Here I sit tonight with absolutely nothing in the forefront of my thinking, yet I know there are things deep down inside of me that wants to get out. Is this what is called writer’s block? I don’t know. Strange.

I am going to start with a though perhaps and maybe it will grow. I’m going to college again. It’s nothing like a degree I am seeking. It’s an online study to become a nationally certified Chaplain though Aidan University in Jacksonville, Florida. As I’ve stated before I’ve already been to school for ministry and was ordained a little over two years ago.

Someone may ask if I obsess over this. No. Definitely not, but I do say so because I have strived to do what my dad and grand dad did not do. Both were called to ministry and both refused to answer. I have made it my goal in life to listen to God and do as He says. Both my predecessors died before or by sixty. I profess that God has given me more years because of obedience in answering. I’m am now well into seventy years old and still going forward as God speaks. I’m not perfect, but I am growing as each day passes.

If you want to live long and prosper you will heed the call of God on your life if it is so. In spite of all my mistakes and blunders I’m still here, so if you feel the slightest inkling that you cannot make it, take it from me. You can do it.

The principles of scripture are profoundly easy to adhere to and can be achieved as long as you keep getting up, brushing the dust off and continue to walk.

My calling is constantly refining itself. I once upon a time thought I would preach revivals and see the lost saved. Since those early days of life I’ve found my true calling in a ministry that is called Chaplaincy. I am several weeks into study and the running theme I have found it to simply be the “ministry of presence”. I don’t have to preach. I don’t have to win anyone over to salvation by speaking. It’s simply being present when needed. Offering a shoulder to cry on or an ear to bend. Having a soft voice of comfort to the ear of a person with a piercing sound of loss or need in the mind and hearts.

The demonstration of God’s love, grace and mercy are found in being present and available to those in need. Freedom to minister becomes so easy for me this way. Each Sunday especially and any other day of the week I find myself in a place to put a hand on someone’s shoulder and tell them if they need me I am here or there for them.

I find it to be so easy for me it just comes naturally. I went to speak with a couple that were on the verge of parting ways. All I did was show up and talk. I did nothing like counseling. I just asked questions and listened. I may have made a suggestion, but to not end that would fall back to me as making a decision for them. Never tell anyone you counsel or talk to what they should or should not do. That decision should be directly placed on them to decide.

I was told later by the wife that I saved their marriage. I was struck kind of speechless. I did nothing in my own self. God did the weaving of their souls and spirits back together. Perhaps I was just a needle in the work done. The thread God pulled them together with will remain. The needle was only there temporarily to see the threading got done.

My job was done, so I move on the next ones placed in front of me.