Is this Counseling or Discipleship?

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Today’s been a very productive day.

It began with some catching up on mail, email and news. Then I did some premarital counseling at the office where we covered, among other topics, the basis of a good marriage.

Since I believe in and need accountability, I had lunch with another pastor. We talked about some of the challenges we have faced and are facing. It was good to share some prayer requests with one another.

About the same time as the rain started, I began to mow the lawn. Mowing the lawn is one of my least-favorite activities, but I’ve found a way to make it more rewarding — I bought some headphones for my ipod and listened to two lectures on Systematic Theology from Dr. Douglas F. Kelly.

After the lawn was finished, another pastor and I spent a couple of hours with a young man who is going through some tough times. We counseled him on how to react to some of the struggles he is facing and how to proactively change his life. Most importantly, we spoke to him about his relationship with God — explaining how he can find forgiveness of sin and a new start to life through Christ. Please pray for this young man — that he will respond to Jesus.

In the evening, I spent time on the telephone with a gentleman who had a few biblical questions. After about 30 minutes, we addressed some needs he has to forgive some folks in his life. Pray that God will give him victory in this area.

Finally, before settling in at 9 p.m. to write this blog entry, Laurel and I stopped over to visit someone who is recovering from surgery. It is always good to connect with folks as they are on the mend.

Here’s hoping tomorrow will afford time to write a sermon or two! šŸ™‚

~Pastor Steve

Hospitals and Stuff

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Today I went to see Mildred, one of our shut-ins, who had been taken to the Clearfield Hospital. We visited for a few moments, and then I read a passage of Scripture and had prayer with her. She is fighting an infection and looked quite tired, but found obvious encouragement in our visit.

Afterward, I did some nursing home visitation. It was great seeing Glen. He was explaining the mechanics of his arm-rest to the aide attending him (she was a little mechanically challenged). We talked and laughed for a while before we read Psalm 100 and prayed together.

I talked with several people on the telephone, researching some items for tonight’s Board of Ministries Meeting and organizing some storage at the church.

During lunch, I did some technical work and added a “Subscribe by Email” field to this prayer blog so that those interested can easily subscribe and not have to come to the site daily.

For the rest of the day I will be preparing tonight’s agenda and working on sermons and Bible studies, leading the Board of Ministries Meeting, leading prayer meeting, and then … watching the Penguins!

Thanks for your continued prayer.

~Steve

A Day of Travel…

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Today I went to Pittsburgh to be with Ed and Margaret. I rode down with Chuck and Judy, who were a lot of fun and great support. When we left, Ed had done well and was in recovery.

That trip pretty well spent the whole of the day, leaving at 8 a.m. and not returning until after 7 p.m.

Thanks for remembering Ed and other who have physical needs in prayer today.

~Pastor Steve

Changed Lives…

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Sometimes it amazes me how much God does in and through us.

This morning I had breakfast with a group of men who are reading No More Christian Nice Guy, by Paul Coughlin. One of the men noted that the book is like a gun — powerfully dangerous. Dare we place it in the hands of men in our church? Yeah. As they discussed the chapter on how being a nice guy destroys relationships, the conversation was marked by balance. It is exciting to see these men grasping the truth and implementing it in their lives.

Shortly afterward, during a counseling session in my living room, a man prayed to receive Christ as his Savior.

For the rest of the day, I’ll be in front of my computer refining tomorrow’s sermon on The Love of God.

Pray for the men who were at breakfast, the newly transformed man who prayed in my living room, and for me — that I will rightly handle the word of truth.

Thanks!

~Pastor Steve

Connecting with People

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This day is only half over, and yet it’s been very full.

Here are some things you can pray for today:

  1. A young man who needs some basic life-skills and relationship development.
  2. A young woman who is deepening her understanding of her call to serve God.
  3. An older couple who are working through some changes in life.
  4. A family in our community who we are helping with financial problems through the ministerial association.

Pray for me also as I work to completeĀ  a sermon on The Love of God for Mothers Day.

Thanks!

~Pastor Steve