Take Two--Again

Busyness and computer woes have kept me from the keyboard (for better or worse!). What I tried to do the last time was to post some helps for me in this ministry. I had it all typed out, hit "publish", but wasn't aware that the computer had frozen (resolve host) and it wasn't saved. So I will try again!

1. Three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) I read Coffee With Jesus, a four panel comic posted by Radio Free Babylon and starring Jesus. Sometimes snarky, sometimes an "ouch" or an "oof", but always thought-provoking,

2. Also three times a week, Karl Vaters posts a blog newsmallchurch.com through Christianity Today's website. Betcha can't guess what he writes about! He has served in small churches for just about his whole ministerial life, so what he writes is more than academic--very practical and encouraging.

3. Dallas Willard's books (Divine Conspiracy, Hearing God, Renovation of the Heart) have drawn me in a new direction--into my heart. Yes, I know that's what Jesus does, but somehow I never made that connection until reading Willard. Unfortunately, he has gone to his reward, yet "although dead, yet he speaks) through his writing and YouTube videos. Challenging, yet kind; frank and honest, yet written with compassion.

4. My "journal" isn't really much of a journal. Part diary, part confessional, part meandering, part reflective, yet brutally honest. Once in a while I go back to see what I've written or what I was worried about or what I/we/the church was going through (yes, I know that "was" doesn't agree with the "we" but what are ya gonna do? This can serve as a discipline for me if I had a regular time for writing and being still.

5. Finally, the Sunday school class is refreshing. An informal study/discussion accompanied by coffee, doughnuts (thanks, Dan!) has been a great way to sow the seeds for deeper relationships, honesty, frankness, etc. I've been leading us through some measure of self=study of our congregation's history and future.

I'm sure there is much more to say/write, but hopefully you get a taste of what shapes me into whatever kind of a "minister" I am. Much love to all!