Tomorrow we continue our sermon series, “My Last Series”.  We will be discussing what I would do if I only had one month to live.  It all centers around the element of time.  “I would spend time _________.”  Don’t miss it!

It was a long day yesterday!  I woke up at 4:30am and worked on my SUnday morning message, then I spent the day working on a project here at the church and finally finished up the day with our monthly board meeting.  After I got home, I was wiped out.  I was ready for bed and Hannah wasn’t. So we watched Winnie The Pooh until we made her go to bed at 10:30pm.  I was ready to do some serious sleeping.

It didn’t take long for me to fall asleep last night and since I am a light sleeper it didn’t take me long to wake up when I heard something.  At 1:30am there was a bird singing.  I know this bird because he usually wakes me up at 6:00am but he was pulling an all-nighter.  Outside my window this bird (I am sure he was either a night owl or a nightingale:) ) chirping away singing a song with enthusiasm.  If I didn’t live in the city I would have taken care of that bird with some pellets, but you cannot hold it against him that he has something to sing about in the middle of the night.

In the Bible we often find a common picture that night time is a time of loneliness and despair.  It is often at night that the Bible associates weeping and mourning.  The psalmist wrote, “weeping may endure for the night”.  Nighttime is not the time for songs but heartache, but this bird has discovered the key to overcoming life.  In the midst of the darkest night, sing a song.  Perhaps he understands the rest of the the psalm mentioned, “weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.”

I believe that our victory over the hardships come when we have a song in the midst of the darkness.  We are able to overcome when we sing the praises of God even if we do not feel like it.  A song always raises the spirit’s unless it is country music.  When we have a song in our hearts it helps us lift our spirits.  As the Bible describes David encouraged himself in the Lord.  Go encourage yourself and if you need encouragement from someone else, call me.

Yesterday, I played the most incredible course I have ever played in my life.  It was immaculate.  It was beautiful.  It was tough!  Here is a picture of the 18th green approaching the club house.  This is one of the only times I didn’t lose a ball in the water. 

Although I was playing on an elite course, I was the least bit inspired by my game.  Because I was playing with preachers, I had to control my temper and not throw my clubs (just kidding).  I played the worst golf game I have played in my life.  I think I lost $30 dollars worth of golf balls.  The only reason the other pastors were so good at golf is because they never stay in their offices:)  

If you would like to buy my clubs I will make you a good deal.  I think I am going to start playing tennis.

Sometimes the life of a pastor is hard.  This morning we are driving to Houston for a missions meeting (aka. golf tournament).  It is sponsored by a missions organization, so therefore I am calling it a missions meeting.  This meansit can officially be considered business.  We are playing at Augusta Pines in Spring.  It is a top of the line course which means I should lose all of my golf balls.  If God is interested in golf, please pray that I have a good game so I can impress my peers:)

Some new music I have been digging for the last couple of days is Josh Grabbel.  He is a blend of folk, blues with a little hip-hop.  I stumbled across him on the internet.  Check out his website and click the listen button at the top.  Let me know what you think.  Josh’s website.