9-30-10 Thursday, 7:30 am Springfield, 54 degrees, clear.
It is another beautiful morning here in the Ozarks. My day yesterday was long and arduous, and I feel that it was well invested. From the 7:00 am time of prayer for those asleep spiritually (the lost), all the way to the 8:15 conclusion of the new member class, I was involved pastoring and leading the Wesley congregation. We had a very good executive staff meeting in the morning, topped off with homemade pie. Over the lunch hour we watched the video with Rick Warren on our Spring 2011 small group book “Life’s Healing Choices”. In the afternoon we met for worship planning, and then filmed two segments in my office for upcoming worship and ministry settings. Dinner at WOW went well, and the Dave Ramsey course is now at the halfway mark. All in all, lots of interaction, planning, preparing, and encouraging.
Philippians 1:27-2:18
This daily reading of scripture from the “One Year Bible” contains the text I preached from on Sunday. Verses 3-5: “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
This would be a good scripture to read every day! As a human, with what is called “human nature”, there is a selfish bent. I feel it in me, the inclination to push to the front, to watch out for number 1. The key is to have the mind of Christ, making God’s interests “number 1” in my life, everyday. It is counter intuitive, but as person yields to a greater person, and a greater cause, the individual’s life is elevated, not diminished. This is my desire, Lord, to serve you alone, and to daily die to self. Guide me, most precious Holy Savior.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
September 29, 2010
9-29-10 Wednesday, 5:25 am Springfield, 52 degrees, clear
Last evening I was hoping to take Bob and Norma flying, but on the way to the airport I learned of mechanical problems with the plane, and had to cancel. We will reschedule when the mechanic figures out why it is not developing full horsepower, and repairs it. Yesterday was mostly spent with the district Board of Ordained Ministry, interviewing local pastors and updating their files. Today I will pray at Wesley at 7:00 with Bruce as we focus on the people around our neighborhoods who do not yet know Christ nor have a church home. Outwardly focused pray must be intentional.
Philippians 1:1-26
This letter to the church at Philippi from Paul while he was imprisoned is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It is a letter of joy and encouragement, not only for its immediate recipients, but for all down through time who read it now as part of the New Testament scripture. Verse 20b “And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. (21) For me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. (23) But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ…”
Fruitfulness in this life must be cultivated, must be a continual focus and a deliberate yielding daily to God’s purposes. This is my general topic for this fall sermon series, and it is the desire of my heart to be fruitful in my life and ministry. I am not sick, nor imprisoned, nor facing any immediate threat to my life. I realize that a sudden accident or illness could end my life, but the likely course will be that I live 20 – 30 more years. How will my fruitful will my life be? With Paul, I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, and that I can do more fruitful work for Christ. Today, that involves praying for the lost, leading our ministry staff, planning worship, filming some teaching segments, sharing in the Alpha course and assisting in teaching the new member class. I am yours, Lord, use me as your doulos. May I be fruitful today, and every day until I rest in your unchangeable eternity.
Last evening I was hoping to take Bob and Norma flying, but on the way to the airport I learned of mechanical problems with the plane, and had to cancel. We will reschedule when the mechanic figures out why it is not developing full horsepower, and repairs it. Yesterday was mostly spent with the district Board of Ordained Ministry, interviewing local pastors and updating their files. Today I will pray at Wesley at 7:00 with Bruce as we focus on the people around our neighborhoods who do not yet know Christ nor have a church home. Outwardly focused pray must be intentional.
Philippians 1:1-26
This letter to the church at Philippi from Paul while he was imprisoned is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It is a letter of joy and encouragement, not only for its immediate recipients, but for all down through time who read it now as part of the New Testament scripture. Verse 20b “And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. (21) For me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. (23) But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ…”
Fruitfulness in this life must be cultivated, must be a continual focus and a deliberate yielding daily to God’s purposes. This is my general topic for this fall sermon series, and it is the desire of my heart to be fruitful in my life and ministry. I am not sick, nor imprisoned, nor facing any immediate threat to my life. I realize that a sudden accident or illness could end my life, but the likely course will be that I live 20 – 30 more years. How will my fruitful will my life be? With Paul, I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, and that I can do more fruitful work for Christ. Today, that involves praying for the lost, leading our ministry staff, planning worship, filming some teaching segments, sharing in the Alpha course and assisting in teaching the new member class. I am yours, Lord, use me as your doulos. May I be fruitful today, and every day until I rest in your unchangeable eternity.
