No one wins the Tour de France alone! I've been watching the Tour each year since I became a serious cyclist about five years ago. It never interested me before that, but once you've ridden 100 miles or more in a single day on your bike (or 1500 miles in three weeks) you begin to appreciate what those riders do in the Tour.
The longer I've watched the more I've come to appreciate the importance of the team to any individual's victory. If you want to win the Tour you must be a climber, and more. If you're only a climber you might win the King of the Mountains, but never the GC. And if you have only climbers on your team, no one on your team will ever win the GC. And although a sprinter could never win overall, it's good to have a wining sprinter on your team, because your sponsors like to see their logo flash across the finish line first every so often.
The body of Christ is like a winning Tour de France team. God gives different gifts to the members of the body. Some of those gifts are very evident. When the pastor is able to proclaim God's Word in a clear, powerful and relevant manner Sunday after Sunday the whole body is blessed. When the musical leadership is strong, lively and glorious the whole body rejoices. Those members are kind of like the GC contenders on the team. But there are many others gift required for the whole body to function effectively. It's easy to forget how important those other members are when their gifts are not as visible or prominent as others.
In 1 Corinthians 12:24-25 Paul says: "But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other." Don't think too highly of yourself if your gifts happen to be evident or prominent in the body. No one wins without the whole team! And don't diminish yourself if your gifts don't seem as important or as strong as others. God gave you the gifts you have to support and strengthen the whole Body. And without your gifts the body cannot function effectively.
The fact that we all belong to each other and that together we all make up the Body of Christ should increase our love for each other. When we love each other as Christ loved us, then we will truly form a winning team.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Warnings!
“Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.” 1 Corinthians 10:6
If you want to ride in a peloton (a line of cyclists) there’s one thing you need to learn early on. When you’re riding on the wheel of another cyclist, it’s not always possible to spot hazards in the road ahead. You also don’t have much warning if the rider ahead of you suddenly slows or stops. So it’s very important to learn that when you ride in a peloton you need to warn the rider behind you by pointing out hazards in the road and signaling when you’re going to use your brakes. Otherwise the person behind you will probably hit the same pothole you hit, or run into your wheel as you stop suddenly. And the results can be disastrous, yes, even fatal.
As I read 1 Corinthians 10:6 this morning I thought about the person who has gone ahead providing a warning to the one who is behind. Paul tells us that the lives of God’s people in the Old Testament are recorded so that we may learn from their mistakes and not repeat them. There’s an old saying about history that appears in many different forms, but the earliest version is probably that of the 19th Century poet and philosopher George Santayana: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." This is one of the reasons God wants us to be in the Word daily.
There’s another quote, however, from Mark Twain that is not nearly so familiar, but has a grain of truth in it. “It is not worthwhile to try to keep history from repeating itself, for man's character will always make the preventing of the repetitions impossible” The truth is that everyone of us has the same sinful nature that we inherited from our parents, all the way back to Adam and Eve. That sinful nature would make it impossible for us to learn from others’ past mistakes and keep from repeating them without God’s power at work in our lives.
Paul writes: “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) If we rely on ourselves to keep from repeating history when faced with temptation, we will fall. If we remember that God knows us better than we know ourselves and only permits us to endure temptations that by his power we can overcome, and if we remember that he makes a way for us out of every temptation, then we will not be doomed to repeat the sins of the past.
When we are able to overcome temptation by God’s power at work in us, then we will not cause others to stumble and fall, (1 Corinthians 10:32) in the same way that we keep others from falling in the peloton by pointing out the rock in the road, and signaling our stop.
If you want to ride in a peloton (a line of cyclists) there’s one thing you need to learn early on. When you’re riding on the wheel of another cyclist, it’s not always possible to spot hazards in the road ahead. You also don’t have much warning if the rider ahead of you suddenly slows or stops. So it’s very important to learn that when you ride in a peloton you need to warn the rider behind you by pointing out hazards in the road and signaling when you’re going to use your brakes. Otherwise the person behind you will probably hit the same pothole you hit, or run into your wheel as you stop suddenly. And the results can be disastrous, yes, even fatal.
As I read 1 Corinthians 10:6 this morning I thought about the person who has gone ahead providing a warning to the one who is behind. Paul tells us that the lives of God’s people in the Old Testament are recorded so that we may learn from their mistakes and not repeat them. There’s an old saying about history that appears in many different forms, but the earliest version is probably that of the 19th Century poet and philosopher George Santayana: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." This is one of the reasons God wants us to be in the Word daily.
