THE END

Well, I don't know if anyone reads this blog anymore as Paul has not posted on it for some time. We did not move on. We are having to stay. So this is the end. Karen for Paul

End of School/Start of Vacation

Well, today signals the end of school and also the end of a job for me for right now. I am applying for a teaching job in La Junta, although our desire is to move to be by family. I really don't know if I will even be considered for the position, but we felt that we should apply. Of course, the main obstacle to our moving away is the sale of our house.
We are planning on traveling next week to California to help Karen's dad work on the fixer-upper house that he just purchased. He should be able to move into it sometime next week. This will also give us a chance to look for teaching positions while we are there. We are planning to be there as long as he needs us.

Is it possible that we were meant to go to some church this past few months but the church leaders didn't respond according to God's plan? Or would that just be part of God's plan to start with? Or was it never God's plan for us to again be in a church ministry, at least for right now?
We are willing to do whatever God has for us--even staying in La Junta if that is what is best for His Glory.

Almost the End of School

Only a couple of more weeks of school. I am still applying for school jobs and church jobs. Nothing has opened up yet for us. We are still praying that our house will sell. We did have a "looker" this week, but no word yet from the realtor.

God seems to keep giving us hope through various scripture passages that He will answer soon. Sometimes I wonder why I am still here in La Junta when we thought we would be moving a lot sooner. A fellow teacher at my school said that God must have me at that school for a purpose--perhaps to reach a certain student. But I don't know that that has happened yet. I do pray for several of my students and hope that God will reach them either through me or through another student. I have gotten to know several of the Christian kids through the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meetings that we have each week at school. And I pray for them that they would be good testimonies to the other students. It is actually a fairly large gathering every week--about 60 students (in a school of about 400). Of course, some of them come for the free lunch provided by parents, but they also hear a short Christian message while there. We all need to be praying for our Christian students and teachers in the public schools! They can have a tremendous impact for Christ.

New Marketing Ideas for Church

How Some Churches Feel about Change

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).

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!

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.

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!!

We continue to wait

God has been reminding us again this week that we still need to wait for Him. First, I received a letter this week from Transformation Ministries regarding my application with them. (I had a phone interview with them a few weeks ago.) The letter let me know that God had closed that door. After much disappointment, we realized that those churches would not have been a good match for me--and that God knows best!
Second, on Friday Greg Laurie's devotional e-mail arrived, again reminding us to wait. Greg Laurie concludes his devotional about Jacob with these words, "Jacob got what he wanted and paid dearly for it. I believe that if he had waited on God, he would have received what he needed and what God had promised. God wants to do His will in our lives in His way and in His time. If you need something from God, be patient and wait on Him. God will meet you wherever you are to lift you to where He wants you to be."
And then, also on Friday, the goodpassage.com daily e-mail had this to say,
"Hello Friends,
Deut 33:25b as your days, so shall your strength be. (NKJ) Isa 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (NKJ) We can trust God to renew our strength spiritually, emotionally and physically as we ‘wait upon the Lord’!"

And today at church we heard our theme song again, "We will wait upon the Lord" (EVERLASTING GOD)
So we are still waiting--We are thinking that since we would like to move near family (California, Georgia, or Arizona) we will start sending out teaching applications and church applications for those areas and see what God opens up for us. Is God leading me to teach school, pay off some bills, and serve Him that way?? Or will He still open up a church ministry for us?

Maybe some of you have some wisdom to impart to us at this time. If we are going to find teaching jobs, now is the time to apply.
"We will wait upon the Lord."

Back in Colorado

We had a good trip to California with the visit to Karen's family. We spent a couple of days with Karen's parents getting her dad back on his feet after a terrible bout with the flu. And we spent a couple of nights with Karen's brother Jack and his family.
Of course, we also visited with the church in Rail Road Flat. (I asked someone about the name of the town, but they didn't know the origin because it certainly wasn't "flat" and it never had a "railroad".) Anyway, Karen and I both agreed that we would not be a good fit for their church. It seems that they are very "in-grown"--they want a pastor who will preach inspirational and devotional sermons and who will visit all the members of the church. (They got rid of their last pastor because he didn't spend his time visiting them--instead he spent his time on outreach to the community. And he wasn't a preacher--he was a teaching pastor.) They had no vision for reaching the community. They liked the church the way it is and want it to stay that way. When we asked about a possibility of starting a 'contemporary' service on Saturday night, they really didn't want that because "it might grow to be big and then take over our church." I also asked if the deacons would be willing to have regular prayer with me for the church--Their response was, "Prayer? How often and how long would it have to be?" Not too encouraging from the leaders of the church!
After we had this conversation with the 3 deacons, they wanted me to lead Bible study. I asked them how long they wanted it, "About 10 or 15 minutes would be fine." Kind of weird for a church with "Bible" in their name. I gave a 'brief' overview of our Purpose as Christians--Karen said it seemed that I was talking to a brick wall.
I just read an article that I think this church needs to consider. It is a review of the book "Shopping for God" by James Twitchell. Here are a couple of excerpts from the article:
...based on research he says, "Chances are that if you go to your church and see a hymnal or a pew Bible in the rack in front of you, you are seeing the end of your church in the distance."
Of course Rail Road Flat Bible Church only wants to use hymnals. And most of the members are widows over 60.
...Commenting on mainline churches where over half the members are women over 60, Twitchell writes, "As any advertiser will tell you, when you see this demographic, you are not looking down the barrel, you have already swallowed the bullet."

