I wanted to share how much the Lord God has blessed a broken and simple man as myself in His ministry that I have been so blessed to participate in.
I am a Senior Chaplain for Chaplain Service Corp, and I minister in the Meadowbrook Chapel. This is a ministry that has so touched my heart in so many ways, but yesterday blew me out of the water.
On Saturday, ironically, my birthday.....I was asked to attend and give a few words at Jean Smith's memorial service. I spoke for a few moments, of the time I had spent with Jean and the wonderful person I knew that was now waiting with the rest of the heavenly host to return with Christ when we would be all reunited in the air with those who had gone before. The words received from the four children were edifying and affirming, but the youngest daughter told me that Jean would talk of 'her chaplain' everytime she called. Joyful words to hear, especially concerning the ministry.
But then I went into chapel Sunday and gave a sermon on "Fearing God". I received an unusual request from one of the congregation to remain after to talk to her. Only Jean used to ask for 'extra-service' time. Even this dear soul would simply depart after a handshake.
But she said she wanted to tell me her story 'so someone will know' who she was. I listened and felt the pain that she's carried so long. Another soul crying out for meaning.
God spoke to me and I gave the words to the dear soul that was in tears.....and she smiled.
I don't mean a simple "thankyou" smile, but a burden-lifting God-granting grace filling smile.
I went to the home church after chapel and another friend who is in the recovery ministry with me wanted to tell me of her experience speaking to a group.
After she spoke, God put it on my heart to pray for her and the calling out He's put on her heart. In the end, we both had tears in our eyes as God moved among us.
And if that day wasn't full enough, God called me over to another friend....a dear sister in Christ who is having difficulties. I walked up to her and gave her a hug, telling her that God wanted me to fill in for Him on that and to tell her that He loves her.
She gave me another god-granting grace, burden lifting peace smile......
Years ago, I wouldn't have heard those calls to minister. Or been in the realization that God is ministering and I'm just the mouth piece.......Or even been able to see those smiles that are so different from an everyday smile.....
Forty years I have walked this earth, through some pretty dark times and dark places. I have often felt unworthy of God's grace, forgiveness, and salvation-----and especially of the call to ministry.
God was calling to me in that darkness of so long ago, but I refused to hear. He sent others to me to minister and to save me from myself, but I didn't believe it was Him.
While there have been those, who quote scripture and their experience, who say I must have been fooled when I spoke of the call to ministry, there have been those who have stood and said I was fooling myself to think my purpose lied elsewhere BUT ministry.
Often, in the last few years since He called me back to Him, I have wondered what He saved me for. And He shows me, it is:
For this.
For these times.
For the body that is emerging in the midst of chaos to reclaim the world for Christ.
For those smiles.............
How can I NOT do what God asks me to do when He rewards me so overwhelmingly with such blessings?
I'd be foolish to miss out on it.
God blessed me over and over this weekend.
I just wanted to stand on the mountain top and shout it to the WORLD!!!
In Christ,
Jim
Monday, September 17
A rememberance of Affirmation....Feb 2007 OutoftheWild blog
I sat with Gina, my friend from the Compassion ministry I've worked with for several years who is now on the staff at Orchard Grove. She seemed to sense that there was 'a bee in my bonnet' (although I would never wear a bonnet) about something.I expressed my frustration about the meeting with the Pastor and how it bothered me a bit, but I'd get over it.....I always did.
She said that she had heard some feedback from the Pastor about the meeting and the one thing that impressed him was that I gave it to him straight up, no beating around the bush. He could see the conviction and sincerity in my stance.
She went on to talk about Wendell's affirmation of me. She stressed to me that this wasn't something that Wendell did just this time, but often in the course of his conversations with others does he bring up this guy who he has the pleasure of knowing.......
Bonnie, the Team Leader of the Lay Counselors, saw me in the atrium and told me that she tried to send an email....something she's not too good at....and instead had to print it out. She gave an envelope to my wife and wanted to make sure I got it.
Inside this envelope was a short email......
