Blind date part ten

Abby decided to talk to Matt.she waited until the afternoon. She tried to get tons of worsk done so that the evening was free. She drove hesitantly.she did not see his car in the drive way. She considered coming back later. She decided to go in.
She parked in there drive way. She got out of the car. She knocked on the door. The door opened,it was his sister Kathy.
"Hi is mat home?"Abby asked. "No not yet. Mom has a family rule you have to be home before five. He should be home soon. " Kathy said.
"Maybe I should come back later. I don't want to disturb your family time. " she said. "Non sense come on in.you must be Abby.I'm Kathy his favorite sister. "She said. Abby laughed.
"Its good to meet you. "Abby said. "Come on. I will introduce you to the family."Kathy said. Abby was nervous. She wanted to talk to mat in private not meet his whole family. She was afraid they would hate her. She was very independent not exactly independent fubdimentle Baptist.
Kathy escorted Abby to the front room. " hi everyone this is Abby a friend of mat!"Kathy said. Abby was really embarrassed. "Hello I'm Bob Campbell this is my wife Anna."he said. "Matt told me your news congratulations"she said. "Thank you we are both really excited. "Anna said.
"How do you know Matt ?"Bob asked. "A matural friend of ours tried to set us up on a blind date. "She said. "I remember that he went on a blind date.he was pretty cryptic about it.we have presed him on. That was with you !"Bob said.
"Yes. We we're not what either of us expected. "Abby said. "How so?"Anna asked. "Well I am a student at a less orthodox bible college."she said. "How less ?"Bob asked. "I am going to a seminary that usually trains minister for United church of chrust!"Abby answered.
"Oh!"Bob said . "are you training to be a minister?"Anna asked. "Yes  am."She said. My goose is coooked she thought.
"Do you believe in the mericles in the bible ?"he asked. "Yes I do. I believe in a literal reserection of Christ. I believe that the children of Israel did cross the red sea not the reed sea!"she answered.
"Do you that Jesus is the only way or are there other ways of salvation " mats brother Tim asked. "I believe that there is only one way to salvation."Abby said.
"The u.c.c is rather wishy washey on the subject. "Bob said ."yes They are. They like to hem and haw on the subject. "Abby admitted.
"How would you handle such a topic?"Bob asked. "I don't know. I do feel strongly about it. "She said.
"Why did you join the u.c.c? There are denominations that are more orthodox yet ordain women ? Like the United Baptist?" he asked.
"My mother was an atheist .my farther had been a minister but left it before I was born. He stoped going. U to found his bible and read it. I went to the nearest church.it was u.c.c.the minister befriended me and I got scholarships so I went with them. "She said.
"So let me get this straight. You are a ministerial student who went on a few dates with my son.he broke it off now you want to resume it?"Bob asked. "Pretty Mitch! Look I have a great deal of respect for you.if you want me to leave I will. I don't want to step on your toes."Abby said.
"No that won't be necessary. I want to get to know you. "Bob said ."I am not totally sure why I am hear.I really wanted to talk to him. To see if something could be worked out."Abby said.
Matt drove home. He saw what he thought was baby's car in the driveway. He saw her bumper sticker."our church accepts everyone."  he knew it was her. Why was she hear? He thought to himself. He parked then went inside.
He saw Abby. There eyes met. He caught himself smiling.she always had that affect on him. "Ab? What are you doing hear?"mat asked. "I was hoping to talk to you!"she said. Alisha another daughter came in. "Am I setting another place for Abby?"Alisha asked. "Oh I can't stay. "Abby said ."we would love it."Anna said. "I don't want to impose !"Abby said. "Its not at all."Bob said.she looked at Matt. "You should stay!"Matt said.
She wondered was he inviting her to dinner or into his life ? "Ok I will stay!"she said. "Set an extra place at the table al!"her farther said.
Everyone went to the kitchen table."you can sit hear next to Matt and Kathy. "Bob said. They Sat down.Apearently they all joined hands during prayer. She was a bit uncomfortable with it. He extended his hand so she took it.
As everyone was getting food . she thought this feel right. She wondered was This something that could be later or something that could have been but never was. Would this be a great memory or would it haunt her.
"It will May take a little while for me to remember all your names."Abby said. "We have hard time remembering them at times. " Kathy said. "You did not give them all j or h names."Abby said. "We were not not planing but not planning to have this many !"Anna said.
"Do you have any siblings?" Tim asked. "I do. I have an older brother and two younger sisters. "She said.
After dinner everyone brought dishes to the dish washer. Abby helped alisha clear the table. 
Matt kinda took a step back. He kinda guesed why she was hear. He had no idea why he would do. His farther went over to him. "It took a lot of courage for her to come today. I can't believe I'm saying this but don't be so quick to walk away. " he said. "Ok I will keep that in mind."he said.
Things started to die down. Matt went over to Abby. "Do you want to go to the porch?"he asked."ok!"she said. The two went to the porch. They Sat down on the steps.
"So I came. To talk to you. Matt I know we have a lot of differences. I really like you. I don't want to loose you. Look if you really don't think this Will work or you just don't want to be with me I will walk out and you will never hear from me again. " she told him.
He thought it over. "No I'm not going to do that. That is not what I want. " he said. "Look I don't have any answers. I wish I did. I am not sure why I am hear. I can't just walk away.not without at least coming to you first. "She said.
"I want to take it slow. I do want us to explore a relationship. "He said. "I'm ok with going slow. I just want you in my life. I understand we have hurdles."she said. "I am willing to give it a chance . I'm in if you are. " he said. "I'm in !"she said. She started to hug him. She realized that this might not be appropriate so she recoiled.he hugged  her. They held on to each other for a while.
"I really like your family. " Abby told him. " I think you made quite an impression. "Mat said."oh great. "She said. "I think they like you. I hope they did not give you too much trouble?"he asked. "They we're fine!"she said.
After a while she decided she should probably go. "I should get going. "She said. "Ok I'm glad you stop by. "Matt said. "I am too!" she said .
He walked her to her car. " I will talk to you later!"he said ."you got it!"she said. He started to walk away then he stoped and hugged her. Then she got into the car and left.he watched her leave.
He went inside. He went to see his dad. "We are going to give it a try. "Matt said. "I knew That. Look mat it's not going to be easy. Who she is today may not be who she always is. Both your mom and I did not have it together when we started dating. Mariege is two sinners coming together. You two have hurdles. You wil have to get together and hash some of this out. Mayby that is the point ,together. Perhaps it time to think of each other as being on the same team. "He said.
Abby went home. "You have been gone a while! "Jill said. "I ended up having dinner with Matt's family. Then we talked a lot ."she said.
"are you too a couple again?"Jill asked "I think so. I did not bring my Matt to English dictionary but I believe so. "She said. "You two are either are the cutest couple or the weirdest or a little both of both. " Jill said.
That night matt' mom and dad talked. "So have we met our new daughter in law?"Anna asked ."I'm prety sure we have. "He said. "I figured. "She said.
End of part ten.
 

