Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Back in the Grind

It has been five months since I posted my last blog. There have been a lot of things happen since that time. The biggest to this moment has been a move from Cotulla to Hereford, Texas. In January Debbie and I answered the call to move to Hereford and pastor Temple Baptist Church. I have had people ask me how I knew that God was calling for a move. That is a hard question to answer but I will try to use a fishing example to help understand it.

I have been fishing off and on for most of my life. I have been able to fish in spots that were great and others that were filled with tiny fish and turtles that always seemed to “steal the bait”. After you fished for a while you learn the differences in the tugs. You can’t see the hook deep in the water but the tug of a turtle or a perch feels much different than the bite and run of a nice catfish or Large Mouth Bass. If fishing with a cork or bobber there is no doubt when you have something “sucking” or “nibbling” on your bait as the bobber just bounces a little but never “goes under”. When the bobber disappears there is reason for excitement.
I love to fish with artificial (rubber) worms for Large Mouth Bass (Black Bass in some areas). Some places look fishy and draw cast over and over. One of the feels that I don’t want to feel is five or six quick bumps on the line. That is a sure sign of Bluegills and not the bass you are hoping for.

All of this to say that while temptations may simulate the call of God in many areas there is no mistaking the actual tug of God desire on your heart. Debbie and I felt that tug and followed it to our current place of ministry in Hereford.

After arriving in Hereford during one of the big snow storms of this winter we have now settled into our parsonage which has been a story in itself and now are ready to start focusing on the ministry God has planted us here for. We are excited to be here and believe that God has great things in store for us to accomplish along with the great people of Temple Baptist Church.

While the work will be hard and long and directions already changed we have rolled up our sleeves, looked to the heavens for help and guidance and have heard the call “forward”.