I heard something yesterday at our Special Meeting in Salem. Many who spoke hit me where I live. It all comes down to the fact that it is more difficult to win back the confidence of friends who have lost it than to just not do things that would lose that confidence in the first place. It was very, very good to see old friends and receive lots of correction–I needed that. But I am especially thankful for what our friend Dellas said. When he just entered the ministry, he asked his uncle Don who worked as a missionary in Korea for many, many years what advise he would give to a young minister. Don told him to keep the fire alive and to have fun, that is, to really enjoy his service to God. I think the choice to have joy in my service has been lacking. When that is coupled with a lack of humility in fitting in to where God has put me and a lack of kindness in dealing with those above and below me, it has made for a pretty miserable side trip in my walk in this life. I am very, very thankful for correction and the kindness of God in the way he gives it.
