A Great Day

As the principal at Ridgeland High School, I've often said, "It is a great day to be a Ridgeland Titan." But this was not starting out to be a great day.

Earlier this year I was in the hospital, recovering from double bypass heart surgery when I cried out from my hospital bed.

"Lord, protect me!"

I was half asleep and half awake, experiencing some type of nightmarish dream, paralyzed by the fear of two dark silhouettes. The larger, dark figure had a knife and was stabbing me when I finally called out for God's help. As soon as I spoke His name, the figure took the knife and left. The room was filled with a white glow.

I awoke out of breath, shaking and kicking my legs. Then, the most amazing feeling of relief came over me. Overwhelmed with emotion, I prayed and gave thanks to God for His grace and mercy.

Weeks later during Chip's Spiritual Warfare series, Chip shared his story of a similar experience he had after college. Right away I became emotional, realizing the "dream" I had in the hospital was real, and there is an ongoing fight for my soul.

Every Sunday I'm at Pinelake, I learn more about what God's presence looks like in my life. And it is amazing how God's Spirit has filled our school auditorium every Sunday since Pinelake's Madison/ Ridgeland campus opened its doors. From weekdays at RHS to Sundays at Pinelake to my experience at the hospital, I've learned no matter where I am on life's journey, His presence is always with me. And what a journey it has been!

I've been blessed beyond measure to witness the Madison/Ridgeland campus' growth, from our start in the cafetorium in 2006 to the expansion into the auditorium, and now the commitment to outlive our lives in our own facilities.

It will be a great day to move to a permanent location, but my emotions will be mixed. As I have told many people, RHS has been a better place since Pinelake arrived. I am blessed that God encouraged Pinelake's leadership to begin a multi-site church at our school. I thank God for the community of believers that is Pinelake and how they are outliving their lives. The night before my surgery, several staff members came to our home, prayed and read Scripture over me. Members of our small group and others from church visited and prayed for me during the recovery process. My wife told me that she had no fear of my surgery, because she felt confident that God would go into the surgery with me and He would come out with me. What peace that is!

I still like to say it's a great day to be a Ridgeland Titan, but even more I love to say, "It's a great day to be one of God's children!"

by Lee Boozer

Watch or listen to the Spiritual Warfare sermon series here.

See the latest update on the new Pinelake Madison/Ridgeland campus here.