What is your calling?

I feel pretty bad when someone asks me "Why did you leave your last church?" Not that I'm annoyed by any means of the question, it just normally seems like my answer doesn't satisfy them enough. But its the only answer I have. "Because God told me to leave."

I wasn't hired away, I wasn't fired away or encouraged to step down. I didn't walk away or get burnt out. God told my wife and I to leave.

Another question I feel bad when asked is, "So what has God been teaching you?" Not that my answer is too simple but if you want the honest truth, be prepared to be overwhelmed. Because I have a list that will get more than your pants dirty.

Why God called us to leave ministry when we were enjoying it and being successful- I"m not completely sure. But I do know the lessons I have learned thru these past 18 months are crucial to who I am.

I know without a shadow of a doubt that I want to be back in Church ministry. Its the Bride of Christ. You can do it a number of different ways with a number of different ministry positions. But as a whole we help balance each other out. I mean all Christians are supposed to be living 2 Peter 1:3-9- we all have the same goal, to increase in the image of Christ to bring glory to God.

That adds to my quandary. How do I want to be involved in the Church? I realized I want an atypical student ministry that isn't the cut and dry, fit it all in a box ministry that focuses solely on teenagers. The church is the hope of the world. The Body of Christ acting like Christ. I want the family.

Have you heard the stories of a 72 year old woman, stories that would offer wisdom to the battered world of a 14 year old girl, advice she's dying for? Have you seen a mom of 3 boys after she's gone out with women her own age without kids? There is a reason we are supposed to be relational- talk about a de-stresser! Or how about helping a dad balance providing for his family and being with his family.

These 18 months have widened my gaze to what ministry is about and what I want to be about in ministry. There aren't many job descriptions out there like that. Lets go back to what we have been taught recently, we will start with a 5 letter word that starts with "T" and ends with a chemical reaction when metal is left in the rain.

Verse for the day

Philippians 4:12-13- I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation...I can do everything thru him who gives me strength.

My boy Brett Favre lost another NFC Championship game. I sat there with just a few minutes left in overtime and thought to myself as another reviewed played out, "Either way I am ok".

Not that what I feel or think actually matters. But when the Vikings still had a chance, I thought either way this was a good year. Either way it was a great football game. Either way who ever won was going to give the Colts a run for their money.

But I will be the first to say it, I hope he comes back. It was a long year and a tough year and the way he sounded in one of those pre-game interviews made us believe he would call it quits after this season. But I hope he comes back.

But even if he doesn't it will be ok. They had a great season. Beat Dallas soundly. Played New Orleans toe to toe and really lost it themselves, I don't know if they could have actually played better. A.P. will still fumble next year. Favre will still throw interceptions.

So it might as well be done. But I can still hope, right?