Tangible Results

Pastors have oftentimes hung their inner feelings and sometimes their self-image on the tangible results of the ministry that surround them. Wanting to see whether or not the Budget is being met, Baptisms are happening, Bodies are in the pew, and Buildings are being built. Those in the ministry can be as self-indulgent as anyone else and the reason why I say this is because I am in the ministry and I can be self-indulgent. There are times that I have wondered "am I being effective?" I have believed that I was being effective, but the tangible results weren't there at the moment. There was a lack of conflict at times and at other times life was full of conflict, but I was wondering where was the positive momentum forward for the Kingdom. Two things have helped me and I pass them on hoping that they help you along with one side note. One, others have gone before us who have felt alone and have felt like they weren't accomplishing anything for the Kingdom but they were faithful - Noah, Jeremiah, Elijah. They learned when it was all over that God wanted faithfulness and obedience over all else. Results are up to Him. This leads to the second truth that I have learned. I am to be about God's work not my own. This is about pleasing Him and not me. Ultimately, I do serve an audience of one, and how freeing this wonderful reality is. One final side note, the last few weeks there has been an unusual amount of "tangible results" in the ministry. People have gotten saved more than normal, people are speaking with me about God calling them into the minstry and other wonderful works of God. Does this mean that God just started to work. No way! He was at work all the time, but He was gracious enough to ket me see under the cover and it is so encouraging to see His Spirit's work in people's lives. So keep your chin up and your knees down and let's do our greatest work for the Kingdom.

pollen and other bad pick ups

Why is it we normally pick up bad things from our culture and environment, but we don't pick up by "accident" good, moral, honorable issues that build up our character. We hang around people that are spoiled in their character, and then find that out that we aren't acting right. I watch Garrett my oldest son every year have swollen eyes and sneeze his little head off every spring, because of the unseen pollen falling from the trees, grass, and weeds. That unseen pollen affects how Garret lives just as the lives of people around us affect us unless we are being very intentional in living Christ honoring lives.



Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper



Psalms 1:1-3



We can affect those around us but it is like swimming upstream not downstream. We have to be very intentional to not allow the culture and those who are poison spiritually to not bring us down. The intentional things that we are to do are to be prepared to engage the culture with the gospel and with God's love. The culture needs to see Jesus in action and that is us - the church. At the same time we must be prepared to not succumb to the temptations that will be around us that will bring our attitudes and thoughts down in the gutters. Love people, Love God and keep your head and knees on the floor humbly at all times before God.