There’s another quote, however, from Mark Twain that is not nearly so familiar, but has a grain of truth in it. “It is not worthwhile to try to keep history from repeating itself, for man's character will always make the preventing of the repetitions impossible” The truth is that everyone of us has the same sinful nature that we inherited from our parents, all the way back to Adam and Eve. That sinful nature would make it impossible for us to learn from others’ past mistakes and keep from repeating them without God’s power at work in our lives.
Paul writes: “God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) If we rely on ourselves to keep from repeating history when faced with temptation, we will fall. If we remember that God knows us better than we know ourselves and only permits us to endure temptations that by his power we can overcome, and if we remember that he makes a way for us out of every temptation, then we will not be doomed to repeat the sins of the past.
When we are able to overcome temptation by God’s power at work in us, then we will not cause others to stumble and fall, (1 Corinthians 10:32) in the same way that we keep others from falling in the peloton by pointing out the rock in the road, and signaling our stop.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
"SHUT"
“These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” (Revelation 3:7-8)
I’ve been riding my bike through the little town of Bulverde, Texas for a few months now. Right on Bulverde Rd. there’s a business that is closed most of the time when I ride by. In fact, I thought it was out of business and permanently shuttered until one time I finally saw an “OPEN” sign on the front door. Every other time I’ve ridden by there’s been a bright yellow sign on the door with big red letters reading “SHUT”. The first time I saw that sign it struck me as rather harsh. Most businesses nowadays have the generic neon “OPEN” sign like you see them selling at Costco. When it’s lit, you know the business is open. When it’s turned off you know the store is closed. The neon light is inviting. Turn the light off and the invitation disappears. But the red letters “SHUT” on a bright yellow sign are stark. The message is strong. It’s almost forbidding. “Stay away! You’re not welcome! No admittance! Keep out!” It made me feel like I wasn’t sure I wanted to patronize that business even when it was “OPEN”.
It’s one thing to see the word “SHUT” on the door of a business. It’s something much worse to see the word “SHUT” on the door to heaven. Jesus told us that he is the One who holds “the key of David,” that is, the key to the Kingdom of Heaven. When those doors are “SHUT”, Jesus says, no one can open them. What is it that bars the door to heaven so strongly that not even the strongest person could possibly pry them open? It’s sin! Every one of us who appears at heaven’s door burdened with sin will see that bright yellow sign with big red letters, “SHUT”. It won’t be a pretty sight. But none of us has to appear at heaven’s door burdened with sin. Jesus has already borne our sin on the cross. He took it away. It’s been blotted out. Removed, as far as the east is from the west. Drowned in the depths of the sea. Paid in full. Sin’s crimson stain has been washed white as snow. We’re free the moment we trust in Jesus. As a result, when we appear at Heaven’s door there will be no “SHUT” sign. Because the door Jesus has opened, no one can shut.
There’s a wonderful song by the group “Newsong” that says it beautifully.
Heaven’s gates were closed
And there seemed to be no hope for fallen man
We were prisoners of our sin
With no way to enter in but God had a plan
The Father knew there had to be a perfect sacrifice
So Jesus came, a cross was raised and when He laid down his life
Wide open, wide open
They nailed his arms wide open
After three days in a cold grave
The power of sin was broken
Now with outstretched arms He welcomes in
Everyone who trusts in him
His nail-scarred hands hold heaven’s gates wide open
Wide open! How much better is that than “SHUT”? So the next time you see the invitingly lit neon “OPEN” sign in the window of a business, smile and think about the wide open gates of heaven that are waiting for you at the end of life’s journey.
I’ve been riding my bike through the little town of Bulverde, Texas for a few months now. Right on Bulverde Rd. there’s a business that is closed most of the time when I ride by. In fact, I thought it was out of business and permanently shuttered until one time I finally saw an “OPEN” sign on the front door. Every other time I’ve ridden by there’s been a bright yellow sign on the door with big red letters reading “SHUT”. The first time I saw that sign it struck me as rather harsh. Most businesses nowadays have the generic neon “OPEN” sign like you see them selling at Costco. When it’s lit, you know the business is open. When it’s turned off you know the store is closed. The neon light is inviting. Turn the light off and the invitation disappears. But the red letters “SHUT” on a bright yellow sign are stark. The message is strong. It’s almost forbidding. “Stay away! You’re not welcome! No admittance! Keep out!” It made me feel like I wasn’t sure I wanted to patronize that business even when it was “OPEN”.
