Tired

I’ve been nursing a cold for a couple of weeks now, and I’m not used to being sick. At times, I get these coughing attacks it sounds like I’m going to keel over right then and there. Two weeks ago I even had a fever, and felt quite miserable for a day. I think I’m worn out. I haven’t been running this winter, due to the weather and the book writing, and it has taken a toll.

It’s so much easier to lose your health than to gain it. At this stage of my life, if I don’t run or exercise regularly, the loss of strength and stamina is quick and easy. I guess I’m just plain tired.

Writing on a red-eye flight from California to Atlanta adds to the realism of it all. And last night, I arrived at my destination at 3:30 a.m. This was a 42-hr trip to California and back to meet with a number of conference presidents regarding NET 11.

There are times like these when you appreciate the Sabbath in a more existential way. Getting a full-night’s sleep, rising to simply read/study the Word at your leisure, with no pressure to present or do anything major. Tomorrow, Dwight Nelson will interview me about the upcoming Astonishing Discoveries in the Land of the Bible archaeology program Michael Hasel and I will be doing in March (this is not the uplink from Nashville, that will take place in September). Thousands of handbills should have arrived yesterday for members to use to invite friends and neighbors. But that is small fare and no real pressure.

My next urgent writing project is the manual for NET 11. There are only a few days left to get that done. Yesterday, I spent some time with Tim Standish, from the GSI, who will be my presenting partner for The Greatest Show on Earth: Making Sense of the Creation-Evolution Debate. We have a lot to do to produce that as well.

Church leaders frequently ask me these days if I feel my workload has eased some, since I no longer carry the division’s ministerial responsibility. Well, I smile and say, “It will…someday; maybe after NET 11 is accomplished.” But my wife smiles, thinking, “he’ll come up with another project by then.” Perhaps. But I’m less eager today to change the world and more determined that God would do that. And that is a good thing. And I won’t be so tired any more.

So, here is the list to keep before the Lord:

1.      The Manual—This will go to all the churches who sign up for NET 11 (220 as of last Tuesday)

2.      The Book Publishing—So the right book cover may be chosen, and all the editing completed in time to meet publication schedules

3.      The Pastors Hoping to Be Part of NET 11—A number of them have expressed interest in being a part of it but their churches have not signed up yet. They need to do that so they can receive the materials needed for a good year of outreach

4.      The Archaeology Program Development—Time is quickly passing and we need to have all the PPT slides redone and updated for our March 11-12 PMC weekend. Pray for the developer and his team

5.      The Funds—We are still a long ways away from raising all we need to meet the demands of the budget. Pray the Lord will lead us to good-hearted people that will give to evangelism

And keep our three children in your prayers. That would be really nice. Thanks from my heart.

“Do not grow weary in doing good.”

2 Thess 3:13

“Come unto Me, you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28, 29