The Busy Weekend

After months of traveling and speaking everywhere from New Jersey to Phoenix, Ontario to Louisiana it was good to be home... but what a weekend! There was an elders' retreat, the arrival of students at Rochester College (Jumpstart), a weekend-long unity event between black and white churches of Christ in the metro Detroit area and, of course, the usual three morning services at Rochester. We'd just come off of a busy week with VBS and then the Children's Musical (a huge event here every year) so none of us were rested, but we got through it with the grace of God. Here are some highlights.

1. The Elders' Retreat. When asked about my greatest joy in Rochester or what keeps me here, I always, always list the staff and elders as the answer. The elders at Rochester are all godly men -- even when I disagree with them. I love their hearts. It wasn't a burden to be in their meeting and hear them work through issues and plans. When lunch was brought in -- stacks of pizza boxes -- they had even ordered a vegetarian pizza for me. Cool! God bless them all.

2. I couldn't eat the pizza, though. I was in a hurry to get down to Southfield for a youth event and worship service organized by the metro Detroit churches of Christ. White and black met together all day long in a youth rally, women's day, leadership session, and worship time.

3. While all of this is going on, my son is driving his classic .74 Gran Torino (less than 50,000 miles on it) in the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise, the largest spectator event in the US. Over 1,000,000 people line four to six miles of Woodward Avenue in Royal Oak as thousands of classic cars and trucks cruise a long loop. He drove it Friday night, Saturday afternoon (the morning was rainy and foggy), deep into the night. It is an incredible event and I would encourage all who love cars or spectacle to come see it at least once. I went with him for a couple of hours on Friday... but I had to be back for more work!

4. On Sunday I preached three services, one after another, as I always do. The difference was that we had several dozen visitors who were bringing their precious children to Rochester College and this was "goodbye Sunday." We spent every minute between services hugging and reassuring the parents, greeting the kids and getting them linked to members, and making sure all knew there would be a celebration party next Sunday (luau theme, by the way. Come and enjoy with us).

5. Right after the third service my family and 80 others from Rochester Church headed down to Southfield for the Mega Worship. Brother Jerry Taylor from Abilene preached again (fantastic, wonderful, pertinent, on target), black and white brothers led us in singing, and then I spoke. I did NOT want to follow Brother Taylor but they gave me no option. They were gracious to me and allowed me to tell my stories, make them laugh, and bring them a message from First Peter. Two hours after it began, the Mega Worship (no kidding -- that was the name of it) was over. Nearly 1000 black and white Christians crossed racial lines to hug each other, serve with each other, and promise more of the same.

6. Oh... and we also fed 2000 people on Friday and supplied that many kids with backpacks and school supplies; kids who would have otherwise had nothing.

Just another weekend in the frozen north. Tell me --

1. Any cool things happen at your place last weekend?
2. Any classic car lovers out there? Of all the cars you've owned, what is the one you loved the most; the one you wish you still had?