It’s one thing to see the word “SHUT” on the door of a business. It’s something much worse to see the word “SHUT” on the door to heaven. Jesus told us that he is the One who holds “the key of David,” that is, the key to the Kingdom of Heaven. When those doors are “SHUT”, Jesus says, no one can open them. What is it that bars the door to heaven so strongly that not even the strongest person could possibly pry them open? It’s sin! Every one of us who appears at heaven’s door burdened with sin will see that bright yellow sign with big red letters, “SHUT”. It won’t be a pretty sight. But none of us has to appear at heaven’s door burdened with sin. Jesus has already borne our sin on the cross. He took it away. It’s been blotted out. Removed, as far as the east is from the west. Drowned in the depths of the sea. Paid in full. Sin’s crimson stain has been washed white as snow. We’re free the moment we trust in Jesus. As a result, when we appear at Heaven’s door there will be no “SHUT” sign. Because the door Jesus has opened, no one can shut.
There’s a wonderful song by the group “Newsong” that says it beautifully.
Heaven’s gates were closed
And there seemed to be no hope for fallen man
We were prisoners of our sin
With no way to enter in but God had a plan
The Father knew there had to be a perfect sacrifice
So Jesus came, a cross was raised and when He laid down his life
Wide open, wide open
They nailed his arms wide open
After three days in a cold grave
The power of sin was broken
Now with outstretched arms He welcomes in
Everyone who trusts in him
His nail-scarred hands hold heaven’s gates wide open
Wide open! How much better is that than “SHUT”? So the next time you see the invitingly lit neon “OPEN” sign in the window of a business, smile and think about the wide open gates of heaven that are waiting for you at the end of life’s journey.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Harder than a Century
For the past week my wife and I have been in San Antonio, Texas for the purpose of buying a home. I thought about bringing my bike with me in order to get my first taste of riding in the Texas Hill Country, but I decided I should leave it in Washington and stay focused on the task at hand. It's a good thing too, because I've found the whole process of buying a house a lot harder than riding a century.
First you have to choose a realtor, then you need to decide where you want to look, then what kind of house you're looking for, then you have to locate potential properties from the MLS listings, and then actually go out and look at the properties, because most of the time they don't look anything like they do in the listings. Once you've finally settled on a house, then you have to go through the financing process.
Financing is the worst part of all, because everything you've ever done with money is laid bare for the loan officer (and anyone else who works with him) to see. It reminded me of how I felt as I put on my riding gear after a long, cold wet winter when I didn't ride nearly enough and put on way too many pounds. I felt almost naked in my lycra spandex, with way too much being revealed, even though it was still covered. After three and a half hours in the mortgage office I felt like I did after riding the STP in one day. SPENT!
The amazing thing is that just as God has guided, guarded, strengthened and kept me through many long, hard rides, he has guided and strengthened us through this long process. We hope to close on our new home in a few weeks and be enjoying the new life God has in store for us in Texas. It's exciting. It reminds me of one of my favorite Bible passages, Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust the LORD with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Remember the LORD in all you do, and he will give you success."
First you have to choose a realtor, then you need to decide where you want to look, then what kind of house you're looking for, then you have to locate potential properties from the MLS listings, and then actually go out and look at the properties, because most of the time they don't look anything like they do in the listings. Once you've finally settled on a house, then you have to go through the financing process.
Financing is the worst part of all, because everything you've ever done with money is laid bare for the loan officer (and anyone else who works with him) to see. It reminded me of how I felt as I put on my riding gear after a long, cold wet winter when I didn't ride nearly enough and put on way too many pounds. I felt almost naked in my lycra spandex, with way too much being revealed, even though it was still covered. After three and a half hours in the mortgage office I felt like I did after riding the STP in one day. SPENT!
The amazing thing is that just as God has guided, guarded, strengthened and kept me through many long, hard rides, he has guided and strengthened us through this long process. We hope to close on our new home in a few weeks and be enjoying the new life God has in store for us in Texas. It's exciting. It reminds me of one of my favorite Bible passages, Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust the LORD with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. Remember the LORD in all you do, and he will give you success."
