Handcuffs of Gold

I shared the following personal experience with CUPC Wednesday night to close a lesson on unity and loving my brother. Tis not always so easy….rks

A few days ago I taught a series of lessons to CUPC about forgiveness and loving one’s brother no matter what happens…

Little did I know what path I was to walk soon….

It came to my attention one day that a fellow minister had endeavored to reach into my home and hurt myself and my family…

I was devastated with the untrue things said…

Tracie and I were numb and wept for days together…

We had friends drive hundreds of miles in the middle of the night just to hug us and pray with us…

Another friend called in the very peak of the crisis, when we were hurting the worst and I asked him to pray so he and another minister and their wives prayed with us over the speaker phone long after Tracie and I had run out of prayer and tears…

Friends from around the country began to call and join us in prayer…

Somebody handed Tracie a CD with a song that ministered so deeply to her and we would drive for hours replaying that song over and over…

I dealt with every emotion possible…

I wanted to hold Tracie…

I wanted to drive and beat the dude up…

I was angry…

I wanted revenge…

I would have delighted in the demise of the tale bearer…

I sought counsel and my counselor was not interested…

This time it was me and God…

Enter Ephesians 4:1-3

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Yeah, I understand loving my brother…

I understand forgiving those that hurt you…

But I again discovered that I have no choice…

I am a prisoner like Paul…

And my bonds are the bonds of peace…

If I am to be one with Him…

I am literally handcuffed with a spirit of peace…

Handcuffs of Gold…

With golden handcuffs it is not convenient to do things I would normally have done….

With these cuffs I cannot respond like I wish…

I cannot touch my brother when cuffed with His peace….

This was not too fun for me in my current dilemma…

But I submitted…

I heard my enemy was in trouble so I wrote him pledging love and prayers…

I was afforded an occasion to be in service with him and was able to put my arm around him and pray with him…

I was able to look him in the eye and tell him I love him…

It was not easy…

I had no choice…

If I am to be one with Him…

I must be one with him…

RKS

Help Wanted

I just cleared thirteen voice messages from political candidates who felt impressed to call and offer to go to work for me...

One was from a lady I knew who asked me to pray for the Lord to heal our land and vote for her candidate...

Don't you find it amazing men will spend millions to be elected to a job that barely pays thousands...

They want my help...

I am not sure I want their's...

I waved goodbye to a wonderful employee this week...

We had a family and leader leave the church as well...

Over the last year I have interviewed seven couples who were not interested in the full time ministry job I have to offer...

Tonight, we had dinner with a young family who just wants to be involved in the harvest...

We will do anything, they said...

How refreshing...

Ah yes...

CUPC has a ministry job to offer that includes salary, housing, utilities and other perks.....

But of late Tracie and I have changed our prayer....

We have begun to ask the Lord, not for help....

But for labourers for His harvest....

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest , that he will send forth labourers into his harvest . Matthew 9:37-39

RKS

Blogger's Block

Today I have not had creative juices flowing for the blog...

I have pondered and thought and looked for something but to no avail....

I hit the proverbial brick wall.....

I told my wife about it this evening as she was blogging away on her site, http://www.tsmithconroe.blogspot.com/

We laughed and I told her the creative juice was blocked and I could not blog....

We called it Blogger's Block and thought we were so creative...

So I Googled Blogger's Block..............

And within two seconds I had 230,000 hits...


I thought I was so smart with the Blogger's Block thought, only to discover I had discovered nothing....

I remember back in Bible School days finding a good thought and taking it to my instructor Bro Kelsey Griffin.....

He smiled at me and told me he had a three day bible study on my little sermon's thought...

Another writer said one time that there was nothing new under the sun.....

Oh well...

Another day.....

Another creative thought.....

Blessings.....

RKS

Today I Waved Goodbye

Today I waved goodbye....

To the Rev Justin Prather family....

They came to us as Youth Pastor and Assistant....

They leave so much more....

Today I waved goodbye....

As the secondary students of Conroe Christian School did a sit down blockade in the parsonage driveway so they could not leave....

We all love them....

We really do not say goodbye...

For he chooses to base his evangelistic ministry from CUPC and call me pastor...

I am honored....

