I never read Dickens’ classic A Tale Of Two Cities, but I do know the opening sentence, which doesn’t make me a literary genius but it suggests at least a basic level of culture on my part.

This tale set in the French Revolution starts - It was the best of times; it was the worst of times – and that’s a pretty good description of today. It was the best and the worst all in one, but my focus has been on the best part of it, so that’s what I’m going to share here.

+ It was above 50 and sunny all day, which may sound shallow, but it means it’s the best day we’ve had in three or four months.

+ Both of our campuses had great crowds, great services and a real sense of God’s presence.

+ It was Celebration Sunday, so we dedicated babies and baptized believers. That can’t be bad.

+ Six people were baptized in Ronkonkoma, a number of whom I scarcely know. It has been amazing to see how God is filling up the spaces left by those we sowed out to Mastic in the fall.

+ Talked to a guy who was there for the third week. He had worked all day yesterday, been at his second job all night and then come straight to church. Guess he wanted to be there.

+ John Bernor preached. The guy is good. Great stuff, very appropriate and hilarious too!

+ A first for me this morning was dedicating the same baby twice. John and Nicci brought their baby Josiah to dedicate him to the Lord and we felt that since John is one of our pastors, it would be great if both campuses could be a part of it. So Josiah did a dedication tour of Long Island with stops in Ronkonkoma and Mastic. He screamed both times – maybe I’m losing my touch!

+ Someone remind me to bring a change of shirt next time I baptize people. I was a bit soggy for the ride to our Mastic campus.

+ We baptized seven people in Mastic. Some great stories of life-change there. They remind us all of why we do what we do.

+ Got to hang out with some of John and Nicci’s family over lunch. Met some good people.

+ Was shot by the time I got home and napped for an hour on the sofa.

+ Gill and I went to the wake tonight for an outstanding Christian lady. I didn’t know her that well, but her son and daughter are in our church and they are a testament to a good and godly mother.

+ Yep, this was the best of days and the icing on the cake was the overwhelming expressions of love and encouragement that came my way and turned my attention from what might have made it the worst of days.