We are praying that God will lead us to a church where the people are excited about reaching their community, no matter what it takes!

By the way, I also left a few reference letters with them, but after they read them they should realize that I wouldn't be right for them. Here are a couple of excerpts from the reference letters: Shawna says, Pastor Paul is what I like to call a teaching pastor. If you want to be preached at from various scriptures each week, he is not the pastor for you. If you want to learn from the scriptures as he teaches his way through books of the Bible, you have found the right pastor for you. Chris writes, Paul brought some modernizing ideas to our worship service...

Early Easter Fun

California, Here We Come

I remember as a child that whenever our family would go out of state on vacation and then headed back home, my dad would sing that chorus, "California Here we come" as we got closer to home. Well, we are heading to California--for a few days anyway. We leave on Saturday and hope to arrive at Karen's parents' place on Sunday night. On Monday we will get together with her brothers and their families. It will be good to see them.
And then on Wednesday, we are going to visit a church in Rail Road Flat that is interested in meeting us as I shared before. They have asked me to lead their Wed. night Bible study as well. We are not sure that this is where God would want us--but we are interested in finding out more about the church and the community. Please pray for us as we travel and meet with the church. We are planning on being back in Colorado on Friday the 21st.

The realtor is showing our house on Friday afternoon--for the first time since last fall! We are praying that our house will sell at just the right time for us to move to a new ministry.
Thanks for all your prayers and concerns! God is Great!

If you don't like the weather...

They have a saying here in Colorado that if you don't like the weather just wait a while (I know they say that in a lot of other places too!). On Saturday, we had record-breaking 80 degree weather--and on Sunday, 32 degrees and snowy! This is the month for roller-coaster weather :)
We are planning on driving out to California to visit Karen's family over spring break, March 16-23. We really hadn't thought seriously about doing that until I got a call from a church in the Sierra foothills--Rail Road Flat--that is interested in meeting me. They thought that we might be coming out to CA to visit during the break from school and were wondering if we could meet with them then. It is a very small church (30) with a small salary and a small parsonage. But if Karen was able to get a job too then it might be a possibility for us. Please pray that we would have wisdom concerning this opportunity!
My interview with Transformation Ministries went well on Saturday--thanks for your prayers about that, too.
We were reading today a devotional by Greg Laurie and were reminded of the story of Lazarus--Mary and Martha were expecting an answer to their request right away--and they were expecting a healing, not a resurrection. But then they had to wait four days after Lazarus died to get the answer to their request of Jesus. Karen said to me, Well, it's been a long four days for us!!!
God answers in the time that gives Him the most glory, and in ways we would never expect.

Religion in America

The following quote is from an email newsletter "SERIOUS TIMES"
Front pages of major American newspapers this week featured the findings of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, which released a survey of religious affiliation based on telephone interviews with more than 35,000 Americans titled “U.S. Religious Landscape Survey.” The results depict an extraordinarily fluid and diverse national religious life. Among its many findings, perhaps the most provocative was that more than a quarter of adult Americans have left their childhood faith in order to join another religion. If one includes shifts from one Protestant denomination to another, then 44 percent of Americans have switched religious affiliations....According to the survey, sixteen percent of American adults say they are not part of any organized faith. It should be noted that among Americans ages 18-29, this number rises to one-in-four...

...This makes the disenfranchised the country’s fourth-largest “religious group.” This up from the mere 5 to 8 percent of the 1980s as determined by the General Social Survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center...First, people in America have little allegiance to the faith of their childhood – translation: they are quick to abandon how they were raised (which may say something about how they were raised, but that is another conversation). Second, the fastest-growing religious segment in America is the irreligious. I’m not overly distracted by the 5.8% who are unaffiliated, but say that religion is important to their lives. All that means is that they have enough of a religious memory to feel bad about distancing themselves from their heritage. To answer the religious question with “nothing in particular,” but then follow it up with, “but religion matters to me,” is disingenuous. They may not be philosophical atheists, but they are functioning ones.
...My point is that the vast majority of our culture is clearly open and searching, yet with a sizable and growing segment having already given up on the search.
Which means that the real headline is that this may be the last, best time to reach our nation for Christ.
James Emery White

Waiting on the Lord

This morning at church we sang, "We will wait upon the Lord." (Everlasting God) Karen and I looked at each other and knew the true meaning of that! And we wondered how many in the congregation really understood what they were singing about. We know that God has supplied our needs faithfully, and we are trusting Him to continue to meet our needs--We know that it is a sin to worry about a job for the future when God has given us jobs that will last until May. So we keep reminding ourselves that we must wait--

It is interesting to see that churches are having to wait, too--we have seen pastor positions relisted after several months, which means that those churches haven't made the right connection yet with the one God has for them.

I contacted the Conservative Baptist Southwest region again recently--The director said that things are "slim pickings" right now--mainly bi-vocation postions in rural areas. And I am still in contact with Transformation Ministries about getting matched up with a church. Transformation Ministries is the former Pacific Southwest American Baptist--they withdrew from ABC due to the liberalism and formed their own organization of churches who also withdrew from the region. Anyway, they have an extensive process to match churches with ministers. I have a telephone interview with them next Saturday, which will take about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Please pray that God would give me wisdom as I interview.

Meanwhile, we are making plans to spruce up our house as spring draws near--we are hoping that folks will be in the market to look at houses come warmer weather. We trust that God will bring a buyer to us at just the right time. "We will wait upon the Lord!"

"Everlasting God"

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles