Everybody Needs a Pastor

I am a pastor.  It's my calling.  It's a privilege.  My son is a pastor.  My son-in-law is a pastor.  Josh and I meet on Monday nights for an hour to talk ministry - Paul/Timothy style.  I was Josh's pastor for nearly ten years before he was my son-in-law.  In a few short months he and my daughter are headed to seminary.  We are enjoying these weekly meetings to talk ministry before the next transition stage in Josh's life.  The last two weeks as part of our hour we have taken a few minutes to call a pastor who has impacted my life and whom I hold in high regard.  Last week it was Pastor George Jackman from New Hampshire.  Tonight it was my pastor - Frank Wood.  He's from Georgia, and is serving there now.  I have more pastors on my list and we will have rich conversations with them in the weeks to come.  

Pastor Wood did not know we were going to call, but when he answered and we had him on speaker phone we were in for an amazing blessing for the next twenty minutes.  As I listened to Frank speak into Josh's life my eyes filled with tears.  I realized how deeply I was impacted by a man who was my pastor for about four years.  Frank spent four years in New York, but everyone who has ever heard me preach or been impacted for good by the Lord through my life has seen Frank's life.  His love for Jesus, his own family, the church he served as pastor, and the community where he served were a model for me to this day.  

Pastor Frank baptized me, licensed me to the ministry, ordained me and married Kathy and me.  When I moved to seminary just a year after my father died, he followed in a few days and brought my Mom with him and his family to be a part of the opening days of the seminary called Founder's Days.  He connected me with a pastor in Tennessee who invited me to serve with him and I served that church for seven years.  As we closed our conversation tonight, I asked him to pray for Josh.  As I listened to my pastor from years ago pray for my son-in-law and pray for me, I was deeply touched.  I was reminded that everybody needs a pastor - someone who serves as a shepherd to the Lord's flock.  

I'm not the perfect pastor - far from it.  But I'm not sure I've ever been more grateful for the privilege to serve the Lord and His people in this way than I am tonight.  If you are a pastor and are reading this, I want you to know that what you do matters.  You are making a difference in some young man today who may call you in thirty years and thank you for your ministry in his life.  This world is in a mess.  Jesus is the answer.  Press on pastor.  It's a privilege.  Everybody needs a pastor.  I have been blessed with some great ones to this very day.  Frank Wood, there will never be a better one.  I am grateful for you.  Your footprint is on my heart.  To God be the glory - and to Northside - the flock I serve with now - thank you for the privilege.  It's an honor.  

A Wedding, A Church, and a Trip Home

When I was young in ministry, I dreaded doing wedding ceremonies.  There was always a lot of anxiety, many people wanting certain things this way or that way.  At times I had deep concerns about the couple getting married and whether or not they were ready to get married.  Also, weddings can have a lot of drama with them.  At times, they bring out the worst in people.  To be honest - funerals were almost easier.  Don't get me wrong - and believe me I don't like funerals - but in that hour people are just grateful for comfort and your presence, and I was grateful to be a messenger of hope.

Now, it's the opposite.  I dread funerals.  I've seen enough pain in my life.  I've witnessed enough suffering.  I've watched hundreds of people weep in hospitals, funeral homes, churches and gravesides in my 35 years of ministry.  I'm still grateful for the opportunity to minister comfort and encouragement to those who are hurting and to be a reminder to them of the hope that is ours in Jesus Christ.  However, I long for that land where there is no more pain, no more tears, and no more suffering.

Weddings have taken on a new meaning to me.  Having been married now for more than 30 years, and being blessed to share those years with an amazing wife, I'm pretty stoked about marriage.  You make memories that are amazing.  You go through tough times and happy times but you go through them together and come out stronger.  You raise a family and then have grandchildren!  You watch your kids struggle at times but more often then not thrive in ways beyond your own abilities or expecations.  It's amazing.

Saturday night at 4pm, I stood outside in the beautiful New York spring with the sun shining with the bride and groom, their attendants and maybe 125 guests to join a man and woman in marriage.  I have a lot of hope for them.  I'm excited about their future.  They have GREAT days ahead of them.  To be the one to lead them in that moment was an honor and a privilege.

