This has been the best summer in my memory (didn’t hurt that I had 30 days off in the middle), and this weekend was great:

• Our Saturday attenders weren’t too hard on me after the announcement of our new service schedule starting in September.  I know it’s disappointing for many of them, and I’ve been troubled about it for weeks, but at least you accepted the news with grace - gotta love the people who make up this church!
• My wife “delivered her soul” (as the old-timers used to say) this weekend, and besides the impact on folks who are stepping up to serve in many different ministries, she was even Spirit-led in her closing illustration in each service (kudos to Laurie Wharton, Pat Earley & Terrilyn Franklin!)
• Meanwhile, my visit to our South Bend campus was a blast - I think I saw more brand new families today than I have any time since our opening weekend there!  Kudos to our Campus Pastors, Chris & Amber Payne, and praise the Lord for a real sense of anointing as I challenged them to give their donkey to the Lord.
• Tonight’s Membership Class back at the Tinley campus was one of the largest I’ve seen in quite a while, and it was really neat to hear some of the stories of the varied ways that God has drawn new people to become a part of our family…..I’m always jazzed to see how He’s at work when we’re not even aware of it.
• Finally, our first ad for next weekend with General Sada appeared in today’s Southtown, and I’m expecting we’ll see lots of local interest for his visit next weekend.  YOU can help insure that by inviting a friend or co-worker to join us.  Use this handy e-vite now.

That’s it…gonna relax for a bit with the wife before heading to bed.  G’night-