Day 29

Day 29 is here! I just realized that this is the amount of vacation (4 weeks) I was supposed to be taking each year since I was ordained an elder. I have hardly taken 2 weeks a year. I pledged to my family to take the full four weeks every year from here on out. Maybe not all at once, but in a year's time.

Only a month left in this segment of my Sabbath Leave. Bummer! I'm just starting to get into this time off stuff - LOL. Looking forward to seeing you all at the church-wide picnic on July 15 and officially on August 1st.

Day 26

I'm really getting into this Sabbath Leave. I'm in the last week of my first month and I feel refreshed and revitalized and can only assume that the second month will increase this feeling. When I take the third month this winter for study I know that God will use that time also. God is speaking to my heart more and more each day as I have the time for deeper and longer devotions and time to simply sit and listen to God's voice. Maybe SPRC should work with me to reorganize the Senior Pastor's JD and the JD's of other staff members when I return.

Although my nature is to be on the go 100% of the time, with little if any down time, I have learned to sit and listen to God. I don't watch much TV (it is often on as I do other things but rarely do I sit and ONLY watch TV) but enjoyed watching Broken Trail last night and plan to watch the closing episode tonight.

There is nothing on my calendar this week. Now that is weird. See you in August!

Worship, June 25, 2006

For the first time in more years than I can remember I didn't attend a church service this morning. Because Carolyn had a full weekend and wasn't feeling the best I left at 6:20 am with Jackie to a horse show in Upper Marlboro. I listened to two worship services on the radio and lots of Christian music but it wasn't the same. I missed worship with other Christians.

It often strikes me as sad that rain can keep Christians from worship on Sundays (as does heat, snow, the threat of snow or rain, and so much more) while a horse show, with only slight temporal consequence, will keep on going through terrible weather (it was literally raining cats and dogs today). Does this say something about our view of worship (see a worship article on http://mzblogs.blogspot.com/.

Day 24

Family birthday party for Jaclyn and Nicole - 18th. Most of the family was here. It was a good time. House was full of people, with many little children running around.

Not sure where I'll worship in the morning.

Peace out!

Day 22

Well, the 16th Annual ASP Golf Tourney is history. Benny Jessup and his team won the tourney and the church trophy with a 59 (11 under). They last won it in 2004. Way to go Benny. Our team came in third with a 62. My brother Tim played real well and hit two very hard putts for birdies for us. Russell Dunlap hit a couple of birdie puts for us as well. Mike Foster held us together and gave us good advice from time to time. Thanks Mike, hope your shoulders don't hurt too badly. It was an enjoyable day for all.

My baby girls turned 18 yesterday and we had a wonderful meal out together with their friends and Carolyn and me. They are so grown up. College this fall and then off to life!

Thanks to all who made the tourney a success and to each of you for your support of me as I use this Sabbath Leave to rest and refuel. Don't forget we're going to go up and share with Pastor Jody's church, Dorsey Emmanuel UMC on Sunday night at 6 pm. I plan to go and help share in worship - it should be awesome.

Your friend and pastor
Ramon

Day 18

Thank you all for your prayers. Jaclyn and Nicole, our youngest daughters, and High School Graduates this year, are both home safely from a week at Ocean City. We appreciate the many prayers lifted with us and for us as they experienced this time in their life. We now look forward to their college life and the plan of God for them as it unfolds in their lives.

Worship June 18, 2006

Today Carolyn and I joined our oldest daughter Shelly in worship at her church, St. Paul's UMC, outside of Salisbury, MD, where she is in graduate school. The message was a reminder to us all that God is our heavenly father and always available when we call. God has made promises to us and some are found in Romans 8:14-15. We do not have to fear, because God has promised us He will always be there and He has already conqurered that which tries to frighten us. We can call Abba (Daddy) Father and He will come to our aid.

Day 12

Day 12 started with a late morning - the result of a long night at the hospital with Dad and the rain that made it so nice to sleep. The girls are off to OC for the week. I'm reading some books and catching up on some honey dos and plan to golf some. Dad is doing better and I had an 83 today with a triple and double bogey at Twin Shields. Playing Old South and Eisenhower this week and maybe Twin Shields again. I miss MZ but am starting to enjoy my time off. Thank you again.

Worship - June 11, 2006

Sunday we were back home at MZ with some glorious people of God. We were there to listen to our oldest daughter Shelly as she shared the message. Her sharing was awesome and it is up on the church's sermon page. If you would like to share it with others, send them to our sermon page. There is a free RealPlayer link there and they need an updated player to listen to our sermons. The Praise team was also awesome as usual. Shelly's sharing used three Biblical persons to challenge our walk. It was very interesting and kept my attention at all three services. What a blessing to hear her speak God's truth. Are you the blind man, Lazarus or Mary trying to reach Jesus' feet?

