Well, yesterday morning I was told that the men of the congregation no longer want me to preach in Lexington. In Churches of Christ there's no denominational structure above the congregational level, so when the congregation wants you out, you're out. It's been quite a ride these past eighteen months. Please pray for my family as we wait upon the Lord and seek his will for the next step.
I'm really sorry to hear that. I wish you all the best.
ReplyDeleteMilton, sorry bro. What's the story, are you presently preaching at more than one congregation? When I think of you, I'll pray for you.
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry to hear that. I will certainly be praying for you. Even though we haven't officially met, I would love to be kept informed of what's going on with your situation. You will be in my prayers. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteMilton - add me to the list of those who will be praying for you during this time.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and prayers for you Milt...
ReplyDeletePeace and blessings from me as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Milton! Not the best time of year.
ReplyDeleteI'll be praying for you.
I am praying that God will place you in the situation that God wants you in. God bless and keep looking toward God's future...
ReplyDeleteMilton:
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear your news. Times like these sometimes cause us to ask all the wrong questions and arrive at all the wrong answers. Remember what you know to be true, both temporally and eternally.
I will also pray for you as often as God brings you to mind - which is at least once a day when I visit your site.
Justin, presently I'm not preaching at any congregation. But God is good, and we're doing OK spiritually and emotionally. Thanks for praying.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mr. Cardot. As far as my situation goes right now, my family is seeking the Lord's will for the next step in our Kingdom service.
ReplyDeleteDavid, John, and Dan: Thanks, brothers.
ReplyDeleteKim: Thanks, sister.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sherman.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mike. Actually, Carolyn and I are very much at peace with what's happened. We are sad to be sacked but confident that we have served God faithfully as long as we were with the Lexington congregation. Peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Randy.
ReplyDeleteMilton,
ReplyDeleteI too will mentiong you to the Father and ask His blessing on you and your family.
Very thoughtful of the folks to let you go right before Christmas huh?
I am sure God has something better.
Grace and peace,
Royce Ogle
Milton,
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely in my prayers.
Grace and peace,
~Dave
This just means God's got an exciting new plan for you, Milton.
ReplyDeleteI pray God gives you the patience and clarity of mind to transition to wherever He's taking you. I know when I've been in that situation, there aren't any "Footprints" in the sand. It's usually one deep set of footprints followed by long trenches where he was dragging me against my will. It's always amazing how much better it is when I get to the end of that move. ;)
God bless, bro!
I think so too, Royce. Thanks for naming me in your prayers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dave. Peace.
ReplyDeleteWow, Milton, sorry to hear about this. Of course Laurie and I will join your many other friends in praying for clarity and discernment as to the next chapter in your life. Don't forget Romans 8:28!
ReplyDeleteHey Milton ... really sad to hear that. But on the other hand, perhaps Providence is providing you with a new direction.
ReplyDeleteOur prayers are with you.
Milton,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about the decision of your congregation. We serve a great God who calls us to work in His Kingdom. The same God who called you is the same God who will provide for you.
You are in my prayers.
Claude Mariottini
Milton, it is a blessing in disguise! Our prayers are with you for the next exciting step in your ministry.
ReplyDeleteBe encouraged.
GBYAY
John: I agree, except I wonder if there's really any disguise to it! Thank you for praying for us. Peace, brother
ReplyDeleteAmen, Claude. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrew. God is indeed showing us a new direction. We're in the process of discerning which direction that is!
ReplyDeleteThanks for praying for us, Bob, and for your encouragement. Rom. 8:28 has indeed been on our minds, and we've been reminding those in the congregation who didn't want us to go that we don't have to worry about our future if we've been called by God and love him. Peace.
ReplyDeleteMilton,
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it is difficult. God bless you as you seek the next chapter in the book God is writing in your life and in your ministry. God in His hand of providence has all things working for your good. I know you know all of this but I feel compelled to reassure you that God is control even in times like these.
I may be looking for work come January too. I still don't know if my job will be funded.
Terry
Milton,
ReplyDeleteJohn 3:8 has become a favorite verse for me, those who are born of the Spirit are like the wind, we don't know where we came from or where we are going. That's the life of faith. It's nerveracking that you never quite know how it's going to turn out but that's what keeps us coming back to Him. I'll be praying.
Milton,
ReplyDeleteBrother I hate to hear this. I was not online much yesterday and did not see it until now.
Know that we are and will be praying for you, your family, and your future. Contact us if you need anything and if we can do ANYTHING. You know that I mean that too.
Stay strong, be courageous, trust God for your future (which i know you do) and serve God in all things.
Hi Milton, sorry to hear about that, will be praying for you definately.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terry. All the best for you in your job uncertainty, too. Peace.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Jeff. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Frank. I know you really mean it, and I'll keep in touch. Peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marianne.
ReplyDeletePrayers for you and your family, Milton. (I'll assume I'm thanked unless your say otherwise!)
ReplyDeleteA theology tutor (that would be "professor" in American-speak) of mine once said that whenever we are asked to leave one community, God provides another one that is wondering where we have been. I don't mean that as a Polyanna statement; it's been true for me too.
Amen, Pam. Thank you, indeed.
ReplyDeleteMilton,
ReplyDeleteMy family and I will ask God's richest blessings to be on you and your family at this time.
I think i cna speak for others when I say if there is anything we can do, please let us know.
Thank you, Gallaher. I hadn't seen your blog before today. Would you like G'sPPB to be added to the Churches of Christ blogs page (http://groups.blogdigger.com/groups.jsp?id=1700)?
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about all of this Milton. We are in the process of applying for a church that has a similar form of government. As we have never been through this kind of application process, our past history has been a church appointment process, your news comes both as a confirmation of our fears and concerns.
ReplyDeleteYou're family and you, are in our prayers. I know these things are especially hard for our wives and the children and i know it must be on you as well. The Lord is forever faithful, yes he is!
Believing with you that the Lord will redeem this and turn around for you and your families good.
Blessings in Christ Jesus!
Amen, Phil. Thanks, brother.
ReplyDeleteMilton:
ReplyDeletea second try at leaving a comment! I'll be praying for you. God will use your heart for him and lead you to another place of ministry.
Thank you, Peter. We are happy to have prayer on our behalf for guidance right now. Peace.
ReplyDeleteMilton,
ReplyDeleteYour devotion to the Word preached and your love for ministry have not gone unnoticed. Thank you for showing such encouraging grace during this difficult time.
Paul Lamey
Thank you, Paul, for your very kind words. Peace.
ReplyDeleteMilton,
ReplyDeleteJust this morning the chairman of our Council of Elders spoke on change. He drew from Daniel 3 and spoke on four key words "our God is able." He expanded on this and spoke of God sometimes delivering us FROM the furnace and sometimes delivering us IN the furnace.
I cannot imagine what you and your family are going through, however we serve a God who is able to meet our needs and bring about His testimony in our lives. He's building your testimony for something more than we can imagine.
Looking forward to hearing of God's provision as you seek to continue in your service to Him. You are in my prayers.
Thank you, Russ.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that - you are in our prayers tonight. Blessed be the one who suffers just as the Master.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bumble.
ReplyDelete