Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
It's Been A While
It's been a while since my last post because I'm still trying to adjust to my new employment assignment which has me with somewhat mixed emotions. I thank God for my job, especially in times like these, but I my heart, mind, and soul was set on full-time ministry. Now, I start as I finished with my last job, tired and stressed. Not a good feeling! I plan to write my own reality blog show entitled; "In the Life of a Bi-Vocational Pastor". It will be raw, real, and relevant. I'm not holding anything back in this blog segment. I believe people need to understand that the life of a bi-vocational is intense with many struggles that most of you reading this do not understand. My purpose in writing this blog reality "In The Life of a Bivocational Pastoring" is to people understand and appreciate their who is in bivocational ministry. My God increase our understanding and appreciation for such a difficult, yet, fulfilling assignment.
Today worship service was good. We had our second ministry partnership trial service that went extremely well for both congregations. I intended to start my 4 part series on Matthew 28:19-20 but did not. So I preached an "ain't alright message (I'll explain later what that means) out of Luke 2:8-15 entitled "We Have Much To Shout About". Our attendance was good and God really showed up in our service.
Friday night had the privilege of spending the evening with my pastor, Bishop R.D Sanders. The dinner was done with excellence as food and fellowship was the order of the day. The conversation gave me much to think about as well as pray about in my own public ministry and private life. Bishop Sanders is proving to be a pastor's pastor and pray that will continue to increase our fellowship and friendship. He and the members of Mt Pilgrim served us crab legs, cornish hen, sirloin steak, wild rice, green beans, and some other meat I'm not familiar with but it was good. Desert was peach cobbler and coffee. The setting was done with excellence! Thank you pastor for such a good time of fellowship.
I won't be attending Palm Springs this year for the Western Baptist State Convention's Congress of Christian Education due to my new employment and limited finances. I will be praying that all goes well for all those in attendance.
Ok, it looks like I will be blogging now on Sundays rather than Mondays but we'll see.
Until next time, may the Lord bless you real good.
Today worship service was good. We had our second ministry partnership trial service that went extremely well for both congregations. I intended to start my 4 part series on Matthew 28:19-20 but did not. So I preached an "ain't alright message (I'll explain later what that means) out of Luke 2:8-15 entitled "We Have Much To Shout About". Our attendance was good and God really showed up in our service.
Friday night had the privilege of spending the evening with my pastor, Bishop R.D Sanders. The dinner was done with excellence as food and fellowship was the order of the day. The conversation gave me much to think about as well as pray about in my own public ministry and private life. Bishop Sanders is proving to be a pastor's pastor and pray that will continue to increase our fellowship and friendship. He and the members of Mt Pilgrim served us crab legs, cornish hen, sirloin steak, wild rice, green beans, and some other meat I'm not familiar with but it was good. Desert was peach cobbler and coffee. The setting was done with excellence! Thank you pastor for such a good time of fellowship.
I won't be attending Palm Springs this year for the Western Baptist State Convention's Congress of Christian Education due to my new employment and limited finances. I will be praying that all goes well for all those in attendance.
Ok, it looks like I will be blogging now on Sundays rather than Mondays but we'll see.
Until next time, may the Lord bless you real good.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday Thoughts - 12/6/09
What a wonderful day of worship and the word on yesterday. My friends Nathan and Suzanne Young came to minister in song during our morning worship. My God, what a ministry! The tone for worship started at the beginning of service with Lamar Campbell’s worship song; “Love You More Than Anything”. It was a song right on time with this being the last first Sunday of 2009 as well as our sharing the Lord’s Supper. What a privilege to close the year reminding ourselves of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
The service was well attended and Deacon and Sis Loud came to worship and it was a joy having them both in worship with us. We’ve been in a short-series of stewardship messages and we continued with a message out of the book of Hebrews:
Topic: A Faith For Life’s Uncertainties
Text: Hebrews 11:8-10
Thesis: A faith for life’s uncertainties is a faith that trusts God when we don’t have all the details.
I. A faith for life’s uncertainties is an obedient faith – v. 8
II. A faith for life’s uncertainties is content faith – v. 9
III. A faith for life’s uncertainties is an expectant faith – v. 10
I enjoyed worshipping and preaching, yesterday. Yesterday was the first time in a long time that I was able to sit back and enjoy worship without leading worship. It also helped that Nathan helped us on the organ as well. I tried my best not to get used to it but I sure did take advantage of it.
I’m now preparing for 2010 and as I look at 2009 I must say, God has been good and has favored our church in so many ways. With all of the challenges we faced this year, God has come through more than I can explain. What a mighty God we serve! Thank you Lord for continued mercies and grace!
Last week was my first week of work. It was challenging because I got use to going to the church. Now, I have to get back into the mood of studying on the go where I can fit it in as well as at times burn the midnight oil. I really can’t complain nor be ungrateful about working right now. I was laid off 9/30/09 and found a job on 11/15/09. I know there are some in the world still looking for a job for over six months (if not longer) but God showed me favor and for that I’m really grateful. So when you read my post and/or status updates on Facebook as to my job venture, please don’t take it as if I’m ungrateful or complaining. I am truly thankful for all that God has done and I accept His Sovereign will for my life during this season of my life. God knows what He’s doing, not I. I’m adjusting to the change.
Until next time live like you’re blessed!
The service was well attended and Deacon and Sis Loud came to worship and it was a joy having them both in worship with us. We’ve been in a short-series of stewardship messages and we continued with a message out of the book of Hebrews:
Topic: A Faith For Life’s Uncertainties
Text: Hebrews 11:8-10
Thesis: A faith for life’s uncertainties is a faith that trusts God when we don’t have all the details.
