Reflections on 30 years as a pastor Second Corinthians chapter 5 14 For Christs love compels us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting peoples sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christs ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, Come back to God! 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (NLT) Life Verse 1st Corinthians 15 v 58, Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain. (ESV) So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (NLT) Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. (NIV) My life as a pastor has been very diverse. My life as a pastor has been scary. Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgement that something else is more important than ones fear. (Ambrose Redmoon) My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cors 12 v 9, NIV) My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak. (GNB) My life as a pastor has been very diverse. My life as a pastor has been scary. My life as a pastor has had disappointments. In my life as a pastor I have failed at times. The UGO2 principle Jesus said in Matt chapter 5 v23 So if you are presenting a sacrifice/gift at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. In Matthew 18 v15, Jesus says, If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. My life as a pastor has been very diverse. My life as a pastor has been scary. My life as a pastor has had disappointments. In my life as a pastor I have failed at times. My life as a pastor has been joy-filled. My life as a pastor has been very diverse. My life as a pastor has been scary. My life as a pastor has had disappointments. In my life as a pastor I have failed at times. My life as a pastor has been joy-filled. My life as a pastor has been greatly blessed! Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul. My life, my all!