Godspeed to this fine young family as they step into a new phase of their ministry....

And as they welcome their second little girl into the world in the coming weeks....

RKS

God Bless The TUBs

The Devil Sent a Demon Today

There was a time we would see the devil present himself often in our services. Sadly, he probably shows up more often than we realize and we fail to recognize he is there. I share the following incident that happened today in our service. Jesus told us, "This type cometh about but by prayer and fasting." Prayers.....rks


Pastor was preaching this morning about this being somebody's day and moment....

Enter the Demonic Display....

Little black lady in a housecoat, flipflops, doorag and drunk as a skunk wanders into the sanctuary and begins to run laps....

Then she flops in the floor and does the Satanic Serpant thing....

The ushers are ready to bounce her out but I say leave her alone and continue to preach that we will not be distracted by demonic presentation.....

When all of the sudden.....

The Holy Ghost falls on a young man and he jumps and runs to the front.....

He was filled with the Holy Ghost and delivered from some very dark spirits....

As he is being delivered the Devils Demonic Presentation tries to slither up to him hissing etc....

But to no avail......

The bouncers are now allowed to do what they knew to do and the Demon began cursing and ran from the santuary and out of the church......

It will be interesting to watch the hand of God on the young man who God delivered....

Obviously the devil did not want to let go......

Four Faces of a Pastor

My friend John Carrol mentioned Ezekiel's four headed creature the other day. I have pondered and reflected upon my own pastorate and offer a few simple thoughts...rks

And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures . And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. And every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot: and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. Ezekiel 1:4-11

Notice the four faces….

• Eagle
• Ox
• Lion
• A man

Every Pastor has the same four faces….

• Eagle when we lead our people in the heights of worship and faith…
• Ox when we are plodding along and leaning into the yoke…plowing deep without fanfare or flashiness…
• Lion…sometimes we approach the pulpit like a lion and roar. Every now and then the Lion has to roar to ward off any evil spirit. Not only must he roar but there are times Pastor must have the fierce and fearful bearing of the lion. That bearing that without fanfare reminds those around him of his Godly authority.
• A man….when he has to be transparent he goes just as a man…

The Eagle

• I wore the face of the Eagle for the first 12 years of our time here in Conroe
• Revival, miracles, the supernatural, perpetual growth and revival.
• It is easy to wear the face of the Eagle when things are really moving.

The Ox

• From November of 2006 until October of 2007, I had no special preachers and every service for a year I plowed deep.
• I leaned into the trace and dug the plow in.
• No fanfare or fun that year.

The Lion

• I have had to roar.
• I have had to pace in my cage
• I have had to put on the Lion face and stare down the devil and evil divisive spirits
• Thank God one does not have to do this all the time.

A Man

• Transparency is a mandate.
• To admit humanity and weakness along with the people brings everyone together.
• Pride cannot be a factor.

No pastor is without these faces...

However...

The Pastor who does not use each of them along the way....

Will sorely paralyze the growth of both his church and people...

Preacher man take this and make your own applications...

RKS

Leading From The Pew

Bloom where you are planted!

Seems there are many men who gain their greatest significance from the positions they have been asked to fill. Others, have not arrived there yet long for the moment they are the man. Not realizing that before they ever become the man they are already the man. Or lady if genetics require the gender clarification. Anyway, enjoy this little observation. rks






I was once a leader....

I won several elections....

Had a district credit card, chair on the platform, and parking spot at the campgrounds….

Then I felt to let it all go.....

I pulled my name....

Cancelled tons of engagements...

Gave back the credit card....

Now I park in the dirt at camp meeting....

With all of this I struggled with the feelings of no longer being involved, and not being in the know, and remembering who I used to be...

Until I decided to find out who I was at the moment...

I was no longer the holder of position....

I was no longer in the know....

I was no longer of any influence...

I park in the dirt...

I don't merit the platform at camp meeting...

I am just a pew guy....

Pew guys stink....

I began to stink....

In all reality…

I stunk….

I came up with the novel concept for myself of leading from the pew...

Leading with no position....

Leading while parked in the dirt and sitting on the back pew.....

I moved myself to the front...

The light went off one day…..

