I am back from vacation…

…and it is a little weird.  I haven’t watched much news for the past few days; I haven’t checked my email much and my blog has gotten a little breather.  In a way I feel a little lost.  And now I find myself trying to get my barrings so I get get back into the swing of things.  But even that is difficult today.  The dew points here in SW MN are suppose to be in the 70s (I could definitely feel it on my run this morning).  The heat index is suppose to climb over 100 degrees and here’s the worst of if…I have no air conditioning in my office.  So in addition to finding myself a little lost today I find myself in my secretary’s office typing this post (she has air conditioning).  I guess today is a good day to do visits with people who have air conditioning.

Worship attendance
Well…just as I expected…worship attendance this past Sunday (when I was gone) dropped off considerably.  We average around 85 on a Sunday but when I am gone we average less than 75.  This past Sunday we had 52 in worship.  Some people tell me that is a credit to me, that people only like coming to worship when I am there.  But I say, "Hog wash!"  Attendance drops off because people feel guilty otherwise and this way they know that I will never find out they weren’t there.  Honestly people…don’t come because of me, come to worship because you want to worship our God.  Don’t come out of guilt, but come out of respect and awe of our creator; come with thankfulness; come with praise.  Come and worship, don’t just come to "check in".

Harry Potter
Don’t worry…this won’t be long, but I just have to share this little tid bit.  On Monday Connie and I went to Sam’s Club with her sister and brother-in-law (Mary and Matt).  As we walked into the store there was a huge Harry Potter display.  As we walked by Matt grabbed a book and started to read the last couple pages.  Of course I asked him if Harry Potter died like so many people are speculating and he told me…

…just kidding…I won’t say anything.  Now I know how book #7 ends and the thing is I really don’t care 🙂

Oh…my vacation…
Vacation was really fun.  I spent the weekend at Shetek Lutheran Ministries (see link on left side bar) at family camp with Connie’s family.  It was fun to be at camp again as a camper (my first time in 21 years).  I spent 8 summers at various camps (3 of which were as a full time program director) and now I am a board member at Shetek serving on the program committee.  So it was a little difficult just being a camper and not an evaluator.  Of course I would do things differently but I still had fun.

Sunday and Monday were spent in Sioux Falls at my in-laws.  By Monday evening I was ready to come home (thank goodness my wife had to work on Tuesday).  And as Forrest Gump would say, "that is all I have to say about that".

…back to normal?
…whatever that is.  I am looking forward to some sermon prep this week but then it is off for some continuing education next week.  I will still be around but not in the office.  Next week is the Okoboji Lakes Bible and Missionary Conference.  Okoboji/Spirit Lake, IA area is about 20 miles from me so I will be driving back and forth.  The conference is free and has a lot of big time speakers including Ken Davis.  I am really looking forward to hearing Ken and the rest of the presenters.

So it is good to be back.  Vacations are nice, but I would go crazy if I were on permanent vacation.  So here I am…doing what I love to do…serving God with some renewed passion and energy; ready to get back at it and ready to rustle some feathers.  Because as Paul says, "…I am not ashamed of the Gospel…" (I just wish others felt the same way).  Well…I guess I need to start rustling some feathers with my August newsletter.  This should be fun (in a nice, Christian way of course). 

Take care and God bless.
-edh-