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Pastor's Window
A look at life and ministry.

A Dip of Discouragement

  02/13/08 22:01, by , Categories: Family, Church Life, Living Life
Ever just get discouraged and not know exactly why? I seemed to hit that wall last night and today. I'm sure some of it stems from the fact that I always tend to believe the best and get a little idealistic and then have little crashes and burns when the reality of human nature intrudes. Sometimes it is the reality of my human nature that intrudes. In any event, it took some time to reset those feelings and get back to where I needed to be. I find the following prescription works well for me. 1. Focus on my family. I enjoy spending time with Sarah and the kids. Its a big world and even a big church and I can't fix everything, but I have much more ability and responsibility right here in my home. Putting time into the relationships under my own roof really picks me up. 2. Focus on the Lord. You may think this should be number 1, and perhaps it should, but sometimes I need to emotional boost my family gives me to really remember to approach Him. Just being honest about that. Then I do focus on Him and remember, this is His work, not mine, and "one of these days I'm gonna see the hands that took the nails for me." (-FFH) 3. Focus on the people God has given me to work with. Today it was a young man, a kid really, who God has asked me to be a father figure for. We spent 45 minutes of the phone this afternoon. This kid just needs to be loved and paid attention to. It is stage one of discipleship. It was good to do and a real lift. He's a totally awesome kid. 4. Do some good physical labor. Today that meant snow blowing, and cleaning off the shed roofs as well as some shoveling in the rain. Not fun, totally exhausting, but good exercise and release. 5. Spend time with Sarah. Oh, did I mention this already? Well, it deserves to go in twice because tonight we just spent some alone time together and that is always refreshing. Her friendship and encouragement can make the whole world go away. So that's my prescription for a dip of discouragement. I'm feeling much better now which is good because tomorrow is going to be a truly very very busy day. I have a lot to do before the end of the week, and a wedding rehearsal in Rangeley tomorrow evening.
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Agonizing Decision

  02/10/08 07:53, by , Categories: Announcements, Church Life
Like I said, I hate Sunday snow. So hard to make a decision. Some will make it to church if we have it, some will not. I called five people from church and all thought we should cancel. They lived away from Bean's Corner. Looking at the radar, it looks like it is going to taper off for awhile. Well, after everyone I talked to saying we should cancel, I had to agree. Of course, the first person I talked to after the decision thought we could have gone ahead. You'll never make the right decision in everyone's eyes. So, now we will have to decide about tonight. An easier decision. We will probably cancel if the weather goes the way they are predicting.
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Weather to have church

  02/09/08 22:30, by , Categories: Church Life
I hate Sat/Sun storms! Now the big questions whether to have church or not. One one hand, you don't want to cancel; on the other hand, some people just feel like they have to come if you have it. Also, if we do have it, do we go ahead with the original plan for the day? The plan for tomorrow is our special Covenant Sunday service and I really want to have most people there for it. If it is light turn-out because of weather, do we wait? And if we wait, then what? And of course, then what about night church. So, while I normally love snow storms, I wish this one would go out to sea. I guess we will see in the morning.
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Full Day

  02/08/08 23:57, by , Categories: Living Life
Although not the original plan, I ended up taking today off. Spent part of the morning with the kids, then headed into town to try to jury-rig something to get the snowblower to work until my new part comes in. Going shopping at Hannaford is often an exercise in ministry as you run into people and connect with them. I had a couple of really good talks in there today. Late lunch and when the kids got up, I took the older two outside to play in the snow (and help daddy fix the snowblower). First try of fixing the snowblower didn't work (try two tomorrow), but we had fun playing. Then it was pack everyone up for the spaghetti supper for Western Maine Christian and then over to friends' house for the evening. It was good to connect with people at the supper and to spend time with friends from church. I am tired! Tomorrow morning is men's breakfast, a probably hospital visitation, making sure everything is ready for the Sunday night class on Mormonism, trying again to fix the snowblower, and praying that the snow doesn't disrupt services on Sunday. For now, need to sleep.
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Republican Nominee

  02/08/08 23:40, by , Categories: Politics

McCain looks like he is going to be the republican nominee although it is not 100%. Huckabee is still in the race even though it will take a lot for him to pull ahead. So the question is, will Huckabee be the VP choice? He would give McCain support from the more conservative side of the party that is having a hard time with McCain and would give Huck a platform for a future run, especially if McCain won. And with McCain's age, a second term would not be a forgone conclusion. I think Romney wants the job too, and some think he would be a better choice. I don't know, but its fun to watch. At least for this political junkie.

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A look at life and ministry.

About the Author

After growing up in Maine, Ira graduated from Bible College and wandered into Western Maine and has never found his way back out. He has a deep love for the rural churches of Maine and the people who make up this great state. He loves Truth over Tradition, Christ over Culture, and People over Process. He love to equip, teach, and disciple and longs to see the Maine church grow healthy and make disciples.


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