Dear Jim,I wanted to send this to congratulate you on moving forward in the direction that God is obivously leading. Nothing compares to the excitement and reassurance of knowing you're in HIS will.
I remember the Wed. nite that 'the light' seemed to come on for you; I saw it happen. Since then, each week, I have seen the confidence of the Lord growing in you; there is a visible authority that can only come from HIM.
Oh yes, and last I want to welcome you to the Lay Counseling team, we are blessed to have someone who has a heart for the unchurched and or new babes in Christ.........
I didn't get what I was searching for in the office of my Pastor. I am not surging forward in a ministry or direction that I know God has in His plans for me. I'm not supposed to right now.
God wanted to show me that I am doing what He wants me to at this time.
I am having a hard time reconciling this person that people have talked about with the image I have. There is so much to do, so many hurting and lost souls, and I haven't done a minicule of what needs to be done.
This 'powerhouse' of a Christian that they are speaking of.......who is that? It's God. With the little I have given, give, and will give in the course of my purpose for Him, He has multiplied that seventy times seven.
Our God is an AWESOME GOD!!!!!!
****This affirmation of a 'powerhouse' Christian didn't stop there. In the story weekend I've recently attended, that was the affirmation of the group, that I would be one of those warriors who would stand up to EVIL and kick it's A**.
When will I learn that when God speaks through others, He is still speaking to me; He's just given up banging on the front door for me to answer it.
In Peace,
Jim
She said that she had heard some feedback from the Pastor about the meeting and the one thing that impressed him was that I gave it to him straight up, no beating around the bush. He could see the conviction and sincerity in my stance.
She went on to talk about Wendell's affirmation of me. She stressed to me that this wasn't something that Wendell did just this time, but often in the course of his conversations with others does he bring up this guy who he has the pleasure of knowing.......
Bonnie, the Team Leader of the Lay Counselors, saw me in the atrium and told me that she tried to send an email....something she's not too good at....and instead had to print it out. She gave an envelope to my wife and wanted to make sure I got it.
Inside this envelope was a short email......
Dear Jim,I wanted to send this to congratulate you on moving forward in the direction that God is obivously leading. Nothing compares to the excitement and reassurance of knowing you're in HIS will.
I remember the Wed. nite that 'the light' seemed to come on for you; I saw it happen. Since then, each week, I have seen the confidence of the Lord growing in you; there is a visible authority that can only come from HIM.
Oh yes, and last I want to welcome you to the Lay Counseling team, we are blessed to have someone who has a heart for the unchurched and or new babes in Christ.........
I didn't get what I was searching for in the office of my Pastor. I am not surging forward in a ministry or direction that I know God has in His plans for me. I'm not supposed to right now.
God wanted to show me that I am doing what He wants me to at this time.
I am having a hard time reconciling this person that people have talked about with the image I have. There is so much to do, so many hurting and lost souls, and I haven't done a minicule of what needs to be done.
This 'powerhouse' of a Christian that they are speaking of.......who is that? It's God. With the little I have given, give, and will give in the course of my purpose for Him, He has multiplied that seventy times seven.
Our God is an AWESOME GOD!!!!!!
****This affirmation of a 'powerhouse' Christian didn't stop there. In the story weekend I've recently attended, that was the affirmation of the group, that I would be one of those warriors who would stand up to EVIL and kick it's A**.
When will I learn that when God speaks through others, He is still speaking to me; He's just given up banging on the front door for me to answer it.
In Peace,
Jim
From the mouths of babies.........June of 2007 OutoftheWild blog
Lately I have been beset by doubts, fears, and thoughts of just what the heck the Lord of Creation is thinking about making me so desperately called to ministry. To say I've hit roadblocks is to say a tusami is a big wave.......
Yes, I know the phrase that's often handed out....that "God can do all things, in His time and His way." Lately my quip has been "Well, it'd be nice if He'd clue me in on the deal." God is totally working the way He wants to and there is nothing anyone can say that is going to stop Him from getting it done....let alone me.
