What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Thursday, June 4, 2020

The Choice Is Yours UPDATED

 Anointed for Service
April 12, 1978
Ordination Service for  Rev. John F. Steiner


(Originally written 8/2011)

"And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...
But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."  Joshua 24:15



Trooper John

There once was a young man who came to a point in his life when he knew he had to make a decision.  He had a great future ahead of him as a career patrolman, albeit, a dangerous and difficult future, full of life or death decisions and actions, but a rewarding career and the fulfillment of a life-long dream (at least up until that point in his life).  He was an extremely conscientious officer, taking his position as a peace-keeper and people protector very seriously.  No crisis call was too hard for him. He was right there, "Johnny on the spot", literally, when the calls came.  He risked life and limb to get to the accident victims as quickly as possible without jeopardizing other innocent people's lives in the process.  He was a natural born patrolman, and he actually enjoyed the thrill and excitement of the chase and the sirens blaring.    But there came a day when the Trooper had to make a choice....Like a siren's call it came to him, through a series of frightening events and different signposts along the highway of his life, he realized that he was being groomed and prepared to be a different kind of peace-keeper...a peace"maker", if you will, a new type of "life-saver".  Yes, as the newspaper article below describes quite well, "He Traded His Badge for the Bible."   
(double-click on picture to enlarge to read, then
back arrow to return to blog)
  So, you may ask, "Did the road get easier or safer for travel in this new life?"  Well, not exactly.  The road to the ministry was full of dangerous potholes and detours, some which threatened the lives of our precious children and the sanctity of our home itself...the very home in which we had vowed together like Joshua, the leader of the Israelites who led them into the promised land,
"But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
There were many days in which this "trooper" for the Lord and his young family longed to turn back and "go back to Egypt", just like the Israelites did when things got tough and there was not enough meat to eat and money to pay the bills and people were reviling and ridiculing us for our choice of the "narrow way".  When our children were injured both physically by accident and even in some ways emotionally by cruel and thoughtless people we longed to scoop them up and carry them away to a place of safety and security and yes, even prosperity so they wouldn't have to suffer.  I admit it, we are human.  We felt the pain of frustration, anger, hurt, and even pride.  But for some reason, God would not let us go back.  He said,
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."   II Corinthians 12:9
I wish I could say that I was as strong in my faith as the Apostle Paul and that I could cheerfully say, "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (II Corinthians 12:10)
But there were many days that I didn't like being made stronger...I didn't want to see my children go through such difficult times because of the choices we had made...and see my husband oftentimes humiliated by people who thought they were God's ambassadors to keep him humble and poor, and yet, how could  I/we turn back? We took our calling very seriously...and the words of Jesus in Luke 9:62, which said,
"No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
Please don't misunderstand me...I am not saying that all of our thirty-some years of ministry were awful and terrible...no, quite the contrary.  There were many, many years of joy and blessing and honor and peace. They were the best years and the worst years...but they were exactly where we belonged.  Yes, God did give us the grace that was sufficient for us.  He did help us to grow stronger in the process.  He took us through some deep valleys, but also placed us on some high mountaintops.  Sometimes the road was rough and perilous, sometimes it was smooth and pleasant.  Whichever the case, I can honestly say, God was always with us. He has never left us nor forsaken us.

I go back to the book of Joshua again, this time to the first chapter and the ninth verse...and this verse became my life verse throughout those years of journeying through what seemed like the wilderness in many ways...
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."


Rev. and Mrs. John Steiner,
At our first church pastoral position
Receiving his certificate of ordination from the District Superintendent

There we were...bright eyed and "bushy tailed", and totally clueless as to the joys and trials that would come our way.

Current as of today, June 3, 2020:
Yes, we have traveled down a long road, actually now for 50+ years together as man and wife.  We are now happily retired,  but we still have servants' hearts.   The road we traveled was long and sometimes quite perilous, but  I will repeat this again, God's Word is true and He is faithful.  He IS with us, and has ALWAYS been with us, and He will NEVER, EVER leave us, wherever we may go.

As we face uncertain days ahead in this world, I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul to Timothy, "a beloved son" in the Lord, and to all of us who serve the Lord:

II Timothy 1:6-7, 12.

6.  "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

7.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

12.  For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day."

So let us all persevere together in this life we are living.  God still has work for us to do, until He returns. 

P.S. Note: I had scheduled this to publish on Thursday, June 4th, but for some reason Blogger went ahead and posted it today. Sorry about that. I don't usually post two posts in one day!! Anyone else having issues with the changes that Blogger is making? 

24 comments:

  1. This is very meaningful to me right now, cousin.

    I'm not being called to the ministry but I feel that I may be being called to "up the ante" as it were in my walk with the Lord..and I'm scared, excited and everything in between.

    Thanks for the story and the verses. They are going to make this decision that I am in the process of making be the right one.

    John

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  2. Doesn't God always seem to work in mysterious ways? Your comment has taken us completely by surprise. Thank you for taking a bold step of faith in stating your current situation. Be assured, God is with you...He will never, ever leave you or forsake you...no matter what.
    God bless you, dear cousin whom we have yet to meet. We hope to correct that soon! Love in Christ, your cousin John Steiner and Pam...

