Dear Friends,
"Safe Haven."
This was the term a friend used to describe my office as I shared about recent conversations of woundedness and pain, about being a listener, and pointing young men to Jesus for healing. I am often (regularly?) teased about my "A1,obsessive compulsive” personality and how it is strongly expressed through my focus on the disciplines of the Christian life for growth and maturity, but yes, this side of me quietly walking alongside an individual also exists!
In part, I credit my years in the classroom and fighting for the value of the individual being far greater than (arbitrary?) measurable success based on standardized tests (and now.... down from the education soapbox...) So of course it's great to see young men develop their spiritual disciplines, but no less important, to address the personal issues that hinder. I wonder how many personal, undocumented conversations Jesus had with each of his disciples to address past issues in their lives.
Oh! the challenge to share specifically for prayer, and yet preserve privacy! That being said, please pray...
- those opened doors for conversation will continue with J, D, J and M; that I will be a compassionate and listening ear, and I follow God's leading to point them to Jesus for healing and wholeness.
- that in the same vein, I listen and follow God's leading with my Bible study, book study, and weekly meetings, including those with three yet-to-be-believers (I prefer that over "non" and not for reasons of political correctness)
- I make (more? better?) time with God. Busyness, even under the guise of "ministry" is an appealing distraction.
Thank you for your continued interest and support in the work at King’s and Kingdom Come!
May you too be blessed and be a blessing to those around you,
Bob
