Time & The Healing of Wounds

The old saying "Time heals all wounds" is very true. However, wounds leave scars and may remain tender for many years. When I was in my adolescent years I had to have surgeries on my ankles to build my arches. While the surgery went well and was quite necessary for a better walking posture in the future, it left scars. I recall many, many years going by before those scars healed to the point of not hurting or being tender. No, they didn't hurt everyday. Yet, if the side of my foot was bumped in the slightest on those scars it could nearly bring me to my knees with pain.

We deal every day with people who have wounds, but they may not be so obvious to the world as a cut on our body. Sometimes we have the opportunity to be with someone who has been hurt by divorce, death, sickness, or other situations as those situations happen. We may be the first-responders of the heart and soul for these people. Other times we may come along years after an event and we may be dealing with people who are afraid to reach out or open up their life. The reason is usually a hurt from years gone by.

People may go on for the most part as if nothing is wrong, and then something happens similar to the pain suffered years before. This leads to a relapse for some, and at least a wince of apprehension for others. It happens in our own lives too. Past hurt in ministry, mistakes made in our lives, or change that didn't go as smooth as we had hoped.

Change in a church causes pain at some level no matter how careful the change may be. Just like the surgical scars left on my feet, past change in a church may come up in new opportunity for change. Things may not have went well for someone in the past. A past change may have been handled too quickly. Sometimes we come into a hurting situation, which requires us to wait, and change at the pace the majority can handle. In fact most situations are not so life threatening to a church that time can not be given to allow people the time to work through their needs.

Healing will come, and trust will be gained. Then in time the change that God is leading us toward as a church will happen. It will be less abrupt and hurtful for most. We can never think that no one will be hurt in a change, but we can work to make the wounds smaller and less intrusive in how we choose to handle it. Let us lead in the gentleness of our Gracious Heavenly father in all that we do.

May God bless your journey with Jesus today

Turning a Ship Takes More Than turning a Speed boat

When you go to the lake in the summer and watch a water skier turn and twist to hit the wake of the speeding boat it looks fun. It is exciting to change directions and create a great stir in the water, which is felt by even those on the shore sometimes.

A ship may create a deep and far reaching wake as well; however, it takes far more to turn a huge ship in the water. It will not turn in seconds, but it takes a larger berth in making a change of direction.

It is the same for most churches. The affects of change can not be pushed through because the quick waves of change will make a churning that will rip and tear on the fabric of the church. Does that mean we do not make change? No. It means as we grow in ministry we learn that it will take more time, patience, and effort to change direction. Things that have been done a certain way will take time to change. I have been part of change in the speed boat, and I am learning the lasting changes come when the whole church can go together.

May God bless your Journey with Jesus today

Working in and out of Season

Paul reminded Timothy to preach in and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2). We must continue to minister whether the mood strikes or not. Sometimes this isn't easy. Sometimes we may not feel that inspired to prepare a message, file reports, or visit a person in the hospital. Face it some of our tasks are rather draining on the emotions. However, we should take Paul's words to heart in doing the Lord's work. We should try to do our best to keep our schedules before us and give our best to the task. I pray God will strengthen me when I feel weak, and that He will strengthen you too.

Lord bless those who minister and serve others through their churches today. Give an extra dose of strength during this middle of the week day. Help us all to have the energy and focus to get the tasks ahead of us today and into the future done in You.

- Keep on the Journey with Jesus today

Keep It Real With Those Closest To You

You need to keep it real with family, and with the leaders you work alongside. You may need to give information to your leaders, at the right time, but don't withhold information too long, or you risk loosing their trust. Trust is essential in working together in church leadership.

Follow the Dream

Growing up I had a poster with an astronaut in space which read, "Those who dare to dream, dare to do." I grew up wanting, like many children to be more than what I was. I dreamt of being an astronaut, or making a difference in the world. Time has changed some of my dreams, but I never stop dreaming.

Deep in my heart, as the dark and stillness of night is around, a stirring wakes me. I can not sleep, I must write down the thoughts and ideas that press from the depths of my inner most being. The thoughts surface and I see the way things can be. The way things should be. I see a church that is carrying out the work of Jesus Christ in such a way that everyone is on fire and involved with the process. I see people helping one another to become what God has purposed for their lives. I see lives turning from a past of sin and lost direction to focus and living for Jesus.

God still gives dreams to those who are willing to listen. It is He who directs the path of the leader who lives in His Word. If we are to remain open to God's leading, then we must be willing to dream. We must be willing to change our lives as God gives us vision. We must take the risks and live where God is showing the way.

I would rather strive to follow the dreams God puts in my heart, then sit on the sidelines of life.

Let God direct your dreams. You will never go, if you can't envision the way.

- Keep on your joureny with Jesus today