Fairly regularly I am in a blue funk on Sunday night. I come into the weekend wanting with every fiber of my being for the services to be an amazing experience of the power and presence of God, for every person to be powerfully moved to draw near to God and for every person to be supernaturally impacted by all that was taught and all that happened in the name of the Lord. I pray for God to bring a thousand people, and I pray until my heart hurts for every person in our church family. Our services are always good and many people are blessed and impacted but it is never to the measure that I wanted or hoped for. I work hard at being thankful, but I can’t help being disappointed because of those who weren’t there and because of what didn’t happen. There is always the temptation to quit wanting so much and to just relax and accept whatever happens. It sounds nice but I know that my obsession with more people, and better sermons, and more growth in the lives of people is what drives me to bear more and more fruit for God. I don’t have that many years left to do ministry and I want them to count. I am in a blue funk tonight but I will be back in high gear tomorrow pressing on for “more” and “more”, pleading for God to please bless me and give me increase.
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Pastor Dee's Blog 
Dee, it was one of your most impactful sermons. I had invited my daughter-in-law, Jeanetta, to come this morning…texted her during your sermon last night. But she was busy. It was the kind of basic sound sermon that should have opened the spiritual eyes of any unbeliever who had been there….with the Holy Spirit’s help and God’s timing, of course. God is using you and your family in a profound way in many, many lives. I thank God every day for you and my church family. Dan and I pray for you and your family each day when we pray together. We are also reading the marriage book, The Meaning of Marriage. I have underlined many powerful excerpts and we talk about them. Thank you for your faithfulness to our church famiky. See you at prayer. Kathy
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Pastor Dee, I have grown more in the last couple years under your teaching (since coming to JBC) than under any other ministry over the past 41 years. I’m an old Christian, and I still glean gems of truth from your preaching. You have a way of presenting the Gospel unlike anyone I’ve ever heard before. Regarding that uncomfortable Blue Funk–an indicator of your unrelenting desire to bear more fruit for God–I can’t help but agree that (after rest, coffee, and a fresh infusion from the Lord), tomorrow morning it will start looking more like what I’m going to call the “Superman Blue” we’re all accustomed to seeing, be it as you pedal your bike from coast to coast, or in your continuing commitment to pray for us all. 🙂 Bless you!
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Pastor Dee,
You have impacted my life through God’s words am wisdom for over 15 years. He hears your voice cause your teachings have always hit home with me. Whether it was one word or the entire sermon, I have always felt God using you. I am sure there are many more that feel that way. That is why it is always an honor to me just to hear and know you. I know God is using you and I pray for you and your family for strength, wisdom, and peace knowing you are doing God’s work. May He look down on you and your family today, tomorrow and everyday providing you with His joy. I love you
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Unfortunately, it is difficult to measure the fruit that has been produced from seeds you planted long ago and are no longer in direct contact with. Because of your investment in my life, I now have a story about a family vacation when my son had to, “run to the tree out in that field and if you stop even once, the next tree will be twice as far.” I also have had the privilege to lead three men’s groups and now a two pastor groups in prayer accountability. I’ve used your lessons on goal writing and praying for your pastor for years is a row now. I am grateful to God for you and that you have always been a “happy hunter.” I will continue praying for those of us who have black dogs and blue funks on Sunday nights, asking God to give us a glorious morning when we see him face to face. No doubt you will be surprised by the reward you’ll receive.
Grace and Peace!
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Dee- Wish I had gone to your seminar years ago and I get depressed thinking about how I missed out on the good stuff I have been getting from you since I started attending your seminars. Thanks for allowing me to be in your second favorite pastor’s group! Thank for letting me borrow your leadership and prayer stuff. Thanks for not kicking Mike and I out of the group! I think every pastor struggles with whether we are having the impact and response that we should have as we serve God. I have been tremendously encouraged by Paul’s encouragement in Romans, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13. Keep preaching, teaching and blessing us with your ministry.
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