Weekend Review

I have been traveling the last few days, Nov.26-28. I greatly enjoy the time with my wife and son. Believe it or not I even enjoy spending time with my in-laws. I married into a great Christian family. The Cofields are wonderful people. My favorite thing my wife inherited from her father is his zeal for ministry. On Friday and Saturday I spent a great couple of days with my family. It is so good to have my little brother back. He went through some struggles that took his joy and personality. I am so thankful that by God’s grace my brother has been given another chance.

When I travel I often do not have much internet access. Also, my wife prefers that I do not allow myself to get consumed with projects on my computer. I am able to relax and focus on family more when I “unplug” for a little bit. However, even thought I take a break from some things that are part of my everyday life I do not need or want a break from my relationship with God.

¹Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom. ²And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead: 2 Samuel 14:1,2

Joab shows great wisdom in not only choosing what to say to David but through whom he would say it. The same message from different modes of communication can yield different results. Who and when is often as important as what is said. I should consider this when wanting to speak to my wife, teens, and colleagues.

³But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city. 2 Samuel 18:3

This is something that historians say is said about Napolean also,”worth ten thousand of us”. When your presence makes a difference in the battlefield you know you are truly having an influence in the war. My friend, John, has had people ask him to invest with them in certain projects. Not just becuase they needed the capital he offered but they knew he was what they call “smart money”. They knew if he was invested in something he would work to make it a success. I want to be this type leader. I would want people to desire to have me in their ministry, on their board, involved in their planning becuase they knew I would give my all and encourage others to give their all.

⁵And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; 2 Samuel 19:5

David’s concern for his son over the interests of his people made his servants feel shamed. They felt neglected. I know this is not the primary teaching behind these scriptures but I have been so concerned about teens who did not come to church that the ones there felt neglected. In my expression of concern for the lost, the world, and way ward teenagers I do not want any of the teens I serve to feel neglected and uncared for.