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.

Blind date

Earl was a young man. He was a bit esentric. He was well liked. He was known for his love of Jesus. He was a kind man. He knew two man who were close friends of his. They were from two different circles to which he was involved with. He decided that these two friends would be perfect for each other.
Both were a bit reluctant. After several prodding they both agree. They a range to meat at a restaurant near by. They arranged to meat each other at the restaurant. They agreed to be there around four thirty.
Ben was a junior in college. He was attending a bible college he was training to be a pastor. He worked a job part time at a hotel. That was how he knew earl. Earl worked there as well.
Abby was a bible school student as well. She went to a different bible college then he did. She worked at a cofee shop he frequented.
He was really nervous.he was surprised that he was doing this.he considered backing out but decided that at this point it was too late. At least that was he thought. He decided that it was one night. That was not a lot of pressure.
Abby was surprised that she went along with it. Earl really wanted her to do this. She kinda did this to humor him. She hoped that she would be presently surprised. She hoped that it would turn out ok.
Mat had no idea what to ware. He decided to not ware a dress shirt and tie.he did think about it but decided against it. He put on a red polo shirt and khaki pants.
He arrived at the restaurant a few minutes before she arrived. They had made reservations. They seated him.  After a couple minutes He saw a young lady heading towards him.she was walking with a waiter.she was led to the table where he was. He got up. He extended his hand and she shock it.
"Helo I'm mat!" he said. "Hi I'm Abby!"she said. She had Brown hair. She wore a white sweater and blue blouse and black skirt and flip flops.she was taken a back by his atire. She Sat down.
"I understand that you are in seminary?"she asked."oh no! I am in bible college. Stil In the under graduate program. "  he said.
"Oh ok. I did not realize that!" she said."I am a junior."he said."are you going for m div?"She aBsked."I am not planning to. A lot of churches I would be looking to pastor do not require it. I am a good student but I have had to push myself. I do not want to think about masters level courses."he said.
She was very taken aback.she was not expecting this. He was not quite what she expected.
"I understand that you area bible school student?"he asked. "I graduated from college.I am in seminary!"she declared. "Your studying to be a minister?" he asked."yes. I am!"she answered.
He got really nervous. What had earl gotten him into. He thought oh two studying the bible. That might make a good match. He was not sure how to handle this.a part of him wanted to get up and go right now.
It started to make sense to her . he was probably a independent fundimentle Baptist. She figured that he was probably k.j.v.that explains his dress.
"What school do you attend?"she asked "gospel Baptist college!"he said."oh! Your one of those! "She said."what school do you attend?"he asked. 
"Aubern theological !"she said."oh!"he said."we are not what either of us expected are we?" she asked."no we are not!"he said .
"Earl ment well!"she said."he did."he said. Things got quiet for a few seconds. Both began to suspect that the date was for all intense and purposes for over.
"So do you believe that the bible is literal. Is it the word of God or does it nearly contain the word of God?"he said. "It is the word of God. I am a literalist. " she said. He wanted to say except on the role of women but did not.
"The flood literal?"he asked. "I believe it was. " she said ."creation ?"he asked.she smiled."um I believed God created created the universe. I am not sure if it fiet creation or though some evolutionary process. " she said.
"Your killing me abb!"he said."so I assume your k.j.v only?"she asked."no but I only use the king James. The textus rwceptis is more reliable then Alexandrian texts. "She said. "Your in the minority on this. "She said."I realize that. The text found after 1611 have muddied the waters not made them clear. God promised to preserve his word. I doubt that was only after 1945. "He told her.
"God has preserved his word. There has been the word of God from the first century until now. The discovery off new manuscripts does not negate that. "She told him.
"I disagre. I think it is very important. Acuracy is the key.you don't want to get it wrong. "He said.
"So I assume no k love or u2 witch I'd very sad!"she said."your a u 2 fan ?"he said."yes I am. I have taken a lot of heat for it"she said. "I am sure ! "He said
"I assune no tv?"she asked."no I had one as a kid. We got rid of it. "He said
."you like camping ?"she asked."I do ! You?"he asked."yes I do. You snow mobile?"she asked."I do!"he said.
They were there at the restaurant for a few hours. They were told that it was closing soon. "I will cover the Bill!"mat said."you don't have to. "She said. "I want you!"he said.
As they left the restaurant,they both got quiet. They knew that would probably never see each orther again.neither knew how to end tonight. Neither knew what to say.
"Well It was nice to meet you."she said."same hear.  "He said. "Take care of yourself!"she said. "You too!"he said.
They started to go there separate ways probably forever. He felt a sense of sadness. He started to goto his car but he stoped. "Abb! Can I have your phone number?"he asked.she took out a pen and paper and wrote it down. She got hears.then they left.
He drove for a bit.then he went home.he knew everyone would want to know how it went.he really did not want to talk about it right now right now he needed time to sort it all out.
End of part one.