It's Friday morning so I must be at Panera Bread. Wait, let me snap a picture with my new Evo. Yep, that's me this morning sitting in my favorite booth. Classical music is playing inside and the sun is shining bright through the windows outside. It's going to be a GREAT day!
Yesterday, after a really long day on Wednesday, I got up bright and early and worked hard straight through until 3PM. Then I cut out early and took my daughter, Jennifer, and her daughters, Sicily and Violet, to watch Toy Story 3. What a great movie! Yes, the Pixar visual magic was as stunning as always, but what made this movie so wonderful was the fantastic story telling. The movie viewer easily identifies with life as a toy. But also she will be drawn into the very human emotions of life change and the loneliness that often comes with change.
I'm reminded of the fact that as a pastor I have the privilege to tell the greatest story ever told. I dare not slack off and not do my very best to share the gospel message as well as I can. I actually love the creativity that comes with my role as a pastor. It gives me great joy to think, plan, write, and research to make each Sunday evening as memorable as possible.
Along those lines, I met with Nate yesterday afternoon as I do every Thursday. We worked on the worship services for the next month - reviewing the next two weeks in detail. We have some great things lined up for this Independence Day weekend. (I'll fill you in on those details in a separate post.) Suffice it to say here that things are going really well. I'm incredibly impressed with Nate's organization. He, Luke, and Jana practiced last night and are ready for a fantastic Sunday. Yes... I said Jana! Who knew that she could play the keyboard! That's right, we're dusting off that most expensive instrument we purchased nine months ago and will enjoy it this weekend!
The weather this past week has been so delightful that I have avoided going down into my basement office. How could I walk down into that dark cave of an office (as nice as it is) while the sun shines with practically no humidity, modest temperatures and a nice breeze? The patio office has come back in a big way. With laptop, cell phone, and an armful of Bible commentaries I have thoroughly enjoyed working outside this week.
Speaking of an armful of books, the Big Brown Truck (UPS) stopped in front of my house yesterday. The first delivery for the Church Requel bookstore has arrived! I can't wait to open those boxes and dig into the new books we'll begin selling this weekend. But I'm being disciplined. Write my sermon first. Then open boxes later. Better get crackin' on that sermon or those Amazon boxes may never get opened. 'Til next time, Mark.
