Comments for formativefriendships.org

Comment on Unmeasurable Grace by Bill

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Comment on Many Levels of Relationship by servers unmetered

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Comment on Heartpeace’s Story by Bill

Bill — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 22:22:35 +0000

Heartpeace, I am sorry that I cannot respond or post as frequently as I would like. I’m now back to teaching a partial course load and trying to work on some long overdue projects at home. Stamina is slowly returning, and I’m beginning to adjust to the vision damage.
I can’t accept that the misfortunes that come to us are punishment from God, though I’m sure that He does at times take a wayward follower to the woodshed. But God in his infinite creativity has woven into the moral tapestry of the universe an amazing set of “natural” consequences for taking life into our own hands. One familiar expression of this is “You will reap what you sow.” God himself is life, joy, peace, light and everything else good. When we choose our own way, and withdraw from him, those good things diminish and disappear, and we suffer the natural consequences of our willfulness.
But God also seems to withdraw from us when we have not walked away from him. St. John of the Cross called this “the dark night of the soul.” Many of God’s best leaders tell of periods in their lives that were apparently barren. Those periods of weeks or years often preceded their most fruitful ministries.
I’ll give one experience from my own life, though I was not in a “dark night,” just a hectic period. My wife and I become circuit ministers in the Methodist Church in Great Britain so that I would have access to the archives there to complete my degree. We we living on a shoe string in another country where we knew no one. The churches had the reputation of being much more liberal than we were, and we fully expected to take a lot of flack for our preaching of Scripture. We felt pressured and on guard. One elderly member invited us home for Sunday dinner, and we accepted graciously. After we had eaten a wonderful meal, he pulled his chair close to mine–we were actually touching–and looked me in the eye. He said, “I want to know what you have. Every time I get close to you, I feel the presence of God. What do you have?”
I was stunned. I was not conscious of anything different, only feeling rather scared and ill at ease. But God used us in a wonderful way even when we did feel much peace or confidence. You do not know to whom you are ministering even when you feel lonely or barren.

Comment on Heartpeace’s Story by heartpeace

heartpeace — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 19:08:24 +0000

Pastor Bill- Good to hear from you <3 and so sorry to hear of the strokes you've suffered! I am very glad you are not permanently impaired, Praise God. So many people (of all ages…) are experiencing strokes. My relief worker's neighbor, age 32 , just passed away last week of a heart attack. Yes, thank you for sharing about your wifes situation, I feel for her. "The Barren Straits" is a good description of my situation, lol. and yes, hallelujah,it WILL finally come to an end. I have been here many times before. Trials do eventually turn to gold
The Lord told me yesterday, when I was feeling 'responsible' for being 'stuck' here…He reassured me, that I am here for his disciplinary purposes, not really "punishment' but for 'training'. This helps and reminds me that He DOES have GREAT THINGS in store for my life & will be able to use me effectively in ministry. Perhaps this is like "The Wilderness" Jesus endured before his ministry blossomed. I do sense in my Spirit, this could be my case as well. Even in the midst of loneliness, I sense His provision and protection and am utterly grateful. Thank you for ministering to me; you have been only one of two ministers that I've run across that has been interested in connecting with me during this painful time. Standing and believing God for your complete healing Pastor Bill. Sincere thanks for your continued prayers. May God richly bless you.

Comment on Life Takes Surprising Turns by becky kongs

becky kongs — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 02:45:48 +0000

Your attitude through this has been amazing. God knows YOU have a sense of humor as well. Now take it easy!

Comment on Heartpeace’s Story by Bill

Bill — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 01:04:02 +0000

Heartpeace, I am sorry to be so long in replying to your last post. I had a series of strokes last month, and I find things rather slow. God has been very gracious to me, and the physical impact of the strokes is almost gone. I still have an eyesight problem, and a low tolerance for noise and confusion. But I’ll not have permanent impairment.
You are right: I have an ideal. I am also aware that in life we travel through barren places. My wife had an especially difficult passage a few years ago while we were serving a church that took pastor’s wives for granted. But even in that situation, God brought her one good friend who shared the drought with her. The good news is that the drought came to an end!
I am happy to hear about your new friend. I will pray that you mind strength, and that you will be a rich blessing to her.

Comment on Many Levels of Relationship by Bill

Bill — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:47:39 +0000

Has this problem been corrected for you? My son runs this for me, and I forwarded your request to him, and I assume he took care of it. If not, let me know.

Comment on Heartpeace’s Story by heartpeace

heartpeace — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:15:47 +0000

I replied to your June 19th reply but I guess I hit a wrong button, so it wasn’t saved ? When you say God does not intend for us to be alone but to be enmeshed in a web of Spirit energized relationships that offer loving support, I agree wholeheartedly. Ideally, if every true follower of Jesus would seek to live in a ‘giving’ mode, the problem of loneliness would surely be less, but here’s reality…many don’t or don’t think they can. Whether its because they are only concerned about their own famalies or because they only have so much energy, and that’s where they choose to spend it, people these days are distrustful of anyone. And when one is in an isolated work and living place as I am, the web of energized relationships shrinks considerably. Your statement is the ideal, just like the theory that we were never meant to die, but since Adam and Eve sinned, death and diease came into the world. Gods ideal was that we live forever in harmony with him, then we chose the wrong path, we cut off the ‘ideal’,we live in a fallen world. Ministry is a constant giving and outpouring of ones emotional and spiritual resource, and I too only have so much energy. But I am still looking for the place where God want’s me to do this outside of work. But again, having ‘relationships’ to me means not only am I going give of myself but I expect to be given to as well, it’s a 2 way street. And this is where the break down happens…very few people want to ‘make friends’, if they think it will cost them anything. I observe as people get older (as I’m now in my 50′s)they aren’t as willing to be friendly! So to me, right now, in my situation, I see my desire to minister as output and my need for relationships as my personal need. Now for some Good news – I have made a new friend and am attending her bible study group on Sunday mornings before I go to serve in ministry at my church. I have some new hope I will make connections there. As far as the ‘fringe people’ there are none in my life at this time but I understand what you are suggesting. 90 percent of the time, its just me, a few customers coming through, but for each one I make an attempt to be respectful, friendly and kind to each one. It’s always my desire to be a blessing to them. I pray for all of my customers, Gods blessings over their lives, etc. I told my new friend I would really like to find a Christian group that does outreach. I’m praying for that and looking for the door God will open. Thanks again, for taking YOUR time, to discuss and minister to me, and to anyone. God Bless ya.

Comment on Many Levels of Relationship by Deloris Mcday

Deloris Mcday — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:21:46 +0000

When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Is there any manner you’ll be able to take away me from that service? Thanks!