Day 10

Well, my daughters Nicole and Jaclyn graduate from High School today! I get my SUV out of the shop. Five new books arrived which I will begin reading this coming week. My dad is doing some better and is home from West Virginia. I will be at MZ this Sunday to hear Shelly speak. Golf next week several times. Still reading two books, look for report later this coming week. Was accused of working because of my e-mail "persevere", but I saw that as a Word from God that needed to be shared. I thank those who are trying to hold me accountable. See you all August 1st.

When Christ Comes, by Max Lucado

I moved away for a breather from The Man God Uses, by Henry Blackaby and turned to When Christ Comes, by Max Lucado. If you have ever had questions about death and the promises of God about life to come this is a good book to read. If you have lost a loved one recently or have had issues about a death, this book will help you.

Max uses illustrations we will all understand as he weaves us through Scripture and the promises of God concerning the coming, returning or Jesus. Just like our young children have a hard time understanding long trips and constantly ask are we there yet or how much longer, we have constant questions about death and life to come. Max takes us through the Bible and shows us the promises of God related to this topic.

So far I am through 6 out of 13 chapters and have found it to be an easy read. It has brought me to tears several times, especially the story of the Armenian earthquake and the father that kept his word and the son that trusted that he would.

There is a great chapter on the Scriptural call to wait forwardly. Simeon waited with forward eyes to the coming of the Messiah and the question is asked, are we waiting with this forward looking anticipation to the return of Jesus.

I highly recommend this book if you haven't already read it. More later...

Day 6

So far the golf has been limited to June 1st - but my hope is that this will change. Today my daughters, Jaclyn and Nicole, finish their High School careers. I'm so proud of them. Saturday, the 10th, they graduate and they turn 18 on the 21st. They are both very beautiful young women, inside and out. God blessed me with three wonderful daughters.

I'm still reading The Man God Uses. It is not as intense after chapter one, or maybe chapter one was what I (we) needed. I'm also reading some other books. Thanks again for the break from ordinary church work. The rest is already starting to show.

Chapter One - The Man God Uses

I have just posted some notes and thoughts on the first chapter of my reading on The Man God Uses, by Henry Blackaby. They are too many for this blog posting by you can use the link and read them and reply to this post with your thoughts. Thanks!

Worship - June 4, 2006

Today Nicole, her friend Billy and I went to Bethel UMC, Rev. Chris Owens' church in Upper Marlboro. This is a lovely congregation that is growing spiritually, bearing fruit for Jesus and reaching out into the community. Chris preached on the uniqueness of Christianity. He has been preaching a series on world religions.

The main point was that what makes Christianity unique from the other religions of the world is that Christianity is based on the love and grace of God. In most of the world's religions, there are steps the adherent can follow and approach the goal or nirvana.

In Christianity we can never be good enough to merit a relationship with God or a place in heaven. It is all about the love and grace of God that draws us into a relationship with Him. The challenge was for us to go out and share this message and draw others who are feeling defeated or worthless to a God who values each and everyone of us and our contributions to His kingdom.

Chris played his guitar along with the organ as we sang a mixture of contemporary and traditional songs/hymns. It was the first time in a long time that I have been able to sit and be ministered to in worship, and the added gift of sitting with one of my daughters.

I have several other places in mind to visit during my Sabbath. I will be at MZ next week to listen to my oldest daughter Shelly share her heart.

Your pastor and friend,
Ramon

Day 4

Well, it has been 3 days of leave and already I have an insight. As senior pastor, I need more time to simply sit and listen to God without an agenda. No sermon, Bible Study or anything to prepare, simply more time before God. Saturday I spent five hours reading (The Man God Uses, by Henry Blackaby) and taking notes and reflecting on what I was reading without a result needed and it amazed me at how easily the thoughts came and the words flowed. Today I finished the first chapter and have posted my thoughts and notes. Please take the time to read them and give me your thoughts.

I look forward to the next two months and the opportunities God will give me to draw closer to Him and to open my heart sincerely before Him. I will keep you informed as the journey goes. Check out my posts as often as you are able and walk with me through this Sabbath Leave – which I see as time away from the “ordinary” work of being a pastor, not time away from God or even God's people. I will be seeking a deeper walk with Jesus and a more established time with my family. Pray for me.

Day 2

I didn't have the time and then I didn't have the energy to blog last night. 100+ holes of golf in 90+ degree heat with humity took it out of this old man. Potomac Ridge Golf Course is one of the three Atlantic Golf courses and it was a very nice course to play for sure. A little drive toward Waldorf, but worth the trip. Chris Ditch and I played together all day and it was a blast as well as very draining - but someone had to do it. Chris really hit his new hybrid clubs well and we both drank lots and lots of water and sports drinks. If you pledged per hole, you can stop at 100 even though we played a few more for fun.

I haven't started any books yet but am looking online for some audio books so I can listen while doing other things. I have a hard time sitting still long enough to read a book (lol). I have ordered Max Lucado's The Cure for the Common Life and will order others. Rev. Chris suggested two and others have also.

If you have suggestions you can leave them on the blog page, there is a post for that item.

God bless you all. I thank you for this opportunity to recharge and refresh.