Grace Under Pressure

Hey everyone,

So many things going on these days it’s hard to tell whether I’m coming or going. Vacation starts at quitting time on Friday. But as that part of my multifaceted life pauses to catch its breath the Pastor side kicks in and I begin to make the final preparations for Immanuel hosting the annual conference of the Fellowship of Mere Christianity and there’s a bunch to be done not least of which is figuring out what I’m going to speak on. It makes me think of the title of an album by RUSH: Grace Under Pressure. Pretty appropriate.

I like order (though you wouldn’t be able to tell from looking at my desk or my office). Ok I’ll rephrase that I like mental order. I like working out the rough draft of my sermon on Monday and Tuesday mornings, catching up on other writing on Wednesdays, writing this on Thursdays, and completing a final draft of Sunday’s sermon on Fridays. It doesn’t always work like that but that’s how I like it.

You’d think that since I had a year to prepare the FMC sermon that I’d have been finished with it a long time ago. Yeah, right. It seems like there is a conspiracy to fill up my time with anything but writing. Summer is a crazy busy time at work and it seems like every year it is the same amount of work with less time to get it done. June was filled to the brim with activities and teachers come back the first week of August. Summer is over in 25 days, (18 work days) and I’m going on vacation starting Friday.

There is a part of me that just wants to get away, not runaway, but find a place where my cell phone quits working and nobody knows where I am so I can just chill. I’m reminded of Jesus going away to the wilderness to pray. I guess that is what my mornings are supposed to be. And they are for the most part. It is the quietest time of my day though lately I’ve been starting later and later which gives me less and less time.

It does feel like grace under pressure: But that is my life.

I must admit I’m looking forward to the Fellowship of Mere Christianity conference. My publishing company CosmoYada is bringing Singer/Songwriter Pat Terry in for Thursday night. I’ve been a fan of his since the mid 70’s and it will be good to hear him live. The last time I saw him play was at Douglas Corner Café in the late 80’s early 90’s. I wanted so bad to sign him and Mark Heard to my label but it wasn’t meant to be. The label was already starting to fall apart at the seams by that time along with my life. So I’m looking forward to hearing him again. I’ve told you about how much I like his new album already. If you’re in the area please come and hear him Thursday 7-14 at 7pm 751 Scattersville Road in Portland, TN.

I’m looking forward to seeing my yearly friends next week as well. I love my friends at the FMC. I wish I could spend more time with them but life is hectic for all of us. I’m looking forward to soaking in the atmosphere of those few short days. I’ve known some of them for 5 years now and they are dear brothers and sisters. It will be like a class reunion with preaching and worship.

I am also looking forward to my grandson Obi (8 months old) coming to lead worship for us with his mom and dad. I saw him lead worship with them about two months ago and I was blessed to see him with his headphones on sleeping as mom (with Obi snuggled against her) and dad lead us into the presence of the Lord. I’m excited about worshiping with my brothers and sisters.

I’m ready to be fed, to be blessed, to be encouraged and strengthened. That is what the body of Christ is all about isn’t it?

Now if I could just write that sermon….

Brad

Cosmoyada.com