Elections - The last few weeks have been a blur for me and Jennie, but we did make it out to the polls to vote. Congrats to President Bush, and props to the record number of people who turned out to vote. We are so privileged to have that "right" in our country.
My first "sermon" at our new church was about the first "election" ever in history - actually, before history - that God chose His children before the creation of the world - Ephesians 1:1-14.
I always get asked "How did the sermon go?"
I don't mind being asked that, but it usually feels like a Catch-22. If I say it went great, then I'm a proud, arrogant pastor who thinks he's something. If I say it was average, people think I don't care. If I say it wasn't my best, then people assume I'm not taking my responsibility all that seriously and that I'm not very excited about preaching.
Meanwhile, I still feel compelled to answer the question, somewhat like this - "I really enjoyed giving this talk today - I love doing it, and I pray and hope and work so that God would touch people's lives and hearts when I preach. (And, if I feel good about how it actually went, I'll say something like...) I felt good about how it went."
If it didn't go well, I'd know. I am my own worst critic. Jennie, on the other hand, is probably my best critic. She always has insightful and helpful - carefully-worded - thoughts about the job.
Installments - October 31st was my "installment" service as Senior Pastor here at Delaware Grace Brethren church. Dr. Ken Bickel, a terrific prof and good friend of mine from my days at Grace Theological Seminary came out to give the main message and to celebrate this weekend with us.
Allie can "install" her own pacifier now, but it never really faces the right direction. It is fun to watch her try.
Controversies - I'm tired of Maurice Clarett. Funny, it's usually "controversy" that drives up the TV ratings and the newspaper sales. Is it okay to say that I'm tired of controversies?
Kids Choir - A few minutes ago, I was in the gym (I mean, "Family Life Center") of our new church here in Delaware, Ohio. I got to watch about 50-70 kids (I didn't even try to count) as they stood up on stage, singing together. As they all marched in place (NOT in unison, mind you), my first thought was about how cute they all were and how Allie will one day march out of turn with them.
My second thought was that here is a generation - and their parents' generation - who (for some reason) have asked, called, hired, prayed for, and helped me move to Delaware to become their Senior Pastor.
When all is said and done, I don't think God is going to care how good my sermons are (or aren't).
What He does care about... is how well, how faithfully, how passionately, how creatively, how biblically, how efficiently, and how effectively did I carry out this heaven-sent assignment to care for the spiritual needs and souls of so many of His precious children!
I shouldn't let a day go by without being in awe of that responsibility, and in total awareness of my need for God first!
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