Good Day

In my 18 years of full-time Christian ministry, there have been days that have not gone well. During those kind of days I have often had the feeling like maybe I should have stayed in the pizza business, where I was for 13 years before I started in ministry. I am convinced that God gives you those kind of days to test you and check your perseverance. Then there are days where the Lord just opens doors, and you feel like this is perfect. Today here in Sebewaing is one of those kinds of days, though it didn't start out that way.

As I was driving up this morning I got pulled over by the police because the officer felt like a turn I made was a dangerous one. He let me off, but I was late for my Life Transformation group and I hate to be late. My group time with Kevin went so well! We attempted to read 30 chapters a week for group. We are starting over in the Bible planning on reading through the Bible, and both of us had actually read more than 30 chapters.I finished Genesis, and Kevin was right behind me. We both commented how we just wanted to keep going. We had a great time talking about the things God was revealing to us in Genesis even though the book is so familiar to both of us. I felt like God had turned my day around!

After that I spent time doing my prayer walk. I needed to make a phone call to the local YFC chapter and I needed a number, so as I passed the village offices I decided to go in and ask for a phone book. Ya, I know it was an old fashion way of doing it. Any way the clerk was glad to help me. It was someone I knew. After that we started a conversation, and she asked me about my ministry. I told her I had been ordained and was working in Sebewaing on a disciple building/church plant. I also told her how that I was working on a Masters in Counseling these day and reaching the end of that. She asked me if I counseled with families and children. I told her that I had some experience in that area, and we ended up setting up a time for me to get together with her daughter and grandson to deal with issues from a divorce. I had an opportunity to pray with her there, and then I was on to my next appointment. I was growing more excited about what God was showing me!

I next met with a former student of mine who had Face booked me asking if we could get together. In our contact time before we met today I asked her if she has been in the Word at all. She confessed that she had not, and I told her I was starting a read through the Bible and invited her to do the same. When we met she had started that process. God blessed our time together, and we are going to set up a time to regularly meet to help her stay on track. Again I felt like, wow God, this is why I love ministry!

All of these encounters before noon! I still have tonight when we are going to kick off our Sonlife Live 2:6 group. The idea behind the 2:6 groups comes from 1 John 2:6 which say "Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." The study is designed to take place over a two year time period and to really study Jesus' life. I am excited about this group and study! Thanks for your prayers.

Your Servant in Christ,

Brian