Pastor Pusch

Lord, I am an open book in your sight and yet I try to hide from you as though you could never find me; as if I had privacy while consumed in your presence. When I consider the reality that you truly see all and know all, it’s humiliating, and places me in a most vulnerable position. In your presence, Lord, I am undone and yet you love me and fill me full of your grace and mercy. Lord, you are my only ray of hope in this world. Help me to live and grow in your grace that sustains. You are all I need.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me; and lead me in the way of every lasting” ps 139:23-24.

Overwhelmed.

First let me say thanks for the overwhelming response to my previous post (through comments, email, phone, text, etc.). I appreciate the discussion. The thought behind my last post was the question, how can we help guard each other as we walk this life’s journey?

As I read through the comments, I was pleased to see so many of you speaking the same language and sharing very similar thoughts. When it comes to my original question, where do men need help, my friend, Jonathan Yandell, answered it best when by asking, “where don’t men need help?” I am sure you get his point. The truth is, he’s right. Men need help. Not because they are pigs or disgusting freaks looking for a thrill and/or excitement. While those types do exist, it is the good guys who need the help. Why the good guys? The answer is simple. It’s the good guys who present the largest target for our adversary. First Peter describes our adversary as one who is seeking to devour those who are committed to following Christ. I believe that as we continue to pursue a closer relationship with God, the adversarial target increases in size.

Accountability and discipleship seem to be the common thread found in the comments to the previous post. I agree, but why is it so difficult, especially among men? There are two reasons, both of which were alluded to by others. 1. Men are not as open. Perhaps I am speaking for me personally, but I find it difficult at times to share with other men about issues I face in this journey. Men seem to be more closed to the idea of having accountability partners, while at the same time, would jump at the chance to talk to someone else about their struggles. This leads to the second reason. 2. The Trust Factor. My friend Derrick mentioned that we need “straight talk” among men or “transparency”  as others put it. The idea is great, but transparency can be dangerous. I think men would be more open to one another if they felt that bond of trust. And it’s not always a matter of trusting another person, but rather trusting a system of accountability that leaves men to feel most vulnerable, which is a very uneasy feeling.

Well… what does the Bible say about being accountable to one another? What does it say concerning the areas to discipleship and mentoring. I think Jonathan and Dave nailed it. We need “inter-generational fellowship” among men. There is a lot we can learn from those men who have been where we are. There needs to be more “Titus Training” taking place in our circles. While Paul urged young Timothy to be an example among the elders who were apparently looking down upon him because he was young, Paul also “instituted” the Titus Training – let the older men teach the younger. All of us need mentoring, young or old; well knowledge or not so much (like me). I like what Tommy said in his comment, “the best mentors are the ones who themselves are being mentored.”

We are all apart of the same family and because of that, we need to be more responsible to each other. Let’s help guard and protect one another.

Dickens wrote, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times… it was the season of Light, it was the season of darkness… it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…”

It seems that over the last year my family has experienced both sides of the emotional, mental, and physical spectrum that Dickens penned in the opening line of his classic title  A Tale of Two Cities. However, to bring the last 12 months to summation, I would have to say, we experienced the greatest of times showered only by the grace of God.

June 2009 proved to be a trying time in our family as we had to take our daughter Jovie in for surgery to repair her cleft palate. While Jovie was clueless to the situation, Rena and I were charting new and unexpected territory. This was perhaps the most difficult process to endure. We had complete confidence in Jovie’e care, but it was still my little baby girl who had to suffer. I cannot even begin to tell you how much joy and happiness Jovie Madelyn has brought to our home. We released Jovie into the arms of the surgeon with indescribable feelings swinging back and forth between hope and despair. Today, Jovie is doing extremely well and has not experienced any further problems. Grace.

July 2009 we learned that Jovie was going to be a big sister. Overall we were excited about receiving another gift of God, but it would be a complete lie if I told you that we did not experience feelings of another kind as we wondered whether or not we were ready for child number 2 after all we have experienced with number 1. Today, we are within 6 weeks of delivery, and words would fail to describe the great anticipation we feel as we wait for the arrival of Jovie’s little sister. Grace.

September 2009 taught us unforgettable lessons. Two seizures landed me in the hospital for a series of tests that brought forth darkening results. After reviewing the results, doctors wasted no time scheduling surgery. After surgery, recovery was a challenge. From anxiety to full mental breakdown, I experienced everything in between. Thankfully I have been taken off the medications that caused such instability. The pathology reports all came back the same week of surgery. Today, all is well. What was thought to be a low grade brain tumor with malignant activity is no longer. I am taking 1 medication with little to no side effects (for only 6 more months) and to this day all of my scans have come back clean and clear. A miracle for sure. Grace.

It is not like we have not seen God’s hand at work in our lives before, it just 2009 has been a year like none other. Words fail to describe how grateful we are as a family. God continues to mold us and shape us. He has given us new perspective and we enter 2010 with great anticipation thankful for all that He has done and will continue to do. While 2009 brought with it great trials and heartache, I can say for me, it was indeed the “best of times.” Grace.

“And the God of all grace…will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” I Peter 5:10-11

Blessings,
PastorPusch