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I know that the last couple of articles have been pretty heavy. I apologize for that. However, I have always wanted to choose subjects relevant to what is going on in my life. From these past couple of articles, it is not hard to discern that my life has been far from boring. Due to this overload, I feel emotionally spent. I can always tell when I get emotionally drained. And when that happens it affects all areas of my life—especially my relationships. So in order to get “filled up” again, I am planning on taking a writer’s sabbatical the rest of the summer. I am feeling a great need just to lay at the feet of Jesus. I have been there before and I know it is in these times, this is the only place I can find the solace and healing that is needed for some deep wounds that have taken place in my spirit these past few months.

You see friends, I have had things happen to me that is way out of the box of traditional evangelical Christianity thinking. The things that happened to me were never taught to me from our church pulpits even though the theology of my experience is peppered all over the Old and New Testaments. But for some reasons, which I am trying to figure out, these areas were neither emphasized or taught. Even though these kinds of things happened all the time in the early church, somewhere along the line the thinking changed and this part of church ministry has been dismissed as if it does not even exist today. Therefore, as my story is being leaked out, (or in some cases as I shared my story with others), it is no wonder I get the “you’re nuts” look.

I am used to being called a “nut case”. It has been happening ever since I gave my life to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ almost 26 years ago. So why these remarks hurt me deeper, I’m not quite sure. But I know just like my conversion story that will never change to make people more comfortable, my most recent story also cannot be altered to appease people. The truth of the matter is, God allowed certain things to come into my life, and for that I thank Him. Why did He allow it…especially when I am getting so much grief from so many sources?. I believe for one reason, and one reason only. TO BRING HIM HONOR AND GLORY.

However, for the people who have supported me during this entire time, please always remember how much I love you and appreciate you deeply. You know who you are! Together we are learning so much, aren’t we?

I now realize I had God in a box. I thought I had God all figured out, and if you did not live out your Christianity within this box, it was very uncomfortable. Talk about the tables turning. Yes my dear friend, things have happened in my life that many of you do not understand, and that is all right. For some of you, I feel the distance that my experience has caused us. Even though this saddeneds me, I must respect your space.

However, please understand that we are all called to different kinds of ministry here on this side of glory. The important question is not what kind of ministry we are being called to, but the more important thing is, are we hearing Him if He is asking us to do something for Him? Especially if it is outside of our comfort zone. I pray for me and I pray for you, that we get the guts to get out of the box and begin serving Him in some ways like we have never done before. Let’s get our Bibles out and really check out what the early church did that caused their world to turn upside down. (Acts Chapters 2 & 3)

In this lopsided world, where bad is good, and evil prevails, don’t we owe it the One Who has saved us and will eventually clean up this entire mess? But until that time, there is lots of work to be done. Christ said in Luke 2:10: "There are many, many people to harvest (save). But there are only a few workers to help harvest them. God owns the harvest (people). Pray to God that he will send more workers to help gather his harvest.

Thank you my beloved for reading my simple writings this past year, and I am confident we will talk again in the Fall.

Because of Jesus,

Pat

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

Renew a Right Spirit