Remember me? I’m the guy who promised to write a weekly blog each Saturday. Never has a man been more sincere, but it just goes to show that even those with the best intentions will let us down sometimes. All I can say is, “Sorry” and ask for forgiveness.
I’ll talk about it more tomorrow, but the last few weeks have just been overwhelming. In addition to my regular duties it seems that everyday had a series of “exceptions” that just had to be addressed. The end result has been that I have had little or no margin in my life to do things like craft a blog. I have spent the last couple days reassessing my life to see where I can bring things back in line with a manageable pace of life.
I remember hearing about a westerner who was in Africa for a hunting trip. He was eager to get to the area that he was going to hunt and was very satisfied at the pace that his tour guides were taking to get him there. They were up early in the morning and traveled late into the night. This went on for two days. Then on the third day he was again up early eager to get going like the last two days only to discover that his guides were still sleeping. He woke them frantically explaining that the sun was already up and time was getting away. They informed him that they would not be traveling today. He was shocked and kept insisting that they needed to get going. But in spite of his best efforts the guides would not move. Finally, after much prodding they explained why. They explained that they had traveled so fast and so far the last two days that they had left their soul behind and so they were resting this day in order for their soul to catch up with them.
That is what I’m going to have to do for a while – slow down enough that my soul can catch up with the hectic pace of my life.
I bet that is how some of you are as well. The fast pace of life is running you ragged and maybe my story is a reminder to you that it’s time for us to slow down. With the holidays just around the bend, if we don’t get a handle on things now I’m afraid we will miss the true meaning and joy of the Season.
The writer of Proverbs put it this way…
Proverbs 25:13 (New King James Version)
13 Like the cold of snow in time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will show up tomorrow like a refreshing glass of cool water (or sweet tea is you’re a Southerner) and refresh our souls. Please breath a prayer this evening that that will be the case.
Blessings,
The ONE THING 
David, His mountains point us to our Lord who created all things.
121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
Love,
Mother
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You know you don’t have to apologize for dropping below the radar now and then-but we did miss you.
Love from all the NIckersons
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Hey Sue! Hope all is well in Nickersonland. Tell Rob that I missed talking with him in December and am counting on a call and prayer in January! Bless you & Co. and Happy New Year!
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Our dear Pastor….you are so special to us and we want you to be happy and healthy. I think sometimes we need to say no to some things and set priorities. That’s what you taught us. We will be in deep prayer for you that the Lord will give you the peace and the refreshment of your soul and He will show you the way He wants you to go…..we love you so much……Joe & Ann
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Hey my dear “Romans”! You are the best and I love you.
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Pastor, you have poured so many blessings into my family, please rest. Meditate on that mountain and allow God to refresh you. You have a great support team – we love you and pray for you. May the Lord bless you, his face shine upon you and give you peace…. Maybe go buy a new car!! I love you Pastor
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Hey Mark! Thanks for helping Lee and me with the Water Baptism yesterday. You’re the best!
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Isaiah 41:10 (New King James Version)
10 Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3
“The psalm from which my text is chosen might very well be called the psalm of quiet trust.
“Amid the storms of life there are moments when our soul is taken by the loving hands of the Almighty and caused to rest in His bosom.” Rev. Gerrit Vos
God is with you, as well as your flock.
We love you. Take care of you for a while.
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Hey Kathy! Thanks for the special verses; there’s no better advice and comfort than that! Bless you 🙂
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Dear Pastor,
God often takes drastic measures to get our attention. I am so thankful that you heeded His pull on your life to step back for a time to work it all out. We all need to experience Psalm 23 continually in life to allow surrounding situations and burdens to become The Lords.
I missed sitting at your feet each Sunday to learn what The Lord had to say but I am so thankful that you are back where you belong. We were very blessed by those who filled in for you, but there is no one to take the place of the God-appointed man that you are for FMCOG.
I am – if possible – beyond blessed to be sitting at your feet again.
Love you Pastor
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Bless you Lee!
Thank you for your words of encouragment. I can truly say that I feel better than I have in a longgg time. Sunday when I went to the pulpit to preach I felt “full”. There is a difference in preaching from the overflow of your life! I do pray that I will be able to serve you well with the WORD that you and those you love need. Keep me in your prayers.
Again, I pray God’s blessings on you and your family. You three “girls” (God’s girls) have been special to Sonja and me from day one.
I’m looking forward to us enjoying our second childhood…I think we’ve earned it 🙂
_dlk
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