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The Virtual Tour
Once again it is Tour de France time. July has become my favorite month of the year for this reason. It's an amazing race that it difficult beyond comprehension. Over 2000 miles and an unbelievable amount of climbing. The mountains are where the race is won or lost.
This year for the first time there is an online Virtual Tour. Each day of the Tour you ride your bike and record your ride using a GPS. Then you submit your ride to the website. A computer program analyzes your ride and your performance while riding and compares it to that day's course on the Tour. It tells you how long it would have taken for you to ride the same course as the peloton rode.
On Saturday Fabian Cancellara won the opening time trial, covering 15 kilometers or about 9 miles in 19 minutes and 32 seconds. On the second day, sprinter Mark Cavendish was the winner, riding 122 miles in four and one half hours. Well, I submitted my rides and got the results. They were stunning, in the worst possible way! It would have taken me 50 minutes to ride the time trial course in Monaco on Saturday. Today's ride would have taken me 10 hours and 12 minutes (that's considering that I would have been able to complete it at all). OUCH! These revelations were humbling to say the least. I can't believe how much fitness I've lost since my Canada to Mexico ride just a year ago. But even in my best shape at the end of that 1300 mile ride, the peloton would have left me in the dust.
Paul writes in Romans 12:3: "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." This is even more true spiritually, than it is physically. I need to have a realistic view of myself as a cyclist, otherwise I will get into trouble trying to overextend myself as a rider. This could result in a "bonk" at the least (bonking is running out of "gas" during a ride) or a crash at the worst. If we do not have a realistic view of ourselves spiritually, the results could be much worse. I could overestimate myself and underestimate the Enemy and end up falling into serious sin and spiritual ruin. I could become self-righteous and judgmental as I make false comparisons between myself and other people.
Logging on to the Virtual Tour gave me a good reality check on my cycling abilities. Each of us needs to open God's Word and examine ourselves in the light of God's will so that we will not think more highly of ourselves than we ought.
The interesting thing about the Virtual Tour is that you can "win" no matter how slow you are, just by entering. In a similar way, God's grace makes us all winners regardless of how weak or strong we are, because we trust in Jesus and His saving grace. Grace does not apply to the real Tour de France, however. The one who rides the race in the shortest overall time wins. And right now, I'm not ready to pick a winner for 2009. They haven't hit the mountains. But we can all be winners if we put our faith in Jesus!
This year for the first time there is an online Virtual Tour. Each day of the Tour you ride your bike and record your ride using a GPS. Then you submit your ride to the website. A computer program analyzes your ride and your performance while riding and compares it to that day's course on the Tour. It tells you how long it would have taken for you to ride the same course as the peloton rode.
On Saturday Fabian Cancellara won the opening time trial, covering 15 kilometers or about 9 miles in 19 minutes and 32 seconds. On the second day, sprinter Mark Cavendish was the winner, riding 122 miles in four and one half hours. Well, I submitted my rides and got the results. They were stunning, in the worst possible way! It would have taken me 50 minutes to ride the time trial course in Monaco on Saturday. Today's ride would have taken me 10 hours and 12 minutes (that's considering that I would have been able to complete it at all). OUCH! These revelations were humbling to say the least. I can't believe how much fitness I've lost since my Canada to Mexico ride just a year ago. But even in my best shape at the end of that 1300 mile ride, the peloton would have left me in the dust.
Paul writes in Romans 12:3: "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." This is even more true spiritually, than it is physically. I need to have a realistic view of myself as a cyclist, otherwise I will get into trouble trying to overextend myself as a rider. This could result in a "bonk" at the least (bonking is running out of "gas" during a ride) or a crash at the worst. If we do not have a realistic view of ourselves spiritually, the results could be much worse. I could overestimate myself and underestimate the Enemy and end up falling into serious sin and spiritual ruin. I could become self-righteous and judgmental as I make false comparisons between myself and other people.
Logging on to the Virtual Tour gave me a good reality check on my cycling abilities. Each of us needs to open God's Word and examine ourselves in the light of God's will so that we will not think more highly of ourselves than we ought.
