Encouraging YOUR Minister

I hope that in the over 20 years that I have been in the ministry the services that I rendered were considered valuable in each situation at some point.  In each situation I have been compensated for services rendered per an agreement made before I was hired.

I always knew that ministry was NEVER about the money…to that end, I frequently have “signed on” for salary that was less than average for someone with my experience and education.  In some cases I received exactly what I signed up for.  In other cases I received the salary that was contractually agreed upon plus MUCH, MUCH more in what I might call “perks” that I or my family received to show that we were valued by those we were serving.

In my experience I can unequivocally state, some congregations know how to love their ministers (and show their appreciation) and some don’t. It is as simple as that. I don’t know anyone in any position that does not like to know that their contribution is valued.  A “well done” or “I appreciate you” is always welcome but often it is not enough for some people to overcome the struggles that accompany ministry.

It would be too easy to say more money means satisfaction.  It is not that easy.  Especially in this difficult economic time money can speak volumes but in MOST congregations that have been adversely affected by the financial downturn money is not going to be the solution.

Allow me to offer ways that you can encourage you minister that are low cost or err on the side of financial responsibility (in no specific order):

R.A.K.—random acts of kindness on your minister and their family will speak volumes.  I see these as small tokens of appreciation.  If congregants are unhappy or have issues they are quick to communicate it with EVERYONE!!  If you appreciate your minister be just as quick to tell them, and others, verbally, in writing (send a card), etc…the point is that you are making the effort to communicate with them your appreciation.

Hobbies--Often people in the congregation have hobbies that result in products to share: gardening (all ministers LOVE food—especially fresh and homemade), woodworking (handmade items show you care), one of our ladies knew my daughter was wanting something to keep her ears warm during cold spring track practice so she knitted her some “ear muffs” in my daughter’s school colors!! This option offers nearly endless varieties to show how much you care and chances are it is something that you are already doing in your spare time.  Don’t assume your minister wouldn’t be interested…by definition they are interested in what interests you!

Take them along—getting out of the office is always a welcome diversion.  Where ever you are going and whatever you are doing for your day trip…invite the minister or their family to tag along. Going fishing at your favorite spot?  Share it with your minister.  Going hiking on your favorite trail? Ask their family to join you. Taking a shopping day at your favorite antique or flea market?  You might be surprised to find out that they were looking for an opportunity to look for a specific item. It need not cost much money, nor should it be seen as a long term commitment (you don’t have to invite them EVERY time)—but again—they are looking for opportunities to share what you like and vise-a-versa.

Work days/projects—I believe that most people don’t consider this options because they don’t want to add to what they perceive as their minister’s already busy schedule.  But these times offer options—maybe you can do something for someone else together—thereby sharing time (where you can express your appreciation), and helping someone else in the process.  Maybe there is a project that needs to be done at THEIR home or at your home—this may be an opportunity to teach someone a new skill while you are expressing your appreciation in verbal and tangible ways.

Give Up—I know this sounds radical…but this is a way to make something BIG happen for your minister that they may not be able to do for themselves.  Many folks today have time shares, cabins, frequent flyer miles, etc… ALL things that could be used by your minister as well as yourself.  Why not invest in your minister and family by giving up your week at the beach to them?  Imagine their face when you offer them the keys to your cabin for a week of their choosing.  The reality is that it is not costing you anything more than you already spend—BUT you are sacrificing your time for them. Isn’t that what you expect of them when a loved one is hospitalized, there is an unexpected tragedy, a death in the family, in fact, are they not “on call” ALL the time for you?

The list could be endless. Here are some things to remember. Yes...you help to pay your minister’s salary by putting money in the offering each week.  NO…that does not make them your employee—they do what they do because they love the people they serve and they serve the people they love.  The Psalmist says that “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.”  Therefore, whatever we “possess” we have received from the hand of God. Would we not be poor stewards (or at least selfish) if we didn’t share what God has allowed us to manage?

Little things matter. From a minister’s perspective…you have NO idea how difficult it can be.  Conversely, you have no idea how much difference little things done to encourage can make.

I am thankful for those people who have, and do, continue to encourage and share in my ministry—I could not have done, or be doing it without them.  Others have tested my faith, and caused me to doubt my calling…but I am thankful for them too because I have learned from them (even if it was the hard lessons, the hard way).

I believe…help my unbelief.

