Recap. 05.22.11

• Attendance, 46.  (We didn't break the 50 mark, but there is all this week to work towards it for next Sunday.)
• One guest, a child.  (Have you noticed the increased number of children lately?  We had 9 in children's church.  Five of them were newer kids.)
• All six new converts were in service.  Four of them earnestly sought God at the altar. 
• One recommitment to Christ.  I asked her if she knew she was going to heaven.  She said she hoped so.  When I pressed her for a reason for her hope, she went with the classic "I go to church, I've been baptized and I read my Bible" answer.  I asked if she'd ever invited Jesus into her heart.  She said yes.  Some godly women helped her get past "hope so" and into "know so."  Confusion was removed and assurance given. 
• Later in the afternoon, someone left me a message about water baptism.  Usually I have to chase them a bit on this.  Not this time.  When a convert says, "I want to be in with both feet, not just one," you know something great has happened.
• Preached part 4 in series "Small and Tall."  Sermon:  "Piercing the Bronze Helmet" (1 Sam. 17:4-7, 40-50).  Subject:  Two parts to a miracle (God's part and man's part).  In His sovereignty, God has scripted us into the plan.  No man can do God's part.  God chooses not to do man's part.  (If we take David out of the story, do we even have a story to tell?)
• Prayed for healing and miracles. This was no safe, quiet prayer time!  Such desperation and expectancy at the altar!  One report of healing.  Kerrie said she came into service with all kinds of aches and pains.  By the time she left, no pain.