HolleeDaze Ink

When Navy SEAL Adam Brown woke up on March 17, 2010, he didn’t know he would die that night in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan—but he was ready.

In a letter to his children, not meant to be seen unless the worst happened, he wrote, “I’m not afraid of anything that might happen to me on this earth, because I know no matter what, nothing can take my spirit from me.”

Fearless is the story of Adam Brown, a man of extremes, whose courage and determination was fueled by faith, family, and the love of a woman. It’s about a man who waged a war against his own worst impulses and persevered to reach the top tier of the US military. Always the first to volunteer for the most dangerous assignments, Adam’s final act of bravery led to the ultimate sacrifice.

Your call to service came from your desire to serve the Lord. Inherent in that call is the command by Jesus that as His representative in the world—His disciple—you must give your life as "a ransom for many."

In Mathew 20: 20-28, Jesus explained that His life and the life of His disciples was the life of a servant:

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:25-28, NKJV).

A pastor's life is not his own. He chooses to stand fast with those to whom he ministers, to intercede for them in prayer, to tend their mental and emotional and, often, physical needs.

To those whom God calls to serve, He "giveth more grace" as the hymn says. When you haven't enough strength for the task, Christ is there to perfect your efforts.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV).

The sails on a boat—merely cloth designed and cut to maximize use—capture the power of the wind, swelling to move the vessel gracefully and swiftly across the water.

Without the sail, the boat is still a boat—it still floats, it can move across the water slowly. Without the sail, the wind still blows, but its power is out of reach to the boat. However, once the sail is secured to the mast and raised, it becomes a vital part of that boat, harnessing the power of the wind and directing the boat's journey.

You as a pastor are "cut" by God from a special cloth specifically to fulfill your calling, just as each sail is cut for a specific purpose. You harness the power of God and His Word as the sail harnesses the power of the wind. Likewise, you direct God's children—the boat—on their journey home.

"But oars alone can ne'er prevail

To reach the distant coast;

The breath of heaven must swell the sail,

Or all the toil is lost." (William Cowper)

Yes, the sail performs an important service to both the wind and the boat. And, oh, who has not been awestruck by the beauty, grace, and swiftness of a boat under sail?

And, oh, the beauty of God's call upon your life and your service to Him and His children.

"I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, . . . we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor." (Oliver Wendell Holmes)

"I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship." (Louisa May Alcott)

Lord,

Thank you for this call upon my life. I dedicate myself to Your service. I ask that You strengthen me and help me to guide Your children—each and every one—on the journey You have chosen for them.

In Christ's name,

Amen

Monday, April 23, 2012

PoeWar's List of 117 New Writing/Editing Jobs for April 23, 2012

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Fearless - The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown

Friday, April 13, 2012

Of Service and Sails - "I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship."