Ah Summer...

Summer for most is a busy time with work, but also relaxation and vacation. For Pastor's and churches its one of the most busiest time of the year. It is especially busy for the pastor and his family. We've come back from vacation to do the normal thing people do when they are out of pocket for a week; catch up on things that piled up while we were away. I had to finish final counseling as well as preparation for a wedding. That meant rehearsal one night followed by the actual wedding the next evening. Saturday meant a men's meeting in the morning with the ordination of our Missionary, Brent Rosendal that afternoon. I was thankful Brent was there to share the work and bring the message on Sunday morning. VBS starts today. Next week leave for the national meeting. I have visits and calls to make on the church family. There are sermons to prepare and reports that need my personal attention. Added to this is the administrative responsibility that I need to stay on top of for family camp that is upcoming, and also IBIOTAM. As I reflect upon the appointments before me, it is easy to see how pastors can loose sight of the priority of ministry and service. It isn't in the bragging rights of full calendars or appointments, nor the importance of our position and responsibilities. It is at times like this that we need to go to Calvary's cross and reflect quietly and reverently at the love of God. The demands of the ministry and its responsibilities can cloud our vision and mar the relationship that we are to have with our Lord. I pray that in the midst of the busy lives we lead, we will slow down to appreciate the love and sacrifice He made by spending time with Him in His presence and Word.

Time off...

Well, we're back from a much needed vacation. I know that time off is something we all need, and I tend to not pay much attention to that need. But Cathy and I needed time away to relax and just take it easy. I appreciate so much the love she has for me and the sacrifices she's made.

It was such a joy to see Jonathan and Kristine in Little Rock. It was also good to see Mandy and Andy as well. They drove down to spend time with us and the rest of the family. We got to see old friends at one of the churches I pastored years ago. We also saw old friends from Alabama who had come to Little Rock to spend time with one of their sons who's on staff at the church Jonathan and Kristine attends. I marvel at the opportunity God has given us to impact the lives of people. I pray only that the impact be a postive one for Christ. We also got to see how God is blessing the church Cathy and her family attending when we first met. God is richly blessing that church and her pastor. Cathy's nephew is quite the ball player. We finally got to see him play. I did spend some time with my mom in Little Rock and got to see the flag memorial and honorarium her church hosts for service men and women. It was awesome. We had the opportunity to spend a little more time with her on our return trip, but failed to see my sisters. Confict of schedules seemed to be at work. I did get to talk to one of my sisters, and promised her we would try to get together on our next trip down.

I tried valiantly to not do anything concerning my responsibilities at Landmark. Other were filling the gap. I didn't know just how much I needed to get away and defuse. The time away was too short, and we came back to hit the ground running to a busy week and month.

The school is still no schedule to begin this August. God is blessing, and too often we're to busy to notice or anxious to appreciate all that He is doing. In life and in ministry, we need to keep our focus upon Him as well as upon the loving relationships He has placed in our lives. Lord, help me to take more time to appreciate all You have given me in my life. My precious wife who has faithfully served and sacrificed. Help me to be the Husband and friend to her that she needs and deserves. Thank you for my wonderful children that are active in church and ministry as well as Andy and Kristine who are also committed Christians and active in Your Kingdom service. Help me to make the transition of Father at home, to Father friend as they leave our nest. Thank you for family and friends who love and support us. Help me to be an encourager to them as well; to edify them and equip them to serve You for Your honor and glory. May you help me to remember to keep my relationship to You a priority in my life as well as my relationship to Cathy and the children You have blessed our union with. Help me to remember too that we're called to love and serve one another. Thanks for the priviledge of allowing me to serve as a Pastor of one of your churches. In my life and ministry that You've given me, may You be honored and glorified. Thanks for loving me... for saving me... for giving my life meaning and purpose. Help me not to take for granted any of these things you've blessed me with but rather to cherish and nourish them all. In Jesus name...