I have, in my opinion, the greatest career path in the world. I sometimes wonder why it took me so long to become a pastor. I was in the computer field for fifteen years, before my career path changed. I was frustrated and knew that I was going nowhere at the company where I worked. Then God opened my eyes to the path of being a pastor. With much prayer and discussion with my family, we moved so that I would begin my studies into the ministry. A couple of friends at the Seminary and I were talking and all of us expressed that being a pastor is where we were to be.
The joys of ministry far exceed the frustrations that I feel with the ministry. Yes, I get frustrated sometimes. For example, when I see an opportunity to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ my congregation can do and they don't see the same opportunity. Yet when I see a person "light up" when through my ministry, God opens his or her life to His life, the frustrations melt away. When a person is comforted when in grief or sorrow by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I experience a joy of ministry.
And the greatest joy of ministry for me is to proclaim (aka preach and/or teach) salvation from sin, death, and hell which is grace, life, and heaven. This joy is reinforced when I see the nods of members as what I am saying causes "the light bulb to go on." That tells me that the Holy Spirit has reached their lives with His Word through me.
I wish to use this medium to help you in your walk of life. I firmly believe that the truth of God does change lives. Although I may not "see" you, I hope that what God says through me will cause the "light bulb to go on" in your life.
I'm sure that there will be more joys to share with you.
God's peace I bring to you.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Life events
Wow. I am still playing catch up with a lot of things. Please allow me to share.
Shari and I returned from our honeymoon a month ago. As mentioned in my previous post, I spent time catching up then. Two weeks after returning we left again. This time for my parents 60th wedding anniversary party in Cleveland. We had a wonderful time and the whole family was there. While we were there, the son of a member died and I was trying to coordinate things from over a 1000 miles away. We came home and I had to catch up again. Then last weekend was Shari's uncle's wedding. While we were there, Shari's father suddenly thought he was having a stroke and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Then more time spent trying to catch up. Now one more stress and that is the construction of our new home and everything surrounding that. Needless to say, I got so wrapped up in my world, that people and tasks got in the way. For that, I have asked forgiveness from those I needed to, and now, I hope, that I can get back into a groove.
Life is a series of events, strung together. My brother once said that he was "bobbing along on the cosmic sea of life." It was such a cute phrase, I used it in a sermon many years ago. Yet how many people bob along and allow the sea of life take them "wherever?" Some people that have come accross my path had no direction, no purpose, and no vision for their future. Life took them, "wherever." Sometimes that happens to me. At the same time, my life does have a direction, a purpose, and a vision for the future. It is being a child of God and a brother to my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. My direction is walking down His path that Jesus laid out for me. My purpose is serving Him with passion and zeal for Jesus and for the people. My vision for the future, which impacts my daily living, is to be in His presence forever.
What about your life? Where are you headed? Let's talk.
Shari and I returned from our honeymoon a month ago. As mentioned in my previous post, I spent time catching up then. Two weeks after returning we left again. This time for my parents 60th wedding anniversary party in Cleveland. We had a wonderful time and the whole family was there. While we were there, the son of a member died and I was trying to coordinate things from over a 1000 miles away. We came home and I had to catch up again. Then last weekend was Shari's uncle's wedding. While we were there, Shari's father suddenly thought he was having a stroke and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Then more time spent trying to catch up. Now one more stress and that is the construction of our new home and everything surrounding that. Needless to say, I got so wrapped up in my world, that people and tasks got in the way. For that, I have asked forgiveness from those I needed to, and now, I hope, that I can get back into a groove.
Life is a series of events, strung together. My brother once said that he was "bobbing along on the cosmic sea of life." It was such a cute phrase, I used it in a sermon many years ago. Yet how many people bob along and allow the sea of life take them "wherever?" Some people that have come accross my path had no direction, no purpose, and no vision for their future. Life took them, "wherever." Sometimes that happens to me. At the same time, my life does have a direction, a purpose, and a vision for the future. It is being a child of God and a brother to my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. My direction is walking down His path that Jesus laid out for me. My purpose is serving Him with passion and zeal for Jesus and for the people. My vision for the future, which impacts my daily living, is to be in His presence forever.
What about your life? Where are you headed? Let's talk.
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