I suddenly understood that I could have more influence leading from the pew that I ever could when I led while parked in that chair on the platform…

Wow......

It is a blast effecting things with no position.....

It is incredible helping to lift others up and endeavoring to avoid the restraints of position....

For you see.....

One in position is limited because of the confinements of the constituency...

The pew guy IS the constituency.....

So my stinking pew buddy....

Quit stinking.....

Rise up and lead wherever you find yourself.....

Positions might be term limited......

There will always be a pew to lead from......

Fighting the Music Devil

My friend Steve Shubert has written a wonderful blog about his dealings with his personal music devil.

http://heartscribbles.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html

I think it only fair to share the other side of the issue.

God Bless...

RKS

Music Devils

I have shared this with many ministry friends and always enjoy the chuckle shared when somebody else realizes they are not the only ones who struggle with such things. This is also posted currently on Full Proof Team Blog. Read more... http://www.fullproofministry.blogspot.com/



I ponder this title....

And ask myself....

What is a Music Devil?

Everybody knows that Lucifer got kicked out of Heaven and landed in the choir loft of the local United Pentecostal Church....

Or maybe in the instrument pit....

Seems like if the devil shows up anywhere it will be somewhere in the musical folks...

I call these things...

Music Devils...

However a Music Devil is not a person....

It is an attitude....

Those that are the artsy musical types many times possess a moody temperamental side that is difficult for the rest of us to deal with.

And since the musical types has talent that helps him into spiritual arenas without having to pursue the Almighty...

Or pray....

Many times their carnal side becomes prevalent....

Also, since we that are not musical are dependent upon those that are.....

Many times we find ourselves bending rules to accommodate the mood swings of the musically inclined....

We fail the musical type by giving in to their moods....

When we do so, the mood of the musical type learns that he now has power to flaunt and get its way....

So the next time the mood appears.....

It appears in the form of a Music Devil....

Another way a Music Devil manifest itself is the fits and temper tantrums it seems to enjoy having while at choir practice......

Or even in a church service when something does not go its way.....

And then whammo.....

The Music Devil appears....

Have you ever seen the faces a Music Devil can make at a sound man....

Or have you seen the hand gestures that go back and forth...

Persons who struggle with the Music Devil Syndrome are quick to pout and threaten to leave the church......

Or purposely drag in to the service late....

Many times dressed non platform compliant so as to make a statement.....

The statement is....

You can't make it without me....

But the Music Devil is so mistaken.......

There is always a replacement....

Usually much better than he himself is.....

Music Devils are in the choir.....

They show up in a soloist who doesn't want to comply with the big picture of church programming....

Music Devils show up in drummers who want to make more racket than any single church can contain....

Music Devils show up in guitarist who want the amp so loud....

And want to tune the guitar right in the middle of prayer request....

Music Devils show up in keyboardist who never are satisfied with the latest $$$$ gadget that was bought and paid for with the offerings of the pitiful masses that he must condescend to make music for.....

Music Devils show up in worship leaders who do not want to pray, but sure want a microphone....

Music Devils show up in praise teams ......

Music Devils never seem to want to do anything but be musical....

Never would one consider doing anything else in the church but music.....

Swab a toilet.....NO

Pick up a visitor.....NO

Show up at family prayer......maybe yes....maybe no.....

But throw a fit if something or someone crosses their whim in any way....YES

I've dealt with many Music Devils over the years....

Ironically, the musical person who struggles with a Music Devil is most times a most wonderful person....

He just has the glaring weakness of a Music Devil....

How many Music Devils have you seen fill out a tithe envelope?

Have you ever seen the musician who struggles with a Music Devil stroll into church late and then have the gall to meander up to the stage and assume their rightful position of power at the keyboard or organ?

The same cat has disdained to pray and now he and his Music Devil have the audicity to think that the anointing of the Holy Ghost is going to flow through them....

I don't think so.....

It ought not be done so in Israel......

Do you know anyone who struggles with a Music Devil?

Have you ever seen a Music Devil at your church?

Do you have a Music Devil?

If this makes you mad.....

I bet you do you have inside of you one of them.....

Music Devils.....