Blind date past seven

On a fluke,Matt an independent Baptist ministerial student and son of a pastor went on a blind date. The date was with Abby. Abby was attending a seminary for those in mainline denominations.
Despite there differences,they tried to make a go of it. Mat decided that It would probably not work  out.they went there separate ways.
They both got involrved in there studies,work and being involved in church .this included preaching in there churches.
Mat found it difficult to even come up with an idea for a message . he agonized over it. Finaly he came up with a message. He thought that it is prety good. He hopes that the Lord would bless It despite his unworthyness.
  Abby had the same difficulty coming up with a message. She has the lectionary to bank on. She had a theme. She developed a message. Based on the periscope found in the lesson plan. The outline turned out well.
Matt did not not have the same peace he had in other occasions. He had prayed about this message. He trusted in the lords strength and ability. In truth that is how it always is.
"We see in our text that preachers are commanded to be faithfull to God's word at all time. The word is what must energize the preacher. It gives him strength and power.  "
"The job of a preacher is to communicate the word to those he ministers to. He shares what the Lord has  laid on his heart. He Is to preach to the whole council of God. Every word of God is pure,it's true. He is to do it when the bible is popular and when it is not!"
"We know today the word of God is out of season. It is marginalized or mocked or dismissed. It is attacked or explained away. Those who are true to the word of God must keep this in mind. All of  US are ultimately acountible to Him. It is especially true of preachers. "
"Preachers do not just have to deal with the outside world being out of season. They do not only have to deal with Christendom being out of season or even the church they serve,they must also deal with themselves. "
"What do we do when we are out of season. Preachers can be off there game. There could be multiple reasons why. Tiredness . Paul tell us in Galatians not to be weary in well doing. When Jesus was tempted he was tired we are told "
"Saten attacks us when we are physically tired. YOU can get tired.we all do. He takes advantage of our weekness. "
"There is also unconfesed sin. It gas been said,the bible will keep you from sin or sin will be keep you from this book. Preachers must be on guard against sin. We may ask God as David did for Him to search our heart and see if there be wicked ways in us. As it has been said we must keep short accounts with God"
"There can be distraction. Augustine said that sometimes it is not choosing the wrong thing but the not as good. Sometimes good things can hinder the besT things. "
"You may wonder where am I going with this. This week I was a bit out of season. I had trouble even getting the first sentence written. I wanted to stop. I wanted to run away. I then realized that God wants us to meditate on his world. Sometimes that requires us to wrestle with his word. Just as Jacob refused to let God go until he blesed him,we must not yield"
"What is  your role? You the members of this church? You need to be in prayer for those in leaderShip. My dad,myself the deacons and trustees. We desire your prays. They are needed. We are in this together. "
V
"We know that preachers get tired. They are tempted to sin.sometimes they surcomb to that temptation. Sometimes the good enough tries to get them to not strive for the very besT. I say thus not to scare you but to inform you. To say that those in leadership need your prays. These are difficult days. They may get harder. They work together. Lets work together!"mat said.
" our reading today is a Daimler story. The story of the epheopien eunic. This official who was The treasurer for queen of epheopia was traveling. "Abby said

