Rector's Ramblings

by The Rev. Jim Stewart

     Life is sometimes such a joy to reflect on and move forward.  I have recently found a new love for preaching and look forward to what God has in store for me.  I was asked to preach a homily in the park and share the pulpit with two other preachers from the area.  It was great to hear their words of encouragement and to share mine.  God leads each of us on our own journey and shows the many ways that others see Him.

     I have spent a lot of time over the last weeks looking at other ways of preaching and teaching the Word of God.  This is always a joy for me, and I become a little addicted to watching other ways of communicating.  While I enjoy watching others preach, I will continue my own way in the pulpit.  Maybe with a little more joy and love.

     Sometimes I can be overwhelmed with the daily thoughts and pressures of the world and need to be brought back to why one gets into preaching.  It is for the joy of spreading God’s Word.  Knowing that you might make a difference in others’ lives with the teachings from Jesus.

     The last few weeks I have just let go and let God run the pulpit as I usually have done in the past, not worrying about what is said but what He wants me to say.  In the past I thought I really bombed that sermon and to my surprise someone would approach me and say I really needed that.  So, I guess the moral of the story is that God knows best.

     Today, tomorrow and the next we must remember to live in God’s will and not that of our own.  If today, tomorrow and the next is in the cards for us I will continue the journey holding on to Gods hand tightly.

     To some this up I have always told my wife that I hope God always holds me in His hands without giving me a round of applause.  Be humble, praise God.

     May God be in all our lives sharing love and joy along the way.  Many blessings.