We had a really good day at LifePointe today. The place was almost completely filled, which always adds something positive to the atmosphere.

The band did a super job, as usual. Bob, our electric guitarist, was out of town so it was a simple, stripped down acoustic set. But it was a very good time of to-the-throne music, praise, and worship. The voices from the people attending almost drowned out Trey’s vocals. We’ve really seen a much more free worship style from our people in the past month, which is very encouraging. From the start we wanted to create an atmosphere where people could worship the Lord as they feel led. I looked around this morning and there were people sitting with their heads bowed, people stretching to the ceiling with their hands lifted high, and people just standing and singing with closed eyes, tears streaming. I think we worshiped the King of Kings and Lord of Lords this morning.

I made a change in my sermon this week. I’ve been doing a series called “Seriously” for the past month and intended to finish it the last Sunday of this month. But I wrestled with it all week and finally ended with a simple sermon, with the Gospel very prominent, from start to finish. I think it was the way God was leading me and I feel very satisfied that I preached the message God intended to be preached. I’m thinking that the rest of the month will be a “free-style” month, without a series theme.

Our count with our check-in system was off today, partly because of a delay caused by running out of name tag labels. We also had quite a few come in after the service started. By the time I got on stage there were very, very few chairs open. The count officially was 102 but from my memory I know there were probably at least 20 more just in the worship center. So I think we can safely say there were 125 in attendance. Several new faces in the crowd, and other faces that are becoming familiar. We’re settling in on a great, rock-solid group of believers at LifePointe.

Included in that number above was a young couple about to enter the church planting field. I had a great conversation with them and they’re pumped. They’re facing some of the same challenges Teresa and I faced early in our church planting experience. Church planters fire me up.

Don’t look now but our LifeGroups are quietly taking on some shape. We now have five groups meeting throughout the week. Our students (grades 7-12) meet on Tuesday night, 7pm, for The Pointe. LifePointe Connect meets on Wednesday nights, 7pm, where we currently have two groups. In just the past couple of weeks, a Ladies Group has formed on Thursday mornings, meeting at 10am. And our Older Adults Group (I call them the AARP group!) meets on Thursday evenings, 7pm. Small groups are a huge part of our strategy at LifePointe and I’m elated that we’ve got this many connecting opportunities already available, just 10 months in.

Personally, I’ve got a killer week ahead. Monday night is the local association meeting. The association will vote on whether or not LifePointe is accepted into the association. This affiliation really means a lot to me. I’ve worked hard for us to be included in the local association and the state convention so tomorrow night I’ll be there to answer any questions and observe the vote.

Wednesday morning Teresa and I, along with some of our leadership team, including my brother, Jeff, and Debbie, are heading over to Atlanta for Catalyst. I am stoked about going. I love these conferences. They always rekindle my fire. This is shaping up to be a really big event and I’m so ready. A few days off with just Teresa and me will probably do more for us than the conference. We’re both excited.

I will leave Catalyst early on Friday so we can make it back for a wedding rehearsal. Two of our faithful young attenders, Amanda and Brian. are getting married. So I’m there for their rehearsal and then I get the privilege of doing their wedding on Saturday. I’ve known Amanda all her life and I’m honored they would ask me to do the wedding. They’re my first wedding in my official capacity as pastor of LifePointe Church. Cool stuff.

By then, next Sunday will be here and somewhere between now and then I’ve got to prepare for the message. Oh, and we’re having LifePointe Boot Camp (our membership class) next Sunday.

Lot’s going on. But I’ll get to rest for something like 42 hours in November. That’s the approximate flight time for my roundtrip to Africa. The schedule is to leave Memphis on November 6 and after switching a few planes, arrive in Entebbe, Uganda late on the 7th. We’ll work our way through Uganda into Kenya, where we’ll fly out of Nairobi and arrrive back home on the 21st. I’m really looking forward to returning to Africa. It’s been three years and I’m anxious to reconnect with the team and our friends over there.

No complaints – God is good.