I rode my Valkyrie to take my bride lunch today and it is gorgeous out there! Can I just say that I am so ready for spring? Ok, enough of that.
The last few days I’ve been reflecting on the first half of this sabbatical journey. It’s interesting, but not surprising, how God has been at work. Through conference speakers, new friends obviously sent from the Father, and reading from His word and Christian authors, God has been at work.
I’m surprised that we’re past the half way point already. This segment of my sabbatical has been an intentional time for study, reading and reflection. A time to sit at Jesus feet and learn from Him. It has been good to study without a sermon or bible study to prepare. Just to read and study with a primary goal of personal growth. My main focus has been to grow closer to our Lord and seek His heart. I want to draw closer to the one that gave His life for me. I want to know Him more intimately, that I might serve Him and bring Him glory.
My reading the last few days has included Christlike by Bill Hull, The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, Clergy Renewal by A. Richard Bullock and The Contemplative Pastor by Eugene Peterson. Two of these I’ve read before, but given that I’m far from mastering their message I needed a refresher.
Allow me to share a couple of thoughts from Bill Hull’s writing:
“We are in constant negotiations with God about who is in charge. But a holy and devout life calls for surrender, not negotiation. So we must go into training in order to gradually grow out of the grip of our own corrupted hearts and strengthen out spiritual hearts (see 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).”
Dallas Willard wrote, “Obedience is the only sound objective of a Christian spirituality.” Any Christian spirituality that does not lead to obedience is our enemy. Bonhoeffer agreed, saying that such theories should have a stake driven through their heart; they should be killed before they kill the church. Faith is real only in obedience. If faith is only pondering doing what God said, it is not faith.
I will continue to pray for you. I pray for God’s Spirit to be at work in your midst in unprecedented ways. I pray for those that preach and teach and provide leadership. I pray that they will walk closely with our Lord so that they speak and lead as men and women who have been with Jesus. I pray for you as you walk with Jesus in your daily life, where you work, live and play. I pray ultimately that God be glorified and His Kingdom be advanced in and through your lives!
I appreciate your continued prayers and support. Your faithfulness in and through your church is a wonderful witness of our Lord’s presence and power. Kim and I will be in Dallas this weekend for a conference as we continue to seek God’s heart. Though we’ll be away, our heart will be with you.
Pastor Al
