Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)
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When I returned
from Montana after a week with somebody who actually sells books that he's
written, I was overwhelmed by the renovations to my study; transforming it from
a cluttered mess of odds and ends that I'd created to a place
extraordinarily conducive to prayer, study, and counsel.
Though I did not
ask for the renovations and did not consult about the renovations though asked,
I trusted our Project Team when they insisted on the changes; and my trust was
rewarded with a place so much better than I could have ever designed or
dreamed.
I am humbled by
their care for me.
Of course, change
can be tough; especially for someone like me with roots in the Teutonic forests
of Germany.
I had to box
everything before I left - being instructed to clean out my desk was unnerving if you know what I mean - and
unbox everything when I got back.
During the
unboxing providential part, I found my old Willie Nelson disk, plugged it into
the truck's player, and remembered how listening to him has always been more
relaxing than Jim, Jimi, Jimmy, et.al.
He always has a
way of guiding us to what's best for us when we trust Him and His.
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Providentially
speaking, how I got around to writing/talking about sabbaticals comes to mind
(go to the 10/9/11 edition of KD).
It started a few
days before hitting Route 90.
The other pastor
in our family of faith came into my study and asked, "Have you ever taken
a sabbatical? You've been here over 7 years and I was wondering if you're
going to take a sabbatical. Aren't you supposed to take a sabbatical
every 7 years?"
I said, "No,
I've never taken a sabbatical for two reasons: (1) I had too much energy and
thought I already knew too much when I was younger and serving churches that
actually took care of their pastors with stuff like sabbaticals, PAM, and...; and
(2) I realize that I could probably use one now but it ain't gonna happen
'cause, well, uh, you know..."
He nodded
knowingly.
I started to
think/pray about it.
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Within the first
few hours of meeting with the really famous guy in Montana, he recalled talking
to someone: "I really need a sabbatical. Would you fund it?"
The man was
wealthy.
The man knew he
was blessed to bless.
So ___ went on a
sabbatical.
I started to
think/pray about it a little more.
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A few days after
getting back, I got an e-mail from my predecessor who is also a dear friend:
"Hi! I have been enjoying your 'epistles.' It sounds like you
had an awesome experience in Montana and came back to a 'transformed'
office."
He got to the
point: "The purpose of this note is in regards to your thoughts about
sabbaticals...Since that was something I was never able to make happen,...I
thought I would find out what you had in mind in terms of length of time and
when...This would enable me to first pray about it with you and possibly offer
a suggestion."
O.K., Yahweh, hit
me over the head with your providence!
Jeremy, ___, and
Bill.
Even someone as
thick as moi can figure it/Him out on this one.
I really started
to think/pray about it.
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Parenthetically,
the other pastor in our family of faith has been around a year longer; so I
told him a few days ago to come up with an idea and financial plan for his
sabbatical.
I'm going to
present it to our session/elders/deacons asap.
I'm going to ask
'em for $ and make a direct appeal to the congregation.
I can't go on
mine unless he's going first.
Conscience.
As pour moi, I'm taking
my new friend's/mentor's approach: "It cost the church nothing."
I'm trusting that
He used Jeremy, ___, and Bill to convince me; which means He will provide the
means.
Come to think of
it, maybe you are...
Trust.
@#$%
I'll be sending
my idea and financial plan to Bill before next week is out.
You won't read
about that on this site; but if you'd like to know more about it or maybe...,
I'll copy to you what I'll be sending to Bill if you ask. You can
forward, delete, or...
It's...awesome.
Seriously.
Awesome.
Trust.
@#$%
I've got about 15
years left in Belvidere; unless, uh, my desk is cleaned out because I'm
assassinated or something.
Never know.
I know I'm more excited
about praying, preaching, and caring than ever...
I know I'm more
positively anticipatory about what He will...
I know the idea
for the sabbatical fits right into...
I know His
providence has just hit me over my stubborn Teutonically DNA'ed head to...
I know it's all
because of a deepening trust in Him, His, and...
So I'm not
worried at all about someone coughing up the...
Trust.
He always has a
way of guiding us to what's best for us when we trust Him and His.
Trust.
I trust you know
this is just a reminder for you as well as...
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Blessings and Love!
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