- Electronically = through comments left on blog sites and instant messaging
- Verbally = through investigating questions and sharing personal opinions
- Doing nothing = build up of reaction due to no action
- Expectations = Again this refers to opinions and assumptions of people
- Responsibility to provide = Given to people at the fall of man
- Physical = the force per unit area applied on a surface in a direction perpendicular to that surface.
The Leavener blog has been delayed due to an RV trip around Michigan with the Tyner Family. We had an incredible relaxing trip to Grand Haven, Traverse City (The Cherry Festival), 
Mackinaw City, Mackinac Island and Monroe. Our families have vacationed together for the last three years in various spots around the country but Keith wanted us to have a taste of the RV life they experienced last summer when traveling Route 66. We had a blast. We just got back yesterday. But there is pressure to get this site updated. There is pressure to communicate what is happening in our life. There is pressure to communicate truth. But don't misinterpret... the pressure from this blog is not that great. It's just something else I have to get done.
You want to know what real pressure is? The physical kind of pressure? Well, on an RV, you have a toilet that fills into a black tank. When that black tank gets full of refuse from two families' bodies, you have to empty it. So you attach a hose to the black tube of the tank and put the other end in a ground drain. When you pull the black handle to let the refuse dump it begins flowing through the tube. At times you have to pick up the tube so gravity will help the process of relieving pressure from the tank. Who knew that when I picked up that tube to release some pressure that it would fall apart at the neck of the tube and body refuse would spew all over the parking lot? Now that is pressure!!!! What do you do now? "Honey, get the broom and dust pan!"... "I'll buy you a new one!!!" Thanks to Connie who literally "stepped in" and helped relieve some pressure by sweeping that #@*% up.
Oh, there is more pressure. How and when does this new church begin? There is stuff happening that I never expected... it wasn't suppose to happen this way. Over the next 10 days we are going to be meeting with family and friends in Oklahoma and Texas. The drive time is typically an incredible experience for me. These drives to Oklahoma have generated many ministry ideas and plans over the years (i.e, Union and Good Friday Service with my Dad). I am looking forward to what the Lord might reveal to me during this time away.
Pressure in the Bible... all the time. I can't imagine what Gideon was thinking. Read this story in Judges 7. Gideon started with 32,000 men to defeat the Midianites. The Lord instructed Gideon that he had too many men to defeat the Midianites. With that many men, it would be obvious by whose power they won. God whittled Gideon's army down to 300 men. Think for a moment... you started with 32,000 to go into battle and now you only have 300. I think Gideon experienced a little of my black tank incident! The Good News is God delivered just as He promised. God handed over the Midianites to Gideon and his army of 300 men. The Midianites knew God was on Gideon's side and it was because of Him that Gideon prevailed. Pressure? Not with God's promises behind you.
This whole new church thing... no pressure... just rest in His promises.
Rusty
5 comments:
Rusty, Don't worry, be happy! Everything in God's time.
No pressure!
...too blessed to be stressed... God is amazing...we are eagerly anticipating what's next...our company picnic was last Saturday. We went to Holiday World. I got to ride the Voyage. I did not know they could do those things with a wooden coaster. It was absolutely amazingly awesome! I rode it again that night...no lights...pitch black...you could not see what the next move was going to be...you couldn't tell where it was going...it was even more of a blast! If you're taking riders on your coaster, I'd love to ride it with you...even if it's in the dark! I'll sit wherever you have room for me...up front, in the middle, or in the back...I just don't want to miss the ride!
What a unique blog entry for a minister. You're a different Christian. That's why I love you brother. Be weak this week and rest, MT
Pressure begins to build when one considers real worship. Worship isn't a Sunday morning thing or a musical production, but what Paul describes in Romans 12:1,2. Worship is sacrificing your body to the living God and no longer conforming to the patterns of this world.
Pressure builds for a pastor when they succumb to the idea of meeting the needs and expectations of all of their parishioners. It cannot be done. It is a futile effort.
We are no longer in a time when the children of God need an human intermediator to approach the throne of Grace on their part, but in a time when the children can boldly approach it!
So as you consider God's calling on your life and the direction He is leading, trust Him and not man.
Puting too much weight on the thoughts and opinions of man and too little on God's will provide you a smellier and nastier pile to deal with than the one beneath the RV.
So as you consider the future. Trust the One who is in control. Trust His leadership and direction no matter how radical it might seem.
He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all you can think or imagine.
KYEOJ!
I'm excited to see the Lord move . . . and anticipating GREAT things! The Roller Coaster can be scary and throw you around sometimes, but what a thrill! I can't wait to ride, especially with our Lord at the realm!
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