Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Facing a Dilemma
This past week has been a week of emotional and mental struggling. Waiting for God to open up something has been a struggle in itself. But then I faced a dilemma. When Karen asked her school Superintendent for a reference letter, he suggested that I apply for an elementary teaching position at the school (that way they wouldn't lose a great teacher in Karen!). Do we want to stay in Colorado if I was offered a teaching position? If I was hired, what if I was offered a church position later this summer? And, if we really would like to move, does Karen sign her contract for next year or wait or resign now?? We are really struggling with all these issues. Our hearts' desire is to move near family, but we also need to be financially responsible. It is not really very financially sound to quit a job and plan to move when you don't have another job lined up or your house hasn't sold.
We are so thankful that God continues to provide!! We thank all of you who have given us advice and are praying for us.
I am currently in contact with a church in the Sacramento area--However, it is a bi-vocational position so I am also applying for teaching jobs in that area--and we will wait to see how God leads.
Two specific prayer requests: 1) That our house will sell soon if we are going to move; and (2) that God will guide us by opening the door for either a pastor position or teaching position or both for me (and subsequently, a teaching job for Karen).
We are so thankful that God continues to provide!! We thank all of you who have given us advice and are praying for us.
I am currently in contact with a church in the Sacramento area--However, it is a bi-vocational position so I am also applying for teaching jobs in that area--and we will wait to see how God leads.
Two specific prayer requests: 1) That our house will sell soon if we are going to move; and (2) that God will guide us by opening the door for either a pastor position or teaching position or both for me (and subsequently, a teaching job for Karen).
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Still Seeking
I spent most of the afternoon and evening of Sunday sending out resumes to churches and following up on others that I had contacted previously. I am also putting together my application on-line for teaching jobs in California. I will also be looking at other places to apply.
It was interesting to find a site on the Web that had a lot of newly planted churches now looking for a full-time pastor. Some of them would be a fit for me but probably not others. One of the churches, not a new church, was looking for a pastor who would help them to re-launch. I take that to mean that they have plateaued or are dying and need a 'fresh start.' It is much easier to begin a new church them to "re-launch" an older one. In fact, Gordon MacDonald has written a new novel about just that subject, Who Stole My Church? The book is about a church of older people who are dealing with change. The pastor contemplates the situation and writes in his diary, "I think I'm beginning to understand why the younger guys prefer to start churches. Changing one is tough." You can check out an excerpt from the book at the Christianity Today site: http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2008/001/21.88.html
I can't believe that it has already been 8 months since I left the La Junta church! I guess God thinks we need to learn a lot of patience!
It was interesting to find a site on the Web that had a lot of newly planted churches now looking for a full-time pastor. Some of them would be a fit for me but probably not others. One of the churches, not a new church, was looking for a pastor who would help them to re-launch. I take that to mean that they have plateaued or are dying and need a 'fresh start.' It is much easier to begin a new church them to "re-launch" an older one. In fact, Gordon MacDonald has written a new novel about just that subject, Who Stole My Church? The book is about a church of older people who are dealing with change. The pastor contemplates the situation and writes in his diary, "I think I'm beginning to understand why the younger guys prefer to start churches. Changing one is tough." You can check out an excerpt from the book at the Christianity Today site: http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2008/001/21.88.html
I can't believe that it has already been 8 months since I left the La Junta church! I guess God thinks we need to learn a lot of patience!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Excitement in Colorado
Some of you have heard from Karen about the fire at the town where Karen teaches (Ordway). If you haven't heard just "google" for Ordway fire and read about it. Anyway, Karen was able to finally get home about 8:00 last night, safe and sound (but smelling badly of smoke!!). Please pray for the students and families in Ordway that lost their homes and the families of the two firefighters who died. (This first picture is of where their truck crashed at the burned out bridge.) Karen had one of their children as a student last year. So Karen is home for a couple of days while they get the town back going again. And we thought we left the fire danger when we left Southern California!
I've mentioned before how quickly the weather changes here in Colorado. Yesterday, it was 89 degrees here in La Junta and 92 in Lamar where I teach. And tonight there is about a 40% chance of snow here. But we are looking forward to the badly needed moisture.
No news yet about any moves for us. We are still praying that God will open up a job or ministry for us close to family. Thanks for your continued support and prayers.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Advice from Dave Ramsey
Last weekend Dave Ramsey, author of "Total Money Makeover" was in Colorado Springs to do a live Total Money Makeover presentation. Dr. Dobson, on Thursday and Friday, interviewed him on his Focus on the Family radio show. And then on Friday evening, Dave Ramsey was on a live call-in Webcast at Focus. Karen and I thought that maybe we could get some advice on our situation--since we won't have my source of income after school is out. (And Karen was hoping they might give her tickets to TMM event in the Springs.)
Karen did get on the Webcast and asked Dave about our financial situation. He basically re-affirmed what we have been considering: That I may have to consider getting any kind of job in order not to have a financial crisis, instead of just waiting to be a pastor. They did suggest that we talk to a counselor at the pastor care dept. of Focus to get support and advice. And since we called in, they sent us a copy of the book, "Total Money Makeover." But of course, we had already read it and had two extra copies that we have given away. Now, we have another one to give!
It seems that the longer we are waiting for God's leading, the longer it is between my posts on this blog--I guess because there is nothing new happening. The only thing happening actually is trying to decide where to live if we both need to get teaching jobs. The teachers at Karen's school don't understand why she might leave. One teacher was telling others that Karen was moving to California, and then others are asking if she is going to pack up at the end of school. It is very hard on Karen right now, so she would really appreciate your prayers as we face this time of instability and uncertainty. Those at my school are asking about whether I will be teaching there next year. But they have already promised my job to the Business teacher and will be looking to hire someone to replace him (that's not my field!) Plus the driving cost with gas prices is really digging into our budget!!
I still have faith that God will sell our house at just the right time and give us jobs at just the right place and time. He always has in the past and He is faithful!!
Karen did get on the Webcast and asked Dave about our financial situation. He basically re-affirmed what we have been considering: That I may have to consider getting any kind of job in order not to have a financial crisis, instead of just waiting to be a pastor. They did suggest that we talk to a counselor at the pastor care dept. of Focus to get support and advice. And since we called in, they sent us a copy of the book, "Total Money Makeover." But of course, we had already read it and had two extra copies that we have given away. Now, we have another one to give!
It seems that the longer we are waiting for God's leading, the longer it is between my posts on this blog--I guess because there is nothing new happening. The only thing happening actually is trying to decide where to live if we both need to get teaching jobs. The teachers at Karen's school don't understand why she might leave. One teacher was telling others that Karen was moving to California, and then others are asking if she is going to pack up at the end of school. It is very hard on Karen right now, so she would really appreciate your prayers as we face this time of instability and uncertainty. Those at my school are asking about whether I will be teaching there next year. But they have already promised my job to the Business teacher and will be looking to hire someone to replace him (that's not my field!) Plus the driving cost with gas prices is really digging into our budget!!
I still have faith that God will sell our house at just the right time and give us jobs at just the right place and time. He always has in the past and He is faithful!!
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