A New Mission And A New Blog

I've made a major decision over the last year.  I'm almost to retirement.  My long-time friends and co-workers are dropping out rapidly--skipping off to that often dreamed of land of retirement they've worked so hard to get to.  I've thought about that a lot as well--it's what gets us through some of those rough patches in our careers, knowing that eventually, if we work hard there's a time coming when we'll be able to relax and enjoy "the good life."

Much to my own amazement, I've decided over the last year or so that's not what I want to do.  Instead of retiring, I'm going to start a brand new chapter.  I've decided to dedicate my remaining years to God's mission here on Earth.

It's something I've considered at various points in my life since I became a Christian thirty-five years ago.  Each time in the past, I realized at some point that I was pursuing the idea for the wrong reasons.  This time is very different--I feel as if the decision has already been made, and instead of trying to find reasons why I should do it, I've been scrambling over the last year to find excuses why I shouldn't do it--or more accurately, why I couldn't do it.  And all the excuses I've found so far have been pretty poor.

So to my friends, enjoy your retirement!  You've earned it, but it's not for me--at least not quite yet.  I started my seminary classes at the Urbana Theological Seminary and have begun a program that provides additional ministerial training and support through the American Baptist Churches.  If all goes well, I'll have all the necessary education, training, and experience necessary to begin this new mission by the time I retire from my professional career.  I have no idea what form my ministry will take.  It may be a writing ministry, or a music ministry.  It could even be a missionary ministry.  I may even pastor a church one day--that program through the American Baptist Church will prepare me for that possibility.  In the end, I know that God will show me what He wants me to do when I get there.

What I intend to do with this blog is share good news.  All we see in the media is bad news, and it tends to paint an unrealistic picture of the world we live in.  There is tragedy in this world we live in, but there is a lot of good also if you look for it.  I plan to post weekly, at one minute past midnight Sunday mornings. Short pieces that I hope give you something you can use--it may be an original piece, or an inspiring link, quote, some music, or a story of hope and faith. It will be waiting for you when you wake up on Sunday mornings.

That's the simple idea behind this blog. I hope you enjoy it!

~Todd E. Creason