You've Got To Be Kidding Me God!

Since I have been a pastor, I have been very diligent about getting my studying done for a sermon. I write them out and I make sure that all editing and final things are done by Friday.  In the seven years that I have been preaching, I have quite a little library of sermons that I have written............

For the past three weeks, I have not been preaching the sermons that I have typed up neatly in bold print (I need new glasses), Times Roman font, 14 size lettering (because I need new glasses) and 1 1/2 inch margins. No I haven't.  For the past three weeks, God has CHANGED my sermons all together.  The first time He did it, I just thought it was because the Spirit was so high. I was at a revival when this happened so I was quite excited when this happened.  Side Note: I have always admired preachers that can preach from the Bible with no notes and STILL make sense.  Now, the following day at my own service, God DID it again!  I was in my hotel room going over my manuscript and all of a sudden my manuscript looked liked it was written in Chinese!!!  Still, I took my sermon with me to church, INTENT to preach the Word that I had written, oh but when God steps in.......Well Jesus!  It happened again yesterday while I was sitting in my seat in the pulpit.  This time I actually said, "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME GOD!"  I was a little perturbed, yes I was, but I was obedient and I preached that Word!

I have come to the conclusion that God needed not only to get the people's attention, but mine as well.....Sometimes, God needs for a preacher to know that HE is the one that makes your ministry happen and NOT YOU and I.  Preachers must realize this importance of submitting fully to the will of God, of "giving" ourselves away so that God can fully use you.  Only when we do this will the full realization of God's plan for your ministry will bless you and your church.  We are only servants to do the ministry of God.  Let me repeat that, we are ONLY SERVANTS to do the ministry of God.

My Father told me to preach His Word His way and all I can say to that is, "Not my will Lord, but Thy will be done!" 

Busy, Busy, Busy!

OMG!!!! I did not know that I could be so busy that I have neglected this blog! You want to know what I have been doing? I have been busy pastoring a church, working my secular job, working hard to lose weight, writing sermons, being WIM (Women in Ministry) secretary, Official Board meetings, First Quarterly meeting, Christmas, raising money, preaching the Word, planning programs, singing, taking care of the grandbandit on some weekends, preparing to move to the town where my church is, spending time with my crazy children and the list goes on and on!  Soemtimes, I feel like the clown in the circus with the juggling act. 

With all of that said, I have learned the importance of rest.  I have to make myself rest, I really do.  Sometimes, I don't have sense enough to know that when my big toe refuses to move that it is time for me to shut it down. I was on the phone with a friend of mine and I swear that I was talking, ok, I wasn't talking but I thought I was. Anyway, the next thing I knew, she was screaming my name and I woke up saying, "I know that's right girl!"  Now, ask me what the sister said....I really couldn't tell you what the child said. Needless to say, she laughed and told me to take my behind to bed.

Rest is important for any preacher, especially a bi-vocational preacher.  You can't take care of your congrgants properly if you are not taking care of yourself physically.  Let me offer some suggestions on relaxation:

• Take a day off from EVERYTHING!  Trust me, it will all be there waiting on you.
• Find a quiet place to be alone with your thoughts.  I have found that the gym is my sancutary.  I can put my headphones on and concentrate on me without any interferance while I workout.
• Slow down and breathe!  Everything does not have to be ASAP.
• You do not have to be Superwoman/man.....Assign someone else to help you with a program.  That's what your boards are for.
• Go to bed at a reasonable hour.....Far too many preachers are burning the midnight oil on Saturday nights trying to write a sermon.  My formula for writing a sermon is: Monday-off, Tuesday-Prayer and look at lectionary or go to where God led me to, Wednesday-more study and start writing, Thursday-finish writing, Friday-re-read, edit and finish.  This works quite well for me and I can get to bed on time on Saturday night.
• Make a monthly calendar of Communion visits and Sick and Shut-In visits.
• Schedule a day for something fun for you or, if you have a family, to do.
• Eat healthy.  A healthy body functions better. Your mind is sharper and you will have more stamina.  Sugary snacks will give you an initial rush, but you will come crashing hard.  Drink plenty of water and follow the food pyramid below: 

 

Finally, pray and pray!  Even when you are tired, just pray!  Ask God to give you strength and stamina for this journey. But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

 

Just remember, RELAX, RELATE AND RELEASE........Blessings!