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The Labor Day holiday really pounded us Sunday. I haven’t seen or heard the final count yet, but we were down probably 25%. On top of that, there was just this sense of everybody being really tired, including myself. The service went well though. The message was not what I had worked on all week, but I believe it’s the message God led me to, so that’s what I did. Feel good about that part.

The band did a good job, but overall, for me at least, it was one of the low point Sundays of our brief existence. Hopefully everybody gets back home and we resume some type of normalcy, at least until the next holiday.

Sunday afternoon we had originally planned to have a special 5th Sunday evening service with Grace Fellowship. But both of us were asked to participate in a fundraising event. Natalie Hood, a young 6-7 year old from our area has been battling some form of cancer for a long time. She’s taken four bone marrow transplants. The last was a few weeks ago. The doctors don’t hold out much hope if this last transplant fails. Of course, the family’s expenses are enormous. So Sunday afternoon we joined other local churches in the fundraiser. There was a wide variety of music. When we Trey, Brooke, and Dalton got there, there was an African-American gospel team singing and they were fantastic. I think they were called The Clarks. The music ran from there to bluegrass gospel to single singers singing to CD, with most of it heavily Southern Gospel or traditional Hymn music. Our band played our style of music and I think it was well-received. I really had a good time. I worked the concessions a while and got reacquainted with some people I haven’t seen in years. They all looked older, much older than me! Anyway, it was fun and we stayed almost to the end. One of Teresa’s friends sang in a Bluegrass band and, I have to admit, they were really good. I really had a good time, although I was beat when we got home.

Monday was Labor Day and so I tried my best to stay away from labor! But I did work on my riding lawnmower for a while. It still doesn’t run. I’m still waiting on my truck to be repaired. Looks like its the computer module.

Other things are going on around here and we start back our Wednesday night service. And on Thursday night, we’re starting a gathering or small group for our older adults. Michael’s heading that up and I’m sure he will do a good job.

For you prayer warriors, I’m needing some help from you and LifePointe Church. Thanks!

We’ve got another baptism coming up this weekend, I think, and that always pumps me us, the band up, and everybody else attending. I’m looking for, praying, and anticipating a great Sunday.

We’ve made it through Tropical Storm Gustav without a drop of rain and very little wind. A big change from our time in south Mississippi and Katrina. Our friends down in southwest Mississippi took a pretty hard hit. From what they’re telling us, lots ot trees down, flooding rains, and no power. Oh, the memories that brings back. Pray for those guys, as well.

Looking forward to a much better Sunday. Hope you come and join us.