What I've been up to.

Yeah, I know, its been awhile.
But I've been busy, really.
Back in October (maybe in September) this rural church ask me to fill in for them, since their pastor had resigned.
I've been there ever since.
I don't like the title "pastor", since all I'm doing is preaching and I can assure you there is a vast difference between the two.
I'm not involved with any of the planning, leading or disciplining. Actually it's kind of nice since I haven't been doing any of these things at my home church either since I've been away.
I'm kind of floating around between the two.
This is my first experience preaching every Sunday, and I have a new respect for those that have done it for years. It really has to be hard on those who work part time (or full time) and try to pastor.
What I've found in my life is that God teaches me things through experiences (I guess I'm to thick to learn any other way) and I've learned a lot. I came into this church with several misconceptions that God has been only to happy to point out to me.
This church has been cordial, patient, and generous. They would have liked for me to apply for the job, but I just don't feel like God wants that.
My proof?
Just in the short time I've been there God has brought to them two qualified candidates, and well frankly I see my time there coming to a close.
Although I haven't been there a really long time, I'm not sure how I will feel when I preach the last sermon there. There will be some relief I'm sure but I wonder if I will feel sad that its coming to an end.
Anyway I have compiled a short list of things I have learned;
1. Sermons can sound a lot better when your planning them than they do when you preach them.
2. I really believe that some people have sleeping disorders.
3. Don't think that just because your filling in that you won't have to do some counseling (yes it did happen, wow).
4. Some people REALLY love the version of Bible that they have, and they would prefer you use what they like (I'm waaaayy to stubborn for that).
5. Never base a church on what you see on the outside.
6. People will tell you sometimes using verbal or non verbal communication that your sermon didn't mean anything to them.
7. Some people don't like to shake hands, others will crush your hand when you shake it.
8. Good Christian people will love you, even when you stink from the pulpit. The people that I have had the privilege of speaking to have been a shining example of that love (thank goodness).
God has given me, a wounded (see Brian Millers blog), broken vessel a chance to speak His words in front of His people.
I am humbled by the experience, knowing that much better men than I could have done much better.
But God decided to bless me.