Monday, December 10, 2012

the blessing

Oh.  The blessing of a Sunday off.  Whether a pastor is on vacation, or present but not preaching that day, it is a blessing to have a Sunday when you are not preaching.  Sometimes people complain to me if I am gone, but please understand that your brain needs a break.  Your soul needs a break.  There is such pressure to have something to say, something spiritual, and it better be good!

It is so wonderful to have a Saturday when your brain isn't rolling over the information for the sermon every moment of the day.  You can actually work in the yard and enjoy the relaxation.  It is nice to have a week when you are not frantically searching for the right things to say.

So I was off yesterday.  It was good for my brain and soul.  Getting a break keeps our souls good and excited about life in general.  Thanks for understanding.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Jeff: Over the course of the last year since we've begun attending WCUMC, we've frequently driven out of the parking lot and one of us has remarked: "well, that sermon was another home run from Jeff Brinkman!"

As a direct result of your sermons, I have begun to change certain behaviors in my life that were troublesome.

I think it is fair to say that I've received more spiritual fulfillment in the last year than I did on the last 20 years with another denomination.

Thank you for letting God work through you to transform lives.

Yes, we missed you yesterday but we understand the need for a mental and spiritual break from the unique stresses of ministry.

You are an amazing minister, Jeff.

Anonymous said...

Bless you, whomever you are, who wrote the comment about how much Jeff's preaching has blessed your life and help you change some behaviors.

Many people probably don't realize how much comments straight from the heart, can do to encourage and uplift our pastors and others. What you shared is what keeps our pastors going and knowing that their work, stress, and studying for sermons is meeting people's needs.

So glad that God has blessed your life through Jeff's preaching, and so glad you made your way to WCC.

And Brian Swanson, if you're reading this, I heard several compliments last Sunday on what a good preacher you are. God bless you.