May 21, 2010

5-21-10 Friday, 6:56 am Grayrock, 54 degrees

I Sam 29-31
David’s exploits continue as he lives among the Philistines. Their commanders will not allow him and his men to go to battle against the Israelites, and being sent home he discovers that Ziklag has been sacked, and all the wives and children and flocks carried off. David and his 600 men pursue them, find them, slaughter the enemy and recover their families and their possessions. 200 of the men became too exhausted to continue and were left to guard the equipment. After the successful raid, some troublemakers suggested that the 200 men receive none of the spoils because they did not fight. David says “don’t be selfish with what the Lord has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the band of raiders that attacked us. Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike – those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” I see implications for the body of Christ in this discussion.

Last evening we had a good Church Council meeting, which a included a brief Charge Conference to act upon a salary adjustment for Pastor Mi Hyeon. The goals of the strategic plan were reviewed by the goal champions, and the overall life of Wesley seems to be in a healthy place. I taught about Michael Slaughter, his outward focus, the shift from macro to micro, and his lament that for 20 years he had not prioritized his marriage. He will be speaking in Springfield at our Annual Conference on June 5. I handed out his page from the Sage conference that I participated in over the internet on Wednesday.

Guide me today Lord as I work on sermon development and preparing for the weekend of worship.