So I took the month of June off to prepare and teach Survey of the New Testament during the first summer term at Charleston Southern University. Whew! The course could have been more aptly titled Zoom through the New Testament, four weeks of big picture stuff for a group of eager college students. So, today I'm posting the first of a renewed format of finishperiod.com. These will be shorter devotional thoughts about life, church, the rigors and blessings of ministry, and other topics that cross my desk these days. My prayer is that these ramblings will be of some benefit to those who visit the Finish. Period site. My contact information is scattered on the web site and I'd love to hear from you about matters of interest or even differences of opinion.
Many years ago three Bible verses were framed and displayed on a visible wall facing my office desk. Every moment in study, preparation, counseling, and other fulfillment of other pastoral duties was guarded and guided by these verses. They were Bible verses that gave distinct definition to what i have perceived as my ministry calling for the past thirty-five years. They are---
Life Verse
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire, he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
Psalm 40:1-3, NIV
Ministry Verse
Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
Ephesians 3:8-9, NIV
Passion Verse
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
Psalm 71:18, NIV
Those Bible verses partially explain why teaching at Charleston Southern has been such a unique blessing. Little could I see teaching at CSU as fulfillment of those mission directives. For that reason, being able to teach and learn from these students has been a blessing I could not have imagined.
Still, I'll be blogging routinely and hope you'll stop by as often as possible.
God is certainly good.