Monday, September 27, 2010
September 26 and 27, 2010
9-27-10 Monday, 7:15 am Springfield, 45 degrees, clear
This is the coolest temperature so far, and clearly feels like autumn is beginning. It was actually chilly throughout the church golf tournament yesterday afternoon, requiring a jacket. That is such an enjoyable event, with great fellowship and beautiful surroundings down at Hidden Valley. Our team came in 4th in the “A” flight, 8th overall out of 19. I was completely spent by the time I returned home at 7:30.
I was pleased with Sunday Morning, with a testimony by Haley Grayless, and the baptism of Jason Jones at the end of the 11:00 service. The weight and responsibility of leading a congregation each week is significant, and for 27 years now I am weekly pleasantly surprised how well the worship services develop. My current longing is for a regular opportunity for people to respond to what God is doing in their life on a particular morning – a prayer team, an open altar, pastors down front to pray – there needs to be some mechanism for response at every service.
Isaiah 51:1 – 53:12
Chapter 51 contains comforting words for Jerusalem, for the people who follow after righteousness, who seek the Lord (verse 1). As I am reading the King James Version (Tim LaHaye prophecy Bible given to me by Jim and Jeri Combs), verse 11 blesses me tremendously, as the words were set to a chorus we used to sing in the 70’s “Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” This is a great promise, and comfort to God’s people.
Yesterday, as I was commenting on Haley’s call to go to India and to work with women and children rescued from being trapped in “human trafficking,” or the “sex-trade” industry, I mentioned a vision I had a couple days ago. I was in heaven, and met a woman who had been trapped as a sex slave while on earth, who asked me “where were the Christians during that time?,” and “what were you thinking?” I wanted to respond “we didn’t know this was going on”, but I couldn’t, because Haley had told us, shown us video, etc. We are so comfortable, safe, and could become content here in Springfield as Bible-reading Christians. There is so much conflict, oppression, fear, injustice in the world today. Guard me Lord from complacency, guide me as I “provoke to love and good works” (Hebrews) others and myself during these days of such great disparity among the human condition.
I have John Oswalt’s commentary on Isaiah 40 -65 with me which I will read for context and commentary of these chapters. He was an Old Testament Professor when I was a student at Asbury, and this two-volume commentary could be the pinnacle of his academic work. He was writing it in the early 1980s as I was learning Hebrew and developing the disciplines of a theological student preparing for pastoral ministry. Now I am 30 years into this vocation, and daily continuing to study, learn and grow.
9-26-10 Sunday, 5:39 am Springfield; partly cloudy, 57 degrees, wind out of the north at 12 mph.
I am up and functioning well. As I was laying in bed, struggling to get up, I was contemplating Phil 2, my text for today, and thinking about how getting up out of a warm, comfortable bed to serve others has some similarity with Christ leaving heaven to come in the form of a slave, not counting equality with God as something to be grasped. It is never easy for me to get out of bed, and doing so for the benefit of others, as Christ left all the comfort and privilege of heaven to come to earth is a great model for the daily discipline of getting up.
Phil 2:1-11
The Message version is direct and poignant with verse 3: “Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. (4) Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. (5) Think of yourselves the way that Christ Jesus thought of himself …
I have always struggled with self-centeredness. It is part of the human condition. As an only child growing up, with no siblings to have to share with, I was always “the one”. In school, it was so easy for me to “sweet talk my way to the top” being often the “teacher’s pet”, pleasing the teacher and getting on his or her best side. These verses speak to me in a new and fresh way this morning as I ponder the message God is raising up within me.
