Extra long blog today. I have been listening to Jason Upton, and am feeling a little speechy.

Monday morning, and a good start to what I hope is a great week. The worship yesterday went well, despite my best efforts to cause a train-wreck in everything. Metronomes can be your worst enemy when you don't pay attention to the programs that you set up. We did some great tunes that I really enjoy, and everyone did well.

I saw someone in service that caused my heart to stop. My cousin, Eric was in service this morning. He is a great guy, and I have missed him for a long time. I know he is going through some junk, and I want the best for him. He is also a good drummer, and that is intimidating. My prayer was answered this morning when God showed up despite my failure. After the service, I received genuine compliments on the product of our worship. It feels good to know that someone else is blessed by the same thing that blesses me so wonderfully. I missed the extra rehearsal time this morning due to a schedule change, but change is the only thing that we can always count on - whether we enjoy it or not. 45 minutes of practice on Sunday morning feels like an extra worship service and an extra visit from God. I just can't get enough. to borrow a phrase from the Texas Rangers - I could really use some worship!

My church has the luxury of having a Pastor that loves his congregation dearly. He spends time before and after service greeting and shaking as many hands as possible every week, no matter what is going on. He shows the genuine compassion of Christ, and has taught that to his children. Mark Carter (oldest son of Pastor Carter) spoke at our service yesterday, and I was humbled by his message. He continued the series that Pastor is working on involving Legacy. My interest was peaked, because Legacy is usually spoken from a platform of a long life of inspiration and diligence. Mark's take on legacy was something of beauty. He spoke about the legacy of different people in the Bible and touched on a few icons of the faith. As always, he had a good humor that helped the audience to prepare for what he was going to touch on. One quote, and I will continue - "If I were to meet Adam, I would punch him right in the face - and his little wife Eve, too." Good things come from good speakers.

Mark spoke on the legacy of Thomas, the disciple. We all know Thomas as a doubter, and for years, that is what I have gleaned from my feeble interpretation of the scriptures involving him. I was under the impression that Thomas was not one to aspire to be similar to. After the sermon yesterday, I realize that I am more like Thomas than I would have cared to admit. Thomas was not the weak, fragile-minded individual that I thought he was. After a passionate explanation, I realize that Thomas was dedicated to a point of fault. He didn't doubt that Christ was alive, he missed Him so terribly that he didn't want to find out it was a hoax. As Mark explained, Thomas gave up everything for Christ. He left all he knew as familiar and comfortable, and invested the entirety of himself in the cause of this thing called Christianity. If all he had invested of himself died on the cross with Jesus, what could he look forward to?

I don't believe that Thomas was entirely wrong in this though. I just believe that his passion and longing over-shadowed his faith for a brief moment. When the disciples gathered in the upper room (John 20:26-29) after Jesus appeared to the first group, He appeared for a second time to his chosen few. His first words were "Peace be with you (John 20:26NLT)." the next words that Jesus said were to Thomas. He instructed Thomas to touch his wounds so that he would know that his Savior had risen. As soon as Thomas touched the wounds of Christ, he exclaimed "My Lord and my God! (John 20:28NLT)." Thomas had gone from a legacy of doubt and fear of solitude to a legacy of knowing God when he saw Him. His dedication accompanied his ministry until his death, and it never again faltered. What a fantastic Legacy to live! It doesn't matter what you start with, it matters how you finish.

I felt loved throughout the service, and the feeling overwhelmed me as we closed with worship. We played a new song yesterday ("You Are My Strength" - Hillsong), and I definitely did not have it together. God showed up and brought home the point that the music is not what He shows up for, it is our worship that beckons Christ. I didn't hear anything supernatural, or feel wind and see lightning flashes. I just felt extremely loved. I guess that the legacy of love is the greatest legacy that we can hope to leave in our wake.

I was reading my devotional Sunday night, and I came across a thought in the July 13th "My Utmost for His Highest." The title was "The Price of the Vision," and it spoke of the things that help or hurt our pursuit of the vision that Christ has for us. The ending thought was powerful - "Keep paying the price. Let God see that you are willing to live up to the vision."

The vision that God placed in my heart is being perfected, and I need to just wait on Him to finish His work in me. With the latest message series, I am beginning to understand that the legacy of Christ needs to be first and foremost when one pursues the purpose that God has for them. I have to guard the legacy that is being left for my children, and only let those things that are good purposeful be fastened to that path. I am truly excited for what waits around the next bend. I don't know what it will be or what it will require, but I know that it will be from God.