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It was another great Sunday at Sand Lake. Here are the afterthoughts…

Discovering what’s next is tough. The last 4 months of getting used to our new ministry and life have been great and we are really starting to build some great friendships here but if you know me then you know my mind never stops. I find myself continuing to ask, “what’s next?”I’ve been praying, talking with leadership and people in the community trying to figure out how Sand Lake can make a real impact in this area. I want us to be a church that is making such an impact that if we disappeared tomorrow the community would miss us tremendously.

My heart is for us to not just see people saved on Sundays but saved in the workplace, at Walmart, in a restaurant. I think we put Christianity in a box and limit it to big church outreach events and food drives. Those have their place and are effective but I think we can do more and so that is where my prayers are right now. What needs to be done make that kind eternal impact?

I am thankful to have such incredible people around us. The talent is there we just need the vision and direction. All will come in time I am sure but until then it has been tremendous just getting to know the team that God has brought together.

Speaking of incredibly talented people the band in second service never ceases to amaze me. I am always impressed when the electric guitar player switches to bass or acoustic, the bass player switches to piano or electric, the lead singer switches to drummer and the drummer switches to lead singer. Switching from one type of guitar to another may not be that big of a deal but to be able to switch and not miss a beat on the overall sound is impressive to someone who’s only musical background is 6 years as a trombone player.

I also have to give big thanks to our traditional service which doesn’t include a full band but does include some very talented singers and piano players. They also do an awesome job and I always enjoy listening to them worship. Hymns are powerful and I like starting my Sunday worshipping God through hymns. I hope churches don’t try to become so cool that we one day forget hymns all together. I think that would be a tragedy.  Thank you singers and musicians. You guys do an INCREDIBLE job in both services.

I finished up my current series called Grace. Part 8 was on growth and grace. I thought overall the series went really well and helped multiple people. I know as pastors we want to “see” the fruit of our labor but I have learned that that’s not really important. Being faithful and preaching the word is what matters. I pushed salvation in Christ every week. I don’t know if anyone was saved or not during the series because I don’t do a lot of public professions but it was evident that the Spirit has been moving in peoples lives which always excites me.

We finished the series by celebrating communion together which I thought was just really powerful for us as a church. What better way to finish a series on grace than to practice a sacrament that reminds us of the most gracious act of love ever shown? People came forward and took their elements before the cross and I was able to just sit and watch people look to God for hope, faith, forgiveness and growth. It was just cool to watch. Hard to really express in words.

The worst part was preaching with a cold. Trying to preach with passion and conviction while fighting back coughing and snot is not fun.

Second service we prayed for Pastor Ron and Beth Knapp. Pastor Ron has been a part of Sand Lake for quite a while now and has on occasion filled the pulpit. He has been without a church for many years but felt God call him back to full-time ministry. Last weekend he candidated at a church in Cape Girardeau MO. The vote was today during our services so about 20 people gathered around him and laid hands on him which is always powerful. This afternoon at lunch he got the call and was voted in as the next pastor. We are all really excited for him and Beth. The stressful part is they have to be down there before Thanksgiving. Going to be a stressful but exciting next few months for them. We are going to miss them but I told them today if people are going to leave this is how you want them to leave. Going into ministry.

Speaking of lunch we went to a local place today called Jacquelyn’s. They only serve breakfast on Sunday’s and I will just say it they have the BEST biscuits and gravy I have ever had. If you come visit we will take you there. It was a fun time hanging out with Pastor Ron and Beth, Dawn Wright and her kids and Matt and Melissa Schultz and their kids.

Finally, I just have to say I was hoping that because I moved up here to Big 10 country I would escape the trash talking Big 12 fans but unfortunately I forgot about Nebraska fans. A couple of families called each other last night to coordinate their dress in order to give me a hard time about OU losing to Nebraska. It was pretty funny seeing them walk in wearing their red and white. I guess when you cheer for a team that doesn’t have much to cheer about you take every victory you can get. OOOOO! HAHA. All in good fun. I told them I would remember their trash talking when they have to come to Norman.