Back to Reality

I completely enjoyed my honeymoon. My new wife, Shari, and I enjoyed Florida. It's not much different than Texas at this time of year. But any time away with the woman I love is an enjoyable thing.

And, a week ago Monday, reality set in. We were both back at work, performing our same tasks, catching up on boatloads of emails, and greeting everyone at church with large smiles on our faces. But for me, as a pastor, the greatest task I have is for the caring of peoples souls. God has called me to shepherd, or "pastor" souls in their relationship with Him. Jesus Christ is "The Good Shepherd." I work for Him. He placed me at Christ the King in this time to nurture the people He draws in with His love and mercy. The challenge is to take God's Law and its' completeness and bring it into people's lives. The purpose is to bring to our conscience that sin separates us from God. It is a barrier, a divider, and worst of all, a killer. For consequence of sin is death and eternal separation from God. The Scriptures write that all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. It does not matter what is the sin. Every sin produces the same result. That is why God sent His Son to us. For Jesus Christ removed the condemnation of God's Law and took upon Himself. Again, and the Scriptures say He who had no sin became sin for us. Jesus removed the sin and it's consequences. He replaced it with forgiveness and restoration. That is the Gospel part of the message I preach.

This is my reality. I shepherd people into the Grace of God through Jesus Christ for the salvation, or changing of their lives. And I love every minute of it.