The Process

I wrote this today for the Bishop and his Cabinet who must make this "Appointment" process work in the system we have in the United Methodist Church of today. It is not perfect and some day I may have to go somewhere I really don't want to go--but all in all I must put my faith in God that God will be in the center of where I am sent and not some human error or vengeful reaction to whatever. I love the United Methodist Church and I believe it is the way of the future and I hope everyone will see that light some day. Sometimes I don't like do what I answered the call to do, but all the time I do enjoy seeing God changes lives for the better. So, I hope you read this today with the appointment process in mind. Blessings to all, Bro Steve

The Process

Scripture: Proverbs 15: 4 The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Observation: It is hard sometimes to be nice when things don't go your way. It is easy to reply harshly when things have not happened as you had planned.

Application: I come into this place today thinking about the times when I had laid plans which I believed would have brought great results and possibly changed peoples lives for the better. You know the old saying, "best laid plans of mice and men..." The only thing is my best laid plan was shaky at best because one phone call or a participant who decided not to fulfill the commitment; or, maybe had an unforeseen emergency could mess it all up in an instant.
When I came into the ministry, I was asked would I go where I was sent and I answered after much thought and prayer "yes." I don't remember anything being said about moving up a latter or rising to the "top" and I don't remember anything being implied about those things either. It was just will you go? I said yes to that.
Saying yes to that question required me to put a lot of faith in God and those whom I believed had put their faith in God as well to lead them into decision making that would effect my life and my ministry. I have to have confidence in the process and in the people who are doing their level best, I believe, to match gifts and graces with needs and direction. I truly believe that it is not about prestige or position but it is about fulfilling a calling in which ultimately God is in control of while giving me a free will in the process.
God is always bigger than I can ever imagine or describe, so I have to put my faith and trust in God and in those who are struggling over the process. God always has a way of bringing good out of the worst of situations.
Who am I to criticize? I could say a lot of negative things about the process, but isn't it better to look for the best and the positive side.
It takes more muscles to frown that it does to smile.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for the process today and I pray for those who work hard at making the process have the best outcome possible with all its imperfections. God I know that you take the most unlikely people and use them to bring glory to you and expand the kingdom--I trust in you. Thanks for loving me, Stephen

Yieldings: I put my faith and trust in God first.

God Is Always With Us

Scripture: Proverbs 4 ; Proverbs 5 ; Proverbs 6 ; Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation: I love Paul's thoughts this morning. They are words of comfort and assurance--I am thinking of some people who need those words today--not just the words but the state of being they reveal.

Application: I go through this life fighting lots of battles--winning some and losing some. However, the important thing is how the battle is fought and why the battle is fought.
The Holy Spirit leads me sometimes into places where I am a little shakey from lack of experience or whatever, but always stays with me until the finish. That presence brings strength and courage to carry on. I am rambling a little today, but I know one thing God is with me and God loves me and according to Paul nothing can seperate me from that presence and that love.
I said earlier that I was thinking of some folks that need to hear those words today. Some of these folks are going into new territory--retirement, expanding appointments, battling disease, etc. I pray for them today and if I get a chance I will remind them of Paul's words for them today.

Prayer: I pray for those who are overcome with life today. I pray Lord that your presence will evident in all of our lives today and that your love will be the power and strength that pulls us through each day. Thanks for always being present, Stephen

Yieldedness: I will lose any notion that God is not present with me at all times.

"thinkers and understanders"

Scripture: Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Observation: There is I believe a fine line between reason and just making things turn out the way that fits your agenda. Where is the trust in that--I mean if I am in control all the time.

Application: Prayer is a wonderful gift of conversation with God. It is a means of grace that has been given me to use in developing a relationship with God. There are other wonderful gifts available.
There are few people I know who are thinkers and understanders as I like to refer to them. One of those folks is my sweetie, my darling wife Deb. She is a thinker, and understander. She had the power to read and discern and that has always been a problem for me. I am a surface person, a dreamer. I can see a finished something out there some where but the details is hard to reach for me--I need understanding of details.
I pray a lot. Then, I go to those thinkers and understanders for the details of how to reach the dream.
I said all that to say this, I do my best to fully rely on God and those folks whom I deem much more able to acquire understanding; then, I don't have to rely on my own.

Prayer: Lord keep me humble and help me trust in you. Help me to dream of things that glorify you and expand the kingdom. And Lord, bless those thinkers and understanders who help me along my way. Thanks for loving me, Stephen

Yieldedness: I give up any thoughts of relying on my own understanding all the time