Date: 1 Aug 2008 Comments: 3 so far

Sometimes in a pastor’s life… we can get tired… worn out… and discouraged…

Well, I was there.  Right up until I received this email earlier today. I am sure others get that way from time to time, too… so I wanted to share this word of encouragement with you. I hope it blesses you as much as it did me!

Hey there!  I don’t know what you have going on right now or even pretend to know how stressful the “Church Planting” business can be, but Susanne asked me to pray for you and I felt like I needed to remind you about something Mark Batterson wrote in “In a Pit…”.

“Don’t be afraid.”  Peter he said, “Lord, if it’s really you tell me to come to you by walking on the water.”  And Jesus said “Come.” So Peter takes one small step out of the boat and one giant leap towards Jesus. And he walks on water.  When Peter saw the wind , he was afraid and beginning
to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Let me tell you something about stepping out in faith: you almost always second guess yourself.  You make the decision to get out of the boat-you change careers, end a relationship, (start a church- What!!)- and you have second thoughts. You wonder if you made a mistake.  Did God really tell me to get out of that boat??

And you start sinking spiritually because you stop focusing on Jesus and start focusing on the wind and waves.

Now I don’t know what’s going on in you head or heart right now, but I felt compelled to write that to you.  Just keep your eyes on Jesus and take them off of ALL the wind and the waves that swirl around you right now,  Physically, spiritually, about the church, about your core team, about finances, about locations, about messages, small groups, children’s programs, pastoral inadequacies, future security, whatever it is- and look straight ahead toward Jesus who called you to step out of that boat in the first place!

Love you and always praying for you and your vision!!

It is good to know people are praying!

BIG THANK YOU to the writer of that email! You know who you are.

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