Sometimes folks ask me, "Pastor, how can we pray for you?"
Jonanthan Edwards- no, not "that" Jonanthan Edwards- the current General secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain helped me find words for my need:
We have a lot of facts and a lot of opinions. But amidst these facts and opinions we need wisdom.
That's how you may pray for your pastor today, and he will gladly return the favor.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Family
Last weekend we were in Jensen Beach, Florida to be a part of my niece's wedding. The bride was beautiful, the groom and his men appropriately anxious, and, though the priest kept mis-pronouncing Kristin's name, the ceremony was "just right."
My sister-in-law's tears as she was escorted down the aisle were a poignant reminder of the death of her and my brother's son, the bride's brother. Hugs were gifts of comfort and hope.
The reception was a grand celebration. Relatives and friends from across the state and across the years swapped stories and laughter. And of course, there was food!
I was amazed at how much my cousins' children had grown and changed- even since last summer's reunion! It was sad to see first-hand Pop's further decline- and I was reminded again about how strong Granny has always been.
Family gatherings are occasions of an incredible mixture of laughter and tears, young and old, past and future, memories shared and memories made. They are powerful reminders of where we came from, that past failures can become stepping-stones into a brighter tomorrow, and most importantly- who we are.
Church is a lot like family.
My sister-in-law's tears as she was escorted down the aisle were a poignant reminder of the death of her and my brother's son, the bride's brother. Hugs were gifts of comfort and hope.
The reception was a grand celebration. Relatives and friends from across the state and across the years swapped stories and laughter. And of course, there was food!
I was amazed at how much my cousins' children had grown and changed- even since last summer's reunion! It was sad to see first-hand Pop's further decline- and I was reminded again about how strong Granny has always been.
Family gatherings are occasions of an incredible mixture of laughter and tears, young and old, past and future, memories shared and memories made. They are powerful reminders of where we came from, that past failures can become stepping-stones into a brighter tomorrow, and most importantly- who we are.
Church is a lot like family.
Monday, March 5, 2012
I Wonder
I shared the following prayer by Ruth Harris Calkin in Sunday's sermon. I first discovered it in "Improving Your Serve" by Charles Swindoll.
You know, Lord, how I serve You
With great emotional fervor
In the limelight.
You know how eagerly I speak for you
At the women's club.
You know how I effervesce when I promote
a fellowship group.
You know my genuine enthusiasm at a Bible study.
But how would I react, I wonder
If you pointed to a basin of water
And asked me to wash the calloused feet
Of a bent and wrinkled old woman
Day after day
Month after month
In a room where nobody saw
And nobody knew.
You know, Lord, how I serve You
With great emotional fervor
In the limelight.
You know how eagerly I speak for you
At the women's club.
You know how I effervesce when I promote
a fellowship group.
You know my genuine enthusiasm at a Bible study.
But how would I react, I wonder
If you pointed to a basin of water
And asked me to wash the calloused feet
Of a bent and wrinkled old woman
Day after day
Month after month
In a room where nobody saw
And nobody knew.
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