Jesus “emptied himself” and “humbled himself”. This seems to be the key, and it is counter-intuitive. In this present culture, it seems that those who are full of themselves, and push themselves forward are the ones who get ahead.
This is the coolest temperature so far, and clearly feels like autumn is beginning. It was actually chilly throughout the church golf tournament yesterday afternoon, requiring a jacket. That is such an enjoyable event, with great fellowship and beautiful surroundings down at Hidden Valley. Our team came in 4th in the “A” flight, 8th overall out of 19. I was completely spent by the time I returned home at 7:30.
I was pleased with Sunday Morning, with a testimony by Haley Grayless, and the baptism of Jason Jones at the end of the 11:00 service. The weight and responsibility of leading a congregation each week is significant, and for 27 years now I am weekly pleasantly surprised how well the worship services develop. My current longing is for a regular opportunity for people to respond to what God is doing in their life on a particular morning – a prayer team, an open altar, pastors down front to pray – there needs to be some mechanism for response at every service.
Isaiah 51:1 – 53:12
Chapter 51 contains comforting words for Jerusalem, for the people who follow after righteousness, who seek the Lord (verse 1). As I am reading the King James Version (Tim LaHaye prophecy Bible given to me by Jim and Jeri Combs), verse 11 blesses me tremendously, as the words were set to a chorus we used to sing in the 70’s “Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” This is a great promise, and comfort to God’s people.
Yesterday, as I was commenting on Haley’s call to go to India and to work with women and children rescued from being trapped in “human trafficking,” or the “sex-trade” industry, I mentioned a vision I had a couple days ago. I was in heaven, and met a woman who had been trapped as a sex slave while on earth, who asked me “where were the Christians during that time?,” and “what were you thinking?” I wanted to respond “we didn’t know this was going on”, but I couldn’t, because Haley had told us, shown us video, etc. We are so comfortable, safe, and could become content here in Springfield as Bible-reading Christians. There is so much conflict, oppression, fear, injustice in the world today. Guard me Lord from complacency, guide me as I “provoke to love and good works” (Hebrews) others and myself during these days of such great disparity among the human condition.
I have John Oswalt’s commentary on Isaiah 40 -65 with me which I will read for context and commentary of these chapters. He was an Old Testament Professor when I was a student at Asbury, and this two-volume commentary could be the pinnacle of his academic work. He was writing it in the early 1980s as I was learning Hebrew and developing the disciplines of a theological student preparing for pastoral ministry. Now I am 30 years into this vocation, and daily continuing to study, learn and grow.
9-26-10 Sunday, 5:39 am Springfield; partly cloudy, 57 degrees, wind out of the north at 12 mph.
I am up and functioning well. As I was laying in bed, struggling to get up, I was contemplating Phil 2, my text for today, and thinking about how getting up out of a warm, comfortable bed to serve others has some similarity with Christ leaving heaven to come in the form of a slave, not counting equality with God as something to be grasped. It is never easy for me to get out of bed, and doing so for the benefit of others, as Christ left all the comfort and privilege of heaven to come to earth is a great model for the daily discipline of getting up.
Phil 2:1-11
The Message version is direct and poignant with verse 3: “Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. (4) Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. (5) Think of yourselves the way that Christ Jesus thought of himself …
I have always struggled with self-centeredness. It is part of the human condition. As an only child growing up, with no siblings to have to share with, I was always “the one”. In school, it was so easy for me to “sweet talk my way to the top” being often the “teacher’s pet”, pleasing the teacher and getting on his or her best side. These verses speak to me in a new and fresh way this morning as I ponder the message God is raising up within me.
Jesus “emptied himself” and “humbled himself”. This seems to be the key, and it is counter-intuitive. In this present culture, it seems that those who are full of themselves, and push themselves forward are the ones who get ahead.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
September 25, 2010
9-25-10 Saturday, 10:20 am Church office.
