Great Day

Today was a great day at Element Church. Jeff is gone to a youth camp in Montana so he asked me to "pinch-hit" today. It's been a while since I've preached. And the last times were to the youth group back in Gillette. This time I was going to be in front of adults, and like all previous "Unplugged" Sundays I expected new faces. There were!
The topic Jeff asked me to preach on was the core-value of "family" and the essential- ministery of "Lifegroups".(that's what we are calling our small group ministry-LIFEGROUPS) A couple of weeks ago I had a rough-draft for my sermon written out and a direction I wanted to go. THEN... well then God gave me a verse that totally fit both topics. (Romans 12:9-16) I love the book of Romans, and have read it several times. So obviously I have read that passage before. BUT... well this time was one of those powerfull moments when the words just leap of the page. I actually sat there almost stunned. I really felt it fit perfectly. The very next morning I read in my devotions- "when called to preach, preach what God wants not what you want"! OK! Got it! Back to square one.
Now my sermon was going to focus on the concept of "unconditional love"and how that should look and be lived out in the family, in a Lifegroup, in our church, in the church, and in Cheyenne-"Don't just pretend to love someone, really love them."
This morning I felt prepared, confident in what God had given me, and totally pumped. (Terri Lynn and I were joking last night that we needed to rig some sort of seat-belt on the the "preaching stool" to keep me in one place-I pace when I talk-especially when I'm pumped)
I felt the sermon went well. Hopefully it helped someone. I know I learn a ton and I am ALWAYS challenged in my own walk when I'm preparing a message. I'll never forget what I learned this time around.
Anyway, as much as I enjoyed this experience, Pastor Jeff is MORE than welcome to have the stool back next week. And I'll sit and listen and grow and serve and look forward to my next time to "pinch-hit". I'm excited to see what Element Church will look like then!