OK, so someone who will remain anonymous is goading me about my recent dearth of posts. For the record, I have been VERY busy. I know that I have a monopoly on being busy, too. From overseeing our high school retreat this weekend, to recovering from said retreat, to closing off administrative threads regarding said retreat, and preparing to preach Sunday night, I am tired man! Cut me some slack!
One reflection from our retreat last weekend (the theme was “Fear: Not Just for Cowards Anymore”…clever, eh?): I will be done with youth ministry when they pry off my cold, dead hands.
A second reflection: That may come sooner than I think.
In all seriousness, for as much as I hate camping and generally outdoorsy stuff, I always have a great time. The students wear me out, big time, and it makes me wonder how long I can keep up. I’m 33 now. It makes me laugh to think about running around like that when I’m 40 or 45. Who knows, maybe that’s motivation to keep myself in shape.
That’s the thing about ministry: Love of your ministry will see you do all kinds of crazy, outside-the-box type things to make it a success. In the process, your joy is amplified by realizing God’s glory in taking you outside your comfort zone for the sake of others.
My thanks to Erik Bauer, future Master’s Seminary student and devoted brother-in-law, for trekking halfway across the country to tell us about the importance and benefit of fearing God. It was much more than an opportunity for a cool t-shirt, Erik.
Your active presence in the blogosphere has been missed. Erik (Irish Calvinist) went on a vacation and you “disappeared”. Glad that your back.
Sounds like you had quite the adventure with your high school students, and what a great topic your bro-in-law chose to preach on.
Nath,
The Irish Calvinist is always bugging me about posting. What do those pastors do all day, anyway?
Good to have you back, Matt! I too missed your posts and those of the Irish Calvinist, since you brothers are back-to-back stops for me in the morning while I drink coffee and munch Pop Tarts.
Are you preaching this Sunday night?? I’d sure like to hear you. Maybe I can get a posse together and we can come up to OCB. We’ve been having a sermon discussion group Sunday nights, but it would be fun to take an old-fashioned field trip (minus the bouncy schoolbus and warm Yoo Hoo!).
Gary,
We are going through a series on the Fruit of the Spirit. Sunday night it is my turn to preach on joy. Love to have you out for a roadie. I’ll be the guy with the cordless mic.