Called to preach the gospel with bold clarity.
To make decisions at the risk of criticism and judgment of those who think they know better.
To be cussed and slandered at the risk of people’s feelings, emotions, and thoughts.
To be criticized by the very people you are appointed to oversee.
To converse with people within the church on a continual basis and to know things that people will never know.
To work with individuals consistently and help with their spiritual condition, commitment, and needs.
To know of things that are going on within the house of God that should not be. (Adultery, gambling, all night partying, drunkenness, divorce) And they all claim to be children of God.
To refuse to listen to nagging, complaining, or just plain gossip.
To know that the ones who call themselves children of God participate in such dissension.
To refuse to allow things that people say about me hinder my call to exhort the truth
To tell the truth to those who need to hear, even if it offends them.
To not think the way people think.
To not do the things that people think I should do.
To not to say things the way people think they need to be said.
To not please the masses, but to divide with the “Word of Truth”.
To have no one but myself to apologize for the things I say.
To feel no need for others to apologize to me.
To constantly feel like the “rope” in a “tug of war”, Jesus on one end and the devil on the other.
To call people on the carpet for their Christian walk and responsibility.
To enjoy the victories regardless of persecution, by church and community.
To be part of a victory from all the hurt and deceit.
To reach one individual that comes on any given Sunday.
To hear the truth that he or she or the family of God may not like or appreciate.
To see one individual broken and penitent.
To be the one man called to preach and endure the hardships of friends, family, and flock.
To be that one man God called to Pastor, Evangelize and preach.
To be the one to go in prayer and in truth where others will not go in speech and in action.
To take the criticism, to feel defeated, slandered, and persecuted by all.
To not pacify peoples spiritual flaws nor listen to immoral excuses, or adhere to their pretentious words.
To be called to preach? Now I know why, many are called but few are chosen.
I penned these words as I pondered at the conclusion of last Sunday’s service. Listening to the responses of people and looking in their faces. Wondering through all the emotions and criticisms that surrounded me in thoughts and feelings, did God reach just one? Out of all the unkind things that people say to me am I doing what God has called me to do. And today God verified my persecution. After many years of reaching out to Fire District Six, one came to my office broken in spirit and asks Christ to enter his heart to be his Lord and Savior. It’s amazing to me that people wonder with what is done, said, and why.
Many may think I am heartless, uncompassionate, uncompromising, and stern. Many think they have a better way. And just maybe they will get their chance one day. But they must understand, it is with not a heartless, uncompassionate, and uncompromising position they seek, but zeal for the truth that calls a man “to be a preacher”.
Notes Archive