This morning I attended the United Methodist Men’s breakfast meeting and enjoyed the presentation by Haley Grayless, who is leaving for India next month. I invited her to give a testimony tomorrow during worship concerning her call to risk taking mission and ministry. This is truly God’s timing, as the couple who were going to speak had to cancel due to a family function.
Isaiah 45 – In this scripture I was reminded that God is God, and is not to be underestimated nor taken for granted. This is an important reminder for us humans who could become self-centered easily.
Ephesians 4 – Paul writes to this church, and to me as he begs “you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (verses 1-3)
Guide me today, holy Lord as I lead forward through this season of my life, this week, this day of living for you and serving through the gift and calling of pastoral leadership. In Jesus’ name, amen.
This morning I attended the United Methodist Men’s breakfast meeting and enjoyed the presentation by Haley Grayless, who is leaving for India next month. I invited her to give a testimony tomorrow during worship concerning her call to risk taking mission and ministry. This is truly God’s timing, as the couple who were going to speak had to cancel due to a family function.
Isaiah 45 – In this scripture I was reminded that God is God, and is not to be underestimated nor taken for granted. This is an important reminder for us humans who could become self-centered easily.
Ephesians 4 – Paul writes to this church, and to me as he begs “you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (verses 1-3)
Guide me today, holy Lord as I lead forward through this season of my life, this week, this day of living for you and serving through the gift and calling of pastoral leadership. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Friday, September 24, 2010
September 24, 2010
9-24-10 Friday, 6:58 am Springfield, 64 degrees, lingering light showers.
Audrey and I sat outside in the backyard for a brief time late yesterday afternoon enjoying what will probably be the last of the “summer” heat, 87 degrees and sunny. A cold front pushed through last night which will usher in more fall-like weather.
I tried to help a stranded fellow yesterday afternoon who needed cash credited to his “green dot” card. I purchased a “money pack” through Pay Pal at Walmart, and then when I tried to reach Mark on the cell number he gave me, I got a recording saying it was unreachable. I am pretty sure I read the number back to him, but feel bad that he was waiting for me, and I had what he needed, but could not get back in touch with him. I had our staff try to get a caller ID from our church phone system, but that is unavailable, which seems a little antiquated in this techno age.
Today I will work on my sermon, and finish up the self-study needed by the consulting team for our HCI consultation in October. It has much data that will be useful to us, and to the team. My appointments and other commitments lighten up today and tomorrow, which will allow me to have adequate time to prepare, something which I have lacked in the last few busy, hectic weeks.
Ephesians 3:1-21
Verses 16-18 contains Paul’s prayer for the church, which is a great prayer for all of us: “I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”
I desire to be empowered with inner strength through his Spirit, with my roots growing down into God’s love and keeping me strong. As I am reading the biography of Francis Asbury I observe the inner strength and deep roots that kept him strong through malaria, and deep conflicts in the early Methodist work in the colonies. Given the times that I live in, the ease that is “normal” yet the presence all around of evil, darkness, brokenness and sin, I seek to deepen my roots, and trust in Christ as He makes his home in my heart. I am yours Lord. Use me, fill me, empty me, send me, hold me back, waste me that you may be glorified and your kingdom expanded in this generation.
Audrey and I sat outside in the backyard for a brief time late yesterday afternoon enjoying what will probably be the last of the “summer” heat, 87 degrees and sunny. A cold front pushed through last night which will usher in more fall-like weather.
I tried to help a stranded fellow yesterday afternoon who needed cash credited to his “green dot” card. I purchased a “money pack” through Pay Pal at Walmart, and then when I tried to reach Mark on the cell number he gave me, I got a recording saying it was unreachable. I am pretty sure I read the number back to him, but feel bad that he was waiting for me, and I had what he needed, but could not get back in touch with him. I had our staff try to get a caller ID from our church phone system, but that is unavailable, which seems a little antiquated in this techno age.