Of Lions and Lambs

Today is March 1st.  As I sit and look out my office window at the wet snow wafting from the heavens I am reminded of the March weather wives tale, "in like a lion...out like a lamb."  Needless to say, I am expecting BIG weather changes in the next thirty days that comprise the month of March.

Almost simultaneously other pictures entered into my thought process...lions and lambs. I'll begin with the streaming thoughts of lions.  I rarely even hear the word lion without three mental ques going off in my head--one tangible, one visual, and one auditory. When I was very young I had a small stuffed lion.  It's name, according to the tag, was either "Rory" or "Dandy" (I know right...but I was a kid I thought either was cute.)  To tell the truth I don't remember how I came to possess this pint sized king of the jungle...but he must have meant something to me because I kept him through my college years, and passed him along to my kids when they were old enough to enjoy stuffed toys (another cue just flashed into my head as I typed this--Burt Lahr--the cowardly lion singing "If I Were King of the Forrrrrest!!"). The second connection is Aslan, C.S. Lewis' powerful Christ figure in the Chronicles of Narnia. Though there are MANY favorite quotes by and about Aslan throughout the seven books, my favorite is from "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" where Mr & Mrs Beaver are telling the Pevensie children about Aslan and Susan states that she would be scared to meet a Lion, to which the Beavers respond, "he is NOT a tame lion!" (my second favorite is where Aslan tells Jill that he eats... "girls, boys, and has consumed entire kingdoms!"). The third thing that takes place in my head when I hear the word lion is Daniel Bashta's song (and I might add that Crowder does the ONLY worthwhile version) that states, "my Gods not dead He is surely alive...he is living on the inside roaring like a lion!" So each time the word lion is mentioned I get this weird music video thing going off in my brain replete with flashing images of stuffed, pint-sized lions, computer generated lions (who sounds like Liam Neason) saying my favorite quotes from the books, and David Crowder (beard and all) singing "roaring like a lion." WOW...just think if I actually took mind altering drugs what my world might be like!!

Then there are the "lamb" signals that rush to my brain...the innocence of seeing newborn lambs in the spring, frolicking in the newly green grass, the joy that I felt as they drank milk from the bottle in my hand. The immense emotion of Jodie Foster describing to Hannibal Lecture why the movie is called "The Silence of the Lambs", and the old Ray Boltz song..."Watch the Lamb."

It may not be coincidental that all of these sounds, and images fire in the chemical make up of my brain on a day like this.  It should not seem odd that the thoughts of lions and lambs (when speaking of spring weather) should conjure such occurrences...especially since Good Friday and Easter find their celebrations in the month of March this year.

Call it a...vocational hazard...but when Spring rolls around my thoughts turn to Easter.  Easter can scarcely be contained into a single day or encapsulated into a single thought.  Most theologians call it the Easter "event."  I guess that is what it was...perhaps the greatest event in the history of humanity...for what good is the cross of Good Friday without the resurrection on Sunday--or visa-versa.  One brings grace, mercy, and forgiveness to humanity which would be quite useless if we were forced to live THIS life without hope of something else...which is what the power of the resurrection brings to us.

Hundreds of years before Jesus walked the earth the prophet said, "...He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth...."  Who did this?  Jesus, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," the "Lion of the tribe of Judah."

And so as the month of March begins (at least today it seemed to "come in like a lion" therefore I assume it will "go out like a lamb"), and the weather causes us to pause and consider lions, and lambs...don't think it mere coincidence that celebrating Easter is JUST around the corner.

I believe...("my Gods not dead he is surely alive, he's living on the inside roaring like a lion"), help me in my unbelief.

Why Christmas MUST Go On!

I don't always manage to plan too far in advance for my preaching.  But  this year I was  WELL ahead of my planning schedule and managed to make decisions about Christmas sermons before November.

This year for the Advent season I decided to preach a series of messages called "The Journey."  Of course the impetus behind this  series was that biblically, there are a LOT of people traveling in the Christmas story, and in our 24/7/365 day world--we are ALWAYS on the move.

I began December with "In the Beginning" giving a biblical overview of why God came to earth. I followed that with "To Grandmother's House we Go" focusing on the genealogies of Jesus and why they are important. I had planned for today to be "Are We There Yet?" dealing with the prophecies of Christmas (especially Isaiah).  And then...Friday came, even while I was studying the last few passages of my message I heard the report that there had been yet another school shooting...this time in Newtown, CT and elementary children were killed.

