Saturday

I was up early enough to get to my elder/staff breakfast meeting at Denny's by 7:30, so that was good. This is our second round of Saturday breakfast meetings that grew out of our fall leader retreat with Richard Fancher. The first round in the late fall lasted 6 weeks and we met at 6:00 a.m. That proved to be a little early for at least some of us if we were to continue to meet, so this time we chose 7:30 and decided to meet for 4 weeks this time. We don't discuss business, but just share about life and about how the particular text we've been "living with" for the week has impacted us. This Saturday and last were a bit different in that we spent our time just sharing our hearts about our preaching minister search. More than anything I've been impressed with how God has used our individual voices to speak to us and shape us toward speaking with one voice. It's really pretty amazing. Please pray for us as we try to discern His will in this.

Our early meeting meant that Randy and I met at 9:30 instead of 8:00 to run in the hills. It had warmed up enough by then that it was almost spring-like as we ran. And there were a lot more people out hiking... many with their dogs. It's really neat how courteous most dog owners are out on those trails. We usually see a few hikers and mountain bikers, but there were lots of people... even in groups... out this morning. Good for them!!

Tomorrow is "budget Sunday"... that one day a year when we talk about finances related to the regular budget. In spite of the fact we don't do pledge cards here (which I really don't get, but that's another blog), our church family has significantly increased their giving in the last year. Tomorrow we will ask them to do that again in 2007. We're not quite where we need to be as we bring a new preacher on board in the near future, but I truly believe our folks will rise to the occasion once more.

Have a great Sunday! Blessings...