Today I will work on my sermon, and finish up the self-study needed by the consulting team for our HCI consultation in October. It has much data that will be useful to us, and to the team. My appointments and other commitments lighten up today and tomorrow, which will allow me to have adequate time to prepare, something which I have lacked in the last few busy, hectic weeks.
Ephesians 3:1-21
Verses 16-18 contains Paul’s prayer for the church, which is a great prayer for all of us: “I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.”
I desire to be empowered with inner strength through his Spirit, with my roots growing down into God’s love and keeping me strong. As I am reading the biography of Francis Asbury I observe the inner strength and deep roots that kept him strong through malaria, and deep conflicts in the early Methodist work in the colonies. Given the times that I live in, the ease that is “normal” yet the presence all around of evil, darkness, brokenness and sin, I seek to deepen my roots, and trust in Christ as He makes his home in my heart. I am yours Lord. Use me, fill me, empty me, send me, hold me back, waste me that you may be glorified and your kingdom expanded in this generation.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
September 23, 2010
9-23-10 Thursday, 7:25 am, Pastor’s office, Springfield 69 degrees, clear.
It is a beautiful morning in Springfield. I left home before 6 heading for the hospital on my motorcycle. The full moon and Jupiter were lighting the western sky. As I headed west on Republic road, the setting full moon was still quite visible even as the sun was rising in the east.
Isaiah 41 – prophecy assuring God’s help to Israel. In verse 20, following a promise of water to the poor and needy, the reason for God’s action on their behalf is “so that all may see and know, all may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.” I pray that in my generation, and through the ministries of this church, Wesley UMC in Springfield, all may consider and understand that the hand of the Lord is present and powerful to save, redeem, restore, forgive.
It is a beautiful morning in Springfield. I left home before 6 heading for the hospital on my motorcycle. The full moon and Jupiter were lighting the western sky. As I headed west on Republic road, the setting full moon was still quite visible even as the sun was rising in the east.
Isaiah 41 – prophecy assuring God’s help to Israel. In verse 20, following a promise of water to the poor and needy, the reason for God’s action on their behalf is “so that all may see and know, all may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.” I pray that in my generation, and through the ministries of this church, Wesley UMC in Springfield, all may consider and understand that the hand of the Lord is present and powerful to save, redeem, restore, forgive.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
September 21 and 22, 2010
[Blogger's note - Here are two days Journal entries, as our DSL service (and internet connection) was interupted for two days at home.]
9-21-10 Tuesday, 5:29 am Springfield, 68 degrees, clear.
It is a beautiful morning and I am ready for the day. I will drive to Columbia with two other pastors to meet in a new peer mentoring group led by Bishop Schnase. Each of us pastors a large church and are in the HCI process. I look forward to the fellowship, and especially the chance to visit with Bob and Jon as we are on the road together 3 hours each way. Tonight I will lead the Wesley Leadership Experience on spiritual formation. Yesterday Audrey and I spent a great day together, working around the house, going on a walk, reading outside. I ran 3.5 in the afternoon.
Galatians 6:1-18
This chapter of scripture speaks to me directly. Reading it this morning is as though I am being instructed personally with correspondence pertinent to my situation. “If another believer is overcome by some sin you … should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” As a pastor, occasionally I observe other pastors being overcome by some sin. Jesus taught about the “speck and the log” syndrome, in which the faults we see in others often are the very issues we struggle with in our own lives. Thus Paul wisely counsels to be careful not to fall into the same temptation. Currently I am not aware of “another believer (who) is overcome by some sin”, but this reminds me to be watchful.
In verse 2 I am told to “share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” The next verse addresses busy important people by warning that if you do not help someone because you are “too important”, you are only fooling yourself. “You are not that important.”
And in verse 9: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.” Busy and crowded as is the schedule of the typical leader, this verse instructs me to persevere. I must balance self-care with a tireless, unselfish investment to do what is good, as “at just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (verse 9b).
I am yours, holy Lord. Guide my steps, my driving, my thinking, my leading today. Fully use me, as I seek to serve and please you with this day of my life.