One Day You'll Be King

A couple of years ago my son Trent was in the crossroads of life. Graduating from high school and dually enrolled in college. He was also feeling the call of God on his life yet he was in the midst teenage confusions. His life was a bit bumpy and one particular day had not been good. Late that evening I went upstairs, laid on his bed beside him, and told him this little story…


Uncle Jay…

I want to go outside and play with the other boys…

I do not like having to stay here while they have all the fun….

I understand Joe, that you would rather go play with the other boys…

How long am I going to have to stay here Uncle Jay?

Until…

I am tired of not getting to go outside with the other boys….

Yes….

Uncle Jay what is wrong with what all the other boys are doing?

Maybe not so much Lil Joe…

I stand at this window every day and watch the other boys have so much fun Uncle Jay…

I am going to go outside no matter what you say Uncle Jay…

No….

Uncle Jay….

Why can’t I go outside and play and have fun like everybody else….

I want to be like all the other little boys Uncle Jay…

So the moment of reckoning arrived….

Jehoiada looked down at young Joash and replied….

I would love you to be able to go and be like the other little boys….

I really wish I could let you go outside and be normal like them…

You are different than they…

You are marked….

You are called….

You are chosen….

And you cannot be like the other little boys….

For Joash…

One day you will be king….

And kings do not do what other people do!

But Jehoshabeath….took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not. 2 Chron 22:11

Except the Seed Fall and Die...

The following is what I call a seminar post from forum land. I have shared this many times with many men. This writing was done for ministers I interact with on forums. Conroe UPC was built around this principle. John 12:24 has impacted my life more than any single verse beyond the New Birth message. I share with you here a principle that Tracie and I have lived. The principle is before you. The details of the dying still burn within us. We recognize that every harvest requires yet another death. So Lord, I am ready to die again if it means yet another revival. I pray you feel the spirit of this piece. rks


Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. John 12:24 KJV

Seed has to fall....

In this process of falling life will go out of control...

Life must get crazy and chaotic as the good seed tumbles from the hand of the Master into the soil it is intended for if there is to be spiritual germination...

Seed must fall into the ground...

Into the dirty ground and be covered up and forgotten...

No revival will be found in the party of life...

Rather germination can only take place in the loneliness of being buried and forgotten...

Seed has to die....

It cannot germinate without dying first....

Dying is not pretty...

Dying seed is ugly and slimy and black and in a black hole that has been forgotten by the crowd....

Dying for the harvest can be even uglier...

Out of the death of the seed comes the new life of harvest....

Out of the death of the man and his wife will come that new revival...

This verse does not say, "if it feels like it is dying"

To many men, and their wives feel like they are dying and stop short of real spiritual germination....

Little girl wife hasn't had a new dress in a couple of months; she feels like she is dying....

Preacher boy can't play golf so he feels like he is dying...

Something has to die....

That man has to die...

That wife has to die...

The hope is this....

"If it dies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

If the minister goes ahead and allows the death of germination, take place....

He shall bring forth much fruit like himself....

That is .....

A harvest of people willing to die with him next time.....

For every harvest, there must be yet another death.....

A dead minister is much different from a minister who has learned a few tricks; but has no substance.....

Most times this death is financial......

Many times, it is family or kids etc.....

However, a death must occur for a revival to take place.....

Anyone who has merely cut back in lifestyle has not sacrificed....

You will have to see your lifestyle crash around you before there is a death....

One might quit or lose a good job but that is not death......

Trust me....

If you or your wife feel like you are going to die....

You are still a longgggggggg way from spiritual germination.......

If a bill collector calling upsets you; you are along way from spiritual germination.....

When a repo man no longer bothers you.....

When your 5-year-old suit no longer bothers you.....

When your kids are stuck with hand me downs from the church kids and it no longer bothers you....

When it no longer bothers you to pay you light bills on the disconnect notice.....

When you FICA is under 500 and it no longer matters....

When you have a family member sick unto death and you are still mad about it....

If any of these things still bother you...

Sadly....

Then you are a long way from spiritual germination....

But if you die......

If you are past feeling and no longer care.....

You then are in the midst of spiritual germination.....

You are just about dead....

And when you die....

Spiritual harvest can take place....

I have seen too many ministries never really die and never rise to the full potential they could have seen....

