Phil had been a pastor...
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Phil had been a pastor at the same church for 32 years. He was well liked and respected
in the community and in his church. He was the "elder statesman" among the clergy in
his small city. He recently spoke to the ministerial fellowship to an ecumenical group of
pastors. Following his talk, there was a time for questions.
A young pastor asked Phil, "How do you keep fresh and loving with the same group of people year after year?"
Phil answered, "I take my cue from Jesus. Time and again, Jesus told his disciples, that they needed time away from the people to get some rest and to be alone with God. As long as I am faithful to do that on a regular basis, I can keep on going. When I disregard this practice, I find myself mired in ill feelings, resentment, and temptation."
"One further thing ..." Phil added, "don't ever say that you're too busy to take this time. You're too busy not to take this time."
A young pastor asked Phil, "How do you keep fresh and loving with the same group of people year after year?"
Phil answered, "I take my cue from Jesus. Time and again, Jesus told his disciples, that they needed time away from the people to get some rest and to be alone with God. As long as I am faithful to do that on a regular basis, I can keep on going. When I disregard this practice, I find myself mired in ill feelings, resentment, and temptation."
"One further thing ..." Phil added, "don't ever say that you're too busy to take this time. You're too busy not to take this time."