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  3. What a beautiful tribute to the Lord and your life together. I feel priviledged to have been part of your ministry at the N.L.Alliance Church and to be able to say you are a long time friend and sister in the Lord. May God bless and use His Word as you continue to blog and tell your story.

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  4. Dear Sheri, Thank you for those kind words. I can honestly say that our days at New London were part of the "best of days" for us. You and Toby and family were a big part of that time of blessing for us. Praying for you still today. May God continue to bring you strength and healing each day. Your sister in Christ, Pam.

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  5. Pam, I am so glad the Lord has allowed our paths to cross in this medium of blogging! Thank you for sharing your heart here...what a treasure to find this precious testimony today. God's ways are not our ways (and aren't we glad about that!), but when our hearts are submitted to His will He promises to make our crooked paths straight. It will be exciting to watch, wait, and pray with you about how He might direct you next. Our daughter and son-in-law were missionaries in Mexico City for 12 years before they were given clear direction from the Lord to not return due to some health issues. That was 8 years ago next month and it was one of the hardest things they had to submit to because a part of them will always be forever in Mexico City. However it doesn't mean that God does not continue to use them...just as I know He continues to use you and your husband. Godspeed to you, my new friend!

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    1. Thank you for your words of encouragement here tonight. And especially pray about our "future"...we are asking the Lord to guide our steps as He desires. And if He chooses not to lead us in that way, we will trust Him no matter what. I will pray for your daughter and son in law as well as the Lord leads them.
      Yes, this blogging thing is a true blessing from the Lord. So many wonderful people here, like you!
      Thank you again for being my new friend as well!!!

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  6. You hubby sounds like a beautiful man, whether serving as a police officer or as a minister. Being a church member for many decades I have seen glimpses of how brutal ministry can be. Our current much loved minister is moving to a new job, to a position where he ministers to ministers with a group that came along side him when he needed it. I love the words of Paul and how he calls us to joy. How wonderful you are enjoying 50 years together.

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    1. Thank you, Terra. Oh, how wonderful for your Pastor to be going to a place where he can "minister to ministers". That has always been a dream of ours to do a ministry to pastors and their wives, because we know how difficult that life can be. I know you will miss your pastor, but believe me, what he will be doing is a much needed ministry. Please extend our thanks and blessings to him.

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  7. What an amazing tribute to your wonderful husband, Pamela! Thank you for sharing all your ups and downs with us, and assuring that God was walking with you through it all.
    Blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Martha. I had intended for this post to actually go "live" tomorrow, but I guess I clicked the wrong date! LOL. So it must have been meant for today. Thank you for being a frequent guest here. You are the kind of friend that we all need to have. God bless you.

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  8. Thank you for sharing your story Pam! Thank your for sticking with God (as He stuck with you) through it all! I believe it is so worth it! I know that God has always been with us too.

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    1. Yes, you know exactly what I am talking about in this message, as you are living it with your hubby. May the Lord always protect you and keep you strong in the days of trial and many challenges that you face in serving the Lord. Thank you for the work that you continue to do for His Kingdom!

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  9. Thank you John and Pam for your obedience to the call and for the sacrifices you made.

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    1. Thank you, Carolyn. If this is the Carolyn I know from one of our past churches, thank YOU for always being supportive and a true friend. God bless you always, and may He keep you always in His loving care. Love you.

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  10. What a beautiful testimony. I admire people like you and your husband who answer the call of God and are faithful through thick and through thin. Whether you realize it at the time or not, your trials and victories through Christ give much inspiration to others. God bless you both. Hugs and love. xx

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    1. Thank you, "Joyful". There were times that we may not have been as faithful as we should have been...we had times of doubt and even giving in to temptations, but God somehow saw through all of that and lifted us up out of the miry clay and kept us going. For that especially we are most grateful to our loving and forgiving God.

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  11. This was a Blessing to read!

    "God still has work for us to do..."

    They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green- Psalm 92:14


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    1. Ha Ha, I like that quote..."they are ever full of sap and green..." Love it! That would be us! Ha Ha. God bless you my friend.

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  12. I am glad you shared this. I would love to go back in your archives, but time is just not on my side right now. It was good to read your story to ministry. We are very close friends with our pastor. I do know it is not the easiest life, but I am grateful for them.

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    1. I know you have your hands full right now, and I feel honored and blessed that you had time to stop by at all! Thank you. God bless you and keep you strong for the days ahead.

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  13. A very nice tribute to your husband. I must have overlooked the original post. I did not realize that your husband had been a state trooper. Peace and blessings.

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    1. Thank you. He was a State Trooper for a little while, but thankfully God called him into the ministry. Both can be "dangerous jobs", but I am thankful for the choice we made. Especially today in the way police officers of all kinds are treated.

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  14. Beautiful post, Pam! I am reading past posts in backwards order because it's been a busy week here and my blog-reading has had to take a back seat, so to speak. I loved reading this, some of which you have shared with me personally, face-to-face. It is so good to hear the stories of our Christian family so we get a healthy perspective on the ups and downs of our lives.

    By the way, you and John look so nice all dressed up in your Sunday finery!!

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  15. Pam, Thank you for sharing your ministry journey. There are so many twists and turns along the path that God lays out for us. I know you were a blessing in full-time ministry and continue to be a blessing in retirement.

    Love and blessings!

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Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.