PJ's Journal

 If you are reading this and attend the church that I pastor, then you are likely aware that I start a three month sabbatical next week.  When the elders brought up the subject and our chairman asked if I would be interested in a sabbatical, I was very humbled and relieved.  The idea of a sabbatical is a new concept for First Baptist Church and can be meet with a variety of reactions.  I know some have expressed to me that they are glad I will get some time to rest, while others don't know what to think about it.  Trust me, it is not lost on me that most people who work full time do not get this kind of extended time away from their work.  However, I wanted to communicate why a sabbatical for pastors is a healthy practice for any church.   Pastors are always on the clock:   This is not a complaint, it's just a reality, especially in today's world of technology.  I will receive phone calls, text messages, emails, and messages on social media at all times, even on my day off.

As you likely already know, this week the big news coming out of every media outlet is about the leaked opinion draft of the United States Supreme Court.  If you watch one media outlet, the focus is on the egregious breach of trust on the part of whoever leaked the draft, which is certainly unprecedented and very problematic.  If you watch other media outlets, the focus is on the audacity of the Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs Wade, making this an issue to be handled at the state level.  Of course this fires up the rhetoric used in media circles to amp up people's emotions, and of course it will try to be leveraged for political gain.  Such is the world we live in!  Since it does bring up the conversation, I want to be clear as to why I believe that the unborn should be protected and why this goes beyond a political issue into a justice issue.  So here are my thoughts. First, I am going to start with Scripture.  I believe human beings are made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27). 

 The past four months have been a tough time for our church, more so than any other time I can remember.  Our people have experienced great loss and heartache during that stretch of time, which includes at least 6 of our own FBC people who have gone on to be with the Lord.  I find my own heart aching in a way I have never experienced.  Loss is never an easy thing, but so many in such a short period of time seems a bit overwhelming.  It is in these times that our go to question is "WHY?"  We know that God is sovereign and good, yet His purposes for allowing such heartbreaking things is beyond our wisdom and capacity to fully comprehend.  We are left to give it over to God in trust.  I was lamenting close to midnight last Sunday on my way home from the hospital knowing that it was only a matter of hours before one of our brothers in Christ would leave his earthly tent to occupy his heavenly dwelling.  I called Trish on my way home to let her know I was ok and to lament a bit.