Our God is a Creator, so are we

Which is the greater wonder, the majestic mountain or the towering skyscraper? The crystal clear lake or the painting on the ceiling? We strive to make things that are beautiful because we're created in the image of our Father. God created the entire universe (not just Earth) because it was his creative pleasure to do it. Why would someone paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (read Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling, it's a good book on that effort)? Why, because it's beautiful. This is our stained glass window, it looks out to the east and catches a lot of sunlight in the early hours. Why include such things in a church? Didn't you ever try to build something while your dad was working on a project, or "cook" something while your mother was making lunch? We create to honor our Creator.

Who else is coming?

Nicole took this picture before church started last week. I always seem to walk down to the front door at least once to see if someone else is coming. Not sure why, but I do. It's weird how you feel 15 minutes before church starts; almost like the host of a party who knows that people have sent an RSVP, but still wonders if they're going to show up. It doesn't really matter how many people are already at church, I'm always wondering about the few that aren't there (on vacation, sick, working, etc.); I'm also always hoping for a fresh face, for an uninvited visitor to pop in (we invite people of course, just always hope for one of those people who just feel the need to stop by).

On the way out...

I always make sure that I get to the back of the church before anyone else. I can't remember which pastor told me this, but he said that nothing that the pastor is doing the few minutes before or after the church is as important as greeting people; shaking their hands, letting them know you are glad they're there, finding out what they need prayer for, etc. I know that some churches use time before the service for a quick prayer gathering with the pastor (not being critical of them, I just see it differently), but I always intend to be there at the entrance, both before and after; just trying to be the friendly face of this ministry.

Let the Sun shine in

Most weeks at Palo we have the pleasure of having sunlight coming through our stained glass windows during the service (this being Michigan, we have weeks when 11 AM looks like twilight too). It makes seeing the PowerPoint a little more difficult at times, but I wouldn't trade it for anything less. By the way, those decorations in between the windows were made by Nicole, she also has a fall set, plus a ton of stuff she made for Christmas and Easter.

The name on the sign out front

When I was growing up I struggled quit a bit with pride. School was very easy for me, I always got A's, and being one of the smallest kids in my grade led to a lot of teasing. My defense mechanism was to comfort myself with my intellectual superiority to the guys who were picking on me. It took me a while to overcome that early influence; God made sure that life humbled me sufficiently (by waiting a long, long, time before I met my future wife, and having some setbacks before I met Nicole). I also had to wait years to have a church ministry of my own (spent a few years as a youth pastor, then a long wait...); by the time that Palo offered me this position, I was just happy to finally have the chance to use what I had learned in college, the chance to use what God has given me (like the 2nd string quarterback just itching to get in the game). It wasn't until later that the sign was repainted and the little piece hung beneath it with my name on it. It actually caught me by surprise the first time, but I can't help but feel a little bit of pride when I see that sign outside the church. Not pride in who I am, but pride in what God has been able to do because I was willing to try to be of use for the kingdom.