It seems like yesterday that I was ordained to the Gospel Ministry. It doesn’t seem possible that 30 years have gone by. You know what they say, “At first you believe in Santa Claus. Then you don’t believe in Santa Claus. Then you are Santa Claus. Then you look like Santa Claus.” Time flies. I’m convinced that God chose me to be a pastor. I can’t help but shepherd people. It is what I do and who I am, and by God’s grace I will do it until the day I die. I cherish the time I served as a pastor at Forcey Bible Church and then at Trinity Church. I enjoyed every moment helping to create Disaster 
Response, and now I have been blessed with the opportunity to reach leaders through the ministries of Grace Adventures and the Capitol Commission. Paul said this of those he encountered along the way, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5). Know this, I take each and every one of you wherever I go and trust me when I say that I am a better man for having done my service in your company. Now I’m looking forward to 30 more years … if the Lord wills!!!
Still Learning
I want to be a lifelong learner and it is refreshing to be reminded and refreshed in God’s ways. Mark 4 is the amazing Parable of the Sower. Remember there is the SEED, SOWER and the four SOILS – Hard, Rocky, Thorny and Good. Most farmers plant with precision in long straight rows, but Jesus is shocking, vivid and counter-cultural. As sowers we are to throw seed everywhere recklessly not cautiously. Why?
These past few weeks I have seen this truth. It is easy to pre-judge and think so and so is interested in Jesus and so and so isn’t. I met a political lobbyist that I didn’t think would have any interest in the Gospel. A friend called me to say he was bringing a guest to the Bible Study … it was that guy. He hardly missed the rest of session and now wants to continue throughout the year. Another man who I wouldn’t have thought would be thinking about Jesus approached
me and said he had never opened a Bible in his life. However, that week he got an NIV Bible and read all of the New Testament and was trying to find out if he was going to hell because he was divorced. I invited him to Bible Study and he said he would come. I was rebuked yet reminded and encouraged that I am not to play God only throw seed!!
eight days at the Officer’s Christian Fellowship Retreat Center in White Sulphur Springs, Pennsylvania. What an opportunity to share the Word and life with military leaders.
3. Pray for refreshment in soul and body after a very busy first 5 months of the year. 