All through the day, through the night, throughout Saturday and most of the evening I prayed and struggled. When Columbine,Virginia Tech, and 911 happened I somehow addressed each event from the pulpit with a defense of free will and the falleness of humanity but with a focus on what God has done through Christ to reconcile these issues and offer hope. Regardless, what would I say now that innocent elementary children have lost their lives!?!?  In the broadest sweeping generalization there is really no difference but existentially I knew better, and SO close to Christmas!

I continued to struggle...should I alter my message?  Should I continue on with my original plan?  Should I scrap what I had and start again by addressing familiar issues when tragedy strikes?

The more I wrestled the more, I think, God spoke "peace" to my heart.  I did alter my message, a little, but by-and-large it was exactly what I had prepared and I think it is important enough to share here...NOT because the message was anything great--but precisely to demonstrate how God work...

I altered the opening...instead of what I had planned, I told them about my dilemma, then I clearly stated that sometimes on our journey to find Jesus we must travel through dark pathways while we wait for the light--wondering IF we will ever get there!

I reminded them that Israel waited at least 1,700 years (assuming a "generation" is roughly 40 years Matt 1 states 14 X 3 X 40--imprecise and not factual but perhaps a ball park figure).  When Israel was at its worst, fearing that God had forsaken them--God raised up prophets who spoke messages of hope--that though the darkness seem consuming right now--Light is more powerful than darkness).

I focused on Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6ff--600 years before the Light...God was already at work in the darkness!  After an exposition of what the titles and implications of these passages means for the Christmas story I reminded them that even in this dark hour Christmas MUST go on...because without Christmas there is no hope that the darkness can be overcome.  Christ becoming incarnate is a historical fact but Christmas is not about what has been, but about what could be...because of what God does in the manger there is HOPE---the journey to find Jesus OFTEN leads us along paths of darkness but we need not remain in the darkness--because our God is greater than that.

If the comments after the service were any indication--God did exactly what He had in mind.  He took what I had already planned and made it speak hope to those who shared the heavy hearts of those affected by the latest attempt for darkness to overcome the Light.

This is EXACTLY why Christmas MUST go on this year!!  For this is the reason that the Light has come---to shine in the darkness and to offer hope to those who find themselves on the journey...in the darkness.

I believe,  help me with my unbelief.

P.S.  The following weeks in The Journey series will focus on:

• 12/23--Mary & Joseph traveling to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus
• 12/30--The shepherds and wise men traveling to worship
• 1/6--Simeon and Anna waiting for the journey to be over.

Christmas: With Fear and Intrepidation!?

It has been two millennial since the first Christmas...and yet the REAL story, and meaning behind it, hasn't changed.  That is why each year my blood pressure goes up just a little when I start considering Christmas themed preaching. I mean how much can continue to be said about it after 2,000 years before it all starts sounding the same? 

Unfortunately, some find this challenge to be too much, and they often "give in" to contrived consumer driven themes and messages or they simply whittle Christmas into a single message on the Sunday closest to Christmas.  I DO NOT believe that the message of Christmas can be contained in a single message--the scope of the narrative is far too broad and diverse to deliver in a single dose...it is a little more like an antibiotic that you need to take for awhile and let it run through your system! To that end four "fresh" Christmas ideas each year can be taxing (the longer you are in the preaching ministry the more difficult it becomes!) Resources abound, and often there are creative people all around you that can help if you would only seek them out and allow them to help.

So here I sit...four Sunday's until "Christmas" Sunday with my bible, a white board, a marker, and the Internet...now what?

Don't be confused...I have been praying, studying, and preparing messages for weeks (but right now they all amount to a handful of notes, and another white board full of ideas)--it now has to be some coalesced into the "Christmas Magic" of the Word made Flesh (maybe an eggnog shake would help to "make the season bright"---sorry my mind wondered!!).

Here are some resources that I start reading in the Fall to help me prepare for this moment, I don't read everyone EACH year (though some are perennial favorites that I chose to read no matter what):

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
God With Us: The Miracle of Christmas by John MacArthur
The Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel
Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Christmas: the Festival of Incarnation by Donald Heinz

New this Year (at least to me):
Come Let Us Adore Him: Stories Behind the Most Cherished Christmas Hymns by Robert Morgan.
The Christ of Christmas: Readings for Advent by Calvin Miller

Each year I combine these readings with what I am studying and reading in the Word different ideas and concepts "come home to roost" in my often cluttered and confused brain.  Though I LOVE the simplicity of the Christmas story just because it is an old, and well rehearsed story, doesn't mean that it should be boring. If the God of the bible is present "yesterday, today, and forevermore" than the "good news for all peoples" is that Emmanuel came, but is still present, by the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  The cradle could not contain him, the cross could not hold him, the grave could not keep him, and soon ALL will see that the child of Christmas is a King for eternity.

