A Year of Recovery

A Year of Recovery

This can be a great year of recovery for so many of you. We need to take some lessons from 1 Samuel 30. While David and his men were away from camp, the enemy came and stole the women, children and all their belongings. David was discouraged, and his men blamed him for this tragedy and wanted to stone him. So what was David’s “path to victory?”

1.We are told that “…David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (30:6). For some of you, the enemy has stolen your health, or your finances, or perhaps a relationship. It is time to “strengthen ourselves in the Lord.” Go back and claim those promises of Scripture. Quit your complaining, don't just accept your situation, and strengthen yourself in the Lord.

2. Then David “inquired of the Lord” (30:8). He prayed! We need to take time to pray, to put our petitions before the Lord, to spend time in His presence. When David prayed, the Lord told him, “You will recover all that was stolen.” I believe we need to call out upon our God and ask for full restoration of what has been stolen from us…”inquire of the Lord”…pray!

3. Then David pursued the enemy, and recovered all. Our recovery will also come because of our “spiritual warfare.” We need to pursue the enemy, go for victory, don’t just sit there and mope and complain. Literally go to war, make war with the enemy, and in that place of prayer, ask God how to fight this battle and win. You may be amazed at the revelation from the Word that you receive, about how to walk, how to battle, and what to do to recover what has been lost.

I intend to see this as a “year of recovery” and go after what the enemy has stolen. Join me in this journey.

Incredible Journey...Where Have I Been?

The past eight months have been quite the incredible journey. Since my last posting in this blog I have graduated from the University of Washington Graduate School with an MPA (Master of Public Administration). I then accepted a position as City Administrator in Vernonia, OR, beginning there on June 22. I now commute every Sunday evening, driving the 2.5 hours to Vernonia (just 30 miles south of Longview, WA), and usually come back Friday evening. I am also half-way through a planned three year transition of Pastoral leadership in the church. Our eldest son, Kevin, is currently in Bible School preparing to pastor our church. The final transition is planned for May, 2011, on our 25th Anniversary. Very few pastors have the privilege of pastoring in one place for 25 years as I have. This transition will provide a retirement for Connie and I, as well as provide the next pastor for VCC. Who would have guessed??

I have been so busy in setting up a second home in Vernonia, getting to know a new community, and getting settled into a terrific position as City Administrator. This city was flooded almost into oblivion 2 years ago, and we are still in the rebuilding process, with a lot to be done...I am very busy. Connie stays here for two weeks, then comes to Vernonia with me for two weeks. It is working, and only time will tell what our schedule will eventually work out to be.

This is a tremendous time of transition. We have lived in our home for almost 27 years, raising our children here. Looking and planning for retirement some day is a daunting task, especially having been in ministry for almost 44 years now. But we are excited about the potentials and possibilities ahead of us. Currently I have been filling the pulpit three of four Sundays a month. Later this year we plan to transition to two Sundays a month as Kevin ramps up his leadership in the church. Currently he leads the worship team every Sunday.

I will post here as often as I can, hopefully on a more regular basis. I will try to keep you informed of our activities, as well as thoughts, comments and "encouraging words." Thanks for taking time to follow our ministry. Hopefully we can be a blessing to you.