My Last Sunday

 I sit here this morning with a flood of emotions and memories filling my mind. It is my last official Sunday at Spring Creek. In a few moments I will stand behind that pulpit for the last time to deliver the life changing truth of God's word. Tonight we sit in a classroom for a Bible study. My memories do not just span the past five and a half years. They go back 33 years ago when I served this church as youth pastor. We got married just after starting ministry in this church.  

Relationship bonds have been forged. These people have become spiritual family. It was Jonathan Edwards who once commented that the bond between a pastor and flock will endure for eternity. It is a sacred trust to be called someone's pastor. We prepare to walk away from people we love and what has become home for the unknown path ahead. 

Sitting alone in my soon to be old office surrounded by dozens of boxes filled with books and looking at bare walls where pictures of my family used to hang is sobering. It is not easy to say goodbye for an unknown future. Sure we have met the people we will soon serve. We trust God for a special and enduring ministry there. The love of Jesus and His call for Brenda and I to follow overshadow all the discomfort. We must obey God. 

We shared breakfast together this morning, took a few pictures, and gave out many hugs. I still have this morning and the Bible study tonight before my role as pastor officially ends. I want to make the most of the day and to enjoy these precious people. I also want to fearlessly proclaim the truth of God's word. That is why we gather. He is the focus. He is the main attraction. Brenda and I are just support actors in His greater drama. 

We will never forget the people at Spring Creek. Their love, sacrificial support for our family, their service, hard work, and wonderful ministry memories. Memories so rich and deep they cannot be put into words. We love this flock. We have known some here for over three decades. Some attended our wedding. 

There is a new flock awaiting our arrival by next Resurrection Sunday. Several will come load us on Thursday and our great adventure in Fritch, TX at First Southern Baptist Church begins. We have no permanent home there yet. Brenda does not have a job yet. The state is set for God to do something great. It is a step of faith or I should say more like a giant leap of faith off a cliff. God knows and God sees. The Fritch flock does not know us and we do not know them as yet. It will take time for the deep bonds to be forged there like we have enjoyed here. I trust God it will happen. We will never forget Spring Creek. At the same time, we are ready to embrace the new work of loving people, preaching and teaching God's word, and earning the right to become the pastor in Fritch. 

As The Deer Pants

 I got up this morning at the prayer cabin and strolled onto the back porch. I looked across the lake on the far shore and saw something stirring out of the pine trees. Upon closer examination I discovered five white tail deer strolling down to the lake for a drink. Like deer are prone to do they were on alert. After a few moments something spooked them, and they scampered back into the woods. 

I immediately thought of Ps 42:1-2 about as the deer pants for water so the Psalmist's soul panted after God. That has been my heart over these two days. I have no idea how many hours have been spent in prayer. I'm not keeping track. That is the main reason I came. To seek God. To long for Him as intensely as the deer thirst for a drink of water. 

Other than lunch with my friend who manages this place and a few phone calls to Brenda and others, I have been isolated shut up with God. Removed from the outside world but near to the heart of God. There are no schedules to keep here. The pace is slower. Prayer times can be extended. There are no distractions. A few chirping birds, but even as I write this the birds are silent. The only sound is the tapping of these keys on this computer. 

My only agenda in being here is to drink deeply from the well of God. To satisfy my soul soaking in Him. The time here is always short. In less than twenty-four hours I will be back on the road toward home and our Wednesday night Bible study. I want to make the most of the remaining time. There is more of God to experience. More of Him to fill my thirsty soul. I thirst after Him like those deer this morning thirsted for water. May He satisfy me in ways nothing else in this world can ever do.