I hope, and pray, that these words of mine are filled with Him as together with other believers each Sunday this month we are faced anew with the startling prospect of God's love for us...and abiding agape love is just a little bit scary!

I believe help my unbelief.

Following the Evidence

I LOVE watching those forensic shows on TV.  All of them seem to have one common element—they are not allowed to make assumptions that are not based on evidence presented.  Therefore, as Grissom would say, they only interpret evidence to find the truth.  In theological talk that strategy is called “evidentialism” and it is a branch of apologetics that, in recent years, has fallen out of favor.  However, I don’t think that we should be too quick to dismiss this particular methodology because it can be helpful in finding a logical sequence to a line of thought.

Now that Halloween is over (even before that) we are once again inundated with the commercialism of Christmas—FAR before we have taken the opportunity to be thankful to God for His provision (which is what “Thanksgiving is REALLY about!).  I used to preach, write, and rail about this injustice but I woke up one day and decided it like throwing gravel in the Grand Canyon…Americans no longer care if they are gracious or grateful and therefore feel that they really have nothing to give thanks for since the “grass is always greener”…but I digress…

I think, following evidential methodology, that I can logically lead us to put three pieces of evidence together to show that we have MUCH to be thankful for and that until we learn to do so we will continue to be spoiled ingrates who continue to think that the entirety of the world revolves around us.

I am always amazed at those people who are interviewed by news personnel after some tragedy and they say something “pat” like… “it could have been worse” or “at least there was no loss of life” or “we just praise God everyone is safe.” Yeah, I guess in the face of tragedy we are quick to think in those terms, but I often wonder if those same people “practice what they preach” every other day of their lives?  I hope they do, I hope they value relationships, and family over all other “things” but I fear too often that is the case ONLY when they are faced with the possibility of losing EVERYTHING.  The apostle Paul reminds us to “give thanks in ALL circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18—bold, italics, and underline mine).  Sure, it is easy for him to say…after all he is an apostle, perhaps one of the greatest apostles…it must come quite natural for him?  Not so, we are reminded in Romans chapter seven of the struggles that Paul continued to have with the flesh, and how the things he “did not want to do, that is what I do.” So when that was going on…was he giving thanks?

I think so…when Paul is sharing a bit of his testimony he states:

¹⁰ I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:10-13)

Look at verse 12…this explains WHY Paul urges Christians to “give thanks in ALL circumstances” because Paul himself knew what it was to be in need and to have plenty…and he CHOSE to be content…how and why?…because of what Christ has done to strengthen him (which is another entire lesson in and of itself).

So, in light of what Christ has done in every circumstance, whether it is the mountaintop or valley, we are to give thanks because Christ will give us strength to face the situation.  If you tend to be like me your cynical side is kicking in about now and you are unpacking your existentialist philosophy…”but he is not in my situation!” While it may be true that no two situations or people are identical let me introduce you to some situations that Paul found himself in: beaten and left for dead (on more than one occasion), bit by a poisonous snake, shipwrecked, imprisoned, given 40 lashes, chained as a prisoner…and let’s not forget that he was given a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:9).

It is THIS very point that differentiates most of us from Paul…read carefully:

⁷ To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:7-10)

Paul realizes that God has “given” (suffering the gift that no one wants!) him this “gift” so that he does not become conceited…he pleads with God to take it away but hears the still small voice of God whisper, “grace is sufficient”—so he “delights” in all circumstances rejoicing in “weakness.”

Here in the US we detest “weakness.”  We always have.  As rugged individualist we crossed the ocean, established the colonies, opened the way to the west, and settled the vast frontier to become the great nation that we are.  At the first sign of weakness we react with swift and often, angry, solutions—culling that notion, and those, who are “unfit” because of their weakness.  This is often manifested in the “macho” movies of the 60’s-80’s—as much as I love John Wayne I cringe when he says lines like “never apologize…” or “never let them know you are afraid…” or “never let them see you cry...it is a sign of weakness.” And so we raised up three generations of men who instead of following Paul, followed Hollywood and actually believed that these things were signs of weakness and that weakness had no place in American society.

