The Best Job in the World!
Yesterday I was out doing some visits around the parish. In the course of one of my visits it dawned on me that it was on the 16 September 1981 that I was ordained into St Andrew's Bo'ness.
When I returned home the card on the left was waiting in my inbox. The jungle drums had been used to spread the word.
When we came to Bo'ness this picture appeared on the front page of the Journal.
What a wonderful privilege it has been for me to have had the trust and companionship of so many outstanding people in our church fellowship over the years. I count it a wonderful blessing to be able to knock on so many doors in this town and be welcomed in as a family member and friend.
I honestly do not think there is a more engaging and fulfilling calling than to be a minister of the gospel. However I'm aware that some ministers find themselves ministering in very difficult and challenging circumstances. Very often we leave ourselves vulnerable and open to hurt. Today I was at a conference in the Inchyra Hotel near Polmont. During the course of the conference the wounds of ministry became apparent as leaders where were encouraged to forgive those who had hurt them and to move on from these hurts to allow God to do new and wonderful things with and alongside them in ministry.
It was a most interesting conference one in which I ended up being prayed for which embarrassed me no end. Yet I was thankful for the prayers of colleagues and it was a wonderful way to start my 29th year in ministry.
As I reflect on the day I'm reminded of the prayer of General Thanksgiving from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
Almighty God
Father of all mercies
We your unworthy servants
give you most humble
and hearty thanks for all your goodness
and loving kindness to us and all people.
We bless you for your creation,
preservation, and all blessings of this life:
but above all for your inestimable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ,
for the means of grace
and the hope of glory.
An we ask you please,
Give us a true sense of all your mercies
that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful
that we show to all your praise, not only with our lips
but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to your service,
and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness
all our days.
Don't you think this prayer says it all?
Posted By: Hazel On: 18 Sep 2009 At: 6:56am
what a stirring start to my Friday!
thank you for such a strong reminder.