A Few Reflections From My Recent Trip North

About a week and a half ago, my family and I returned from our trip up north to both Philadelphia and Cincinnati.  I, my wife Katie, and the two kids got in the car and drove up and back.  It was a long trip both ways to be sure, but I thought I would share some highlights as well as some things that I learned about myself and the ministry along the way.


Firstly, a few bits of trivia:


- I hate bridges and mountains!  I guess I have a fear of heights.  Thankfully, I was able to avoid the Delaware Memorial, Ben Franklin, and Walt Whitman bridges.  On the other hand, I did have to drive through the mountains in western Pennsylvania, and on the way back through eastern Kentucky and Tennesse.  I'll say this; if I ever see the Pennsylvania Turnpike again, it'll be too soon.


- It is COLD up north!  Even in late March it was still around 30 degrees in Philadelphia.  I am really thankful that I live in Florida and now have a small understanding of why people snow bird in Florida.




- With small kids, anytime you stop, plan on it being at least an hour.


- I really like those quaint little towns in eastern Pennsylvania like Lancaster and Ephrata.  We saw our share of Amish people on horse and buggy.


- I got to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.  It was really cool to be inside the building where my nation's independence was born.


- Yes I climbed the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  I hummed that theme to myself the whole way up.


- The food in Cincinnati is pretty awesome.  Toward the end of our trip, some dear friends of my wife's took us to a place called The Montgomery Inn.  Their ribs are spectacular.  If you're ever in Cincinnati, do yourself a favor and go.


-The Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky was really cool too!  Katie's friends Don and Gabby O'Connell took us the day before we left.  My favorite part was the planetarium.  Reflecting on the sheer vastness of space and the distances between stars and galaxies was truly mind-boggling!






Secondly, I learned a few things about myself and the nature of the Christian ministry while in Philadelphia from my friend and mentor, Pastor Earl Wright of The Church of God in the Word.  Pastor Wright spoke to us about the seriousness of the Christian ministry and the high calling it is for a man to enter it.  We spoke of how easy it can be to fall into moral failure, the high standards overseers are called to, and how important it is for a man to have the full support of his wife.


It was confirmed in me that I do indeed have a genuine calling of God into full-time Christian ministry and that this is what I will continue to pursue in my life.  I believe that Lord is calling me specifically to somewhere in the northern part of the Tampa Bay area to minister.  A few years ago, I was leading worship in a Vineyard church in Inverness, Florida and when that fell through left the area to come to St. Petersburg.  The truth is I was very sad to leave the area and I believe now that it was a mistake.  It is very possible and likely that the Lord is even now leading me back to that area in the very near future. 


I also learned that I am not yet qualified for the Christian ministry.  Pastor Earl and I discussed the qualifications for an Overseer in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.  I am just not there yet.  I still have much work to do in bringing some of those areas under control.


Lastly, I really enjoyed the fellowship, the prayers, the opportunity to preach, and also the opportunity to meet Charles Smoot in Lancaster; a fellow brother in the Association of Charismatic Reformed Churches.  I do hope to find my way back up to eastern Pennsylvania again, not only to fellowship with brothers Earl and Charles, but also because my Mom and Dad are moving up there too. 


Anyway, sometimes it is good to get away and take a retreat to learn things about oneself.  Especially for me right now as I prepare to turn 30 this month.  I pray that God will continue to bless me and my family and to form us into the image of His Son.  My hope is always to glorify Him in whatever circumstance.  The ministry and the Church belong to Jesus and He puts just the right people in place.  I pray that He will find in me a willing vessel to be used for His purposes.