At the End of a Long Day. . .

Sundays are commonly marathon days for pastors. Today was a marathon day. Only 14 hours after beginning, the "work day" is slowing to an end.

It might sound like a complaint, but trust me, it's not.

There is nothing more satisfying to me than doing the thing that I was created to do. And I honestly believe I was created to be a pastor. I get tired, like everybody else, but I sleep soundly, knowing I invested every ounce of myself in the thing to which God called me.

A wonderful church, great people doing the things God has given them to do, Bible studies, the new youth group, plans and dreams for the future, thankfulness for the things past. It simply doesn't get any better than that!

If I haven't said it lately, or in your hearing, let me say it now: I am thankful to God and His church for the privilege of being exactly where He called me to, doing exactly what He's called me to. I am, among all men, very, very blest!

Some days I get to be a pastor

Some days, I get be a pastor. Some days, not so much. And I like it like that.



God knows that I can only handle so much of anything for so long, before the fatigue factor begins to take its toll. My mind is not capable of sustaining long periods of analysis or problem solving, my patience begins to wear thin (especially with people whose foibles, failings and general weaknesses remind me of my own) and I need to sleep. If I don't get adequate sleep, my mouth begins to betray my humanity at such a level that most people (especially church folk!) find me totally unacceptable.

So I hope for periods of sleep and rest, among a reasonable variety of experiences.

With all your heart, soul, strength and mind

The basics of Christianity are pretty simple and straightforward--Jesus is the Christ, the son of the one true God, whose sacrifice covers the sin of any who will follow Him as faithful disciples. He calls us to follow Him, keeping His commandments, living as He lived, living as He lives within us. His commandments: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. His example: Do not condemn people--not even the guilty. Be gracious. Give yourself completely for the redemption of others. Giving is the reward (nothing is more fulfilling).


The basics are simple and straightforward. They are also virtually impossible. The Holy Spirit of Christ living in us makes us like Him, making it possible to keep His commandments. We do the discipline, but using His power, His strength, having His mind. But how?


We ask.


If we ask, He makes us new. Not just once, but every time. It's called prayer.


We were created for fellowship with God. Christians are creatures of prayer, by prayer, for prayer. We cannot exist without it. We cannot persist without it. We cannot even come close to the standard, except by prayer, putting us in close proximity with God where we are changed. Again, and again, and again.


Prayer is the conversation we have with God. But it's so much more. It's the secret to the Christian life.