The interesting thing about the Virtual Tour is that you can "win" no matter how slow you are, just by entering. In a similar way, God's grace makes us all winners regardless of how weak or strong we are, because we trust in Jesus and His saving grace. Grace does not apply to the real Tour de France, however. The one who rides the race in the shortest overall time wins. And right now, I'm not ready to pick a winner for 2009. They haven't hit the mountains. But we can all be winners if we put our faith in Jesus!
Friday, May 22, 2009
The ups and downs of cycling and life
Becoming a serious cyclist while living in the Pacific Northwest has taught me a lot of things. Climbing can be very hard, but it's good for you. It makes you strong. Since 2004 when I began to ride seriously I've lived at the top of a 500 foot climb. At the end of every ride I have to make that climb if I want to get home, no matter how many miles or hills I've already ridden. Parts of that climb are a 13% grade, and my heart rate will top 160 as I grind toward the top. On the other hand, the drop down to the valley from 500 feet is thrilling, sometimes topping 45 miles per hour. While the climbs are hard, the descents are dangerous, requiring total concentration and being constantly alert. You have to pay attention to the twists and turns ahead, the pavement in front of you, your bike, the wind, any potential obstacles... a lot can go wrong on a fast descent.
As I've been navigating the route to retirement, I'v experienced a lot of ups and downs as well. Some days I'm excited about reitirng, others leave me wondering what it will be like not to be pastoring on a daily basis. Some days I'm overwhelmed by all the work of moving. Trying to sell a house and buy another in this economy is another roller coaster ride. We've had to spend a significant chunk of our retirement nest egg just getting our house in shape to sell. One day the deal is on, the next day it's up in the air again. Patience and perseverance are just as essential as they are on a long, torturous climb. But, as in most climbs there are those short flat spots where you get to rest for a moment before the road turns up again.
Today was a reminder of why I'm on this road. Elijah graduated from preschool at our Savior this morning. It was a joyful, proud, emotional moment, with my wife, Diana and daughter, Rebekah by my side. My little "Cowboy" sang about his faith and received a blessing for his future. I'm so looking forward to being able to spend more time with my family, as well as with my Texas family, MaryBeth and William and grandson, Seth, once we get down there. Perhaps that's why I'm so impatient and want things to hurry along. Being all together as a family will be such a blessing.
Right now our retirment plans are on hold, while the sale of our house is being negotiated. It seems that our move is farther off than we originally expected, but God knows best and we're trusting (at least trying to) his perfect time and plan.
I've thought about Proverbs 3:5-6 a lot. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths." Trusting in the Lord with all your heart is sometimes hard. We want to be in control. We want to figure it all out according to our plan and our timetable. However, we need to remember that our Lord knows best and that his ways are better than our ways. Whether the road ahead is an agonizing climb or an exhilarating descent we know we can trust him to see us through.
Whenever I begin a ride I pray: "Lord, I commit this ride to you. I ask you to watch over me, wrap your loving arms around me, let your holy angels be with me that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Give me strength for the climbs, and skill for the descents and bring me safely home to my family." That's a pretty good prayer for navigating the road to retirment too.
It will probably be a couple of months before I'm riding the Texas Hill Country, but by that time Lance Armstrong may be home from another Tour de France. Maybe I'll cross paths with him some morning. It's one of many things I'm looking forward to in Texas.
As I've been navigating the route to retirement, I'v experienced a lot of ups and downs as well. Some days I'm excited about reitirng, others leave me wondering what it will be like not to be pastoring on a daily basis. Some days I'm overwhelmed by all the work of moving. Trying to sell a house and buy another in this economy is another roller coaster ride. We've had to spend a significant chunk of our retirement nest egg just getting our house in shape to sell. One day the deal is on, the next day it's up in the air again. Patience and perseverance are just as essential as they are on a long, torturous climb. But, as in most climbs there are those short flat spots where you get to rest for a moment before the road turns up again.
Today was a reminder of why I'm on this road. Elijah graduated from preschool at our Savior this morning. It was a joyful, proud, emotional moment, with my wife, Diana and daughter, Rebekah by my side. My little "Cowboy" sang about his faith and received a blessing for his future. I'm so looking forward to being able to spend more time with my family, as well as with my Texas family, MaryBeth and William and grandson, Seth, once we get down there. Perhaps that's why I'm so impatient and want things to hurry along. Being all together as a family will be such a blessing.Right now our retirment plans are on hold, while the sale of our house is being negotiated. It seems that our move is farther off than we originally expected, but God knows best and we're trusting (at least trying to) his perfect time and plan.