I have seen too many preachers live in the realm of talent and buddies....

I have seen too many preachers’ wives not be willing to do without certain material blessings....

I will never forget the day that Tracie and I died simultaneously...

The details are still too painful...

The results of our deaths......

Are not!

RKS

The Loss of a Family Member

These were the words of the title line of an email from my Mom this morning...

Our hearts lept into our throats...

Who?

The email went on, We lost Bonnie, the dog, on Monday.

At first all Tracie saw was Bonnie and thought Aunt Bonnie had passed on...

Bonnie, the dog...

Mom's special little silver white miniature Schnauzer with the little back legs that could never jump up on Mom's chair...

The little lady didn't need to...

Mom did it for her...

"Here Bonnie," Mom would say and the little doggy would run to the chair and put her front feet beside Mom's hand and Mom would hold the little head while Bonnie climbed up beside her...

They spent hours together...

Mom and Bonnie in the chair...

Mom would rub and read....

I am not sure what Bonnie did but Mom sure seemed to enjoy it...

I think Mom loved Bonnie more than all five kids and five kid n laws and nine grands and one great grand.....

I think I might have forgot to include the grand kid n laws....

None of us ever merited the personal email like Bonnie did...

But none of us ever died either...

My heart goes out to Mom today...

She lost her special little friend...

I am sending her a copy of Mark Levin's, Rescuing Sprite to brightern her day http://sweetness-light.com/archive/mark-levins-new-book-rescuing-sprite...

Mom's email went on to say...

It was one of the hardest decision I ever made to tell them to just put her to sleep. We have been really sad.

Mom, I feel your sadness today and want you to know that the bunch down Conroe way loves you...

Kent

Yesterday I Wept

The Saturdays of my first ten years in Conroe were spent in the harvest…

God blessed and I have not done much of that the last seven…

Pastoral duty called and I did not have time for such things…

Oh, we would have campaigns and blitz and I would lead the charge…

I have bought thousands of info tapes and given them away...

I have printed hundreds of thousands of pieces of literature...

Websites, yellow page ads, news paper ads, etc

Bicycles, mp3 players, backpacks, candy and who knows what else have been given away by this ministry...

In a container on our parking lot is nearly 10,000 bottles of water we are giving away....

I am certain without research, but I have signed checks for hundreds of thousands of dollars we have sent out for the souls....

But yesterday I wept…

For Tracie and I spent the afternoon in the harvest…

And I felt for the first time in years the actual weight of burden for people I did not know…

Oh, preacher man I know we all have burdens for our cities, communities and churches…

But I felt the emotion of the impossibility of the depravity of those addicted and helpless….

I felt the helplessness of the children of those same addicts…

My years in jail ministry taught me to be hard and the ones there had done the crime so they had to serve the time…

But little children locked behind flimsy doors protected by fearful parents or guardians who are afraid for the kids to sit on the front porch…

And then there were the street smart ones…

The urchins for lack of a better word…

I wept over a group of twelve and thirteen year old little girls who are already living the promiscuous life their mommas taught them…

I wept as I watched the police cruiser stop and the officers begin beating on a door…

I wept over Tracie’s little friend Destiny who was so sad this week…

We took her to lunch and she was so sad and refused to talk….

Yeah…

Kent and Tracie took the little urchin named Destiny to lunch…

The successful pastor and his trophy wife were sitting at a picnic table with a little girl who had not eaten in a day or so…

Or had a bath…

And I wept…

My heart literally rose in my throat as I considered the hopeless future these young ones have …

Without a savior…

I wept…

Is my current emotion somewhat similar to what Jesus felt that day he looked over Jerusalem?

My emotion was for a neighborhood….

His, a world…

Yesterday I wept…

Oh, I always cry at the Home Missions service at General Conference…

I am ashamed that it has been years since I wept for souls…

This morning, is was Prime Time Pastor Hour…

Music was good…

Church nicely full…

Several visiting families…

All teams hitting on all cylinders….

Pastor was feeling and looking good…

But then…

Tracie comes through the front door with a little string of urchins who only have one hope…

And I wept….

Preachers….

