in between bites & sips ...

thanks for stopping by! here's where i put various thought, quotes or stories. most will be brief, some may be extended - but all will be somehow connected to my world. enjoy your stay!



Sunday, November 15, 2009

That worked out well!

K - last Sunday I must have REALLY gone off notes! Actually, I know I went way off notes since I only had a scrap of paper with no more than 40 words on it, yet I still managed to preach for 40 minutes - and I definitely didn't say 1 word per minute.

So, this means I must have gone heavy with the personal stories ... and I did. But boy did it ever pay off! I told the story of the previous posted blog 'That's my pastor' and suddenly, people start posting all over my facebook wall 'That's my pastor!'. It feels so great to be loved.

Then, I told a story of my son not sharing his chocolate bar with me. It worked as an illustration and made the point I wanted it to. What I didn't count on is the response ... I've been bombarded with gifts of KitKats & Hershey bars all week! It's been AWESOME!!!!! I don't even think I can eat it all - I may have to share!!!

Honest. I wasn't vying for compliments or candy when I told the stories I told in the sermon! But, if everyone's goal to show their appreciation for me - you've hit the mark.

THANK YOU ALL!

That's my pastor

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of offering the benediction prayer for a Teen Challenge Banquet in Youngstown, Ohio. I was asked to do this because the Executive Director, Pastor Roy Barnett is a member of the church I pastor.

There's always a little extra stress when you are praying in that situation. I know I'm just talking to God (by just, I don't mean like it's no big deal, I mean that He is really my sole audience), but just being honest with you - it sometimes feels like you're being judged! Perhaps it's all in my head ... but, I don't think so.

Anyways, I just did what I do - ultimately trying to lead the audience in prayer and ignoring the pressure to try and impress - and partly, I was just relieved to be done and hopeful I met Pastor Barnett's expectations.

Then, he unknowingly gave me the greatest compliment anyone could ever give me as a pastor - I overheard him telling someone at his table 'That's my pastor'. Wow. That he would want the world (or at least his friend) to be identified with me told me he was pleased with my prayer, but wayyyyy more than that, he wanted others to know we are in relationship.

It's much the same way for all of us when it comes to talking about God. He does so much for us every single day, and all He wants is for us to acknowledge our relationship with Him, 'That's my God'!

In that one moment that Pastor Roy said what he did of me, I understood how great it must feel for God for us to acknowledge publicly our relationship with Him.