I literally can't wait for tomorrow!  What a tough week.  I've lost a nephew to this life.  Jon Marshall died on Wednesday, after a two decades plus battle with cancer.  I've watched my brother, Tom,  who has been like a second dad to me, and Cheryl, his wife, go through what no parents should ever have to go through--watch the death of a child.  I've driven to Ohio and back twice in order to be there for them, and to participate in the funeral.  I'm not complaining.  I'm glad I could do those things.  But right now, I can't wait until tomorrow to get together with brothers and sisters in the Lord, and potential brothers and sisters in the Lord, to praise and glorify our God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to receive your encouragement and hugs, to share the message of hope that I need at least as much as you do this week, and in general, to experience the blessing of being part of that branch of God's family tree known as New Life Christian Ministries! 

Thanks to those of you who have called, texted or e-mailed me your encouragements this week.  It's been a blessing.  Thanks to those of you who I know have been praying for me and our family.  We always need your prayers, but never more than this week.  The scriptures say it's a blessing when brothers and sisters live together in unity.  I've experienced that blessing this week, and look forward to another dose of it tomorrow.

If you have any friends who are down right now, who could use some encouragement, some smiling faces to give them a reason to smile, instead of the scowls and frowns they've been experiencing, why not call, tweet, text, or e-mail them and invite them to come.  When you do, offer to pick them up and take them.  That's one more way to show God's love in a practical way.  For those who may have just stumbled across our site, or who have been looking quite intentionally for a church in the Saxonburg area (south eastern Butler county), we worship at 8:45 and 10:15 a.m. at the South Butler Primary School on Knoch Road in Saxonburg, across the road and a little south of the Football Stadium.  We'd love to have you there.  (By the way, we'll have extra chairs for the second service, so there will be plenty of room for you!  If you were with us last Sunday at the second service you know it was a little crowded and I promised we'd take care of that) So, see you tomorrow! I'm looking forward to it as much as  anyone!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, I thank You right now for folks who have been lifting me up in prayer this week!  Thank You for brothers and sisters in Your Son, Jesus, who care.  Fill us anew with Your Holy Spirit that we may prepare our hearts to worship You together tomorrow, and that we may serve You faithfully today.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.