BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN. That’s where I am---back pastoring until the new under-shepherd arrives. What a privilege it is to serve my congregation in this capacity---and knowing that it is under the plan and direction of Almighty God!

I am blessed to be working with a team that assists me as we seek to give leadership to the people of LCC. We want to see God move in our midst and help us fulfill our mission, which is really His mission!

I must admit that I was a bit tired after the first week and especially after the first Sunday at the helm...preached twice and led an adult Bible study. I had no problem sleeping that night! But it was a good tired. It always feels good to know that you did your best to touch someone’s life in some significant way.

I look forward to see what the Lord is going to do in the ensuing weeks. I have asked Him to explode my mind with His thoughts so that I might challenge, inspire, and motivate God’s people and prepare them for another stage in the church’s life. It is with eager expectation that I move forward under His direction, believing that He is going to pour out His blessings upon us.

Nothing great has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that God was superior to any circumstance. First John 4:4 says, Greater is he that is in you, than he who is in the world.” Don’t put water in your own boat; the storm will put enough in on its own. Don’t dream up thousands of reasons why you can’t do what you want to; find one reason why you can. It is easier to do all the things you should do than spend the rest of your life wishing you had…Building a case against yourself is like a microscope—it magnifies trifling things but cannot receive great ones. Move ahead with dogged determination and expect the best.

I’ve dreamed many dreams that never came true,
I’ve seen them vanish at dawn;
But I’ve realized enough of my dreams, thank God,
To make me want to dream on.

I’ve prayed many prayers, when no answer came,
Though I waited patient and long:
But answers have come to enough of my prayers,
To make me keep praying on.

I’ve trusted man a friend who failed,
And left me to weep alone;
But I’ve found enough friends true blue,
To make me keep trusting on.

I’ve sown many seeds that fell by the way,
For the birds to feed upon;
But I’ve held enough golden sheaves in my hand,
To make me want to keep sowing on.

I’ve drained the cup of disappointment and pain,
And gone many days without song;
But I’ve sipped enough nectar from the roses of life,
To make me want to live on.
-Anon