Next Generation

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

” Philippians 4:8-9 NIV

THE SHORELINE _________________________________________FROM THE BRIDGE

Vicki and I traveled last week to Ohio to attend her Family Reunion. It was a great visit. We had dinner with the family at an Amish homestead, all of us on one long table. The dinner was prepared by an extended Amish family, whose family had done the meals for “English” before them for many years.

We had lunch the next day in the fellowship hall of my brother-in-law’s Mennonite Church. There were 4 generations gathered there. We remembered those who had gone before us. We discussed reunions of the past and planned, hopefully, the next one. There was much conversation about where it would be held and how things would be done, after all people were there from 6 different states, ranging in age from 11 months to 90 years! The younger generations, with great interest learning from the older generations.

Today I picked Lorenzo Carmona up at the airport. Lorenzo was one of my psychology students at Florida State College, Jacksonville. One day after class he approached me and said, “I think God wants me to be a Pastor, would you mentor me?” I agreed over coffee and that conversation expanded to a relationship of mentoring that took him through Bible College, his master’s degree in Theology, licensing, ordination and finally marriage to his beautiful wife Juliana. We’re having a wonderful time, remembering.

As you’ve been reading have you noticed a similar pattern in the stories that I’ve shared? It is both natural and spiritual to poor our lives into others. In fact, I think that that is a healthy way to make disciples. It is the Biblical way.

Lives poured out that others might live. It’s the Jesus way!

Pastor Brian