WE'RE BACK HOME

Griselle and I pulled into Milo at 4 PM today (Sunday).  It's really good to be home again.

We drove 1,200 miles in 2 days (I say "we" but Griselle doesn't like to drive ...so she didn't). Griselle is a great co-pilot by handing me my Red Bulls and giving directions.  We have always enjoyed long drives together.

I will most likely keep up this blog but I'm contemplating how to approach it.  I was so surprised by the number of people looking in on this thing.  I'm thankful that you did.  Though I was far away I felt a connection with my church family and that was truly a blessing to me.

I had a lot of great times of Christian fellowship with some very close friends from my teenage years and met some great new friends.  Griselle and I had an early Thanksgiving with our long-time friends Dwain and Pam Kitchens.  Our families went to college, seminary and vacations together for over 25 years.  Andrew Kitchens, like our son Johnny, is also a pastor.

God spoke to my heart about a few key aspects of my life.  There was some great confirmations and a couple of difficult areas I needed to process.  The "alone time" was the most essential need that my Sabbatical season fulfilled.  I'm getting more confidence in shutting everything out for longer periods of time as I seek God's quiet but powerful voice.

I have spent many, many hours preparing for our Christmas message series: Christmas With Grace.  I wish I could say the inspiration for the series was delivered to me personally by God ...but it was Andy Stanley who put it together.  I'm adapting it for us but it is  the best Christmas series I have ever heard.  I think you,  and whomever you might invite to come with you, will be blessed.  This is one of the times I'm sensing a great outpouring of God's Christmas grace.

See you all  Sunday.