It's been quite some time since I have entered notes on this blog. A lot of things have been going on that have prevented me from taking the time to do this. At 64 years of age I have been trying to slow down my life so I can do those things I believe are much more important than making money to pay bills. I have been admonished, quite gently, by both Jordan and Mike to quit my job and be what God has called me to be, a pastor in His local church. I am honored to think that two godly men have come to the same conclusion about my gift or, more specifically, my calling. I believe He has called me to be a pastor/teacher, caretaker of His local church here in Sidney, Mt., so I may be turning in my resignation soon. Sharon and I have had the incredible privilege this week of counseling two dear young believers in Christ about how to make a "Christian" marriage work. Wow! What an unbelievable privilege and opportunity to put 37 years of communion in marriage t0 work helping others. Sharon is an unbelievable specimen of a godly woman. She has stood by my side through good and questionable leadership I have provided for all of those years. She has bitten her tongue trying so desperately to let God's Holy Spirit speak to me without the her input so many times that I'm fairly confident her tongue is raw.

Through all of this, all I can say is, "Thank you Lord Jesus, for knowing what woman I needed to be my helpmate through the trials and tribulations of this life." She left me f0r eighteen days this summer to visit her family in Southern California. The last time she did that was three years ago and it was only for two weeks. That was too much, but it was significantly less than the 18 days she left for this year. I trust you are all getting the point. The older I get, the more I need her at my side, arguing, questioning, challenging, and discovering our purpose in this life. I truly must say, "I don't know how pagan men do it. How do they manage the daily problems life brings to a marriage?" Having a godly woman at my side makes it all so incredibly bearable.

I know I must resolve two agonizing questions in the next few days, weeks, or months; and I would greatly appreciate your prayers for me to administer God's wisdom in the process: 1. Should I immediately quit my current employment? and 2. Should I return to graduate school and get a MA in Divinity or take Cross Cultural Studies for missions. Some may think, Whoa dude, who cares? But I assure you, this is a decision I have wrestled with for decades. I desire to spend my waning years doing all I can to further the kingdom of God. I falter daily because I haven't the energy to do all each day's needs brings. I try to rise at 3 AM to read God's word because my current job does not allow me to read in between assignments like my last one did. But, my current job gives me all weekends off, so I can always be at church on Sundays. But, there is so much more to do at Fellowship Church where I currently attend. I know I could work twelve hours a day doing things for the kingdom of God and still fall far short of all that needs to be done.

Please pray for me to be faithful to implement God's will for Sharon's and my life.

Thanks and God Bless,
Brother Dave