9-22-10 Wednesday, 6:50 am Springfield 68 degrees, cloudy.
I had a good trip to Columbia yesterday, meeting with Bishop Schnase and 6 other pastors of large churches, and a great leadership “pilot experience” last night at Wesley, all of which made for a very long day. I am thankful for a strong constitution which allows me to push hard and work long hours. Today my schedule will include a dental cleaning and checkup, worship planning, lunch at the north district superintendent’s house to continue planning the launch of an experimental series of house churches, meeting with the Wesley pastors in the afternoon, and session one of the current new member class after WOW tonight. I love serving God in this role, and need strength and wisdom for each step of the way.
Isaiah 39-40
40:28 - 29 “Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” These two verses jumped out at me, and in my head I heard a hymn or a song of praise with the words “everlasting God, ….” The nature of God, the extent of God’s understanding, strength, power are my meditation this morning. These verses provide great inspiration for me to lift my heart to God and to sing His praises.
The next two verses are among my favorite in all scripture: 40:30-31 “Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Yes Lord, I experience the renewed strength promised as I trust in You, today, yesterday, tomorrow, and every day until this body lies in the grave, and my spirit rests in your unchangeable eternity.
9-21-10 Tuesday, 5:29 am Springfield, 68 degrees, clear.
It is a beautiful morning and I am ready for the day. I will drive to Columbia with two other pastors to meet in a new peer mentoring group led by Bishop Schnase. Each of us pastors a large church and are in the HCI process. I look forward to the fellowship, and especially the chance to visit with Bob and Jon as we are on the road together 3 hours each way. Tonight I will lead the Wesley Leadership Experience on spiritual formation. Yesterday Audrey and I spent a great day together, working around the house, going on a walk, reading outside. I ran 3.5 in the afternoon.
Galatians 6:1-18
This chapter of scripture speaks to me directly. Reading it this morning is as though I am being instructed personally with correspondence pertinent to my situation. “If another believer is overcome by some sin you … should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” As a pastor, occasionally I observe other pastors being overcome by some sin. Jesus taught about the “speck and the log” syndrome, in which the faults we see in others often are the very issues we struggle with in our own lives. Thus Paul wisely counsels to be careful not to fall into the same temptation. Currently I am not aware of “another believer (who) is overcome by some sin”, but this reminds me to be watchful.
In verse 2 I am told to “share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” The next verse addresses busy important people by warning that if you do not help someone because you are “too important”, you are only fooling yourself. “You are not that important.”
And in verse 9: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.” Busy and crowded as is the schedule of the typical leader, this verse instructs me to persevere. I must balance self-care with a tireless, unselfish investment to do what is good, as “at just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (verse 9b).
I am yours, holy Lord. Guide my steps, my driving, my thinking, my leading today. Fully use me, as I seek to serve and please you with this day of my life.
9-22-10 Wednesday, 6:50 am Springfield 68 degrees, cloudy.
I had a good trip to Columbia yesterday, meeting with Bishop Schnase and 6 other pastors of large churches, and a great leadership “pilot experience” last night at Wesley, all of which made for a very long day. I am thankful for a strong constitution which allows me to push hard and work long hours. Today my schedule will include a dental cleaning and checkup, worship planning, lunch at the north district superintendent’s house to continue planning the launch of an experimental series of house churches, meeting with the Wesley pastors in the afternoon, and session one of the current new member class after WOW tonight. I love serving God in this role, and need strength and wisdom for each step of the way.
Isaiah 39-40
40:28 - 29 “Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” These two verses jumped out at me, and in my head I heard a hymn or a song of praise with the words “everlasting God, ….” The nature of God, the extent of God’s understanding, strength, power are my meditation this morning. These verses provide great inspiration for me to lift my heart to God and to sing His praises.
The next two verses are among my favorite in all scripture: 40:30-31 “Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Yes Lord, I experience the renewed strength promised as I trust in You, today, yesterday, tomorrow, and every day until this body lies in the grave, and my spirit rests in your unchangeable eternity.
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