Sabbatical Cancelled - WE HAVE A GRANDDAUGHTER!

So who needs a Sabbatical when you have a beautiful granddaughter? Who needs a job? Who needs anything?

God, Evee Marie (and a bit of Gwen Marie) – That’s enough for me!

Did I mention she’s beautiful?

Born: 12:02 am April 24, 2007
Weight: 7lbs. 15.5oz.
Length: 20 ¾ inches


She's Beautiful!

SABBATICAL FEARS

It’s true – deep inside this image of courage – I do have fears. Nothing keeps me from sleeping at night – but these Sabbatical fears come close . . .

• That the custodial team will rebel & put the TP on under the falls . . .
• That the women I most like to hug on Sundays – Pat and Helen and Barb and Helen and Marian and Arlene and Janet and – well, there are so many – will find their hug needs met through Pastor Dave or Jon and they won’t need me anymore . . .
• That the preaching will be so great that no one will miss me . . .
• That the relocation will take place while I’m gone and I won’t be able to find our church when I get back
• That the summer ministry interns will have youth sleep-overs in my office or that the Vacation Bible School rallies will be held in my office or the staff will hide dead things in there
• That so many people will offer help in my absence that the staff will be overwhelmed and not able to place people in Kingdom difference ministries

Tough fears – makes me glad I don’t have to worry about . . .

• A slowing of the great momentum we are experiencing
  
• Church people “going on Sabbatical from church” while I’m gone
  
• Ministry Fund giving “dipping”
  
• The final months of imagine losing ground in preparing us financially and in our characters for the relocation journey ahead
  
• A cooling of the passion for caring for and reaching our community, region, and world

My biggest fear remains – the fear of missing out on all God is doing in our church family!

EASTER REFLECTIONS . . .

So, I’m still thinking deeply about the message of love on Easter and the stories of life-change. My favorite quote of the day – David speaking of the friend who reached out to him in his need and pointed him to God – how he had given him a swift prayer in the butt! God’s love has no limits – the Curtain was torn – no more barriers (and over 1800 persons on Sunday said, Amen!).

Some have asked, So what do you do on a sabbatical?

I sense God’s leading to walk in 4 Blocks of time. Here is a glimpse at the first two

Block 1 – Decompression and Rest – in Western U.S. parks (UT, AZ, NM, MT) - Several days of alone time for rest, reflection, hiking, prayer, journaling, soul reading, worship and word. Gwen will join me for the second half of this block.

Interlude – Coaching and time with grandchild!

Block 2 – Mission Partner coaching and personal and couple growth – in Slovakia, Bosnia, and Croatia. We will enjoy time with missionaries Steve & Jo Kilbry in Slovakia and then our partners in Bosnia. Most of the time will be spent in study, couple time, reading, writing and reflecting and some limited sight-seeing.

Interlude – We will come back for more time with the grandchild!

We’re not gone yet – so as you are praying for us – could you please ask for clarity in completing a number of pre-sabbatical tasks? Lots of people are stepping up to the plate at this time. Pray for Pastor Peter who will give significant leadership during the Sabbatical and Pastor Peter and Pastor Dave Horne as they give significant investment to the preaching while I am gone.

101 Days . . .

You may have noticed that the Sabbatical journey is 101 days long. When I added it up that seemed like a long time . . . until I realized that by the time I leave I will have been here 3,650 days – 10 years!

10 years is so hard to believe! It seems like yesterday . . .
* The congregation voted for us to come as Senior Pastor
* That our youngest, Julie, was going in to 5th grade at Jeffers (she’s 20 now!)
* That I was still in my 30’s (ok, so 39 – but still in my 30’s!)
* We were experiencing the joy-filled journey of getting to know you.

So much has happened in our family
* Proms and graduations and significant others
* 3 out of 4 of the kids are married
* Did you know we are expecting our first grandchild any day (due 4-19)?
* Gwen is going to receive her Bachelors Degree (4-28)

And in the Church – becoming more and more
* immersed in prayer
* about reaching children & students
* engaged in our community and world
* generous with our time, energy, gifts, and money
* like Christ

The Psalmist asks God to “Teach me to number my days . . .”

That’s my prayer for the 101 – “Lord, teach me to number those 101 days in a way that is led by You.”

The 101 is exciting but not near as meaningful as the 3,650 have been.