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On Monday I received a phone call.  Another pastor in town is unable to provide the devotional for a seniors home.  He will be away on Wednesday.  Can I take the devotional?

We switched and today I have a morning time together with a number of my friends.  We will examine favorite verses and look at a thread of thought that talks of God’s care and his saving grace.  Thoughts were running to these areas in the last few days.

As the morning dawned, I also turned to other thoughts.  One area that I am so thankful for is comfort and sustaining strength.  Another is family.  My sister is headed in for hip surgery in May. 

There is a certain sense in which my thoughts stray more often to ending well as compared to pushing into the future.  Where vision and mission consumed much of my early years of work and marriage, now I am concerned to have clarity (fixing my eyes on Jesus) and to find what it means to rest.

These are not easy topics, and I’m not sure I am finding the road easy to travel.  But I sense that this is the way that God directs.  As Proverbs 3:5-6 says:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Don’t lean on your own understanding.  In all  your ways acknowledge him.  And he will direct your paths!”

One of the trends that church watchers are seeing:  The solo preacher is being replaced by the team of teachers.

I sort of see this in the way of retail.

The preacher is like the sales person.  In many ways they have a product.  The application at the end of a sermon is always towards buying into the product.  That might be salvation, morality, spirituality, wholeness, . . . whatever.  We used to say the altar call was the end of the sermon.

The teacher is like the service technician.  When all is said and done, they come along and make sure that all gets said and done.  In a day and age when discipleship is being featured in churches, there is no wonder that teachers are becoming more prominent in church services than preachers.  We now would say the climax of understanding is the end of the sermon.

Of course, as my younger brother would dispute:  Is there really a difference between the preacher and the teacher? 

Yes, if you take my definitions. 

How would you see the changing face of “preaching” in the church? 

The ending is really a beginning.

Richard and Hope Reichert are internatoinal workers with the Christian and Missionary Alliance.  They move into full retirement this fall.

In 1975 they began church work.  At a little place called Luseland, just up the road less than an hour!  Then they toured South and Central America in mission work for the last 34 years.  Their thoughts on this time are captured in yesterday’s service audio found at http://www.sermoncloud.com/kindersley-alliance/richard-and-hope-reichert-thanksgiving-tour/

I’m not sure I have had the opportunity to be one of the stops on a retirement tour!  The idea is great and I’m excited for the next phase in their life.  I desire to be like Richard and Hope as I move towards retirement.  Their goal is to continue to minister in whatever capacity they find themselves. 

May God bless the Reicherts in these coming years.  May the fruit of their mentorship and training of others increase fruit for the kingdom of God.  May God grant health and their heart’s desire in these coming years.

Thank you – Richard and Hope!!

In light of continuity!

Yes, it is cold here.  The Big Chill has arrived.  Just looked at our temperature and it is -36.  Close to that magic -40 which, in my lifetime’s experience, is the point at which all things should just stop!

Of course, now we have windchill – ours reads -48.  Others in the province are at -51.  23 record temperature/windchills on this day in Saskatchewan.  That may rise as the day goes on.

So, what to do?

Well, my wife is off to a painting job – thankfully just a few minutes away.  I will probably venture out at some point and pick up needed files and information.  Otherwise communication will be through in the internet and phone.

How does this affect the day?  Well, one thing is that you subconsciously figure this in as a “day off”.  All the plans that might have been are now set aside.  Some can be done, others will have to wait.

So, I’m not headed out the door (at least right away).  Instead, I’m inside enjoying a furnace that works!