The 23rd Psalm

Tonight, at one of our local jails, I will teach from the 23rd Psalm for the third time in the past 10 days. If you have a half an hour to spare you can listen to it here and view the slides here. Here are the words:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

-A psalm of David-

In this message I announced to our church that I would be leaving our pastoral staff to re-enter the world of retirement. This new transition is a bittersweet one but should be very helpful to our family. I am hoping to be able to spend more time writing and being with my beautiful wife Ann.

11 comments:

  1. Wow, KB.

    That's a brave and compassionate decision. I'm very impressed and hopeful for the both you. May the Lord bless your time together.

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  2. My prayers are with you. that's a big transition

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  3. Bob,

    May the LORD bless you as you undergo this transition.

    Peace,
    Brian

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  4. Bob,
    I feel like I can sort of relate to your decision, as you know I just made a similar one (not as dire a situation, but for similar reasons). But then again maybe I am full of crap, any way I hope that you are able to help your wife (and yourself) through this very difficult time. You are always such an encouragement to me, I just want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you and Anne.
    Peace Bro

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  5. Thanks all for the encouragement.. oddly enough this whole transition started in January when I read this:

    "Why be something to everybody when you can be everything to somebody?" -GK Chesterton

    I couldn't shake it.. it haunted me.. and I soon realized that God was calling me to a different sort of ministry.

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  6. I hadn't heard that quote. But, it is very profound.

    Peace,
    Brian

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  7. It IS a ministry, you will be ministering in your domestic church. Change is hard and awkward and uncomfortable but that GKC quote is fantastic - never heard it before. You will be everything to each other, and I know your love will overflow into the world, ministering to it in a different way than from the pulpit.

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  8. You'll be ministering outwardly without knowing it, I'm sure, as you always have.
    I understand this; I see my dad and his wife going through similar circumstances.
    I hope you do travel. They do very well traveling, they enjoy it very much and you're much younger than they.

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  9. I read this the other day, Bob, and tried to leave a comment and it would not let me!!! So I came back today. I was surprised at your retirement but I know you are doing what God is leading you to and I trust the future holds just what you and your lovely Ann need.
    I'll certainly keep you both in my prayers.
    Susan

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  10. God bless both you and Ann, Bob. I wouldn't call this retirement, but a Heavenly redirection of focus and energy. After all, a retired general is still a general! ;)

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