A Trip Full Of Precious Memories…
With yesterday being my birthday I received some calls that I almost expected and several I didn’t! Isn’t it a blessing that over the years of ministry and life that there are some people that really have the gift of edification and encouragement? I received calls and birthday wishes yesterday from my kids and in-laws, my folks and Cindy’s Dad, a sister-in-law and some aunts. I also was blessed when people from my present ministry/ church called and some even posted comments/birthday wishes on this blog space. It’s a great blessing to pastor and work with a group of people that love their pastor and wife and show it. Many of them even went out of their way to show us their love during October for “Pastor Appreciation Month”. Now for the trip through time. I received calls yesterday from several people from other churches I have pastored through the years wishing me happy birthday, telling me that they are praying for Cindy and I and the new ministry and etc. . What a blessing to have people in your lives that love, show it and through the years don’t forget you! More people than I could ever count have crossed our paths through the years in the churches i’ve pastored, revivals I’ve done and ministries I’ve been involved in and many many many of those touched our lives in BIG ways. My mind goes back to the verse in Philippians where the Word of God records Paul when speaking about his relationship with those in Philippi: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you…” . I thank God for the many people who have come into our lives over the years who have “walked the walk” and “talked the talk”. Many times you only hear about “church problems” or the FEW in a church who try to “run the church or run the pastor”. You hardly ever get to hear about those who are REAL. Those who are genuine. Those who, although not perfect, love the Lord with all their heart, seek to be a blessing to their church by being faithful and helpful, and love their pastor and his family and seek to show it. THOSE are the heroe’s of the local church. The people who are faithful, loving, witnesses. They are “steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding” in the work. They are the ones that realize that the church isn’t perfect, the pastor and family aren’t perfect but love both and show it just the same. You know the more I type this blog this morning the more blessed I feel!!! THANK GOD for those of you who have sown so many seeds in our lives and hearts – good seeds that we will never forget. For those through the years (and their haven’t been many) who have actively sown seeds of discord, gossip, strife, envy, bitterness and ect…it’s best to forgive, forget and move on. It’s best to just love those types of people anyway because most of the time they aren’t even happy with themselves – much less their church family or their pastors family. Those kinds of people have been “thorns” in the life of their church and every pastor they’ve ever had – for years! They have a real spiritual problem and nothing you or I do or say is going to change their actions or attitude – except pray for them. I am so thankful for good memories and for GREAT friends! Thanks family and friends for being there in the good times and even sometimes the “not so good” times!! We love you — and you know who you are! LOL Have a blessed day – I WILL! Pastor James