New Year, Where's Pastor D?

Hello, friends!

Contrary to rumors that I have fallen off the face of the earth, I am here in sunny Saint Clair, taking a bit of time off (the fancy word is "sabbatical" or 'rest' - you can see the word 'sabbath' in there).  I'm able to rest and read and write and gather all kinds of thoughts together that God has been placing on my heart the last six months or so especially.  Thoughts that will prayerfully lead to plans and new ideas and new ways of reaching the lost through the varied ministries at Immanuel.  Are you still settling for the "status quo" or are you ready to really do exciting new things?  I pray it's the latter.

So I am laying low for a bit, doing this and that, talking to God a lot, seeing what plans He has for ILC and me and you.  I can't help but think that we've only just "scratched the surface" of what He has in mind for us to do in the Saint Clair and surrounding areas.  We have a great big God who will supply all of our needs if we simply lean on Him and TRUST IN HIM and not on ourselves! 

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I like how Solomon (who asked God only for His wisdom) tells us that we are to submit to God in how many of our ways?  Some?  Only the ones that we agree with?  No, by the power of the Holy Spirit he writes that in ALL OF OUR WAYS we are to submit to God.  How's that been working for all of us?  I know that I struggle with that, and I know that all of you do also. 

There are so many amazingly wonderful good things that God has in store for ILC in the coming years, if we would, as a church, as a staff, as pastors -- everyone of us, allow the Holy Spirit to daily reinforce to each of us that it is His Church and not ours.  The decisions we make regarding anything -- ANYTHING -- that goes on within our great church had better be Spirit driven and Spirit given, because if not, it's just human babbling.  This is God's church, and each of us have to daily be reminded of just that.  As much as we love her, and as much as we feel that we have invested in her of ourselves, it is still and will always be God's holy church. 

See you all soon with lots of new thoughts and plans and ideas for the coming year God has given us to enjoy and share with others who don't know Him yet.  Peace.