Hills and Valleys

The last month has been very full! Three surgeries and a trip to the Holy Land. Wow what a roller coaster. I'll try to unpack some of the events as best I can.
I have needed hand surgery on both hands for several years. The problems progressed to the point that I had to get something done and since I'm not presently working, what better time than now. So I had the right hand done earlier in the year. Now it was time for the left. I scheduled the surgery for the week after I returned from a trip to Israel that had been booked for about a year. One week before the trip, I suffered with a kidney stone. Obviously unexpected and unplanned. The stone was such that I could not pass it so the urologist decided to perform surgery. Unfortunately the surgery was unsuccessful and a temporary procedure was done so that I would not have to cancel my trip.

Yes, I took the stone all the way to the Holy Land and back.

The Holy Land was an incredible experience. To walk in the towns and areas that Jesus walked and taught was simply amazing. I had the privilege to preach in Bethlehem, baptize people in the Jordan River, lead marriage vow renewals in Cana, have the Lord's Supper on my birthday in the Garden Tomb, and preach in the great Amphitheater in Cesarea where Paul taught and was put in prison. So many other sites including the City of Jerusalem, Jericho, Masada, etc. Truly a blessing and life changing. Our guide summed it up by saying that the tour would add color to the reading of the Bible. Places would now come alive with pictures.

Returning from the Holy Land, I did have my hand surgery and a second kidney stone surgery all in the same week. Needless to say, all went well but what a ride! I'm typing basically with one hand but a heart full of the Holy Land!

So during all of this, I have been praying and looking for my next ministry opportunity. I have to be very honest at this point. I experienced some things in the church that shocked me and disappointed me.  God knows the true situation and circumstances so I'll leave it there. I have always been passionate about the church and what I walked through really made me want to walk away. I had to separate God's purpose and vision from man's actions. This has taken a lot of time and prayer. I've had to come to the realization that God truly knows and still loves. I guess I saw the power that the devil really has.

In my roller coaster ride, one thing has remained constant and true for me. Hills and valleys may occur. Fright and screams of exhilaration can happen on the same ride. But my costar never left the track! There is a destination designed by God. Valleys are created between the hills but the destination still remains. Sometimes it is fast and other times slow. It takes more time to climb the hills and the valleys come fast. Up and down. Hard to catch your breath and yet screaming at the same time. But when you arrive at the station you feel a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. I'm learning to leave the disappointments in the valleys! I'm learning to look at the hills that brings me closer to God and gives me the momentum to travel through the valleys. I never want to get stuck in the valleys!

I'm sure my next ministry opportunity will have hills and valleys. I am stronger and have a deeper faith and trust in God. Experiencing the Holy Land reminded me of just how great and powerful God truly is!

From the Heart,
Pastor BR