Life As I Know It...

I want to share with everyone a recently learned understanding...

Last night I got home from work, and pulled up into my drive way.  As usual I was on the phone with someone, hoping to minister hope, and encouragement to an down and out soul.  With limited minutes, I spend my time reinforcing Biblical teaching on how to obtain peace and reconsiliation with God.  Drawing from years of training and education I continue on with my endeavors to do good with what I have been given.  After 30 to 40 minutes of consoling, it finally hits me that all my works, education, training, and knowledge has been to no avail without a willing participant, and a moving of God.  As this dawns on the horizon of my mind, my heart is flooded with a sense of longing.  With all the love we show to others, it is growing increasingly obvious that the vunerability of love opens the door to rejection.  You hope for the best for people, but they don't hope the best for themselves.  Unfortunately, that is a painful thing to endure.  With the close of the phone conversation, the person was unwilling to put forth the faith, effort, and change in attitude it required to see a significant change in their situation.  The rejection that was made was not directed towards me, even though I was the one speaking, however it was directed at God.  Ministry is a heart-wrenching way of life.  Those of you that serve in this capacity already understand the fact of this matter.  As I grow older, and gain more experience I am also coming to realization that the life as I know it as a minister is a life of sacrifice.  Even though these lessons are learned, I find it to be the most wonderful, rewarding life that could ever be lived.  The word "preacher" is simply not only a title, it is the definition of the life I live here on earth.

Thanks for reading...

Preacher Mike

Preacher Mike,
     There are times that we go out in this world and it seems that every word that we share falls on deaf ears ears. The  commandment that Christ repeats is to love each other as we love ourselves. Christians don't realize that they share Christ each day and they don't have to say a word. If they live right, talk right, they shine the light of Christ. We are his light hose that is setting on a hill. We as individuals have to make the decision to clean the windows and let his light through.

Phil

Preacher Mike, I agree with what you and Phil have posted.  I have been a Christian since I was 10.  Here lately I have questioned myself.  I have both mental and physical problems and I know that the devil is at work.  I am asking for special prayers to help me get thru my fears, depression, and extra help fighting the devil.  I have back slided but not so much that I don't forget to thank God for each day I awake.  Can you please keep me in your prayers.  At the end of the month, I will be homeless.  This is depressing me so much as I don't have any money to move to a new place.  Because of the depression, I have slacked off on my weight and excersise program causing me to gain 30 lbs.  Now I have nothing to wear that fits.  I can't afford to even buy bigger sizes. 

Thank you, I ask this in His Name, Kathy

Kathy I will pray for your needs to be met.  The best advice I could give you at this point is to find a Bible believing local church in your area, and start attending... that is if you don't already attend.  Read your Bible daily, and pray daily.  These are the simpliest things you can do in order to find God's plan for you.  When you are in the center of God's will, then you will be able to see God's plan. 

Matthew 6:33

Preacher Mike

I am a Nazarene/Wesleyan church under the teachings of John Wesley.  There are none in LaVergne and I only know there's a Nazarene church in Lebanon, but I can't drive to Lebanon all the time as the ball bearing on my van is just about to go out completely and I can't afford to get it fixed.  So  I use my power scooter when I need to go errands in this area.  Anything else I either do without or my son will take care of it when he is out of errands.  I do read my family Bible as it's print is bigger then my regular one that I use.  Thank you for your prayers.

Kathy

Preacher Mike,
I understand how you are feeling. It is the same with non ministers who try to share their love, faith and spiritual knowledge with others.  I don't have your skills and training but I do have a few years on you. What I would share is that you give yourself a break and don't take the rejection personally. Rejection can cause discouragement if you take it personally. All we can do, is share what we know and then do the hardest part. Remove ourselves and leave it completely in God's hands. You may never know what your efforts lead to. Sometimes we are only called to plant the first seed. The rest is up to God or maybe even to someone else who God will send into the person's pathway. You do your best and then take heart that you can trust God to handle the rest.
Blessings,
Karen