1-12, with this week's focus on verses 7-10. The emphasis was on drawing closer. Having contact in our relationships, it is difficult to maintain a relationship, let alone see it grow, without contact. This is true of our relationship with Christ and with each other. Too many families drift apart because they have so little contact with each other, even under the same roof. I used the Casting Crowns song "Stained Glass Masquerade" in the message. (See post on tuesday.) There were many who raised their hands indicating a known need to reconnect in some relationships and committing to start that process this week. There were several who came to the altar to pray about these reconnections.

Had a graduation open house in the afternoon (also had a double one on Saturday). Have one more next week and then I think we are done with the open houses. I love graduation open houses, to look at old pictures to see things they have been involved in and to celebrate the accomplishment with them.

Summer, open houses and the fact that we haven't had a Sunday evening service in 4 weeks led to a very small group last night. In fact the first people arrived at 1 minute after the service was to begin. We still had a decent discussion.

We have 4 of our 5 grandkids with us this week while their parents are leading a mission trip. That made for a much different Sunday than normal. They were great and even blended well in a different place. I have to be honest my wife's routine was disrupted much more than mine was, just trying to keep it real.

Here's hoping you are able to connect with people this week.