Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.
--Sir Alfred Lord Tennyson
As I prepare for our final month at Elk Creek I am reminded how grateful I am that in this life we have hope that we shall all see one another again.
God has been using people all around me to prepare me for this next phase of ministry without my even knowing he was doing it. God is so smart! :}
He used my time at McCall Fire and EMS to expose me to all kinds of trauma and to teach me how to do a CISD while being impacted by being part of what occurred.
He taught me how to relate to real people by allowing me to coach football as well as be a carpenter for Gutowski construction.
He taught me dependance upon him through many trials of pastoring authentic people these last 11 years as well as the dissolution of my marriage.
He taught me faith through friends...
He taught me forgiveness through those who love me most....
So many lessons....I feel like I am just now ready to start my spiritual journey and to lead well here.....and yet God has seen fit to lead me onward.....
What a journey....what a time....
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Watching
What a great honor to get to swear in my son Cody Benjamin into active duty airforce. It was interesting to see the fire in his eyes and the passion as he stood before me a young man embarking on the start of his adult journey. I experienced feelings of great joy, pride, sadness, regret and hope. As he led his team into the airport for their flight, I could envision his future rolling out before him and it is a good one.
As for me and my journey, I would say the word conflicted doesnt even begin to explain all the emotions I have been feeling these past several months since anouncing my resignation and moving towards a ministry in the ARMY. How does one say goodbye to such fine people who have become like family to me? How does one move on into the next phase of life when you leave part of your heart behind?
I have seen God do so many things here at ECBC over the last 11 years that have been truly amazing and that I will never forget.
They say the heart is like a treasure chest thats filled with souvenirs, its there we keep the memories that we gather through the years.....my treasure chest is full!
May the Lord make his face to shine upon us
As for me and my journey, I would say the word conflicted doesnt even begin to explain all the emotions I have been feeling these past several months since anouncing my resignation and moving towards a ministry in the ARMY. How does one say goodbye to such fine people who have become like family to me? How does one move on into the next phase of life when you leave part of your heart behind?
I have seen God do so many things here at ECBC over the last 11 years that have been truly amazing and that I will never forget.
They say the heart is like a treasure chest thats filled with souvenirs, its there we keep the memories that we gather through the years.....my treasure chest is full!
May the Lord make his face to shine upon us
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The Adventure Begins
Greetings one and all and welcome to my new blog!
It is my desire to journal my new adventure each step of the journey. If you want to come along feel free, if you want to comment feel free....it is simply a tool for me to express my thoughts as I experience all the new things that the Lord has for me on this journey. The views expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect the US ARMY (LOL)
The beginning of this journey started 18 months ago when Rita and I were on Sabbatical in Denver, Colorado. While visiting Denver Seminary there was a letter from a retired Col, who had been a chaplain stating the immediate need for more chaplains in the USARMY. I remember signing a sheet for more information, and as soon as I returned home I received a call from him explaining all about the program. As Rita and I prayed about it, we decided to see if it would be an open door to become a reservist and continue to pastor Elk Creek. Little did I know that God had other plans than just part time.
It has been quite a journey the last 18 months to say the least and I owe a lot of my dear friends a great thanks as well as great apologies. As I wrestled with this life changing decision, at times I retreated inward seeking solace from the Lord. Which causes great distress among my close personal friends as they had to watch my turmoil without really knowing what to do! A big shout out to you all and you know who you are! I have known for a couple of years that Rita was ready to begin a new and separate journey, but I was certainly reluctant at first trying to stop the inevitable, alas I am afraid I could not. Now 18 months later, I have resigned as senior pastor of Elk Creek, am divorced and have accepted a commission as a 2LT in the US Army Reserves.
I will be drilling this Friday night and Saturday with the 321st Engineer Battalion out of Gowen, which should be very interesting for me. I am told we will be out in the field and seeing as how it is still winter in my world I am looking forward to the chance to hang out in the desert out of the snow for a couple of day. 38 degrees never looked so inviting!
It is my desire to post thoughts, and experiences in hopes that friends and family can follow, not to mention any other senior pastors who decide to do this in their 40's (can you say insane?) who might be able to benefit from my mistakes...err experience I mean.
This month represents so many changes for our family I appreciate all of your prayers. Benjamin leaves Tuesday for the Air Force and Ty and Ralene are going back to Chicago for the next 4 years. I am staying in McCall pastoring until Feb 28th which is my last Sunday, then I am off to Grand Junction Colorado and wherever the Lord leads perhaps I will just head down to the keys and get lost for a while, who knows, after that I attend CHBOLC in Jan next year.
May our Great God grant us peace..
2LT Bates
It is my desire to journal my new adventure each step of the journey. If you want to come along feel free, if you want to comment feel free....it is simply a tool for me to express my thoughts as I experience all the new things that the Lord has for me on this journey. The views expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect the US ARMY (LOL)
The beginning of this journey started 18 months ago when Rita and I were on Sabbatical in Denver, Colorado. While visiting Denver Seminary there was a letter from a retired Col, who had been a chaplain stating the immediate need for more chaplains in the USARMY. I remember signing a sheet for more information, and as soon as I returned home I received a call from him explaining all about the program. As Rita and I prayed about it, we decided to see if it would be an open door to become a reservist and continue to pastor Elk Creek. Little did I know that God had other plans than just part time.
It has been quite a journey the last 18 months to say the least and I owe a lot of my dear friends a great thanks as well as great apologies. As I wrestled with this life changing decision, at times I retreated inward seeking solace from the Lord. Which causes great distress among my close personal friends as they had to watch my turmoil without really knowing what to do! A big shout out to you all and you know who you are! I have known for a couple of years that Rita was ready to begin a new and separate journey, but I was certainly reluctant at first trying to stop the inevitable, alas I am afraid I could not. Now 18 months later, I have resigned as senior pastor of Elk Creek, am divorced and have accepted a commission as a 2LT in the US Army Reserves.
I will be drilling this Friday night and Saturday with the 321st Engineer Battalion out of Gowen, which should be very interesting for me. I am told we will be out in the field and seeing as how it is still winter in my world I am looking forward to the chance to hang out in the desert out of the snow for a couple of day. 38 degrees never looked so inviting!
It is my desire to post thoughts, and experiences in hopes that friends and family can follow, not to mention any other senior pastors who decide to do this in their 40's (can you say insane?) who might be able to benefit from my mistakes...err experience I mean.
This month represents so many changes for our family I appreciate all of your prayers. Benjamin leaves Tuesday for the Air Force and Ty and Ralene are going back to Chicago for the next 4 years. I am staying in McCall pastoring until Feb 28th which is my last Sunday, then I am off to Grand Junction Colorado and wherever the Lord leads perhaps I will just head down to the keys and get lost for a while, who knows, after that I attend CHBOLC in Jan next year.
May our Great God grant us peace..
2LT Bates
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