How are you?
I don't know that we've had a post like this on the blog before, but as I was praying this morning it occurred to me that some who write here have mentioned that they pray for the people on this blog, and so I wondered... how might we pray for one another right now?
I know a few of you are going through some struggles at the moment, and I don't feel it's really my place to share your stuff. However, if anyone feels so inclined... I think there are some of us who would like to know. Not to snoop or air our dirty laundry, but out of concern and compassion and as a way of encouraging and holding one another up.
Me, oh, it's just the usual summer stuff I'm dealing with: getting ready for a couple weeks of vacation (which is usually stressful before and after), some weddings, plus my son and my wife are graduating from college. Our church is in somewhat of a lull too, and that always leads to questions. So while it's nothing serious, there are some significant changes either taking place now or on the verge of taking place. I feel like something is about to happen, and since I have no idea what it is, it's a little unnerving.
If you feel this is inappropriate for the blog, somebody just tell me and I can remove it. But if you feel like being a little vulnerable... how are you doing?
posted by dan at 8:00 AM
9 Comments:
Thanks for posting Dan.
We believe that God has big things in store for us at Istoria Church in Joliet, IL and God has been moving in so many ways.
We've seen him supply our needs in different ways, have seen husbands visiting church for their first time in years, God using our church in the community, word is getting our and people re asking questions, answers to prayer for meeting places, etc.
At the same time, it's been a hard and long journey. Joliet is not a "build it and they will come" community. It may mean several years of living among the people and being real - building relationships. It's all good and success (as read in some former posts) should be much more than numbers. We are seeing that success. It just gets tiring at times.
So, for me and Istoria - just pray that we'll keep bringing His kingdom to the community and never get tired and that His provisions will continue! Strength for me, my family, and His work in Joliet!!
Dan,
It's not an inappropriate question. It is in fact a question we should be asking each other more often.
I'm not going to share much detail on a public blog, but I have really appreciated our Cohort within the Missional Leadership Initiative. That has been great.
One reason I think is because we don't see each other all the time. Once a month may be about right for such a group.
Thanks for asking Dan.
What great timing. A fellow pastor asked me this week what I was preaching about this Sunday and I told him Neh. 2 in which Nehemiah presents his mission and people get with it. The pastor almost roared with laughter as he said "Do you still think people are going to join us on the mission?" The answer is yes but not without prayer--any prayer will be appreciated.
Frankly, I kinda suck right now. I spend a good part of last week in the hospital. I went to the ER for stomach pains and something bugged the nurse so she took an EKG and it was all over the map. Next thing I know I am in the cardiac ICU being pumped with nitro and baby aspirin and 2 iv's and so forth.
So they kept me and ran tests and so forth. Heart has some blockage to it and I follow up with the cardiologist in a few weeks to discuss options. As far as the stomach, they first thought maybe I had a bad gall bladder, but it turns out to be a lesion in my stomach from an ulcer.
I'm a walking pharmacy right now. I do not remember their names, but here is what they are:
high blood pressure med, blood thinner, beta blocker, cholesterol, 325mg aspirin with some kinda coating on it, a med that coats the stomach before I eat and a prescription strength antacid. The restrictive diet I am on is kinda stinky for this meat and taters guy, but on a lighter note I am dropping weight like a rock. With 2 exceptions, none of the men in my family made it past 50 and for the first time in my life, that is beginning to worry me...a lot, if I am being honest. So that is part one of the prayer request. Part 2 is this.
I know that I need to change things up. I told the church last Sunday that some things will scale back and I need them to partner with me cuz I cannot do this solo. I am also having some of my assistants with YASO take a larger role. This is allowing me the ability to run at a sane pace and spend more time with my family and reincorporate my friends into my life. I also wanna build a reading nook in the house to offer me a "fortress of solitude" when I need it.
Finally, we are rebooting our young church. We started with a purpose and a core and a direction. When we started YASO that all changed and only two are left from our original core and we never redid the thing..so the current congregation is the new core and we are gonna ask who we are, where we wanna go, and what we are to be with God and go from there. We also wonder if maybe every few years we should "reboot" much the same way Doctor Who regenerates. ;)
Um...that's all.
Wow, Tux.
We have some heavy stuff going on here but I will certainly keep you in my prayers.
Tux,
Many prayers and let me know if and when I can help.
You are a BIG encouragement in so many ways. God is using you greatly.
My biggest prayers are for your health - we need to keep you around much longer!
dan,
agreed, good timing. it looks like i might be joining you guys on the inside soon, as i have been offered a job as youth director at plainsfield church of God here in central pa. that is such a blessing to me, both in God's provision for a job so i can support my family, as well as being able to do ministry vocationally far before i dreamed possible. so join me in praising God for this kindness He is showing me, and that He would use me as His instrument in that church and community.
in other news, i'm heading back to college for graduation weekend in 2 weeks, and i'm getting married 2 weeks after that. plans are coming along well, and everything should be fine. prayer would be appreciated, that everything goes smoothly, and for my fiancee's nerves (i imagine most of you can remember your wives being a little nervous with all the planning).
so overall, God has been blessing me on the right and the left in numerous ways. most of all, i feel that i am at the beginning of a renewed faithfulness to Him and a season of spiritual vigor, for which i am grateful and hopeful.
i will be keeping you in my prayers, and i long to see how God pours His mercy out on you guys. please, keep us updated on how He's working among you. grace and peace, fam.
walt,
Congrats times three!
Great hearing about what's been happening with all of you. Thanks for sharing.
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