I have been 'layed on' for ministry as a Chaplain. And I continue to grow, more away from the church I currently attend and more out into the field so ripe for harvest. I don't evangelize, though I have invited people to attend Orchard Grove or to come to my Chapel... I don't feel God's calling me to do that now, more so its a matter of taking care of needs with the mercy and grace that my Father has taught me He has for my sinful past and present and future. For we will constantly battle against our sinful nature until our bodies are renewed as the perfect ones the Creator designed them to be.
But, occassionally God answers my complaint to be clued in on His plans for me.....For Father's Day, my youngest wrote out the TOP TEN REASONS I LOVE MY DAD!!!:
10. I love my Dad because he writes good.
9. I love my Dad because he's nice to us.
8. I love my Dad because he cooks good.
7. I love my Dad because he lets us watch TV at 9pm at night.
6. I love my Dad because he's funny.
5. I love my Dad because he's the best.
4. I love my Dad because he makes my heart excited.
3. I love you Dad so much.
2. I love my Dad just because.
and the number #1 reason why this crazy, loving, and spontaneous eight year old daughter of mine loves her Dad???????????
1. I love my Dad so much that it makes me cry.
I stood before my congregation on Father's Day and read that to them. And then I described to them why I love my Father, the heavenly one.
10. I love my Dad because He forgave my sins.
9. I love my Dad because He created me.
8. I love my Dad because He created the world for me.
7. I love my Dad because He created a purpose for me.
6. I love my Dad because He is the one and only, the best.
5. I love my Dad because He promised never to let me go.
4. I love my Dad because He has great and wonderous plans for me.
3. I love my Dad because He has no record of my wrongs.
2. I love my Dad because I have been made to.
And the number #1 reason that I love my heavenly Father......
1. I love my Dad because He sent my adopted brother to this world to save me and show me the way HOME.
In peaceful contemplation,Jim
Yes, I know the phrase that's often handed out....that "God can do all things, in His time and His way." Lately my quip has been "Well, it'd be nice if He'd clue me in on the deal." God is totally working the way He wants to and there is nothing anyone can say that is going to stop Him from getting it done....let alone me.
I have been 'layed on' for ministry as a Chaplain. And I continue to grow, more away from the church I currently attend and more out into the field so ripe for harvest. I don't evangelize, though I have invited people to attend Orchard Grove or to come to my Chapel... I don't feel God's calling me to do that now, more so its a matter of taking care of needs with the mercy and grace that my Father has taught me He has for my sinful past and present and future. For we will constantly battle against our sinful nature until our bodies are renewed as the perfect ones the Creator designed them to be.
But, occassionally God answers my complaint to be clued in on His plans for me.....For Father's Day, my youngest wrote out the TOP TEN REASONS I LOVE MY DAD!!!:
10. I love my Dad because he writes good.
9. I love my Dad because he's nice to us.
8. I love my Dad because he cooks good.
7. I love my Dad because he lets us watch TV at 9pm at night.
6. I love my Dad because he's funny.
5. I love my Dad because he's the best.
4. I love my Dad because he makes my heart excited.
3. I love you Dad so much.
2. I love my Dad just because.
and the number #1 reason why this crazy, loving, and spontaneous eight year old daughter of mine loves her Dad???????????
1. I love my Dad so much that it makes me cry.
I stood before my congregation on Father's Day and read that to them. And then I described to them why I love my Father, the heavenly one.
10. I love my Dad because He forgave my sins.
9. I love my Dad because He created me.
8. I love my Dad because He created the world for me.
7. I love my Dad because He created a purpose for me.
6. I love my Dad because He is the one and only, the best.
5. I love my Dad because He promised never to let me go.
4. I love my Dad because He has great and wonderous plans for me.
3. I love my Dad because He has no record of my wrongs.
2. I love my Dad because I have been made to.
And the number #1 reason that I love my heavenly Father......
1. I love my Dad because He sent my adopted brother to this world to save me and show me the way HOME.
In peaceful contemplation,Jim
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)