Karen and I have been here in Maine now for just over a
month. We have our Maine driver’s licenses, Maine tags for the truck, and we
even registered to vote. I guess we are ‘Mainahs’ now. And it feels really good
to be situated exactly where the Lord wants us.
Our drive up right after Christmas wasn’t bad at all; we
followed that big nor’easter all the way. We had perfect weather and the
traffic wasn’t even very bad. However, when we pulled into our driveway
December 30th, there was a 2” thick sheet of ice in front of the
garage doors. The U-Haul van would never maneuver on that. So, we went to work
unloading my pick-up truck and focused on getting settled in for the night.
The next morning I knew something had to be done to get that
big honkin’ truck unloaded; otherwise the late fees would add up. And I already
had three people coming over to help unload. So, I went on Facebook and asked
if anyone knew where I could get some bags of rock salt quickly. At least the
salt would start to melt that ice and we could bust it up with picks and
shovels. No more than two minutes after my posting the phone rang. A couple
from church offered to get some salt, bring it over, and help spread it. They
did and even returned to help unload the truck. We ended up with six people
working (including me) and got it done in about three hours. Of course, then,
we were left with a garage and basement stacked full with boxes.
This illustrates perfectly the heart of people both in the
church and generally in this part of the country. A couple of our helpers were
not from the church, just friends we have made along the way. None wanted to be
paid; their response: “this is how we are up here – we help each other.” What a
blessing, and what a difference from the big city.
I must have really overworked myself the previous seven
weeks preparing to move because the very next day I was hit with the flu, or
something like it. But I had to preach! My first Sunday as the new pastor, and
January 1st on top of that! Suffice to say, I did preach, by the
grace of God, and then went home and crashed for a week.
This month has been amazing in so many ways. Our first
winter here has been relatively mild, but still, for a Georgia boy, at times
quite cold. We’ve had temps a couple of times in single digits with minus wind
chill. Snow hasn’t been in significant quantity but, when we’ve had it, quite
pretty. God has answered my prayer, so far, that our first Maine winter would
be mild. But it is far from over, being early February. The secret to cold
weather: layer, layer, layer. Dress right and even 10 degrees isn’t so bad.
We have experienced five or six summers in Maine and have
come to appreciate the wild beauty of this place. But winter takes on its own
version of beauty up here. In Georgia, winter was just gray and brown, chilly
and cloudy. It’s like that here sometimes but the powerful display of the
storms, combined with our view of the Passamaquoddy Bay, give winter a
constantly changing impact, at one time calm and quiet, another fierce and
unsettling. Fortunately, our house is nice and tight, well insulated and
strongly built.
More amazing is how God has orchestrated my role as pastor
to the flock at Cornerstone. I won’t go into great detail now; that will be
covered in a future blog. But, clearly, He has meant for us to be here all
along. I know that God, since before time, has known us and elected us and
determined His plans for us and has fashioned us for a particular purpose.
While I have been relatively happy all my life in whichever career I had at the
time, this is the first time I can honestly and joyfully say that I finally
know that this is – and has been – the purpose of my life from even before I
was born. It is difficult to put into words, but being the pastor of
Cornerstone Church has inspired a level of joy never before experienced, a
certainty in knowing that this is the role that God Almighty has always
intended for me. There is an incredible peace that comes with this knowledge.
Not only that, but the knowledge that you are exactly where the Lord wants you
and doing exactly what He has called you to do is incredibly liberating. It is
known only to God why it took 59 years for me to get here. But we know that His
timing is always perfect.
It is common knowledge that I wasn’t called to ministry
until the age of 49. I entered the Air Force at 18 and served 16 years.
Afterwards I worked in the family business with my Dad and brother, managing it
to a respectable level of success, so much so that I was able to retire at 49
years old. Expecting to spend my days fishing and traveling, never having to
work again if I was smart, little did I know He had other plans. Within six
months of retirement I was enrolled in seminary. It took six years of not
always full-time studies but I finally graduated with the M.Div. degree. During
that entire span of time I had no idea why I was enduring those grueling
studies. Yes, I knew that God wanted me for something and I did, after much
soul searching and prayer, surrender to the ministry in whatever form or
fashion He dictated. I honestly, though, had the gumption to plead that He not
ever call me to the pastorate. There’s a lesson in that; I’ll let the reader
chuckle and figure it out for himself.
I’ll leave it for a future blog to explain how Maine entered
into the picture. There is much more to the story and an incredible display of
God’s sovereignty and His ability to turn suffering into something that brings
Him glory.
So far, at Cornerstone, things are really looking up.
Attendance is up and finances are improved. Both those metrics were at an
abysmal level last summer. More importantly, with the leadership of the Holy Spirit
and the faithful exposition of God’s Word, people’s spirits have been immensely
lifted. There is a spirit of unity and family that, I am told, hasn’t been
present for quite some time. Many have stepped up to assist in the ministry who
hadn’t been doing so before. Some who had wandered have returned. Several new
faces have become regulars. Biblical knowledge is increasing and worship has
been kick-started. The idea of becoming a missional church, one that
deliberately goes out to the lost and brings Jesus with them, is taking hold.
Our new vision/mission statement is, To
know Christ, and to make Him known, through worship, love, and service. Everything
we do or say from here on out will be aimed at that purpose. While that may
require jettisoning some ‘sacred cows,’ I have made it clear that just because
Cornerstone has always done something, or done something a certain way, that does
not necessarily mean it should continue. Everything will be shaped by the
gospel and centered on Jesus Christ. Everything.
More, later.
February 3, 2017
