Near where we used to live in southeast Texas

It’s been a while since I’ve written anything save for my work. I’m closing in on 20 years “under appointment” as is termed in my area of ministry. We retired in December, 2020, and were privileged to take a part-time appointment in a wonderful small church with people who want to know more about Jesus. It’s been surprising, and healing, after all the postured silliness of the denomination splitting.

But that’s another story…

And last week our beloved pet Abigayle, 11 years old, ended her journey after a growth formed inside her and kept her body from working. She and I walked thousands of miles together. She was my dog and I was her person. Perhaps there will be more on that, too. Our grandchildren loved playing “Hide ‘N Seek” with me because Abigayle followed me where ever I went, making me pretty easy to find.

Today I came across this in my reading, from Psalm 86:

For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD; that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86: 10-11.

“Unite my heart to fear your name.” Sometimes Scripture can be so revealing. I know my heart has been divided. I want to write, I want to play music, I want to….

In all this it is as if I have been holding something back, some reserve for myself or for what I really want to do or how to make my mark.

But today that seems so foolish, so self-centered, so sinful. Holding something back like a child hiding a dirty rock in a field of diamonds. Unite my heart, O LORD.

In the past week we have had five services, and one wedding. My sister and my brother have both been hospitalized with serious illness. My good friend is battling a recurrence of cancer. My brother-in-law has been hospitalized. I already wrote about my dog…

This weekend, God willing, I’m going into a nearby prison to be part of a Kairos team, offering a type of freedom that most of us cannot imagine. If you’ve read this far, please consider praying for our team and for our “brothers-in-white.” If you like, reply with your first name and last name initial and location, and you’ll be part of a paper chain of prayer that will surround our training room.

For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O LORD; that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86: 10-11.

With my doubts, with my holdouts, with my sin, God has used even me. And God can use you, too.