I've thought about Proverbs 3:5-6 a lot. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths." Trusting in the Lord with all your heart is sometimes hard. We want to be in control. We want to figure it all out according to our plan and our timetable. However, we need to remember that our Lord knows best and that his ways are better than our ways. Whether the road ahead is an agonizing climb or an exhilarating descent we know we can trust him to see us through.
Whenever I begin a ride I pray: "Lord, I commit this ride to you. I ask you to watch over me, wrap your loving arms around me, let your holy angels be with me that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Give me strength for the climbs, and skill for the descents and bring me safely home to my family." That's a pretty good prayer for navigating the road to retirment too.
It will probably be a couple of months before I'm riding the Texas Hill Country, but by that time Lance Armstrong may be home from another Tour de France. Maybe I'll cross paths with him some morning. It's one of many things I'm looking forward to in Texas.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wow, how things change.
One year ago I was looking forward to the beginning of my pastoral sabbatical in May of 2008, and preparing for my ride from Canada to Mexico to benefit 4US.org. Now a year later I'm looking forward to retiring from the pastoral ministry and I haven't ridden my bike in a full month.
The past six months have been challenging to say the least. I've finally come to the realization that I'm too burned out to provide the full time pastoral leadership that is required by Our Savior Lutheran Church, Tacoma, WA and have decided to retire from the ministry and move with my family to Texas.
I'm looking forward to a new life with more time for my wife, Diana, and the rest of my family. It'll be great to have both girls (Rebekah and MaryBeth) my son-in-law William and both grandsons all in the same state! Here's me with my new grandson, Seth.
I'm sure God isn't finished with me in ministry yet, I just don't know what he has in store next. I'm excited to find out what it may be. I am also looking forward to riding the Texas Hill Country for the first time, and for many years to come. Maybe I'll even run into Lance Armstrong out there on the road someday.
God's ways are truly amazing. We never know what twists and turns he has planned for our road ahead. If someone would have told me five years ago that I would be retiring at age 60 and moving to San Antonio, Texas I would have said they are crazy. (Of couse, if someone would have told me last July that I'd be as fat and out of shape as I am now, I also would have thought they were nuts!) But one of the things I enjoyed most about my ride last June was to wake up every morning to a new ride in a new place, on a road where you didn't know what was coming next. Well, now I'm there again! I don't know what lies ahead on the road I'm on, but that makes it exciting.
One of my many favorites Scriptures is Proverbs3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths (NLT). I do believe God is directing my path and I can't wait to discover the sights, challengs, opportunities and blessings that he has in store.
I'm planning on blogging a little more once I'm in Texas and riding the Hill Country, so please check back this summer.
Pastor Bob+
The past six months have been challenging to say the least. I've finally come to the realization that I'm too burned out to provide the full time pastoral leadership that is required by Our Savior Lutheran Church, Tacoma, WA and have decided to retire from the ministry and move with my family to Texas.
I'm looking forward to a new life with more time for my wife, Diana, and the rest of my family. It'll be great to have both girls (Rebekah and MaryBeth) my son-in-law William and both grandsons all in the same state! Here's me with my new grandson, Seth.I'm sure God isn't finished with me in ministry yet, I just don't know what he has in store next. I'm excited to find out what it may be. I am also looking forward to riding the Texas Hill Country for the first time, and for many years to come. Maybe I'll even run into Lance Armstrong out there on the road someday.
God's ways are truly amazing. We never know what twists and turns he has planned for our road ahead. If someone would have told me five years ago that I would be retiring at age 60 and moving to San Antonio, Texas I would have said they are crazy. (Of couse, if someone would have told me last July that I'd be as fat and out of shape as I am now, I also would have thought they were nuts!) But one of the things I enjoyed most about my ride last June was to wake up every morning to a new ride in a new place, on a road where you didn't know what was coming next. Well, now I'm there again! I don't know what lies ahead on the road I'm on, but that makes it exciting.
One of my many favorites Scriptures is Proverbs3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths (NLT). I do believe God is directing my path and I can't wait to discover the sights, challengs, opportunities and blessings that he has in store.
I'm planning on blogging a little more once I'm in Texas and riding the Hill Country, so please check back this summer.
Pastor Bob+
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)