Howdy do, precious ones….

I thought I’d send y’all (or is that all y’all?) a little message just to share a couple of things the Lord spoke to me this past weekend in New York.  To be perfectly honest, I can’t say that I ever was interested in traveling to that city, it being a “city” and all; but I figured if I was to go, these were the best circumstances for a trip–to be part of a ministry team.  We stayed at what was formerly a hospital (now a very old building!) that has been transformed into the New York School of Urban Ministry (NYSUM).  …just so happens, our pastor’s father started the organization back in the ’80s with his twin brother.  I was really excited to be a part of this ministry to the city and it got me to thinking about ministry and whether there was something to the fact doing some things excite me and some things don’t.  I wonder if the things that don’t excite us have to do with the fact they come across as “gotta do’s” instead of “get to do’s”?  Perhaps some ministry opportunities don’t excite me because they are not things I am called to do.

A common word in Christian circles has to do with God “stretching” us.  The funny thing is that the implication has always been negative to me–God is stretching you and it is going to be difficult, you’re not going to like it, and He is going to make you do things you do not want to do.  What if it is not that at all?  In stead of negative, what if God’s stretching (is that really a Biblical term?) is a positive? … growing into the grace and wisdom of God. …growing into our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and hearing God’s voice for every situation we encounter.  …an enabling and equipping to bring the life of Jesus into every area of our lives and relationships.