I. A faith for life’s uncertainties is an obedient faith – v. 8
II. A faith for life’s uncertainties is content faith – v. 9
III. A faith for life’s uncertainties is an expectant faith – v. 10
I enjoyed worshipping and preaching, yesterday. Yesterday was the first time in a long time that I was able to sit back and enjoy worship without leading worship. It also helped that Nathan helped us on the organ as well. I tried my best not to get used to it but I sure did take advantage of it.
I’m now preparing for 2010 and as I look at 2009 I must say, God has been good and has favored our church in so many ways. With all of the challenges we faced this year, God has come through more than I can explain. What a mighty God we serve! Thank you Lord for continued mercies and grace!
Last week was my first week of work. It was challenging because I got use to going to the church. Now, I have to get back into the mood of studying on the go where I can fit it in as well as at times burn the midnight oil. I really can’t complain nor be ungrateful about working right now. I was laid off 9/30/09 and found a job on 11/15/09. I know there are some in the world still looking for a job for over six months (if not longer) but God showed me favor and for that I’m really grateful. So when you read my post and/or status updates on Facebook as to my job venture, please don’t take it as if I’m ungrateful or complaining. I am truly thankful for all that God has done and I accept His Sovereign will for my life during this season of my life. God knows what He’s doing, not I. I’m adjusting to the change.
Until next time live like you’re blessed!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sunday Thoughts - 11/29/09
I’m getting back into the swing of working now.
This past Sunday service was good. God blessed every part of our worship Sunday. I preached a stewardship message entitled; “The Stewardship of Remembering God” – Deut 8. The point the message is to challenge believers to not forget about in good and/or bad times. I can’t remember the points off the top of my head right now.
We had a few guests who came in late but enjoyed what they did hear of the message.
I had to apologize to the church on Sunday because last week in our church conference meeting I made a comment that I feel may have hurt the morale of the church while I was exhorting (no, I was fussing). I commented that people were not giving financial like they should and could in the church and we’re now in a challenging position. I saw the look on their faces but I took it like I should lay into them more. So, I did!
In effort to finish some things before going back to work I created a financial spreadsheet to help with accurate record-keeping. I was only going to enter the first quarter of 2009 until I notice something unusual and encouraging; There’s people giving to the church now, consistently, that was not giving since I’ve been pastor. I started praising God but then my heart sank when I thought about what I said during our church conference. I told them I made a mistake in what I said but the exhortation of stepping up in our financial support still remained the same. Praise God for growth! People really paying attention.
After church, Tracy, the kids, few members, and I went to Deacon Loud’s house to eat the rest of their Thanksgiving dinner. It was good spending time with him and I believe the presence of some of the members really encouraged he and Sis Loud. He’s doing extremely but still a little weak so please keep him in your prayers,
Our women’s ministry held their final fellowship service of the year. The attendance was good and the service good. Tracy did an excellent job this year with our women and I applaud her efforts.
I started work again this week and I have mixed emotions about it. Trust me, I thank God for finding work in a short period of time but my heart, mind, and soul is at (as well as on) the ministry of First Goodwill. Right now is not the time for me to be a burden on the church. I’ve gotten used to going into the office praying and studying. I was just getting into a rhythm but not it’s changed. Mmmmaaaaaaannnnnn!!!!!!
I took the train for the first this week because the commute is going to kill my pocket-book in gas. It was a good experience and I think I will continue as long as I’m working in Culver City.
Please pray for me and my family as we adjusting to having our home broken during the Thanksgiving holiday. Now, I sleep with one eye open even though I know God has me covered.
Until next time live like you’re blessed!
This past Sunday service was good. God blessed every part of our worship Sunday. I preached a stewardship message entitled; “The Stewardship of Remembering God” – Deut 8. The point the message is to challenge believers to not forget about in good and/or bad times. I can’t remember the points off the top of my head right now.
We had a few guests who came in late but enjoyed what they did hear of the message.
I had to apologize to the church on Sunday because last week in our church conference meeting I made a comment that I feel may have hurt the morale of the church while I was exhorting (no, I was fussing). I commented that people were not giving financial like they should and could in the church and we’re now in a challenging position. I saw the look on their faces but I took it like I should lay into them more. So, I did!
In effort to finish some things before going back to work I created a financial spreadsheet to help with accurate record-keeping. I was only going to enter the first quarter of 2009 until I notice something unusual and encouraging; There’s people giving to the church now, consistently, that was not giving since I’ve been pastor. I started praising God but then my heart sank when I thought about what I said during our church conference. I told them I made a mistake in what I said but the exhortation of stepping up in our financial support still remained the same. Praise God for growth! People really paying attention.
After church, Tracy, the kids, few members, and I went to Deacon Loud’s house to eat the rest of their Thanksgiving dinner. It was good spending time with him and I believe the presence of some of the members really encouraged he and Sis Loud. He’s doing extremely but still a little weak so please keep him in your prayers,
Our women’s ministry held their final fellowship service of the year. The attendance was good and the service good. Tracy did an excellent job this year with our women and I applaud her efforts.
I started work again this week and I have mixed emotions about it. Trust me, I thank God for finding work in a short period of time but my heart, mind, and soul is at (as well as on) the ministry of First Goodwill. Right now is not the time for me to be a burden on the church. I’ve gotten used to going into the office praying and studying. I was just getting into a rhythm but not it’s changed. Mmmmaaaaaaannnnnn!!!!!!
I took the train for the first this week because the commute is going to kill my pocket-book in gas. It was a good experience and I think I will continue as long as I’m working in Culver City.
Please pray for me and my family as we adjusting to having our home broken during the Thanksgiving holiday. Now, I sleep with one eye open even though I know God has me covered.
Until next time live like you’re blessed!
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