Taking a day off in the ministry

So, I've been trying to take Thursdays off for about four months now. I try every week to schedule everything I can on the other days of the week and to organize my day off to allow me to get things done. It doesn't seem to work yet.

Taking a day off in the ministry...
A week ago-I actually had several people form my ministry call me and leave me messages that began with-I know it's your day off or maybe it's your day off- But. Ordinarily, you'd think a person might shake their head but I sort of get it. God doesn't take a day off anymore and different persons in the ministry get their day off whenever their employer says not whenever they want. They need to know what they need to know to make their day off from their secular employment as productive for God as it can be. I get it. I was actually grateful for the humble spirit with which they approached me on my day off. Some others have not done so.

Taking a day off in the ministry...
So, take a day off. Even, I say avoid the phone if necessary but going with Phil 2 we all should be concerned for ourselves and our walk with Christ as well as for others and theirs. So, when your day off is interrupted by say, a subpoena or some work that you've been putting off and it just can't wait now-Don't get upset. Like many other things in this life these things too can work for God's glory. What's more, He can use them to bless you if you love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Taking a day off in the ministry...
So, make sure you viciously attack hurry in your schedule, utilize whatever systems you need to to get the time adjusted so you can actually take the time off, and then just do it. In the process, never forget that God does not have to work on your schedule.

Oh, and Thank God, Because I'd sure hate to see what the world would look like if God took a day off.

Pastor Dan Stevenson
http://www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org/

Crazy Days

It occurs to me that whenever a person sets themselves out to serve Christ in whatever capacity possible...they will endure crazy days. There's this odd combination of what becomes normal, like scheduled events, and what invades your life, like opportunities to serve Christ. You wind up talking to the girl at the register a little longer than expected and someone calls who has no groceries and you already had a Bible Study scheduled and people are counting on you and you're leaving for the airport at 5:30 AM and there's paperwork to be done and who hugged your kids today? Academically speaking, one should not use that many ands in a sentence. I think Paul-or at least the translation of Paul in the NIV seems to do that but that does not make it good writing, academically. Then again, his run on sentences, as translated into English are the word of God, are really good writing, and prove to be the exception to the rule. So, I used way too many ands... It is a fairly realistic picture of certain days. This would explain why I blog not enough. Anyway, I believe that this is life and life more abundantly. Did I really only live one day since I put these socks on this morning? Can that much stuff get crammed in one day? This is my excuse for why I often do not know the day of the week as readily as I should. Though, I find that this phenomenon happens to many folks. (The forgetting the day thing) So, then, now it's late. I was going to get cleaned up before I get nestled in. And even though the day has seemed so long, i just looked at the clock and was genuinely amazed that it is not much later than it is. Very interesting isn't it... God loves me and that really is all that matters. Stink for God-2 Cor 2:14-21; I like this motto, but Amalya thinks it has issues. God Bless and Good night-stinker... Pastor Daniel Stevenson www. newheightsfellowshipchurch.org

Time keeps on Slipping away

It's late. In fact, it's tomorrow. Tomorrow will be lost in recovery. Today, got out of hand. I have a wonderful family and we always block out time to be together and it's important. However, try as I might I did not get my papers written the way I would have liked...

Isn't it interesting how when you look back you can't believe how fast the time has gone but when you consider what you are trying to cram into a day you think about how little time there is. We get time perceptions all screwed up that's for sure.

Anyway, so here I am too tired to find my way to my tooth brush and pillow in that order and I'm writing this to whoever you are...

Let God do something amazing in your life. He wants to redeem your days. Then at the end of a long day, whether it's filled with shouting or hugging you will be able to say this day was valuabel for the Lord.

I will cram more into each day than is humanly possible. I believe that there is more to life than meets the eye-even the trained eye-even the faith-powered eye. God alone can see certain things!

So, write papers and do your job and love your kids and hug your wife and wash teh dishes on borrowed time cause there simply is no other way. Let God redeem the day. Don't waste these precious moments which He paid such a high price for...

The bus comes early. Where's my tooth brush. If I don't get some consistent rest I won't need bags for my next vacation cause I'll store my cothes in the bags under my eyes...

Not funny? Well, maybe tomorrow then...

Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org