What a great weekend.  The worship service with the Brooklyn Tabernacle singers, Jim and Carol Cymbala, and our choir and orchestra was a tremendous experience.  We had a packed house and it was a great event.

I was so proud of the leadership of our adult choir and orchestra.  Mickey had done a great job of getting them prepared.  They added so much to the entire service of worship.  They set the tone for the entire evening.  All of the people from Brooklyn Tabernacle were so impressed and appreciative of the way our people stepped to the line.  We had close to a hundred volunteers besides the choir and orchestra that faithfully worked behind the scenes to make sure it was well done.  The Lord was honored and people were encouraged.

Saturday night I had the opportunity to preach in a church that I preached in about 4 years ago.  Since then the church has gone through a split.  I am glad to say that they are on their way back.  They are now trying to do the basics.  They have a sense of purpose, a unity built around reaching people, and a willingness to put aside their own desires for the good of the church.

We should never take for granted the unity that God has given us.  The Lord is doing some great things.  Yesterday, our deacons let our Bible study classes as we are in a time of stewardship emphasis.  I have heard a number of good comments about their spirit, their preparation, and the way they communicated their commitment to our task as a church.  That makes a tremendous difference.  Our desire is to see people free from the bondage that comes when we do not use our resources for His glory.

I know that God is using this time in my life.  He is reminding me of my responsibility and my opportunity to be involved in His kingdom.  I hope He is doing the same for you.

Please remember to pray for me tomorrow as I will be preaching at the chapel at Southeastern Seminary.  I always love being with those students and when you see the potential for the Lord’s work there, it is thrilling.  Pray that God will use the message to be a word of encouragement and challenge.