Ministry Has Many Sticky Wickets

A Sticky Wicket is a term that comes from the game of cricket, and indicates a tough and sometimes hazardous situation. In ministry we may find ourselves in situations that are very touchy and hazardous to our ministry and the community we are a part of. We may out of necessity be placed in the midst of family struggle, disagreements, divorce, or other situations where we may be called to negotiate or mediate. It is in these situations we need God's grace and mercy to see our way through.

I pray that you will not have to face anything to difficult, but mostly I pray that God will guide you through all the tough situations in your life.

- Keep on your journey with Jesus today

Getting It Done!

Larry the Cable Guy has a statement that people all over continue to say, "Get 'er done." I have even heard Christians say this in jest. The problem with ministry is that you often feel like you'll never get it all done. Worse yet, to get things done it often seems to take a lifetime. People talk and share ideas for months or even years before a project or ministry ideas gets off the ground and under way. We need more time in prayer and listening to God when we plan together, so that when we come together we can have a clearer plan to getting things done.

Thank Goodness Christ only took three years, and three days in the grave to get the most important thing in the world done for us.

Let's work less in our power and more in Christ's guidance and strength.

Keep on your Journey with Jesus Today

Pass God's Blessing as You Go

Matthew 10:12-13 reminds us that as we go about spreading the hope of the Kingdom of God we are to go among and be a part of the life of those we witness to. We are to pass a blessing on to the "houses we stay in." This really means a lot to us as ministers. We are invited into the fellowship of a church to be a blessing of God to the people, whom He calls us to. We should keep these words of passing God's blessings in mind, and before us always.

For some ministers this means reevaluating how we relate to those who are serving along side us, and those we are responsible for training under our direction. We are to help people grow in the way God would desire, and not lord our personal opinions or directions over people. This may mean slowing down plans in order for people to catch up. It may mean spending sleepless nights in care of those who are in need. We may be called to bless others in being faithful with our lives and witness before men in how our work ethic is lived out. There are numerous ways which God may call us to serve those we are called to serve.

We must take time evaluate ourselves, our witness, and whether we are blessing others in our ministry. The New Year offers a thought of new beginnings. I pray that we can all better serve and follow Christ in His great example.

Keep following the Leading of God

Traveling this weekend through snow I was reminded of God's hand and protection upon us. My mom told me the story of a lady and man traveling. When they finished a long trip and pulled off the expressway a the man said, "Thanks Lord for the protection, I can handle it from here." The car immediately went into a spin, and reminded the man that God needed to stay in control.

How often we want to take life in our own hands instead of staying in the will and guidance of our Lord. We need to stop and remind ourselves early in this new year that God needs to direct our paths, since He knows what is truly best for us.

-- Keep on your Journey with Jesus this week

Tribute to a great believer who's gone home.

Christmas was a wonderful season this year. While our church lost one of it's long time members just before the holiday, we all felt blessed during the season. We celebrated with his wife, the memory of a person who gave of himself continually to the need of others. His life verse was "you must be born again." He told everyone he met those very words. Everything about his life was a blessing to others. He constantly gave of himself to help others. Hopefully we can all do the same

Thanksgivng

"Give Thanks with a grateful heart."

We have much to be thankful for in our world. Yes, we may be going through a recession, but God still cares for His people. When we stop to ponder, we realize that we are blessed to overflowing.

We are not Super-Pastor's

Look up in the front it's a singer. No, it's an entertainer. No, it's a prayer. No, it's a manager. No, it's the C.E.O. No, it's a compassionate friend. Actually it's just the smaller church pastor, and it must be Sunday morning.

Somewhere between planning worship, preparing sermons, and visiting the sick you are still called to help feed the poor and encourage the newly wed's down the street. How can one person do so many things? Well remember Paul said, "I was all things to all people that some might be saved." This is our motto, and our creed. We praise this creed, and promote it to others would follow in our footsteps.

For Superman it was the the sun which gave him his extraordinary strength, with which to do his mighty deeds. The reality is that for us we need to spend our time with the Son, as well. We do not minister under our power, but in the power of time spent with Scripture regularly in our lives. Be sure your soaking in the the Son continually to be a vibrant minister long term