Tuesday morning Pastor Amy and I left to attend a Wesleyan Leadership conference in Nashville, TN. The last time that I was in Nashville, I was the proud owner of a failing Curves franchise. But that`s all behind me now, I just thank God for the wonderful friends that I connected with during my Curve`s journey!
Why am I going to Nashville for this conference, well since I`ve been graced with this evangelism passion, Pastor Amy thought this conference would be helpful. Hi-ho, hi-ho off to Nashville we go!
I must admit that if someone told me 5 years ago that I`d be traveling to Nashville with my pastor for a Wesleyan Conference, I would have looked at them like they had 2 heads! Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man`s heart, but it is the Lord`s purpose that prevail. It took me many decades to learn that it`s easier to go with the flow; admitting that God`s in control and I`m not! Who am I kidding, God has to remind me of this on a regular basis!
Pastor Amy and I met Pastor Karin, for the next five days we would share a motel room, visit mission sites, yes you remember the Nashville flooding this summer, attend the conference and just hang out together. One more true confession, 5 years ago this trip would have been way beyond my confidence and comfort zone. Spending almost a week with not one but two pastors, I don`t think so!
We spent Wednesday discussing the effects of the summer flooding, then visiting a mission site. The team was repairing a mobile home that sustained extensive water damage. There will be continued need from mission teams for the next year.
It is our hope to take mission teams into this area this spring or early summer; before the extreme heat and the snakes arrive. I could deal with the heat if necessary, but I don`t like hanging out with snakes.
Tuesday evening we attended Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum for a showing of Chihuly blown glass sculptures within the botanical setting. It proved to be an evening of unbelievable beauty and extreme joy. Two pastor` s and one so-called evangelist rejoiced in the evening and one anothers company!
The conference proved to be a learning and confidence building experience for me. Pages and pages of notes, lots to ponder and review. As strange as it may sound, it was as if God had already whispered many of the speakers very words into my soul. Confirming my suspicions that God is calling me into some type of continued ministry. Just what, where and when is not yet clear. I hope to one day wake up to find a note, on my pillow from God, with personal directions and instructions. I also pray for patience!
I thank God for this time of nurturing, learning and wonderful company! However, as organized religion what legacy are we living and leaving, half-filled beautiful churchs with luke-warm christians. It`s time to take our spiritual temperature. Hum, just where do you get a God-thermometer; maybe in the Holy Spirit section at Walmart.
Encounter Jesus, he`ll do the rest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Psalm 119:125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.
Amen
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