On the Road Ministry

I always thought I would travel and do ministry. Well I am. Let me explain.

I am traveling because I am part of a Community Coalition that is doing on going training. I am here in Louisville for training that is paid for by grant dollars. Here is the great thing about this. I am here not as Pastor John, but John. I can live my faith in front of others and I don't have to say a word. I have made it known where I stand and I have had some good conversations with people who are looking for answers. I don't know if I have the answer that they are looking for, but I listen and validate what they are saying. Why am I telling you this?

Because we are all in ministry in our respective occupations. The question is are we using the platform we have been given to be the hands and feet of Jesus?

I am flying out tomorrow and will have an opportunity to post on Saturday or Sunday.

Inconvenience

When I checked into my hotel here in Louisville, I was very tired. I was not mindful that I had forgotten my confirmation number for my hotel. I thought if I gave the desk clerk my name he would be able to pull up my reservation. Well, 30 minutes later they still couldn't find my reservation. At this point I had a choice, I could have gotten upset or I could just be patient. I decided to be patient, and that was the right choice.

The desk clerk was very kind, and went above and beyond to provide the highest customer service. Finally he said that he found my reservation and since I was waiting patiently he would upgrade my room to the Consierge Lounge. This would mean a bigger room and a lot of extra amenities. So what is my point?

Here is the point, there is a reward for being patient. Being patient won't always get you a room upgrade, but someday you will receive your reward in Heaven.

I Am Tired

I took a late flight and arrived in Louisville today at 10 am. I will post something tomorrow.

In Memory of My Uncle

My Uncle Dan was born just a few months before the sneak attack at Pearl Harbor in 1941. My Uncle enlisted in the Marines when he was 17 years old. Everything I remember about my Uncle pointed to the fact that he was born in a time when patriotism was the word of the day.

My Uncle was my Dad's youngest brother and he was a hard worker. From the time that we were kids we always knew where we could find my Uncle, at work. There was never a kinder person that took people in and gave them a chance. I will always remember my Uncle as the only man alive that could call me "babe". That was what he called everybody, it was his term of endearment.

My uncle was tough and he was no nonsense, of course he was a Marine! Yet family was very important to him. When we got together for family gatherings we sensed that we were a part of something that would affect how we would raise our families.

The last time that I saw my Uncle, we almost missed him. We were coming by the office (gas station) and they were getting ready to leave and close up for the night. When we pulled up they said come on in, and for the next hour our families had a memorable time. I had no idea that this would be the last time I would see my Uncle Dan alive. Just to think I almost missed it. I am so glad I got to spend that time with my Uncle.

I know that I will see my Uncle again when I finally reach home. But I wonder what is the perspective from Heaven on what takes place here on Earth. Can our loved ones see us and what do they think about what they see? Not sure if I have the answers, but as I get older I sure am getting homesick for my heavenly home.

One by one our family has gone ahead of us, just how close is the Lord's coming? Could it be today?

Celebration of a Life

Today was my Uncle Dan's funeral, correction Celebration of his life. It was good to see family and friends for this time. But it caused me to realize that life is so short. This is a time when we all begin to think about our life. The question that I have for you is what will be the legacy that you will leave behind?

As I was standing there with family during the viewing I heard people say nice things about my Uncle Dan, and the question that came to mind was, "what do I want people to say about me at my funeral?" Is there something that I can do so that people will say nice things, or rather true things about me? Here are three things that I want to suggest that will help us leave a legacy.

• Start with the end in mind (Start today living an honorable life so that others will be impacted by your actions.)
  
• Live for others (Do things to serve others. Make sure you keep the perspective of using your gifts to bless others.)
• Keep your commitments (be a man or woman of your word.)

Tomorrow I will share about my uncle and his service.

God is Great and God is Good

I was with my sister for church this morning. I have to admit it is nice to walk into a church and not worry about who is doing what. As a Pastor I still miss being home with the greatest group of people who want to see God do something in Warden. Service was good, but was not what I . expected.

My sister's church is participating in the "One Prayer" program. Stephen Furtick was our speaker via satellite. Maybe I am old fashioned but I had to overcome the "watching the video screen" mentality. Once I got past that, I really started to listen to the speaker. He really preached a simple but powerful message. Here is the point of his message.

God is great (he's powerful) but He is good (He has great intentions of good towards me)

So what do you need? He is great and He is good!