Monday Morning Musings ...

Wow, I haven't gotten on in the morning for my Monday musings in a while. Yesterday was a very enjoyable and positive day. A few years ago while voicing my frustration with the fact that Father's Day is usually a very poorly attended Sunday I expressed the desire to put more emphasis on Father's Day being directed at the men and to have some stuff they might enjoy. So we started having a "Manly BBQ" following worship. Stuff from the grill and such. We had burgers, dogs, chips, baked beans and no salads. Nothing with the word casserole in it and nothing that required a fork. In fact everything could either be cooked on the grill or poured from a bag. It went over very well and was well attended. Some years we had tug-o-wars, log tosses and such. Our attendances were much better and more importantly we had some great times of real fellowship and the men enjoyed doing them as well.

Yesterday we did our whole worship service outside at our city park and then had the BBQ. In fact the grilling began as I was speaking, which created a bit of an issue as we were seated down wind and the smoke rolled over us for a bit. I knew that was my cue to cut my message short. I already planned to make it a bit shorter with all of the distractions of being outside, having a playground nearby and the grills going, but the smoke made it even shorter.

We had decent attendance, we had some great fellowship and conversation, we had awesome weather and once again we presented a great image to the community.

I finished my series on "Words of Life for Relationships". The phrase was "Follow Me", using I Corinthians 11:1 and Philippians 3:17-4:1. Needed words for all of us to realize that can lead with our lives. Paul plainly stated "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ", in I Corinthians 11:1. That is powerful statement and a great reminder for how we should live. It is not just about the words, it is about the life that is lived in the words.

To speak as Paul did we need first of all be following Christ. That is the greatest leadership trait of all. You cannot go wrong in having people follow you when you are following Christ. It all starts here with your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. How is your relationship with Christ.

To lead as Paul states we must be an example for those who follow. It is not about us only telling them how they should live, it is about living the life ourselves. Everything we do leaves a trail for others. Where will people end up if they follow the trail of your life? What are you leaving behind as you live your life?

"Anything that God has ever done, he can do now! Anything that God has ever done anywhere, he can do here! Anything that God has ever done for anyone, he can do for you!" (A.W. Tozer)

Had some great conversations with some men who are new to our church over lunch yesterday. Last evening my wife and I had a nice bike ride and just enjoyed a great time of relaxing.

It was a good day.