Appreciation for Solitude
Now Consideration From Matthew 14.
As the class goes into this week, there are three things that have caught my attention. From last week, the reality of sin and the awesome gift of grace, Courage, and solitude.
Now wait, get the horse back here.... This has probably been one of the worst Sundays in my entire Career as a Pastor. Our congregation was vehemently attacked by an Association of Churches that we belonged to because we would not surrender our Missions offering for personal use. The denomination on the other hand, chose to redirect the monies for missions to payroll. Although I cannot say much more, I will say that this is a very poormeans to prove that this is not Christian. This happended Friday and Saturday. By Sunday I called an Emergency Meeting of my Chruch Board and let them know what was going on. Since my independant congregation rents a Nazarene Church who has supported us in the past, I also let the congregation there know.
By Monday morning, the answer was clear to me. I had to resign. I called my Spiritual Friend and I said to him hey what do you think I should do? I told him the good, bad and Ugly of the whole situation. In confirmation I know that I did the right thing because I have never seen that much support in my life.
Now that I sit here in the silence of my kitchen, I find that the tick of the clock is just enough "background noise" to keep me from going insane. It is truly a great feeling to know that my phone will not ring in the middle of the night unless it is my people.
God, I am so grateful that you have created me to be what you want me to be. I love being in the position of teaching and training new ministers, but I am truly grateful for the time that I will have with my congregation. I would ask that you reveal the behavior of those who are practicing to deceive. Reveal the truth and may those under their coercion be courage and free. In your Name Jesus, Amen.
