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Usually when the phone at home rings at 8:25 on Sunday morning, it’s not usually a good sign. Today was no different.

• They called me at 8:25 this morning to tell me that one phase of the power was out at church.
• This meant that the coffee pot worked, but the organ did not.
• The light in the bathroom worked, but the elevator did not.
• The computer worked, but the network hub did not, hence, no printers.
• The electric stapler worked, but the air conditioning did not.
• So…the case of “prevent the spread of STD” fans (no, I’m not kidding) that the Virginia Department of Public Health sent us last year came in real handy in worship today.
• We finally got a call thru to Dominion Power, and they told us it would be about 11:45 before power would be restored.
• At first I was frustrated, but midway to church I realized it was an awesome illustration for my message
• The message today was on “The Power of the Gospel.”
• So we talked about the Gospel vs. Religion (HT: Tim Keller)
• The lights came back on in the sanctuary, but the air conditioning did not.
• And we talked about how getting only half the Gospel can make you miserable.
• Nothing makes an impression like the lights coming on just as you sing, “And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight…..”
• I’m very happy for tie-optional Sundays!
• Unfortunately, when the power came back on, it ignited a house fire up the street from the church.
• Some of our members took ice and water to the firefighters at the scene.
• Our receptionist is going to be off tomorrow. This means we’ll be inundated with phone calls. Thank God for volunteers!
• After the service, I went by to visit one of our members who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor six weeks ago. He is at home with hospice care now, and it probably wont’ be long before he is greeted by the Lord whom he has served so faithfully and quietly.
• Our congregation is experiencing anticipatory grief.
• Sometimes all you can do is sit by the bedside and hold a hand. We don’t need to fill up the air with words.
• It’s times like this that I know Isaiah 55:8-9 to be a truth I do not understand.
• Had a great afternoon hanging with the family.
• Puttered about the yard, read some more of  Church Unique and took a nap on the glider.
• Got the pool cover off. I love having a big hole full of water in my back yard.
• Catherine made a killer roast for dinner tonite. We also had home-grown collard greens fresh from our garden. I’m so lucky!
• Gonna post this so I can go read some more……….g’nite!