Life of a Gen-X Pastor

Wow…what a week it has been.  I have just returned from a week long vacation with my family.  We took a wonderful trip up to Mackinaw, MI, and its surrounding areas.  Right now, it is about 12:30AM on Monday morning and I am heading to bed.  However, I wanted you all to know that there will be some added traffic coming this way in the next few days.  The Blog has been registered with several blog directories and should be seen by more people.

Later today (Monday) I will be adding a couple of posts on stuff that took place or thoughts that wondered through my view. 

HIS,

Pastor Stacy

With all the junk that we are putting up with in the news the past few days, and with all the cultural mess that we are constantly afforded, yesterday saw an event that should shatter the darkness a small bit and provide a moment of inspiration.  Yesterday, Thursday, June 14, Ruth Graham went home. 

The wife of the greatest preacher of our lifetimes, Billy Graham, Ruth was a stunningly quiet and authentic person.  It could have been so easy to fall into the shadow of her husband and lose herself, but she never allowed that to happen.  She was always Ruth.  Although she was the wife of one of the most famous Baptists of all time, she was a Presbyterian, and she remained that way.  She worshipped with and taught a Sunday School class in a Presbyterian congregation.   She was the closest friend and confidante to one of the world’s most recognizable people, all the while shunning the spotlight herself.  Through her personality, her demeanor, her writing, and her friendship Mrs. Graham impacted millions of people without ever ”becoming” someone; she did it as herself.

 I can only imagine the loss and the grief the Graham family must be going through.  However, for me this was a moment of true awe and wonder.  Mrs. Graham went to heaven!  In no uncertain terms, with no equivication, I believe that she stands in the place where “faith becomes sight“.  If you ask me how I know, a person who never personally met her, here is what I would say: “Her life spoke of her destiny.” 

Quickly, before I close this post: Forget the election for one moment, leave the Soprano’s and the NBA finals alone for a second.  Lets drop the star-gazing on Paris, and the ghoulish glee of Libby going to jail.  How about we all forget those things for just a few rotations of the second hand on our watches.  Instead, let us consider one thing: Ruth Graham is in heaven: we are richer for her life, and poorer for her passing.

His,

Pastor Stacy

Well, well, well…it’s VBS season again.  Our Outreach/Music pastor has done a great job so far.  I get to sit back, run games and drive a van.  These kids are great…many come from difficult home situations and we get to show them some love and attention for a week.  The smile, laugh, and play, but there seems to be an underlying sadness in their eyes.  Some of these kids bound off the bus and run upto mom or dad as they are delieverd back home…however, more than one has had to be coexed off the van with the promise that I’ll be back to get them tomorrow.

I know what the statistics say…in a church our size we have some kids who will be hungry, abused, and mistreated.  The percentage rises with the kids that come in for VBS.  All we can do is show them the love of Jesus and help in anyway mom and dad will let us. 

But I could live off one of those kid’s smiles for a week.  They are so hungry for attention and so enjoy the interaction with the other kids…

As for the late nights…it is all part of a life packed to the gills with stuff to get done.  Dr. classes, meeting agendas, sermons, lessons, schedules, etc.  Yet as packed as it gets, I don’t think I would have it any other way.  I feel fulfilled and useful.  I am more than the sum of my parts…I am set apart for a purpose.

Have you found your purpose?  Not one you get out of a book, or one that is sold to you…but one that can only come from the One who created you.  Until you do, you are missing out on the greatest of all adventures: A Real Life!

 His,

Pastor Stacy

This is actually my first real post…I hope it fills some morbid void that has developed in your life.  In reality, I hope that something that I say or something that I post helps you in a real and tangible way. 

As for the links that I added…they represent a cross section of who I am.  I’ll add more as time permits me.  As for right now…they are all I’ve listed: Deal with it.

On a small and quickly typed side note: I am starting to get confused about the ‘08 election.  I thought I knew who I liked, but not anymore…let me know what you think about your candidate of choice.

His,

Stacy