I have lost myself in life……

I have lost myself in life……

That sound profound but its true. I have lost myself in life. Basically I have let my secular life take over in place of my spiritual life. I recently won an award with my company for “Outstanding Marketing Consultant of the Year” I was deeply honored with the award but over the last couple of days I have begun to wonder….at what cost? I have been reflecting on this and came up with several things. My time with God.(or better yet…lack of time with God) I believe if my time on this Earth came to an end today I would stand face to face with Jesus and He would say to me….”Oh yeah I remember you….you are the Steve Taylor, we used to talk all the time….hey its been a while.” I would say I have been so busy with everything in my life I know our relationship has suffered…..but….” You see, it’s the “but” that scares me. Many of my friends out there know my heart…..and yes while good intentions are one thing, following through is another. I am currently reading Adam Hamilton’s book “Revival”. I see myself all over chapter 1 and I have a lot of shame in that. I see myself in need of revival. I used to pray everyday, not so much anymore, I used to read the Bible everyday, I can’t remember the last time I picked up a Bible just to read His word. I work for a church and yes I do ministry there, but that in my eyes is action without faith. In other words its just work.

Folks, its time for me to go look for and find that person I was about 5 years ago, one who was faithful in his life as a Christian and not an “almost Christian” or a “half Christian”. Its time for my “revival” to take place. I do not know the path I will take to get there but I will get there. I have let a lot of my friends down because I have cared so much about my job that I have not been there for them. Its time to fond that Steve Taylor again……The good news is…I WILL find him and like the lost sheep I will be found. What about you? Does this relate to you in any way? Come join me and we can find ourselves together….

Wrestling with God

There have been times in my life when I "Wrestle with God". It seems to me to be a constant match and there is no "Tag Team" Its a battle I deal with myself. I wrestle with spending time with God, Reading God's word, even time for prayer. I wrestle between the secular life and the spiritual life and its balance. It seems like the secular side always wins.Why is that I wonder? As I think about it, its comes right down to priorities. I have not made God a priority in my life. There was a time in my life when God was the priority in my life but not so much now. I make time for my daily walk or ride, work, and family time but I do not seem to be able to fit "God" time in. That is so backwards and I know it. The "God" time should come first but it always seems to be put on the back burner so to speak. Do you wrestle with this in your life as well? I challenge you and me to take time out for God first. I am going to start today by getting away from the computer and television and spending some quality time with Christ. Will you join me?

Just the ramblings of a former minister,

Steve

Believing the Disgruntled

Have you been in the situation where someone who was disgruntled with the church try to convince you to leave as well? I have seen it too often in my years of being active in the church. Some leave because they don't like the pastor, or because they did not mention Aunt Betty in the announcements, or because there is not a real good kids program. The list could go on forever!!!!!! Then they tell someone else and try to use the power of persuasion to get them to feel the same way. The fact is if everybody left the church because they did not like the pastor there would be three or four big churches and no little ones. If the announcements were filled with Aunt Betty's we would not have time for worship. If there is not a real good kids program, start one!!!! or better yet, help those who are trying their best to get the one they have better. We become disgruntled but look to compounding the situation by our tongues instead of doing something about like getting involved.
But lets get back to the disgruntled. Disgruntled people are sometimes the worst at over-exaggerating why they left! They make it about them! Guess what, The church is not about you! Its about worshiping our Lord Jesus!!!Its about leaving ourselves at the door and making it all about Him plain and simple!!! I once preached a sermon on "its not about me". I told the congregation that this church is not about me even though I was the spiritual leader of the church but it was about Jesus! Sometimes churches wrap themselves around the pastor that we forget that the church is not about the pastor its about the church, its members and nonmembers but most of all its about Jesus! Folks its time to put our petty differences aside and start making a difference for Christ. I loved my church in Ada. I did not always agree with the pastors I had there but the church was not about the pastor and I helped make a difference there. When I became a pastor myself, I was appointed to a small church in Fitzhugh, OK. I did not always agree with the members but I continued and I listened to the congregation. I am currently a member and employee of First United Methodist Church in Duncan and I don't always agree with Rev. Tolle but its about making a difference where we are planted!
My final thought is this......Don't listen to the disgruntled, make your own determinations and most of all Serve Christ Faithfully! Just the ramblings of a former pastor.

Blessings to you

Steve