Every year so far has been practice.
Every thing you've tried has been to learn. Every effort has been to test. Every place you've failed has been to fine-tune. Every path blazed has been to learn how to open new paths. Now is the time to put it all together. 2009 is the year to multiply like crazy among the cherished missing.
We can not wait any longer, although we'd love to plan better.
Too many have been waiting too long for too few to tell so much.
Posted from Binghamton Sent via BlackBerry
I can appreciate Jesus' revelation about the harvest field being white and plentiful in the gospels (e.g. Mt.9:37) but I don't see an open invitation to multiply like crazy.
What I see in the wisdom books of God's word are "seasons" and in the "kingdom" teaching of Jesus, a gardening process which requires a lot of patience.
Posted by: Brad | February 17, 2009 at 03:05 PM
Some used to say "It is better to burnout than to rust out." I don't know that either is better or God's will. A faithful gardener tends the garden day in and day out doing the right things in the right way at the right time. We are encouraged in God's Word to be faithful - do not grow weary in well-doing - in doing so we will reap if we do not faint. There is no excuse for a failed garden. But the continual tendency to suggest that we all must be "mega-gardeners" - to multiply like crazy is discouraging to those of us who are faithful with steady growing and producing fields.
Posted by: Pastor Peter Tremblay | February 17, 2009 at 10:15 PM
wow - telling and true comments.
I'd add that while we pay much word service at the Bishop's level to planting and growing, there is a disconnect at the mid level, which is unfortunate, as the denomination has lost many fine, dedicated planters.
Consequently you have grass roots level planters acting on ministries which are not supported at the mid level....and as such, the planter is judged with a critical eye (by the mid level) for merely doing what he / she had been called (by the Bishop) and lead by the Lord to pursue
Im glad we can have open dialogue like this a learn from each other
Posted by: Former FMC planter | February 18, 2009 at 12:11 PM
This is resonating so much with me right now--great words! Thank you!
Posted by: Rindy Walton | March 18, 2009 at 04:48 PM