Enjoying the Journey
Posts Tagged ‘Rest’
Attn: Preacher’s & Preacher’s Wives!
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Weariness is common among workers. You cannot always put your finger on it – it may be physical, mental, emotional, spiritual – maybe a combination of different factors. Sometimes we must press through and work through the weary season. But sometimes it is best to come apart and rest awhile (Mark 6:31). We are just days away from The Preacher’s Rest and I want to encourage preachers and their wives to join us in Hickory, NC for this special time of refreshing. (Watch last year’s highlight video.) This year we will examine what is essential for ministers to keep…
Read MoreAn Invitation To Preachers & Their Wives
Tammy and I are very grateful for those who have ministered to us through the years. Ministers need ministered to as well! There are moments that the best thing you can do is slow down, refresh your own soul, and prepare for the next season of ministry. It is with this in mind that Pastor Scott Hooks and I began The Preacher’s Rest last year. We were so pleased at the great number of fellow preachers and their wives who joined us and are excited about this year’s gathering, Monday-Wednesday, September 2-4, 2019. What better time than Labor Day to “come apart” and find spiritual, mental, and physical renewal! This year we look forward to discussing the devotional life of…
Read MoreWhy Everyone Needs Some Time Away
Call it a vacation, a holiday, a sabbatical…whatever you call it, at some point everyone needs it! We were made to work and God made us to rest as well. It is the pause that gives strength for the next advance. We have just returned from a few days away with our family and I was reminded during these days how beneficial such times can be. You do not have to go far or spend great sums of money to make it profitable. Here is why everyone needs some time away… Your family needs it. Even if you feel like you don’t, remember that your spouse and children need dedicated time with you. (For the record, you need it too!)…
Read MoreHelp For Preachers
Today I have the opportunity to preach to a wonderful group of preachers. My heart is to encourage them. Thank the Lord for faithful ministers! Like their Chief Shepherd they live “not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” Yet in the midst of busy lives and labors ministers must pause long enough to minister to their own inner man. Too often while Christian workers are building the kingdom they are tearing down their own souls. It was for this purpose that Pastor Scott Hooks and I hosted The Preacher’s Rest last year in Hickory, North Carolina. The response was overwhelming. We had a wonderful time of fellowship, study, and prayer with so many preachers and their wives. Our desire…
Read MoreWhat To Do When You Are “In A Lull”
Call it what you will. We all have those times when things seem just a little off the normal pace. The schedule may be the same or even heavier than normal, but something inside is just…off. It may be physical, emotional, mental, spiritual. At times you may not know what the true cause is. Even David, the man after God’s own heart, had such moments. In fact, he had them more than once! In Psalm 42:5 he wrote, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” These very words are repeated in verse 11! Again in Psalm…
Read MoreA Thought On This Labor Day
Men must learn to work. They must also learn to rest. The first mention of rest in Scripture is found in Genesis 2 where it is tied directly to the work of God. Man needs rest that only the Creator can provide. In our fast paced society we often find it hard to rest. The work is never done. Never enough. This evening we begin The Preacher’s Rest in Hickory, NC. I am excited to share with the preachers who will attend a copy of Vance Havner’s classic book, Rest Awhile. One brief excerpt from it is so powerful: Resting for God is as important as working for God. We often do more by doing less. “Come apart,” said the Lord…
Read MoreThree Weeks From Today!
Preacher’s are engaged in the greatest work in the world. It is a work that will outlive this world! 1 Timothy 5:17 says, “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” Those who are engaged in such labor must also have times to rest and refresh their own souls. Friendship and fellowship is absolutely essential to keeping your own heart renewed. Even the great Apostle Paul rejoiced when he was given liberty to go to his friends and be refreshed (Acts 27:3). Three weeks from today we will be gathered with a group of preachers at The Preacher’s Rest in Hickory, North Carolina. This gathering is designed…
Read MoreJust For Preachers
I love preachers. It was my privilege to grow up in a pastor’s home. For eighteen years I served under a faithful pastor. Now, it is my opportunity each week to spend a great deal of time with preachers across the country. One thing I know to be true: God’s men need times of refreshing and encouragement. The battle is fierce. Flesh is weak. Demands are great. And only the Lord can give strength to press on. Vance Havner was famous for saying, “If we don’t come apart we will come apart.” His comment was based on our Lord’s words to His own disciples in Mark 6:31, “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for…
Read MoreA Guest Post And An Exciting Announcement
Pastor Scott Hooks is one of my dearest friends on earth. The work he has been chosen to lead in Hickory, NC is being blessed of the Lord in a wonderful way. In a personal way, God has used him in my life. I am pleased to share his guest post with you and to announce a new gathering for preachers that we look forward to co-hosting later this year. Enjoy the encouraging read and make plans to join us in September! After a long season of ministry that culminated with the sad news of the beheading of John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus spoke to His disciples saying, “Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while” (Mark 6:31).…
Read MoreWhat to Do When You Are Tired
We all get tired. Even the Lord Jesus in His perfect humanity experienced weariness. (Read more about that here.) The best of men in the greatest of works battle fatigue. Take Elijah for example. No, not the prophet calling down fire from heaven. Not the man enjoying God’s provision by the brook Cherith. Not the minister raising the widow woman’s son. Look at him depleted and desperate in 1 Kings 19. Body overworked. Nerves on edge. Just tired. God’s preacher had just experienced one of the most amazing victories in history. Mount Carmel would forever be a point of reference. Disillusionment often comes just after great blessing. He travels many miles to Beersheba and then another full day’s walk into…
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