Finish Strong

There once was a pastor who planted a church in Maine with his wife, Sandy. While he was accomplishing that momentous task, I was in bible college surrendering to full-time vocational service with my wife Karen. God put us together for awhile until He pulled Bill and Sandy south. Eventually God pulled Karen and me south too...by the way, everywhere is south from the tippy-top of Maine!

I had the privilege of helping this Pastor start a Christian School. As Bill has said to me before, "Boy, were we ever young!"...and we were. As events would unfold I came to realize what a great time we had up there. I did not know how much fun I was having at the time because my fingers and lips where perpetually blue ...just kidding.
As time goes by I think it is natural for us to look back and compare ministries, or homes, or cities, or groups of people we served with. Today, at forty-five years of age, I look back and think my first ministry with Bill was one of the best...hands down.

It's a blessing to me that Bill is still going strong and serving God. He is pastoring in Massachusetts and you can find the link to his blog on my page. Unfortunately, other men I have ministered with have not been able to continue. I got word this weekend that a giant in my life made a horrendous mistake and lost his ministry for immoral reasons. I am crushed for him and am praying that this man will find restoration and will make his way back in the game.

We visited my brother Mike's church in Port St. Lucie this last Sunday and as he tackled the temptation Jesus went through right before His earthly ministry began, I thought to myself, "Matt, you can't let sin mess up your life. By God's Grace...you absolutely need to keep your eye on the ball."
James and I spoke last night (he knows this man of God too) and the theme of our conversation was about finishing strong. God may move us around, He may give us good times and bad times, we may even have to say goodbye personally for awhile (like Bill and I did twenty-plus years ago), but as long as we stay in the game...it is all good.

I want to finish strong.