I am just breathing really heavy, like a marathon runner at mile 20. I can offer no apology for my lack of posts. No glib excuses. It is true that now, on Friday morning, I have already logged something like 52 hours of work (Sunday included). I guess I should remind myself that ministry is never a 40-hour-a-week thing. I must continue. I must "run with endurance the race set before me" (see Hebrews 12:1).
Anyway, I tell you that as a way of explanation, but that is not what is driving me to post today. I am in awe of what God is doing and I wanted to share just a peek of what I am seeing. This past Sunday, I had a very good meeting with the deacons of our church. It went longer than I had anticipated. No sooner than I had walked in the door at home, there was a phone-call, "We need to prayer-walk. Are you coming?" I do not pass up opportunities to pray with brothers and sisters in Christ for the salvation of ANY group of people, especially a community that I live in. So, I went.
Monday evening, I went to a meeting in Appleton where I heard about some exciting happenings as we are sensing God's hand at work in a mighty way. It was a good meeting. Tuesday, my little brother came up to go on his final home inspection before he closes and comes up here to pastor a church. We stayed up until 2 AM Wednesday, then had to leave by 8 AM to see the home. We also met some of the community leaders he will be seeking to minister to. I saw great opportunities for ministry, but I have been called to the country, not town. I went from there to another meeting where a dear sister in the Lord and I discussed her upcoming baptism. I then had to get a new driver's license.
The people at the licensing place that I go to are exactly the opposite of any stereotypes you have seen on TV or heard lampooned on the radio. They are kind and polite and engaging and they make a rather mundane process pleasant. I got home from the DMV in time to study up for Wed night's Bible study and then went to that. Thursday had a scheduled meeting in the morning that went much longer than I should have let it. I got home in time to eat lunch and then there was a follow-up phone call. I prepared for prayer meeting Thurs night and got there early enough to focus my thoughts and then to pray.
I say all of this to try to demonstrate how God is at work. The meetings I had this week were all about God's Kingdom. They were discussing everything from sin to baptism to church-planting to church-discipline. There was talk of grace and mercy as well as justice. In short, there was evidence that the Holy Spirit is moving in the lives of both believers and unbelievers. And I am excited.
I started by saying I was a little tired. But as I wrap up this summary of God's work, I am energized. I look forward to what God is going to do. When I get tired, I just need to remember Galatians 6:9:
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
I certainly do not want to faint. If I did, I would miss God's harvest. Can you feel the excitement?
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