silence and solitude

I wont blog this week. I'll be off Facebook and Twitter and email. There will be no tv, no iPod, no music. No people--except for our Executive Pastor, Sonny, who will join me on the last day so he and I can be on the same page when I come back. At least one week a year I try to get away just to be alone with God. I can't lead our church properly without a week or two like this each year where I can get away for silence and solitude. I'm headed out of town for four days of prayer, fasting, and being alone with God. I'll take clothes, my bible, and a legal pad. I'll read, I'll pray, I'll think, I'll meditate, I'll reflect, and I'll be still.

It is during times of intentional solitude like this in the past that the Lord has given me NEHBC's Glory to God vision and the heads up about Farrington Mission. I'm always refreshed and renewed as NEHBC's pastor and I return with much greater clarity about what's supposed to be going on at NEHBC.

Scripture puts it like this: Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd; the Shepherd of NEHBC. I'm merely the undershepherd who leads this particular flock out the thousands of flocks in His holdings. This is the week when I leave the flock to go and meet with Him one-on-one for a few days about our flock.

I covet your prayers for me. I want to hear His voice. I need clarity on some big issues. I need direction on some issues. Thank you in advance for praying for me.