Potency of a Proper Position

Reflecting on Romans 1:1 "Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God" Paul obviously had come to understand that his strength was as a commissioned servant of Jesus Christ... not as a Hebrew of Hebrews, Pharisee, Rabbi or any other position of power or influence. I preached on the potency of a Proper Position on Sunday... and then there was today.
I was in the midst of counseling a couple this afternoon and as we were working through a situation that had come up today, several ideas came together. When we are walking with the Lord in faithful obedience and then something goes drastically "wrong" from our perspective, we should recognize that we have just gone to war (Eph 6). Now it the time to trust (lift up the shield of faith) and use the sword of the Spirit (The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord. - Job 1:20). Now it the time to stand firm... even when we don't understand what is happening.
We should also understand that in this context the Lord is often preparing to demonstrate His great power. Paul experienced this in a Philippian jail. Joseph discovered this in Egypt. We understand Job was instrumental in teaching Satan a lesson. We should know that when we are walking in obedience and our world is suddenly turned upside down that this is not a time to whine about our misfortune but rather to watch in wonder as to what the Lord is about to do. This is not a time to get defensive, it is a time to defer to the Lord. The power of the Lord shines through in our lives as we operate in humble obedience. That is what I mean by the potency of the proper position.
Well, in review, this blog reads like a mini message, but I just wanted to write down some thoughts about what the Lord has been showing me.

Sunday afternoon

After a busy morning, I joined with some of the men in an Elders/Deacons meeting. Because I got home later than normal, I was ready for lunch. Diane had prepared some meatloaf according to a new recipe. It was yummy and Esther even shared with us some of her baby peas. Now it is down time before evening service. The weather outside is cool (Diane would say cold), the house is warm, I am full and God is to be praised for many daily blessings. Today a mother with two school aged kids came to services. She requested prayer on her registration card for her husband to return to church aand serve the Lord again. There is a story there to be explored... but I can't help reflect on the saddness in those words. I don't know the history, but I wonder what could be better than being with your wife and kids. Unfortunately, I have heard the story before from others... how sad.

Stew

I like stew. I love the combination of flavors as the different veggies combine with meat in a thickening liquid. The combination is better than the individual parts. I like ministry. Today I counseled a wife faced with a possible divorce, discussed cleaning schemes with a teenager at the church facilities, listened to a proposal from the Treasurer about a year end audit, received an invitation to attend a meeting at a half way house for convicts headed back into society and worked on my message for tomorrow. What a happy, wonderful mix the Lord has stirred together. Got to go... just got another call!

About last night

If kids can teach you things... how about those grandkids? Last night Ruth (our youngest daughter), her husband, Ray, and their two kids, Mikayla and Josette, came over for their weekly visit. We spent a couple of hours together and enjoyed some crock pot vegetable chili that Diane (my God-given helpmate) had made. When it was time to go, they were making the rounds of good-bye hugs and kisses. When Mikayla came to me she didn't want a hug or kiss. She resisted the encouragement of mom, then dad and even grandma. Her mom, I could see, was afraid I was hurt by Mikayla's "rejection." Ruth (her name means compassionate) certainly matches her name. The family headed down the stairs to their car. When Mikayla was climbing into her car seat, she yelled out, "I love you Gan-pa!" I know Ruth was relieved. I came back into the house from the garage steps smiling and reflecting.

I know Mikayla loves me. She had come in that evening looking for Gan-pa. When she spotted me she had run to me for hugs. Why she didn't want a hug when she left probably had more to do with teasing me than anything else (at three years old, she has her own personality!). Anyway, I reflected on my relationship with my heavenly Father... He knows I love Him. I imagine He is not hurt when I don't said I love Him. I also imagine He loves it when I do say it!

It's sad but true

All time favorite joke:

Q. What sits on top of a hill, howls in the night and is full of cement?
A. A coyote, of course!

hmmm

Q. What about the cement?
A. (wait for it...) The cement was thrown in to make it hard!
_________

Those around me have heard this joke so many times that they usually just roll their eyes when I begin again. My youngest daughter heard this for years and then one day said, "I get it! Cement is hard!" I love puns!

Hardly anything

New blogger (am I number 1,000,000,000?) I wanted to set this up tonight so I had a venue for future posts. What you will find here are the musings of a husband, father and pastor. Are you asleep yet? My thots tend to wander to subjects which I would like to muse about here.