Longing heart

As I reflect on the last 2&1/2 years since we moved here I am so thankful for so many things yet I long for things as well. I can be thankful for my mothers health through most of our time here. For leading her to Dr's here that have drastically improved the quality of her life. We are so thankful for many new friends that God has given us at Clifton Baptist Church. We are so thankful to faithful preaching of men like Dr.Bruce Ware...Tom Shriener...and Shawn wright as well as new preachers like John Kimble and many others. WE are so thankful that God has directed our oldest child Melissa to find that one special person that God had set aside for her to join up with for a life of full time ministry. These are truly many blessing in such a short time but like I said there are things that I long for as well. I long to be in a church that we feel a sense of permanence. I long to work along side Robert to enter full time ministry again. I pray again that God is preparing sheep for us and that a church is praying for a kind Shepherd as well. I long to plant gardens and flowers not wondering whether it is worth the effort because we may not be here when they ripen or flower. I long to not be temporary in so many areas of life. As I find myself longing for these things I am reminded that what i really long for is heaven when there will be no more separation from the ones we love and we can fellowship with all or past friends and love ones along with new friends. I am also reminded of our previous church that God blessed us with namely Christ Fellowship. i am always drawn back to such sweet fellowship by the music we shared. Cant wait to share this music with another congregation and then someday with all congregations of Christians of the world to praise Him forever and everer!




Becky

Thought these were great!

Chuck Swindoll's 10 Lifetime Leadership Lessons

The popular Bible teacher and chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary lists what he's learned about leadership.

by Drew Dyck

Chuck Swindoll was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at Catalyst 09, and spoke on "10 Things I Have Learned During Nearly 50 Years in Leadership":

1) It’s lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions. The tougher the decision, the lonelier it is.
2) It’s dangerous to succeed. I’m most concerned for those who aren’t even 30 and are very gifted and successful. Sometimes God uses someone right out of youth, but usually he uses leaders who have been crushed
3) It’s hardest at home. No one ever told me this in Seminary.
4) It’s essential to be real. If there’s one realm where phoniness is common, it’s among leaders. Stay real.
5) It’s painful to obey. The Lord will direct you to do some things that won’t be your choice. Invariably you will give up what you want to do for the cross.
6) Brokenness and failure are necessary.
7) Attititude is more important than actions. Your family may not have told you: some of you are hard to be around. A bad attitude overshadows good actions.
8) Integrity eclipse image. Today we highlight image. But it’s what you’re doing behind the scenes.
9) God's way is better than my way.
10) Christlikeness begins and ends with humility.

Warmth of heart

I had the wonderful priviledge to hear Robert preach tonight at our church. We are blessed to be at our church and get to hear wonderful preaching on a regular basis. I have been contemplating why it was such a heart warming joy to hear him preach. I am sure everyone has a pastor from their past that holds a special part of their heart.Someone that when you plan on seeing them again or hearing them preach again is like a comforting song. as you listen to them preach after a time of being away it takes you back to past periods of spiritual growth or scriptures preached that comforted past pains or scriptures that rebuked personal sin or encouraged you during difficult times. I am absolutely aware that Robert is my husband but for many many years he was also my pastor.When he preached he was my pastor... my earthly shepherd guiding me through this life.Loving me as a sheep and allowing God to speak to me through his preaching. It is a strange experience and I am sure their are many other ministers wives that have this same experience of viewing their husbands as their pastors. So after having not heard from my "old" pastor in a while it was such a joy to hear him again and be challenged by the text(1TIM 1:5)to love one another more and make it the goal of my life and dealings with people. I have been listening to Chris Thomlins new CD and there is a great song on it called "Love" that I listened to tonight.

Happy Birthday Robert!!!!