A Few Thoughts To Start Off The Week…

Been a busy week, both at work and at home and church…

Mowing lawns, having parishioners over for Sunday dinner, studying for sermons that never seem long enough, running with the family to Wal-Mart or shopping or taking pictures…you get the idea. The Davis clan is an on-to-go type of family unit; we never seem to stay home long enough to breathe, much less decompress.

And, of course, this next week promises much of the same hustle and bustle; I have two meetings to attend for the Mark Twain District, plus sermon prep and worship service prep times and work. In all of this, I always need to remember to take time out with the family for some “us” time.

Wow. Now I realize that ministry should be a full-time calling; this bi-vocational stuff is for the birds. LOL.

He’s ALIIIIVVVEEEEEEEE…

Yes, I’m back from the bowels of the analog and unplugged world.

Lots going on here; for one, prayers are in order for our air conditioning. Our outside heat exchanger motor seems to have konked out, and it’s a fairly older unit, so….the landlord is bust trying to track one down through Purdin Mercantile. Of course, by the time they find one, the temp will probably be cooler and we won’t need it. But still pray!

Got lots of meetings to attend the next few weeks: A MT (Mark Twain) District Church Extension meeting; a District Cluster Meeting for pastors; another gathering involving the correct way to figure out charge conference paperwork; etc. etc. It’s that time of year!

Speaking of church, things are going wonderfully. We had two more people join this past Sunday; Ron and Jan Miller had been going to Bear Branch for about a year, and they came forward to join our body of believers. When I asked them in private, they just said, “It’s time.” With this wonderful couple, this brings to count five new members since July 1st, when this servant was appointed as their new pastor. Praise God! He is really good.

We’ve touched up the paint on the BB church sign, and now we are ready to take down the Purdin sign and repaint it as well. That will probably happen this weekend. We are also thinking about repainting the inside of the church, to lighten it up and make it feel more welcome and friendly. The dark paneling kinda makes the sanctuary dark, even during the daytime.

Looks like stormy weather the next few days here, maybe even some strong t-boomers.  We need the rain, though.

Last week’s sermon went wonderfully, even without copious notes. When the Holy Spirit moves, all you have to do is get out of the way and let Him work wonders!  Wow!

“Nuff said.

How’s your week shaping up?

August 2007 Linn County Leader Column – “Changes, Changes, Changes”

Greetings from 18 miles north of Brookfield!

As most of you have heard (through the grapevine or read in the most-excellent article from Stephanie Patterson in the Leader), I have started the pastorate at Bear Branch and Purdin UMC’s this past month. I’d like to take a second to just say “thanks” to all who have sent congratulatory cards, or phoned, or stopped us in Wal-Mart to give their best wishes. It is both humbling, and gratifying, to have friends praying for Jeannie and I as we begin this great adventure.

We’ve also relocated the family to be nearer the two churches where I am serving; God has truly opened up many doors, including our new home. We’re now blessed with an 1,800 square foot residence with hundreds of acres to roam on; we have a great dog named Cody, and outside cats to hold down the field mouse population. It’s a true farm in every sense of the word; my wife is already looking forward to next spring when we can have laying hens and plant a garden.

And, I’d have to say the most wonderful aspect of all of these changes is that we can see the Lord’s Hand at work in everything! From our loving congregations who have truly made us feel at home, to those who helped us move, to this house miraculously being “open” just when we needed it…well, say what you will about coincidences, but I believe that it was nothing more than God’s providence. He knew what we needed at those moments, and He supplied those needs. God is truly good!

So, our lives are rapidly changing yet again. One thing that is certain with the Davis household is this: life is never dull, and there is always plenty to do when you come visit us!

And, for us, the next several months will consist of inviting our parish families, one by one, over for dinner and “getting to know them better” time; between these opportunities we will continue to nurture and strengthen our ties with family and friends by also having them out to the farm for fellowship meals and fun. We feel that this is an important part of the ministry that God has called us to fulfill. Of course, there will also be visits to nursing homes and shut-ins; door-to-door evangelism in our communities; and lots and lots of preparation time for worship services and sermons!

I truly know that, in this servant’s life, there is a calling to serve the Lord as a shepherd for His people. Please pray that the focus would always be on Christ, and not on anything that we have done. He is the One to be honored, glorified, and praised; He is the One who opened this door that I willingly stepped into, so that others may see the change He has made in my life, and my family’s lives; and finally, He is the One who is the centerpiece of what I live for…and that is to see others brought to a saving relationship with Christ.

Changes can be good in a person’s life…if that change is brought through the Lord!

May you, too, enjoy those changes that He continues to do in your lives. Be blessed!