So let me take three pieces of evidence and put them together:

1. Give thanks in ALL circumstance.
2. Why…because Christ gives us strength in EVERY circumstance
3. HOW…because grace is sufficient

Grace is often an anomaly or a “church” word that is attached to that one old song that everyone seems to love.  Though it seems obtuse and hard to grasp, it really isn’t.  Grace is simple to understand but hard to live. Grace is simply defined as a free gift from God (in His case of His Son on our behalf)—Paul says it like this “…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). That is grace…we ARE sinners (law breakers) and even though we are…God sends His Son as a sacrifice so that we do not receive the punishment that we deserve for being law breakers.  Forrest Gump is an example of grace when after he becomes a “gozillionaire” in the “shrimpin business” he tells the town fathers of Greenbo, AL that he will “cut the grass for free.”  In response to his unexpectedly becoming a “gozillionaire” he no longer accepts payment for cutting the grass…instead he willing does the job for free---that is GRACE…and it is sufficient in every circumstance because through it we receive strength—so GIVE THANKS!

Given this evidence I don’t think that it is difficult for ANYONE to see why we have MUCH to be thankful for. We have been given SO MUCH but we are often so confused about what to do with it…we possess so much but have so little understanding…I believe help my unbelief. HAPPY THANKS-GIVING!!

MISSION: Haiti

We had been planning for months. I knew I wanted to return as soon as I returned to the states from my first trip (Feb. 2009). At each turn in the planning process, this time, something threw a wrench into the plan.  Conflicting schedules seemed to be the BIG issue (and we eventually left our son at college whom we wanted to take with us), then there were passport issues, finance issues, more delays...

But we made it!  We left the house Oct. 5th to drive to Atlanta (about 5 hours away) because it was the only way we could get a "single day" flight into Haiti (even though we did elect to spend the night in Atlanta on Friday).  We got up at 4:30 AM (now you know why we elected to spend the night!) to get to the airport to get our 6:30 AM flight out.  It was still dark when the plane taxied towards the runway--but the darkness gave way to dawn just was we were climbing to altitude. The flight to Miami was about 11/2 hours long and it passed quickly.  Once in Miami found our terminal, grabbed a snack, and by then it was time to board the flight to Port-au-Prince. The flight across the ocean is only about and hour and forty-five minutes so by the time we had a snack and a drink, and filled out the customs forms it was time to get ready to land.

The horrendous earthquake that struck Haiti occurred about 1 year AFTER my first trip there.  The airport was the first sign that things had changed.  Though some things were still the same it was obvious that the airport had suffered MAJOR damage and that repairs were still under way.  Once we deplaned we were taken by bus to what appeared to be a hanger where we went through customs and found our luggage.  Once outside we managed to make the long trek back to the parking area (all the ground that we covered by BUS about 45 minutes earlier) and we were able to easily make contact with our friend Choubert Remy.

I first met Choubert when I was an associate at 17th St. Christian Church.  A couple from the church had sort of "adopted" Choubert (several years ago) and his family allowing them to live in an apartment upstairs from their house while they were in the states.  Choubert has two daughters that were born, and live, in the US and they were part of the 17th St youth group along with my two kids.  Just this past summer one of Choubert's daughter was able to spend a week at church camp with us and be our missions representative...BOY were we glad to have her (we needed a little youth on our side!!).

When I was in Haiti in 2009 we poured the cement slab that eventually became the floor for the church building they are erecting.  Their house was outside Port-au-Prince proper and, at that time, seemed almost in a pastoral setting with fruit trees, and nearby open fields...it was quiet and seemed a long way from the "urban sprawl" of downtown Port-au-Prince or Petionville.  While we were their Choubert mentioned that one of the major needs was for a school to train young Haitian men to preach the New Testament gospel. It must have seemed like a dream.  After all, he had his hands full with a growing church, and an elementary school--all under the umbrella of the US organization The Haiti Christian Mission (which purposefully never appears in their buildings or in Haitian literature about the ministry).


