Today has been a blessed day... Yesterday was as well. Yesterday we held our Maundy Thursday service at church. A fair number meet at the church for a time of worship and fellowship. This is usually a low attended service... mainly, I believe, because we observe the ordinance of Feet Washing. Within our tradition Feet Washing is held as an ordinance along with Baptism and Communion. It truly is a special time of worship and follows the example of our Lord (John 13). Like I said, the number in attendance was low, but I believe we had a great time... I know I did.
Today was another special time for me... and my family. I had been asked to participate with our ministerial association Good Friday service held today. This was my second year in a row to be included in the service, and I was glad to be asked. Today seven pastors, representing six different churches in the area came together to dramatically read the account from Scripture of Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. My wife and kids were present at the service, during which my kids had asked questions (my wife wrote them down) about what they had experienced. They were good questions and I had the privilege to explain in even greater detail about the meaning of this Easter season.
As I reflect over the day I realize how much I have been given by God. He loves me so much that He gave His One and only Son to die in my place for MY sins. Wow, it's difficult for me to understand what I have been saved from. Yet I am understanding more and more about what He has saved me to... to love God and to love others. This is my chief calling... this is my purpose... and it is renewed each and every day.

I recall a time in my life journey that I was going through a particularly difficult and confusing time (several years ago). A mentor of mine was listening and helping me through this time and made comment that I have yet to forget. You see, it was during this time that my connection with God seemed almost non-existent. I would try and try to pray and "feel" God, but it just did not seem that God was there... or perhaps not interested in my issues at the time (...ever been there?). I believe that I was not trusting in God like I should.
The words spoken to me by this man of God were, "Mike, it's not that you are trusting God any less... you just have so much more to trust God with." He was right... I had trusted God to that point with what I knew to trust Him with. But now my life was taking on new challenges, areas of growth, increased responsibility,... let's just say that it was a whole lot of change. It was during this time that I was being called to trust God in ways and with things I had not trusted Him with before (at least not to this extent).
This was all brought back to my memory because of a couple of different situations. Recently I was counseling a couple for marriage and the anxiety of the commitment, I believe, was beginning to call into question even their faith. They were not only having to trust God with the choices they made, but now would have to trust in one another in even greater ways. Another example was how my wife handled a situation earlier this week at her employment... she really had to trust in God in ways she perhaps she had not trust him like before.
My reading today took me to John, chapter 14, where Jesus promises the Holy Spirit. The last statement in that chapter is a phrase that demonstrates determination to trust in God... to the point that we have so much more to trust Him with: "Come now, let us leave."
There comes a point in life when we must stop talking and actually step out. Jesus' words to His disciples were along the lines of not only teaching and telling of God's Holy Spirit, but they also were meant as words to live by. Think about it... Are you living like you are trusting?

Have you ever been woke up in the middle of the night with a song in your head and people on your heart? Well that's what happened to me last night. I woke up at 3:15 AM with Chris Tomlin's song of "How Great is Our God" and a few individuals laying on my heart. I stopped (actually I wasn't doing anything to stop)... I got up and began to pray. There was a sense of urgency that I felt in praying. I will follow up with these folks to see how they are doing.
Yesterday's reading took me to the book of Matthew, chapters 3 & 4. I was looking specifically at the role the Holy Spirit played in the baptism and temptation of Jesus. It was interesting to me as I began to look more intently at the Holy Spirit's role. The Holy Spirit served as confirmation, as a sign, a prompter, a guide, comforter, went before the voice of God... all the ways that the Holy Spirit continues to move in our lives.
Today I will be speaking with our local hospital and hospice chaplain to help gain a better understanding of the services provided, and what role a local congregation may serve in to help care for the sick and dying.

Yesterday I had a great experience volunteering as a waiter at Bennigan's restaurant in Howell as a part of their MDA fundraising event. Our church sponsored a table and I spent an hour and a half helping (getting in the way) by serving drinks, cleaning tables and such...
I had an opportunity to meet people I would not normally have the opportunity to meet. And I surprised several at the way I jumped in to help (... by the way, carrying those trays of drinks requires more skill than you might think). The waitress I worked with was great and she was very patient with me. The manager and I were able to dialogue more about our work and to strengthen our working relationship.
My reading for yesterday was in 1 Samuel, chapter 10. The prophet Samuel anointed Saul as king over Israel. But Saul was not certain what to do with this appointment. He became even more confused about what he was to do when God filled him with His Spirit. When it was time for Saul to take on the kingship role he retreated and hid among the baggage.
Perhaps the biggest reason I jumped at the chance to volunteer at this fundraiser was to fulfill what I believe God's Spirit was calling me to do. It would seem that I'm finding myself in places and involved in opportunities that I would not normally do... all because of following the leading of God's Spirit. For many years I would hesitate... and sometimes run from getting involved with anything that might make me uncomfortable (hid among the baggage of my life). I am grateful to the Lord for helping me overcome these fears in my life.