I am so tired. It seems like I've been going and going and going, non-stop. Today was just added to a series of long days, busy work and frustrating meetings.
This morning starts with my usual Sunday rituals of worship and work. I preached both of the worship services at our church today. Hebrews 10:19-31 was the theme scripture for the message entitled "This Age of Apostasy." I labored long and hard to put that one together, and, of course, the stuff you work hard at people doesn't seem to get, respond to nor enjoy. (If I had just thrown something together for today they'd probably still be shouting. LOL) Nevertheless, I did my best.
Our state attorney and his wife worshipped with us this morning. I'm honored to have elected officials to stop by our church from time to time. I wish they'd try to do it more often rather than every 4 years or so.
This afternoon, after a rather strangely eventful interval between services, I headed up to historic DeFuniak Springs, Florida where one of my sons in ministry pastors the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church there. This was Pastor Terrance Bulger's 5th pastoral anniversary celebration. There I preached rather impromptu about "The Liberty to Lead and The Privilege to Pastor." I did my best even though it was my 3rd time preaching for the day.
This 11th year as pastor of St. John has really shown me some things. (I've never pastored one church for longer than 9 years prior to coming to Bay County.) Talk is something else and actions really do speak louder than words. I don't understand the fickleness of church folk. They profess a love and devotion for and to you but what they do says so much differently. I love the Joyous Church that I pastor, but I'm beginning to wonder about the reciprocation. Just be constant and consistent to your own stuff first.
Last weekend was filled with funerals, weddings and centennial anniversary services that I was privileged to play historical parts in. Last week was filled with pastoral meetings and responsibilities. Today's activities had me leaving the house a 7:25am and coming back into the house at 9:30pm. And tomorrow I'm off to another long week serving as minister of music and late night preacher at the Progressive M&E Baptist Convention of Florida that will be held in Palm Harbor. Not to mention, I'll be preaching for Dr. Gerald Thomas at his men's conference in Quincy this Friday night after hurrying from the state convention.
Preachers and pastors are stressing and stroking out all over this country these days. I ask your prayers for my strength and health as I endeavor to make God happy and proud in my labor and living for Him.
"I'm tired" is more than an expression of bodily sentiment; it's also a state of mind.
Today's sermon was hard to swallow. We are still trying to digest it. There are disciples of the Joyous st john who are definitely trying to make a change and live according to his word as best we can. There are those who will switch out. There are those whose switch was and always will be in the off position. And then their are those of us whose switch is on...has been on...and will always be on. REST!
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