Day of Praise

Th, 11/21/13, "Day of Praise"

Romans 8:18 - "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

It's a long story, so let's just sum it up. Yesterday morning, I wound up in the lobby and at the front desk of my son's huge, 2,600 students, high school, signing him in as tardy, with 100 or so students milling around, a good number of whom said, "Hello, Mr. DeGreen" or "Hi, Coach Chris" or "Hey, Pastor Chris." After all, my family has been blessed to be in this community for over two decades.

The thing was that this wear-pastor-clothes-90%-of-the-time-with-the-little-white-thing-at-your-neck-coach-Mr.-pastor was in the huge school lobby...in my pajamas.

Of course, that also meant doofy looking hair and, only the good Lord knows, whatever else was uncovered or out of place.

I was embarrassed for a moment.

And then God said, "Chris, this is nothing. But if it is anything, it's a chance to show these kids what matters." So instead of apologizing about my pj's to every kid and adult, I just had an even greater time greeting the kids, hugging a couple necks, and telling my son to have a great day and that I would pray for him with his test.

And let's be clear; I was embarrassed, but God had greater plans.

So, come what may today, with whatever may be out of place, may God speak to our hearts, help us to laugh at ourselves, shine through us with gladness, and bring God the glory.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson