opening night jitters

Yeah, so Saturday night was our first public service. I cannot remember the last time I was that nervous about preaching. I am not talking about a little bit of nervousness. I'm talking about the kind of sweaty palm, dry mouth nervousness I got in the sixth grade when it was my turn to climb the rope in gym class. It should be a crime to make a short, chubby kid try to climb that rope in front of all of the girls. So anyway, somehow all the words found their way out of my mouth, but it was only by the hand of God. I know that I am not the one who makes a sermon good or not, but for some reason I wanted everything that night to be great. After years of preparing and preaching in other peoples churches, I was finally preaching my first public message to my congregation. As I looked out at the people I saw the smiling faces of the people that have come alongside of me to help birth the vision of Freedom Life Church. I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with emotion as they encouraged me on. They are my partners. My team. My people! Without them there would be no Freedom Life Church, but because of them our first public services was awsome. That night I couldn't sleep. My children fell asleep, and then my wife, but at 3 am I was still laying in my bed, smiling as I thought about the faces of the people who had been there. The core team- all serving their hearts out to make it happen, the visitors - many of whom told me they were excited about returning next week, and the well wishers- showing us their support by coming to see us off. Wow, what a night. What a priveldge. I can hardly wait for Wednesday night to come. I love my church and I love the people that make it happen. Maybe I won't be so nervous on Wednesday night...or maybe I will. Haha, who cares. God will make it happen regardless...
to be continued