O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways.
~
Psalm 139:1-3
The following is taken from the book, 'More Jesus Less Religion' by Stephan Arterburn & Jack Felton
God wants us to be us.
People with a healthy faith depend upon God for their strength. Healthy faithallows us to express faith as individuals.
When my children were small, i attended Newport Christian Center. The pastor at that time, Jim Bradford, knew of some of my abilities & talents & wanted me to step into teaching and administrative counseling position at the church. Determining to be candid with this good sheperding, i told him, " You know, right now, at this time of my life, with all i've got on my plate...i just want to relax."
I braced myself for all the guilt and shame you might expect a pastor to heap on you when he wants something. But Pastor Bradford surprised me.
"well," he said, "if you're not there to do it, Jack, and even if it doesn't get done, then it wasn't what God wanted. No big deal. We're behind you. We're here for you, you're not here for us."
Oh man! you can't believe how freeing those comments were to me. He was saying,"Jack, you're free to give to the church & free to minister when you're ready. You're also free to say no to a request for service & free to disagree with the leadership. You're free to come & free to go. Thre's no condemnation. The church is truly here for you. It's God's church, not the pastor's church or the elders' church. Until God moves you to minister in some capacity, relax & soak up the teaching & fellowship. Worship God with us."
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