The previous story about my son is fresh because of the turmoil in that small town church right now. They need God's direction and healing. Many of them are struggling with how to get along with selfish and controlling brothers and sisters. Some of them are just struggling with how to be more controlling and selfish.
The leaders of that church need encouragement and a fresh breath of God. They may need more than they will allow God to perform. The minister and his family need security. They need the medicine of the soul, because theirs have been wounded. These have walked alongside their Lord and born shame for his name.
The flock needs God's work as well. Some for forgiveness, some for remorse and change, some for both.
May God guide you all on your walk of faith. Only he can heal the divisions and bridge the chasm between. He is the God of redeemed relationships. He accomplishes the impossible, even within us.
My heart is with you all
2 comments:
Don,
I am a member of this little Texas town church about which you write. Although there is turmoil here now, I'm confident that good things will come out of it. What has been swept under the rug in the past has been now brought to the light and therefore progress can be made. It would not have come to light if you had not experienced some of the same negative things, when you were here, that we are going through now. And, because of the sense of loss that so many of us felt when you departed, we are not letting it end the same way this time. The people who stood by a watched last time are now standing up and saying "This is just not right." The people who are trying to be so controlling are now experiencing the consequences of this present action as well as those past actions which caused you pain.
So I guess I'm just trying to say that I'm sorry you and your family had to go through so much pain back then. On the other hand, I'm trying to say a big "Thank You" for the major part you played in getting us to this important crossroads. I believe much good will come of it in the years ahead.
God Bless you and your awesome family.
David,
In some ways we are the result of past experiences, but more important our future is determined by God's oversight and our faithful choices. My experience there is long over; I am at peace and satisfied with the choices I made then. We felt a lot of love and support from many of our brothers and sisters when we were forced by circumstances to resign and leave. Let me reassure you of our appreciation for their kind words and acts of love.
We never expected people to rise up in protest. We tried to keep as low a profile as possible and to keep things normal so that would not happen.
Now your pain is greater than ever, since it is the same wound opened again. But God is the healer and you are under his care. If your leaders did anything wrong, it has been allowing the evil that ruled over my end to rest undisturbed so that it could do this again now. God bless you as you endure this trial.
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