Sunday Thoughts

God is amazing! Today was one of those great days to belong to Him, be a part of His church, and worship with some amazing people.

I was really pumped about today's service when I got up this morning. When I got to AmStar, I could tell some of our set-up folks were a little frazzled. It seems that the guy whose week it was to bring the sound trailer overslept! I don't think that's ever happened in almost six years of being a portable church.

So the music folks were a little stressed over all the rushing. But guess what??? They got it done and got it done with excellence (and time to spare!). I continue to be amazed at how God has provided so many people through the years who don't mind coming early and staying late to set-up for service. We are blessed to have them so THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!

We sang one of my favorite songs today called "Wonderful Maker" by Chris Tomlin. I was really moved by the words and the spirit of worship, as well as all that Michael put into leading us as he sang. He sang with passion and it ministered to me. Someone commented on me wiping the sweat off my face as I began to preach (it was hot in the theater) but I was actually wiping tears away.

The words of that song say, "What a wonderful Maker, what a wonderful Savior, how majestic Your whispers, how humble Your love. With a strength like no other, and the heart of a Father, how majestic Your whispers, what a wonderful God." With a strength like no other --- I have needed that strength these last few months and He has given it to me. He is our Wonderful Maker.

I was fired up preaching as well. We began "Spring Training" by talking about how we must condition ourselves spiritually in order to be in good shape for life, struggles, etc. We began today talking about conditioning our minds. The enemy knows that my greatest struggles are within my mind and he knows what buttons to push to make me think in some crazy ways. The Bible tells us this TRUTH: "We have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor 2:16). That means that I have the mind of Christ! You do as well if you are a Christ-follower. That is pretty amazing to think about! I challenged the church to meditate on that truth this week. It's awesome.

Our spiritual exercise this week is this CHALLENGE: "I will surrender my thoughts to Christ. " The Bible tells us how to do this: ". . . we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Cor 10:5) We have the power (because the mind of Christ is in us) to take captive every evil thought and replace it with the mind of Christ. I am going to work hard to condition my mind so that I fix my eyes on Jesus, set my mind on things above, and be transformed by the renewing of my mind.

So, after lunch with mom, dad, sis, Josh, Von & Claire, and some time looking at Cuba pictures with mom, it's been a good day. God is good. I have the mind of Christ. I'm looking forward to a good day tomorrow!

PS - Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka??? Scary. Real scary. Gene Wilder will always be Willy Wonka.