Answering the Call (number 3)

[stevene]

Happy New Year!

It's 3:00 a.m. and somewhere in the White House the phone is ringing. Who do you want answering that call?

HEY BARRY! IT'S FOR YOU! IT'S STEVENE!

Of course by now you know that I am compulsive about injecting humor into any situation. So here's the situation:

1) I'm sitting on my hospital bed getting ready for a third surgery in five days, on my right foot. I believe this is the last debriding of dead or diseased tissue from my worse-off diabetic leg.
2) I'm about two hundred pounds overweight, and can't walk more than 100 yards.
3) My career is focused on temporary contracts, the most recent of which was to count ketchup trucks. I was winding down my assignment, expected to continue through January, when I was admitted to the hospital.
4) My family has no spare cash, in fact, our petition with the Bankruptcy Court may be in jeopardy because of the lack of income while I recover.
5) I can't look for a "next contract" until I know how much time I can commit over how many days a week, and as of what day. I don't know when my medically-approved date of okay-to-return-to-work will be.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Words: Isaac Watts, Hymns and Spir­it­u­al Songs, 1707. Charles Wes­ley re­port­ed­ly said he would give up all his other hymns to have writ­ten this one. (from http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/h/e/whenisur.htm)

When survey this wondrous mess on which the life of Stevene is tossed
My richest gain I count but loss, and declare that Christ's my boss!

I have a thousand skills but no real specialty. I am good at a hundred things, but "great" has eluded me. But for this moment I believe God has assemble an array of abilities meet for His needs in this situation. And so I am beginning to design a new ministry out of this inventory of abilities and motivations. So I'm in a hurry, and can't wait to get out of this hospital bed and on with my unemployment!

Go figure!

I am envisioning a ministry of singing, teaching and discipling that will be built around my musical giftings. I can give you a song at the drop of a hat, on any subject, and will do just that as an itinerant troubadour. I will, soon enough, have a regular day job again, one that will cover the bills. Then I shall dedicate my free time to being a troubadour for God.

I will sing, I will sing, a song unto the Lord. I will sing and shout Alleluia!

Then I will teach. And I will sing. And I will play. I will use this laptop to build musical backgrounds for serious music to which I will wax operatically. And I will build ditties to entertain.

I will travel to retirement centers, senior housing, and concert venues, bringing light to the lost.
I will travel to congregations, adult fellowships, and all sort of gatherings to lead sessions of worship and praise.
And I will teach. I will proclaim the Shema: "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NASB)

I will proclaim God's word everywhere I go, obeying Deuteronomy 6:6-8: .These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gate (NASB).

I will use my graduate training to teach Leadership and Discipleship, and Leadership Development and Discipleship Development. And program design.

I will use a combination of songs, hymns and spiritual songs to worship, and bring people along with me as a I do. I will use stories and tales and jokes to develop camaraderie, and I will use all forms of music to build a community. And I will use the Bible to teach of God's love.

I will sing of the Lord forever. I will sing of the Lord forever. I will sing of the Lord forever. I will sing of the Lord forever.

Over the mountains and the sea
Your river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart
And let the Healer set me free
I'm happy to be in the truth
And I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing
Of when Your love came down
I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever

Written Martin Smith. Copyright (c) 1994 Curious? Music UK/PRS.

I will be continuing to blog on the design of this ministry, but an action plan has already begun to spring up. I don't know how I will find time to hold down a job...

I'll write next of the various steps in this action plan. But first, I have another date with the man in the Operating Room.

Next Post: How to Get Ready?

[bradmc]

Excellent, I am praying for you today.

[Greg]

Great Entry! Get out of there and write more!
Seriously though, I'm praying for you brother!