A few months later, while he was in the states, Choubert approached me about teaching at an institute to train preachers...he knew I had the right credentials and some experience teaching at the college level...but there were many questions be answered and we obviously had no way to pay for it, nor did we know exactly how to go about such a task.  Choubert took the "bull by the horns" and began contacting schools here in the US for any aid they were willing to lend.  I know he contacted Kentucky Christian University (his Alma mater) and Lincoln Christian Seminary (where we both attended at different times)--but they didn't seem to be of much help. Undaunted he talked the idea up to those who were already supporting his ministry...he called again stating that someone had given money to start the institute...his idea was to use Skype technology and do most of the teaching "online."  In January of 2012 classes began at the Tabarre Bible Institute with two teachers (myself and one other) teaching 3 hour courses online using Skype, and four students.  The students meet in the back porch of Choubert's house and he projects the Skype signal onto the wall of his house AND serves as translator.  The first semester TBI offered Introduction to the Bible--Old Testament; and English I.  You would be amazed at the progress being made by these students who do whatever they have to do (work, school, family, etc...) all day, and then come 5 days per week for 3 hours a day for "online" classes!

So this trip...I went to Haiti for an intensive week of study with my first year students.  WHAT A BLESSING!!

My first year students.

 I was also fortunate enough to get to preach on Sunday morning at the Gallette Gareau church---fitting my message into an already existing series about "Growing in..."--I got to preach on "Growing in Grace"--what do you say to a congregation that, because of their life situation, probably has a better grasp on grace than I do!?!?  Regardless, it was a wonderful time.

Preaching on Sunday Morning.

 The Gallete Gareau Church started by Choubert--in Feb. 2009 our team poured the cement slab that became the floor of this building.  It has been 10 years in coming but the original vision is now nearly complete...and all done by HAND...they even make cinder blocks!!  It only needs a few more courses of block, the roof, and the finish work...but as always...money is short and it will have to wait a little longer.

 While I was busy preparing for class, my wife and daughter were at the Russell Christian School helping the teachers out for a week.

There is still a LOT of work to do in SO many areas in Haiti.  Those who were affected by the earthquake are being relocated north of Port-au-Prince but they were promised so much and received so little that it is only marginally better than the "tent cities" that they were living in.

Area of relocation  2 years AFTER the earthquake--there are STILL a lot of tents!

 I will continue to teach online, praying, and hoping that God allows me another trip to do what I can for the folks in Haiti; to open their eyes to the Kingdom, and share the love and grace of Christ.

Sadly, as I type this tropical storm "Sandy" is slowly moving away from Haiti after pummeling the island with rain and winds for the past four days...once again...they will be left to clean up yet another mess.

PRAY FOR HAITI!!

I'M NOT DEAD...despite rumors to the contrary!

My assumption would be that IF I had any regular readers of this blog they would have thought that I would have died and not left a forwarding address.  Well...if stress kills than I surely must be standing on the precipice...our lives continue to be a study in chaos, instability, and transition (even more than USUAL). All that being said, with part-time (actually full time but with part-time pay) ministry and teaching classes online I just don't have the energy any more nor do I feel like I have a lot left to share that matters.

Since the last post I have failed to find a suitable full-time ministry, sent one of my children off to college, grown a years older (at least as far as the calendar goes--seems like 10 to me), and I have continued to struggle with health issues that would have been taken care of had I either been on welfare or had insurance...but in our world today there is really no place for a person who is REALLY trying and simply failing---you either have to be "in the system" or succeeding enough to afford life (of which I am neither). If the price of food, gasoline, and the price of utilities continues to go up we will all soon be loosing weight, walking, and staying either a LOT cooler or a LOT warmer (depending on the present temps).

MANY friends who believe in my ministry are helping us take a mission trip to Haiti next month.  We could not afford to go without their support.  Unless we run into other health issues that prevent the trip we will leave the US for seven days in Haiti early next month.  It will be a welcome change from what has become our routine.  It is life-changing!  While it is easy to complain and feel sorry for oneself in light of their own situation and when measuring one against other's situations...it is quite impossible to be in someplace like Haiti and feel sorry for oneself.  Even the poorest among our social classes in the US would be considered wealthy among the Haitians...and they have no government support so there is no way that they can "work the system"--they just live to survive one more day eking out an existence all on their own.  I would say that it will be good for me to get a dose of reality.  

God has a way of doing that...just when we think we have reached the end of our rope, he sends us down a longer rope to have a look at someone else's despair...it has never been a comparison game...we must learn, as Paul did, to "be content in all situations" and to know that "HIS grace is sufficient for me."

The harder I kick...the more ground I lose...but apparently I am not learning many lessons.  It shouldn't be this hard, and the struggle shouldn't tax me like this after all these years.  Maybe I am just weary of the fight.  I just want to go home...wherever that is.

"I believe...help me in my unbelief"