"He was reeding what we refer to as the book of Isaiah from the Hebrew scriptures. We don't know how he got the scrol and why he was reeding it. He got confused "
"Philip shows up . Philip comes up Nd says hey do you u understand what your reeding. I have been in Landry mats or break room or libraries and have been tempted to ask someone what they reeding. I have had. It cod be anything from romance novels to vampire fiction to I don't know me in kamph. You never know. "
"I have never asked and I never would.I don't recommend it. Hear Philip asked him if He understands what he is reeding. He said he does not. So Philip goes on to explain the passage"
"How can we as Christians In 2016 interpret this passage? What lessons are hear for us today? God told Philip to steak out this official. This Ethiopian minister of finance if you will. God wants his people to be multi cultural. We should not be ethnocentric but embrace all cultures. "
"Philip was Jewish. Jewsish people if his days did not Like non Jews. Non Jewish people were called gentiles. They were outcast. Paul told the Ephesians believers that they we're at one cut cut I'd from the common wealth of Israel. Philip was to reach out to this foreigner. This foreger who may have been a castrated slave. We are to embrace everyone."
"We cannot exclude anyone.the United church of Christ welcomes everyone. Diversity makes us stronger. We want all ritch poor,young old and in between. We need to welcome people from all nations cultures. "
"Philip reaches out to him. Many Jewish people beloved that the Hebrew scriptures was only for them. Christ welcomes all. He is einger for his children to come to him. " she said.
Mat emotionally and physically exhausted after the message. Heft that God has used it. Msyby inspite of him. That was ok. He just wanted to proclaim the word. He trusted that God would bless his word.
He schock people hand aS They left afterward. The message appeared to be warmly received. After a while he saw someone he did not know was present.
It was retired pastor Douglas Wilber. With him was his grand daughter Heidi ."hello sir. I did not know you were hear. "Mat said.
"I wanted to surprise you. I knew if  you knew I was coming,it might make you nervous !"the older gentleman said. "Your right,it probably would. "He said. "Many of my messages came out of struggles.some times God uses times of sprituel drought to make us seam him. At the time they are unpleasant . I look back now now on these Times fondly. Christ showed him strong in those days. I believe. He will for you. I suspect he already has. " the elderly pastor said.
"He has. I thanked you for those words."Mat said. "The Lord has a plan for your life. I know that. "The older man said.
"Thank you sir!" the younger man said. He realized that he had not said helo to pastor Wilber. Heidi was also a student at the same Baptist college. She was sweet. He suspected she might have a crush on him .she was very shy. He found it difficult to talk to her.
"Hello Heidi!"mat said.she smiled."hello Matthew!"She said. "My messages usually are not quite as melincolly. "He assured her. "It seemed very genuine. I did not view it as melincoliy!"she said. "I am glad of that. " he said.
"We all experience dry Times. " she said. "True!"he said. "It was a good message!"she said. He thanked her. "Do you want to get together at some point this week? "He asked. She smiled. "I would love to !"she said.
He could see that pastor Wilber wS quite agreed to them getting together.
Abby did not think that this was her best message. She was mostly happy with it. She shock people's hand as they left. She saw recent graduate of the auburn theological. Reverend Michael clandon.
"Michael I did not know you were hear."she said. "I wanted to keep a low profile ! You did really well. "He said. "I hope so!" she said ."you have a bright future I think. "He said. "That is kind of you to say!" she said.
"Would you be open to going out for coffee this week?"he asked."I would love to!"she said.
Mat and Abby separated and were heading in opposite directions. Would this last forever. Would they be back together?
End of part seven.

