Sunday Review

My first Sunday at Forest Park Baptist Church. There's a lot to say, but I want to keep this brief. Here are the highlights:

1. I brought the message this morning and thought I didn't do a very good job because things have been way too busy and I wasn't able to put the time I should have into it. Not that it's every by my power when I speak (at least I don't want it to be), but I felt so busy that I honestly felt "disconnected" from clearing receiving and articulating what God would have me to say (being too busy can do that).
   
2. God proved me wrong. . .and apparently my message was what it needed to be. Paul's (the senior pastor) family was visiting and his brother rethought his walk with Christ, realizing that God uses the broken, the "less-than-the-best", and the ordinary for His purpose. That was very touching to learn this evening and Paul was very excited about it.
3. Sarah and I have been showered with love, affection, meeting people, cleaning supplies, food, etc.
   
4. Paul made a point to say that I'm called by God to do work there and that even though, at times, some may question what I'm doing and not agree with me, they need to remember that I'm called by God to do what I do. He also reminded those that made a commitment to volunteer for the youth program.
   
5. Bill is the coolest old man I've ever met in my life! He's in his late 80's. He's a WWII pilot. He lost his wife about a year ago. We first met him when I was a candidate for the position of youth pastor here and you could see some of the sadness over his loss, but he still made Sarah and I laugh a lot constantly. I need to get a video or something of Bill; he's just hilariously! He wrote Sarah and I each a letter before we came expressing the most wonder things you could imagine. He has so much energy! Tonight he made a poem about Sarah and I, and he had 6 people read it with him. He had the whole room laughing. He wants to be on my the team of adults I plan on training and preparing for youth ministry (he's perfect for the kind of team I want).
6. It's looking like I may be starting with two middle school boys, Sheldon and Nick. I knew this would be a ground zero job coming into it.
   
7. Many people were asking me about Tricia, Nathan, and "the baby". I found out through Paul that 10 people have been fasting for their time of prayer for Tricia and Gwyneth. I don't know who those 10 people are; it's not something being "publicized" to the rest of the church.
8. There are a few retired pastors in this church and they're really cool guys to talk with. One caught my attention a lot with his love for apologetics. He taught the Sunday school class Sarah and I attended this morning and he did a really good job.
   

There's a lot more. But this is all for now.