Today, I would like to talk to you about a Pastor's sin.
Yep, that's right; we are not all perfect.
Last week, I had an opportunity for alone time with God. It wasn't on my drive to work, or the first thing in the morning, or before I went to sleep or at 2:14 in the afternoon. The alone time was 20 minutes right before Food and Fellowship last Thursday.
This time was probably one of the most relaxing and peace moments I have had in weeks. You see, we are all busy – work, family, obligations, all that stuff. So when I sat down and opened myself up to God in prayer, I was filled with peace and wellbeing. How refreshing… Refreshing to be alone with God and refreshing in knowing that His Spirit comforts me; guides me and holds me dear.
But, the Holy Spirit also convicts and causes us to examine ourselves. For instance, Scripture speaks of the "inner" witness. In Romans, Paul writes, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children" (Romans 8:16). The Spirit' testifies as an inner testimony, a feeling, a sense within produced by the Spirit of God, who dwells within us.
So what was the Pastors sin? Hesitation, curiosity, missing an opportunity.
Last night, my wife, son and I enjoyed supper with some friend's at Jockamos Pizza in Irvington. We were having a great time talking and catching up on the most recent events – you know, just sharing a good moments together and enjoying each other's company; when the food arrived.
As you know, I am not the world's greatest prayer. I pray for thanks, guidance, and I usually keep it simple. I don't think prayer is a time to preach to those listening. It is for communication, adoration, sharing love with others and being with (worshiping) God.
So when the food arrived, I was curious on whether someone would ask to say Grace. There was a hesitation on my part of sharing God's love through prayer with these special people in my life. I quickly realized that people were still talking, laughing as they reached for food. I said a quick, silent prayer for thanks and joined right in.
Being a Pastor, makes me accountable (required or expected to justify actions) to share God's love with everyone. That night as I laid down to sleep. A thought popped into my head, "Am I a true Christian, or am I a counterfeit? Am I only putting up a front?" Then, I thought of the opportunity lost and the lesson I relearned about the peace in being with God in prayer, last Thursday. This examination of self, caused me to realize that I missed out on sharing God's love.
That is my sin. The hesitation, the curiosity of someone else praying, the missed opportunity.
For that, I am sorry, and I regret my actions.
I learned during this self-examination that praying before a meal is not a ritualistic Christian formula we must do before eat.
Grace before a meal is not a required ritual…
Praying before a meal is sharing God's grace with and giving thanks for that love.
It is for being thankful for the meal and being thankful for sharing together.
Oh, this does include eating by ourselves – are we truly alone... :)
Yep, that's right; we are not all perfect.
Last week, I had an opportunity for alone time with God. It wasn't on my drive to work, or the first thing in the morning, or before I went to sleep or at 2:14 in the afternoon. The alone time was 20 minutes right before Food and Fellowship last Thursday.
This time was probably one of the most relaxing and peace moments I have had in weeks. You see, we are all busy – work, family, obligations, all that stuff. So when I sat down and opened myself up to God in prayer, I was filled with peace and wellbeing. How refreshing… Refreshing to be alone with God and refreshing in knowing that His Spirit comforts me; guides me and holds me dear.
But, the Holy Spirit also convicts and causes us to examine ourselves. For instance, Scripture speaks of the "inner" witness. In Romans, Paul writes, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children" (Romans 8:16). The Spirit' testifies as an inner testimony, a feeling, a sense within produced by the Spirit of God, who dwells within us.
So what was the Pastors sin? Hesitation, curiosity, missing an opportunity.
Last night, my wife, son and I enjoyed supper with some friend's at Jockamos Pizza in Irvington. We were having a great time talking and catching up on the most recent events – you know, just sharing a good moments together and enjoying each other's company; when the food arrived.
As you know, I am not the world's greatest prayer. I pray for thanks, guidance, and I usually keep it simple. I don't think prayer is a time to preach to those listening. It is for communication, adoration, sharing love with others and being with (worshiping) God.
So when the food arrived, I was curious on whether someone would ask to say Grace. There was a hesitation on my part of sharing God's love through prayer with these special people in my life. I quickly realized that people were still talking, laughing as they reached for food. I said a quick, silent prayer for thanks and joined right in.
Being a Pastor, makes me accountable (required or expected to justify actions) to share God's love with everyone. That night as I laid down to sleep. A thought popped into my head, "Am I a true Christian, or am I a counterfeit? Am I only putting up a front?" Then, I thought of the opportunity lost and the lesson I relearned about the peace in being with God in prayer, last Thursday. This examination of self, caused me to realize that I missed out on sharing God's love.
That is my sin. The hesitation, the curiosity of someone else praying, the missed opportunity.
For that, I am sorry, and I regret my actions.
I learned during this self-examination that praying before a meal is not a ritualistic Christian formula we must do before eat.
Grace before a meal is not a required ritual…
Praying before a meal is sharing God's grace with and giving thanks for that love.
It is for being thankful for the meal and being thankful for sharing together.
Oh, this does include eating by ourselves – are we truly alone... :)
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