This older gentleman always has a critical word to give to the pastor. Aka my husband! There’s always something wrong with the sermon. If not, this man can find one. But this Sunday was different. The only explanation is that the Spirit was working in his heart.

Over the last 2 weekends at Mountain Lake Church 34 people have been baptized. I excitedly watched and cheered for each one of them….several of whom I personally know. I’m even more pumped about the new life they are beginning. Nevertheless, I’ve been a follower of Jesus long enough to know the challenges to staying focused on Him…to remaining in Him. My experiences have proven just how easy it is to drift away from the One I claim to follow. When I do, I lose momentum. I lose a sense of fulfillment and purpose.  

This morning--a Sunday--was one of those mornings. I saw it coming Saturday night, so I went to bed at a decent hour as preventative medicine. My first thought when I woke, however, was, "It's Sunday morning," and I turned over and tried to go back to sleep out of defiance. Despite my best efforts to still my whirring brain by pulling the covers over my head, I couldn't sleep. And I also knew I couldn't magically skip to Monday morning--I would have to face the day. I went straight to the coffeepot and then, coffee in hand, stared at the cover of my Bible for a long while. I finally cracked it open, read a few pages, and furiously penned prayers in my journal.