Saturday, January 28, 2012

Changes Galore!

Pivotal moments arise from time to time for everyone. There have been a lot of changes recently. I decided to launch my own computer business "Bentcmark Computer Consulting" (http://www.bentchmark.com). May God bless this leap of faith! As the pastor of Living Waters Fellowship (were my bride Joyce is the co-pastor) I hope to spend at least a percentage of my time with ministry duties - as the Lord leads! However, I expect to handle service calls, sell computer related items, offer consulting services, and do some web design. I am blessed!

Emmanuel seems to be doing well. He has adjusted to his medications and continues to have a positive prognosis. We are so thankful to the medical folks who have been instrumental in helping with his condition such as Dr. Zimmerman and his bride Kelcy (an RN). Emmanuel mostly gives off the aura of the picture of health, except when some of the sickle cell disease pain occurs or he takes a long time to get over an illness such as a virus.

Tonight I have been invited to play drums at the local Celebrate Recovery group that meets at Grace Chapel (http://www.gracechapelcc.com). I am out of practice - so would appreciate lots of prayer! This is an eclectic group of musical artists from many different churches. I have enjoyed the spirituality of the group - and the glorious praise to God the times that I have been there.

Come on down! At 5:00pm there is a complimentary supper served. Sharing and praise and worship begin at 6:00pm I believe.

And, there's always something to do with my pursuit of a Masters in Mental Health Counseling. I just have a couple more classes until I begin my practicum in July 2012. Oh My This Is Another Leap of Faith! During the residency in November 2011, the teacher opined that we were all really counselors already, we just did not know it yet. I hope to feel much more like a counselor after a few weeks of practicum. Then it is off to my internship. I have yet to secure a location for practicum and internship - please keep this in prayer! There is a facility in Thermopolis, one in Worland, and one in Basin. We shall see!

Is everyone as busy as this? I just never imagined that I'd be so busy as a grown up. I thought that 'they' got to do whatever they wanted. And that is sort of the case... it is just that it is easy to decide to do many, many things. One thing that my mentors at Capella University (www.capella.edu) have noted is the importance of self-care. This means that you must take time for yourself - by making this a priority. I hope to take some time for self care now that I have my own business - or am I thinking foolishly? Time will tell!

Blessings to you as you commit yourself to the Lord Jesus and live a life like he did - one of self-sacrifice, love to others, and continual service.

John 13:1-5 "Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded."

Even so come quickly Lord Jesus!