bielb adn paryre

You know, I pastor a church. I do contract work as an engineer, too. But a lot of people probably assume that because I'm a pastor, I pretty much have my spiritual life in order. Scarey enough is the thought that sure enough that is why people follow my lead. But I discover all the time how much I need regular spiritual disciplines like set times for scripture reading and prayer. I've found that I need to write my prayers (not all of them of course) but that writing my prayers helps me focus, and it helps me remember the things I have asked for and what things I have laid before him and where I was needing his strength. Then I can see his faithfulness when I look back and see where I've been. And the bible. If I don't set aside time, and I mean block it out in advance, then I kind of dry up.

Recently I've kicked myself off the chair and started exercising regularly (AGAIN). I pulled out my old 'fanny pack' (don't be offended if you're a Kiwi) threw my journal and my palm pilot (read bible) into it, jumped onto my bike and down the road I go. After about 25 minutes, I end up at a bench by the Appalachee river. Then I stop and pray and read and pray. It's helping me climb out of a bit of a crisis time for me emotionally.

But my point is that I dry up without bible and prayer. And so will you. I get regular bible study preparing for messages. I pray with people a lot because I pastor them. But if I don't have those personal times, I'd dry up.

It's worth it.