We have our fine suits…

Fine houses…

Fine automobiles…

Fine churches…

Magazine offices…

Designer services…

Hobbies, friends and portfolios

All so nice…

We have all wept for the success of our ministries…

We have wept for the success of our careers…

How long since we truly wept over those that we really are their only hope…

Yesterday I wept…

Today it continues…

I hope it never stops…

Destiny, Dugan & a Lexus

Tracie has assumed the burden of the worst crime infested apartments in our city. The community is locked behind twelve foot iron gates but the trouble is both inside and out. I am amazed at her fearless assault for a few young children in this hopeless neighborhood. Tonight I watched one of her little friends outside the church doors as she waited for her ride home and purposed that maybe we can keep this child from an early teen pregnancy, abuse and drug use. Tracie is my hero...... I love her too......rks

Mrs. Smith write down what kind of car this is so I can tell my friends at school what I rode in today….

Wow, Mrs. Smith you shouldn’t bring this nice car down here….

Last week a car like this came down here to Dugan and my cousin jacked it and killed the lady driving it……

People get killed down here every day Mrs. Smith….

You still gonna pick us up for church this week Mrs. Smith?

So tonight Tracie asked if she can use me to take her down to the crime infested neighborhood she has adopted to bring Destiny to church…..

Sure dear…..

And when I rounded the corner into the war zone I remembered…..

This is the neighborhood we started working to build our church….

Our first converts and visitors were from Dugan….

Some of them are dead now…..

I pondered as I carefully drove…..

It all started down here in this hell hole…..

Destiny is bringing us full circle…

That is the little twelve year old girl named Destiny that my Tracie has taken on as a project…..

Destiny brings us back to Dugan in a Lexus…..

The first vehicle I took down there was nowhere near this…..

God multiplied it into quite a nice ride….

But last Sunday Tracie had it loaded with urchins from Dugan’s hell hole…..

And they are worried about the nice white lady in the nice white car…..

Methinks…..

Destiny brings us full circle…..

He blessed and protected the old mini van years ago…..

He kept his hand on us when we daily went to Dugan then….

Destiny brings us full circle….

It’s funny when the cops follow you around down there wondering what you are up to…..

Another dealer no doubt they think….

Yes….

A dealer in the eternal, taking a fancy little car into the hell hole called Dugan in pursuit of Destiny…..

And as many more little urchins as Tracie can stuff in the back seat…..

The Tale of the Tares

I have been preaching from the parable of the tares of late. This thought was offered via a different venue a few months ago. Maybe it will help some who have discovered tares of late in the parsonage or elsewhere. Blessings


The man…..

The field…..

The dream….

The man with his toil……

His field….

And his dream….

Every dream requires a dreamer……

And seed…….

Preferably good seed…..

And so after long toil rest was needed…….

Rest was deserved…..

The man rested….

And dreamed ….

Of harvest…

And blessing…..

He slept….he dreamed……

While his enemy brought tares….

And was gone….

Wheat sprang up…..

As did dreams….

And tares…..

I know I used good seed…..

I did not plant tares…..

But wheat….

Why tares….

The enemy……

Anger could have boiled and every tare yanked out…..

But then the dream would have had empty places……

Grief could have caused him to cry daily over a compromised dream…..

Embarrassment could have made excuses for the apparently failing dream….

Denial could have said these are not tares…..

But the man…..

With his dream…..

And tares…..

Waited….

At the end of the day it was all was sorted out……

As always…..

A preacher had his dream…..

He deserved rest….

And while he rested and enjoyed the blessings…..

And dreams….

The enemy sowed tares…..

I did not plant that seed in my church…..

But indeed that seed has sprung up….

This is my church…..my revival…..my harvest……my dream……

Tares?

This is not fair……

No, but we’ve all been there…….

It could be worse….

What happens when the tares spring up in our children…..

We did not plant that kind of seed in them….

But the Enemy did….

While we took much needed rest…….

Tares in our kids….

Yes…..

Even in the parsonage…..

But wait…….

At the end of the day…..

There will be a reckoning……

I watched two minister parents yesterday…..

Weep over a son with tares….

Pastor we did not plant that kind of seed in our son….

But the Enemy did…..

What can we do…..

Wait….

At the end of the day……

Reckoning…..

And your dream….

Tare-free……