So many of us have been built up and taught with the mindset of doing everything on our own. Whether it was the environment that we were reared or life’s experiences, we tend to take the burden or the bulk and carry it around. I’ve learned and continue to learn more and more, about how to be able to stand up straight and stop causing myself back issues. The only way I can relieve myself from having back issues, is by taking the load off of my back. We, as Christians, carry loads that are not intended for us to carry because of not, truly casting that care or burden to the Lord. I learned this concept at an early age. I was married at a very young age and didn’t truly understand that I could not carry the load of everything, on my back.

I was young and just wanted to keep my family together, no matter what. Being that my parents has gotten divorced when I was about three, I placed everything, in my marriage, on me. I didn’t want to have a broken household. I kept everything inside of me, didn’t express how I felt, I just did what had to be done, for everyone. Although, I had been saved and loved the Lord, and had already accepted the call to ministry, I had reached the breaking point in my life at a young age. To make a long story short, I just had to let go, and let God. I really had to realize that I needed to submit to Him totally. Submitting to Him also included casting everything to Him and just trust Him. Carrying your burdens, as well as the burdens of others, will break you down. I had to realize that God had the situation under control and He had it under control before I even experienced it.     

It is so evident that within the body of Christ, people are dealing with so many health issues that can be directly attributed to stress or carrying their burdens. I have learned to just: back up, calm down, sit down, and let God have His way. I must trust God with and through the process. Even in serving the sheep, in order to provide effective pastoral care; the pastor has to demonstrate his/her dependency on God, to the body. Providing pastoral care is not based upon the strength of the pastor but it is based upon the power and anointing of God. In other words where the pastor is weak God is strong and mighty. The power and anointing comes only through the function of His Spirit, in order to renew, rescue, guide, and protect the sheep.   

Pastor D. Wallace

Hello,

In an effort to meet the needs of our ever changing society I need your help let me know about some topics that you would like to learn more about. This survey is completely anonymous and I want you to take some time and let me know some things that you would like me to share with you all.  Thanks

Correction is a part of everyday life. I think that we are prepared as children to receive correction from our parents no matter how we may feel. Correction, to me, is simply a part of actually training up a child in the way he/ she should go as well as, not sparing the rod. In other words, we learn as children to take correction, and we better stop crying! Thanks: Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, and all of those who helped to establish an understanding of correction in my life.  

However, I also feel that receiving correction from others is something that we will grow into appreciating. Although, as a child I didn’t like the idea of being corrected, especially as it involved the rod, I have grown into appreciating it. I appreciate the correction received from my parents, because it gave me instruction; taught me limitations and self-discipline, obedience, as well as provided me with the knowledge to know right from wrong.

The (Amplified Bible, AMP) bible says that, “For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves, And He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].” Hebrews 12:6 AMP. God, just like our parents disciplines and corrects us because of His love for wanting to see us do well. Even in my own journey of faith, I didn’t know how to accept or even take correction because I thought people were just being critical. However, I can truly say that in growing spiritually and becoming more mature as a Christian adult, I thank God for Godly correction. Godly correction is like the staff and the rod of God recorded in the 23 Psalm which states that God; protects me, corrects me and directs me with the rod and staff. As, a pastor, this resonates to me the importance of providing correction, in love, to the sheep. Sheep may not like to be corrected, but the pastor understands the importance of caring enough for the sheep to give them Godly, guidance and direction for protection.

Godly correction comes through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Godly correction in providing pastoral care should never be based, only upon what we feel is necessary to say but should be, God guided. So, I thank God for providing; direction for protection, though correction.

Pastor Desmond