Pastor

God put a desire in my heart to be a pastor when I was but a 10 year old little boy. My parents recently came across a little piece of paper in a hope chest in the attic that had "I love Jesus with all my heart and I want to help people and be a pastor when I grow up" written on it. It was signed by me in October of 1979.

That's crazy! And here I am in 2009, some 30 years later, working as a pastor and helping people.

Q: So why did I want to be a pastor 30 years ago?

I have always had a heart to help people. I was born with it I guess. Maybe my parents drilled it into me? No sure. Neither of my parents where pastors though, so ... I don't know where it came from but that God called me to it.

Ephesians 4:11 "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers." - NAS

I honestly didn't feel there was any other choice for me ... and I say that as a positive. I love helping people, and I always have, and I am sure I always will.

All my life I have followed (stumbling along the way) the path that God laid before me. It's not always been easy, and I have wanted to take many detours along the way and in some cases have taken the detour, but God kept me and keeps me each and everyday always gently bringing me back to the place I am to be.

One simple motto I attempt to live by in my life is when faced with a choice I ask this question before I chose:

*Is this thing (whatever it is) inline with my life's goals? If so, then proceed. And if not, then don't do it!

And that little thought has helped me along the way.

Let me give you an example that may help to clarify just what I mean. I am a married man with Children. Even though I am a pastor I get invited (or have the opportunity) on occasion to go to a club after work with friends (typically not people in the church) to have a drink.

Now, nothing wrong with that in and of itself. Nothing wrong with having A DRINK, nothing wrong with HANGING WITH SOME FRIENDS, and nothing wrong with being in a CLUB. BUT (a big "but" that is) when I ask myself the question; "is going to a club for a drink after work (when I should be going home to be with family) with some friends inline with my life's goals of a happy, healthy, life long marriage?" The answer becomes obvious to me - No, it's not a sin per sue, but it's not right for me.

On and on I could go with example after example of times we are all faced with choices and I can not tell you how important it is to CHOSE WISELY! There have been countless times in my life when I wanted to do something, but when I put it through the TEST question, it fails ... so I don't do it.

Chose wisely all that you do, and I hope that you have the life you've always wanted! I believe you can, I really do!