Blind date part six

Just after Matt left,abby's phone went off. She wondered if maybe it was may. She checked the caller I'd. It was pastor Madelyn.She was her mentor.
"Hi pastor !"she said."look I  hate to do this to you on short notice but my aunt is In the hosital. She is not doing well and she lives in Chicago. Can you conduct the service and preach on Sunday? I assume you have the lectionary and you can look at my notes?"she said.
"Yes if course. No problem!"Abby said."are you ok? You seam off?"the older lady said. "No I'm fine. "She said.
"Well I really appreciate this. This is a huge help!"she said."no problem. I do enjoy preaching. "Abby said. "I appreciate this !"she said. "No problem. You have been a big help to me. I am happy to help!" she said. "Great! "She said.
Mat went right home after being at abby's .weird he thought he had never been inside hee apartment before. On the ride home he had sports radio on.he switched it to a hmmm CD. It was a short drive back to the parsnege.
He went back inside. "Where did you go?" his dad asked. "Oh I had something I had to take care off!"mat said. "I had something I wanted to ask you. "His dad said. "Ok!"he said."mom and I want to take the weekend off . go away on an impromptu get away. I was hoping you could take the services. I know it is on short notice. "He said.
"No I would love to. Not a problem !"he said. "Great! Mom hoped you would !" his dad said .his mom came in. "Are we a go?"his wife asked. "We are a go!"his dad answered. "Any reason for this get away?"mat asked. He did not really get an answer.
Matt realised that this was harder then he thought. He felt out of shorts.this was the worst time to prepare a surmon. He Sat with a blank peace of paper at his desk.
"How is it coming?"his sister Kathy asked. "I have the note paper !"he said."that US a start !"she said. "I might have to go to surmon suggestions .com !"he said ."I really hope your kidding!"she said. "So am I!"he said.
"What is the problem?"she asked. "I am more persuaded then I have ever been . I have made the faith my own. Yet recent events could call that into doubt!"he said.
"There is always push back. I am note sure this was a falling away just stumble. One you corrected. "She said. "When it said "be instant in season out of season I never expected me to be out of season. " he said.
"I think we all struggle with that. There are road signs warning. It I s besT to stop and head them. Search my God and know my thoughts I pray!"she said .
"See if There may be any wicked way in me ok!"he said. "You will figure it out or surnon ideas.com will!"she said."funny!"he said. "I thought so!"she said.
"So why is mom and dad being so cryptic. Just going on a weekend off is not like them. "He said.
"Msyby they just need to get away."Kathy said. She had a theory but didn't want to express it. "The last time they did this was when she found out she was having Philip. "He said.
"I remember! You don't think .."he said. "You never know!"she said. "I should get back to this. " he said. She left.
Abby looked over the lectionary. The theme that week was on the ephopian eunic. "Ok I can do this!"she thought. She decided to go on diversity,inclusiveness. Don't leave anyone out. Look for optunity to share God's Grace. She let the ideas flow and wrote them down.
"How it coming ?"her roomate Jill asked. "Very good. It is the ephopian eunuc.I imagine if mat were preaching it,he would talk about how he was reading Isaiah. How he used Isaiah and preached the gospel. He would go on about how Jesus is clearly revealed in the old testament. " Abby said.
"Instead your going to preach about how we are to be inusive and accept everyone. Diversity is beutufull and so on!"Jill said. "I think that diversity and acceptance is clearly seen in this passage!"she answered.

"Do you deny that Christ is portrayed in the old testament?"Jill asked."no but I don't need to emphasize it. "She said. "Because it is very. Congregational of you!"Jill said. "Some might object to that emphises.some do disagre that Christ is depicted In isaiah. I disagree. Unity is a command also "she said.
"Philip shows him Christ from Isaiah. Everyone knows your a literalist. Just explain that this from your perspective!"she said.
"I want the gospel message to be edifying .helpful for every day life. Acepting others is a a worhwild goal. " she told her. "Yes it is !"Jill said.
Both got there Simon's written. Now it was time for them to deliver them. Were they ready.
They were going to separate ways. Was it forever? Would they end up together?
End of part six.