Confessions of a pastor-man
So, I really did not want to go to last night's (Sunday 5/18) prayer meeting. Yeah, I know we call it Deeper, but we all know that it's a prayer meeting... and I didn't want to go.
My body was physically strained from a scout campout where we climbed cliff faces at Backbone State Park. You know something, climbing uses muscles that you haven't used since you were a kid climbing trees. It was fun... but it was painful.
So I was tired physically, and I emotionally was tired at the thought of another jam-packed week of meeting needs, preparing two messages, answering an onslaught of e-mail, and on and on.
But I'm a pastor-man so "I have to go". It's my job. I'm supposed to be into this stuff. And my kids are watching me... noting my choices... following my example. I needed to go. So I went.
How many times must I fight through my flesh and die to myself to discover how sweet it is to be in the presence of God and His people. I don't know, but I learned the lesson again last night. Deeper lived up to its name. It was deep.
It was a rough start, though, since the worship was with newer songs that I didn't have memorized yet... plus I had an attitude. After that, though, we dug into Ephesians 2 and discussed all that God has done to rescue us. We then broke bread (had communion) and gave thanks.
We also reflected on Acts 24:16 about having a clear conscience before man and God, and quietly gave our burdened hearts and minds over to Him. It was good to talk to God about my own faith struggles... like wanting to blow off a "prayer meeting".
But let me cut to the quick. Deeper really became rich for me as we shared with each other what we've seen God doing in our midst. Oh my, I just didn't know. I just didn't know how "on the move" God was.
It started with Jason Dietzenbach sharing that he and Eryn just an hour ago introduced a guy, Dan, to Jesus Christ! We erupted into clapping upon hearing such great news of the advancement of the Kingdom into another life.
Then Gail Colbert shared that her daughter, Kayli, led her other daughter, McKenzie, to faith in Christ yesterday!
Then Annette shared that Moriah Harris led a teenager who was coming to Youth group, Megan, to Christ two weeks ago!
Then Bob Hibbing shared about leading a Sudanese man, Dak (?), into a prayer to receive Christ! He also praised God for the ever growing International church at Stonebrook hitting a record attendance. And it just went on and on!!
And praying for each other at the end of the time didn't consist of healing my grandmother's ingrown toenail, either. We entrusted to God the impact that many of our efforts to touch people's lives in Ames this summer would have... and for 3 saints to experience safety and be a light for Christ as they go overseas to Japan, Turkey, and Germany.
It was a good night. May I never doubt again.