Sunday, we drove home, but decided to go through Albany so we could attend the church of a young pastor we hold in high regard.  Pastor Roscoe Lilly has been a friend for the last five years.  We've learned from each other, and he has spoken at Keep the Fire Burning (our pastors/leaders conference), as well as the weekend services at Northside.  To visit Northstar Church in Clifton Park and see the work that God is doing through Roscoe, his wife Maryanna and that fellowship was a wonderful blessing.

The gospel still works.  It works in the hearts of individuals, in marriages, and in families.  It also works in any community where His word is preached and His heart is expressed through His body - the church.  I saw it again this weekend and it made a difference in my life.  I pray He can use me to make a difference this week.  All for His glory!!!

West Point, Day 2 - More Soldiers

We visited West Point for the second day on Saturday of this week.  We were to meet up with the young captain who would be marrying his bride later that day.  His face was full of smiles, and his heart seemed full of joy.  I love to watch the Lord bring together a godly man and a godly woman and join their lives together.  Two are better than one and a three fold cord is not easily broken.  A husband, wife and Jesus is a three fold cord not easily broken.

There was a surprise to our day.  For Kathy and I, it was a God moment.  We had learned from a Northside Mom, that one of her three grown sons was now a freshman at West Point and wanted to connect with us while we were there.  I gave her my contact information and I soon got a call from him.  I told him we were headed to the campus and he said he would meet us there.  Within fifteen minutes we shared a happy reunion with this young soldier.  Having taken 'the windshield tour' the night before, we walked the campus with a 25 year old Captain who had graduated in '09, and a 'plebe' in his freshman year.

It was remarkable.  One was filled with excitement, knowledge and anticipation.  He's already a good soldier, and I have every confidence will be a great soldier.  The other is a graduate, an army ranger, has served for a year deployed to difficult areas, and just made Captain.  In fact, just over three weeks after his wedding day, he will be deployed for a second time, and his wife will be deployed later this summer.  Pray for them both please.  This soldier's mood was somber but also strong and deliberate.  He, too, is a great soldier.

We strolled the campus.  We saw the parade field, classroom buildings, dorm buildings, and numerous statues that serve as reminders of strong leaders in our nation's history.  We saw Washington on his horse, then there was Douglas MacArthur, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and General George S. Patton.  We found powerful quotes etched in stone, and witnessed the combination of amazing history and a hopeful present.

I have never served in the United States military, but have always had the deep respect for those who have and do.  When three soldiers walked in Northside almost three years ago, I had no idea they would all become life long friends.  They had driven almost an hour and a half to church that day - one way - and continued to do that.  I've learned a lot from them.  The day I met them, the Lord whispered to my heart - you need to be more like a soldier.  Paul wrote to Timothy about that in the New Testament.

What I learned about that this weekend is that there have been many soldiers in the battles in the past, there are some with great seasoning today.  Others are established but earlier in their careers, and then there is the vibrancy, intellect and enthusiasm of a first year student at West Point that gives me hope for the future of my country.

Lord - make us all faithful soldiers!!!

West Point

Today I visited West Point for the first time in my life.  I recall riding past it on the other side of the Hudson river on a train.  Today, Kathy and I traveled here for a wedding I will be officiating this weekend.

There is so much history here.  It was hard to even begin to grasp.  How many young cadets have passed through here, serving this country that we love with their all.  Tomorrow, I am blessed to perform the marriage of two graduates. 

The parents of the bride are both graduates.  In fact, they currently live on post.  I looked out the window of their home to a spectacular view of the Hudson river.  I saw young soldiers running and enjoying a beautiful day. 

In another surreal moment, I met the bride’s younger brother who is a sophomore here, following the footsteps of his Mom, Dad, and older Sister.  Amazing.  Simply amazing.  I admire these soldiers for many reasons. 

From one generation to another, we pass on faith, values, courage, and hope.  It’s been a wonderful day.  I’m confident tomorrow will be as well.  Lord you are good.  I am very grateful.