What do the titles of my blog and those in its address signify?

I would love to say that I put a lot of deep thought and prayer into these, however, I did not. Some time ago I secured a gmail account so that I could comment easily on a daughter's blog. At that time I also set up a blog. Much time passed before I started this blog, in the meanwhile I confess that I had forgotten the name of the blog and the address. I had to search to find it.

However, after reflection, I have with satisfaction accepted theses titles.

Growing.

As a believer I inspire to never stop growing. As a pastor I should never stop growing. As a student of the Word I would never stop growing. In 2 years or 10 years or 30 years I ought, by God's grace, to be more godly, have a better understanding of the Gospel and God's word, and have greater skill and wisdom in applying it to my own life as well as to the lives of others.

Others whom I minister the Word to/with, again by God's grace, will be growing in their likeness of Christ.

If the above is true than the church ought to be growing. This is not an assumption of numerical growth, while with God's blessing this might take place. A more important aspect of church growth would be that the whole would be united in faith, knowledge and service of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord, may this be so.

The website address: http://sonlight-dad.blogspot.com/ is a combination of a couple of titles.

First I am a father, and so 'dad'. As mentioned above, I acquired this account particularly to comment on my daughter's blog, so titled myself 'dad'. However, now that I will be having millions, if not billions, of people reading this – soon. I have dropped 'dad' as my signature and adopted my name: “Al”. This should eliminate some confusion.

Secondly, the term 'Sonlight' is from my business name: Sonlight Creations. My wife and I took this name for a couple of reasons. First, we live in Washington County, Maine. One of the first places in the continental USA to receive the light of the sun each day. We do our work in the day, well, sometimes late into the night, but the day is for working. We rejoice in the time to work that God has given us, and the provisions for life that come from the sun.

However, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the light of the world, and is our light. His light is far greater than that of the light coming from the sun. We would live in the light he provides in His Word, the Bible. So over the years, with a great deal of imperfection on our part, we have set our hearts on building our lives, our marriage, family, and our business upon his Word, i.e. to walk in his light, and thus give glory to him.

I would like to comment on two aspects of glorifying God. As the light of the sun gives life to the world so the light of the Son is what gives life to his Kingdom. Therefore, the first aspect is in receiving and growing due to the 'energy' Christ's light supplies. The second aspect is simply acknowledging that all of our lives, everything that we do, is done through the strength and blessings that He supplies. If I show love for my wife, it is because of and through Him. If I turn a useful and beautiful bowl he must be praised. If I open the Scriptures so that others may be fed, to him be the glory. If I am alive today it because he holds my life together.

ESV Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
ESV Revelation 21:23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.
24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,

God is calling me.

How does one know that God has called them to serve as pastor/teacher of a certain church?

As this is not an exhaustive study of the topic I will seek to answer this from my own experience. A subjective response, if you would.

Upon hearing of the Princeton Church’s need for a pastor my first response was that I was doing well with my woodturning and that I did not wish to make a change at this point in my life. Each year the income and skill level has been growing, this year would be a good year, Lord willing! I enjoy turning, as well as, to some extent, the selling process. Yet, I believe that over the years God has shown that I have a gift of teaching, and I do meet the standards of godliness put forth in 1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1. An awareness of this opening in Princeton was always present with me. Further, our Tuesday evening Bible study group was just finishing the book of Judges at the time. An additional nagging thought was: would I be cowardly or hesitant in respects to stepping forward as some of the judges had been? I determined that I would not be like that, and therefore I gave the deacons at Princeton Baptist a letter asking to be considered for this position.

The Lord has graciously allowed me to have joy and peace in my heart regardless of the prospective outcome of this step. If the Lord closed this door I would take this as His will, likewise, if He opened this door for me that too would be an indication of His will. Thus I was able to approach the messages and interviews with a freedom to teach and speak what I believed. I was not doing this to please man.

Two aspects of ministry have pulled at my soul. Seemingly these are opposites, yet I think a case may be made that these two elements complement each other in the service of the Lord. First, I have never felt so unworthy and unqualified to look after the souls of others and to teach the Word of God. At times the urge to run away from the responsibilities of this service has been strong. Countering this has been the knowledge that I am most likely in the position of being the most qualified I have ever been for this task. I have, by God’s grace, a wisdom, strength and knowledge of the Word and the task of ministering that I did not have in the past. There is in my heart a sense of the man that God has been making. I don’t think this is arrogance, but is simply taking an honest look at the work of God in a person, in this case, in me. (Rom. 12:3) As this is God’s work, my understanding of my inadequacies are good and proper. May this remain until I die! Yet this is God’s work, and therefore I must press on with fear and trembling for it is God who is at work both in the willing and in the doing. (Phil. 2:12,13)

Lastly, I have had over the years people who have thought I was total off base and that I should not be in a position to teach – period. However, I have also had people who prayed with thanksgiving for God’s continued blessing upon my teaching ministries. I have not counted to see which side would have the most votes. Paul was faced with such issues from time to time. His response: ^ESV 1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. ³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. ⁴ I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

It is the Lord who judges me.

My prayer: Lord, may I be a faithful servant of yours.

On February 9th, 2008, the Princeton Baptist Church in Princeton, Maine voted to call me as their pastor. I have official accepted. This will be my story. Or, to say it in a better way, this will be an account of the work of God in a man in a small town in Eastern Maine.

I will assume the position May 1. After school is over in June I, along with my wife, Bobbi, our daughter, Lydia and my mother-in-law, Shirley, will be moving to Princeton.

My grand plan for this blog is to post something at least once a week that relates to my growth as a believer, as pastor and of this church in such a way that God might be glorified and his people edified.