Well I am even more official than I was. Yesterday I got my New and improved Chaplain's certificate. Now that I am an Exhorter, (what ever that is) and have a "minister's ID number" I am now an Endorsed chaplain and not just an associate chaplain.
AND to make it even better so I don't feel like such a loser, I got this cool little book to report my monthly activity to someone. It even comes with these cute little brown envelopes to send to the International Headquarters. But then I find out I also have to send one to the state office but no cute little envelopes. What happens when I run out of the cute little envelopes?
OH, they also did not include any stamps.
I feel violated in some strange way.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Encouraging
I love H.B. London's stuff. He works for Focus on the Family in the capacity of Pastoring Pastors. I copied this from his newsletter that he sends out:
Bloom Where You Are Planted
Don’t look back and don’t look ahead. Live in the moment and expect God’s blessings upon the assignment He has given you. In the past few days, I had the opportunity to visit the two cities in which I pastored before coming to Focus on the Family. I didn’t go there to preach or to visit my former congregation. I was there for personal reasons. I had the chance to drive around some and I drove past homes we had lived in and remembered a myriad of events concerning my family. I passed cemeteries where I buried parishioners and hospitals where I had spent hours with those who called me “Pastor." I ate at familiar restaurants and just happened to cross paths with several who recognized me from the past.
But I don't live there any more. God has me in a new place, doing different things, like a lot of you. There was a time when I longed for a return to those places and people, but I have experienced God's new seasons. Some of you might be missing the present because you are bemoaning the past or maybe even fixating on the future. Please don’t.
Bloom where you are planted! The present is where God is at work, and His plans are for you to prosper. If you are in a struggle right now; thank Him for the present; confess the challenges you are facing; remember God’s unmistakable love for you; see His majestic presence at work in your ministry; hold your head high; encourage your family; and today do something for someone who needs to know they matter — and make up your mind to bloom where you are planted.
Adapted from H. B. London’s editorial, Pastor’s Weekly Briefing, 8/25/06
Bloom Where You Are Planted
Don’t look back and don’t look ahead. Live in the moment and expect God’s blessings upon the assignment He has given you. In the past few days, I had the opportunity to visit the two cities in which I pastored before coming to Focus on the Family. I didn’t go there to preach or to visit my former congregation. I was there for personal reasons. I had the chance to drive around some and I drove past homes we had lived in and remembered a myriad of events concerning my family. I passed cemeteries where I buried parishioners and hospitals where I had spent hours with those who called me “Pastor." I ate at familiar restaurants and just happened to cross paths with several who recognized me from the past.
But I don't live there any more. God has me in a new place, doing different things, like a lot of you. There was a time when I longed for a return to those places and people, but I have experienced God's new seasons. Some of you might be missing the present because you are bemoaning the past or maybe even fixating on the future. Please don’t.
Bloom where you are planted! The present is where God is at work, and His plans are for you to prosper. If you are in a struggle right now; thank Him for the present; confess the challenges you are facing; remember God’s unmistakable love for you; see His majestic presence at work in your ministry; hold your head high; encourage your family; and today do something for someone who needs to know they matter — and make up your mind to bloom where you are planted.
Adapted from H. B. London’s editorial, Pastor’s Weekly Briefing, 8/25/06
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