Are We Moving Forward

The above question is one that all of us should ask as we travel down the road of life. Living life and getting older, does not constitute moving forward.

Moving forward is growing in God. As we grow older the tendency is to stay still in the patterns of life.

How can I set my focus toward growing? What does it mean to grow? How do we define all of this? How can we help one another grow?

All of these questions we need to be asking ourselves? It is possible that in the blogs to come, we will take each one and answer it. For now, it is enough to ask them.

Dr. Bill

The Move

In the past month we have moved from an apartment into a house. The larger digs are a blessing, but, there are some things that became apparent as we moved. Because they have spiritual parallels, I want to write some comments on it.

1. Moving takes much preparation. - If we are speaking of the spiritual reality, it is the same. Many want to move on in God without the preparation.
   
2. When one is getting ready to move, it is important that there be a certain amount of sorting of things. Some things are to be thrown away, because they are no longer necessary. They were good for the time we were living in the place we are moving from, but will not be an asset to the place we are moving to.
3. One of the hardest things to do is to leave behind that which has been an asset or something we are emotionally attached to for some reason or other. If we are going to go forward in God, there are some things that we cannot use in the new place God is taking us. Israel was attached to the old way of being led, but, when they crossed the Jordan, into the new land or place of abode, the cloud did not come with them, it dissipated and was no longer seen
   
4. Then there is the disruption to all the "traditional ways of functioning" that belong to the old. Some of those things will never be reinstated in the new place. Schedules change, environment changes, atmosphere changes. All of these have spiritual parallels.
   

These are but a few of the things that can and do happen when there is a move. Many are crying out for a move of God, but are unwilling to prepare in any of the ways described above. Is it possible that they might miss what God will do, because they have not laid aside the weights of the last move in order to prepare for this one.

Dr. Bill

Flowing with Time

Dear Friends:

It is hard to believe it has been two months since the last blog entry. We have been busy with a number of things, including gathering together all the information concerning my new appointment to the presidency of ISCL(The Institute for Strategic Christian Leadership).

We have traveled some in ministry, although December and January are usually not good months for traveling ministry, God was good to us. He has kept us here by a continuous miracle every month. Some months it has been extremely tight, but He has been faithful to manifest that He wants us here in Georgia and in this specific location.

As many of you know Georgia winters are much different than northern NY. It has been a blessing to us to not have to wrestle with snow here. One of the amusing things is that all of my ministry trips so far, have been into snow country and it seems it will be that way for a while.

As we settle into the new position, God is being faithful to help us with wisdom concerning how to function. Thank God for men and women who are not adverse to giving advice and wisdom when asked. I owe much of my "doing things right" to these men and women.

There is also a close fellowship with some ministry here that is such a blessing to us. It has been a long time since such sweet fellowship has been ours, and God has put us in a small church with pastors with missionary hearts. What a blessing.

Well I just wanted to catch you up on where we were at. I will get back to substance writing in my next blog entry.

Dr. Bill

Installation Song

Song sung at the installation of Dr. Wm. J. Hurst, upon his installation as President of The Institute for Strategic Christian Leadership, ISCL, by Rev. Eleanore Hurst

Installation Speech

Changing Lanes

Here we are again. Up until now, we have taught on this blog on the soul and spirit of man. Today I just want to just want to share what is going on in my soul.

Last Sat. I was installed as the president of a small association of schools and colleges. Although I have taught school, helped set up a school, and set up my own school, to come into an association that is already functioning is a new experience for me. To function within your own vision that you feel God has given you, and to pick up on another's vision, are two totally different matters.

As I take most of this month to get the reins in hand it is important that I catch the spirit of what this organization,(The Institute for Strategic Christian Leadership)[ISCL] is meant to do in the Body of Christ. Courses I have written, school functionings I have done, but to lead in this capacity requires skills only the Holy Spirit can teach me. It is with this in mind that I approach this new position.

I am convinced that to be in this position is God's hand on me. Therefore, after I have taken time to assimilate the vision of former leaders, consulted with those who have gone before me in this position, I will proceed to gather together what is placed in my hand and move forward. Just how that will look at this moment is not clear, but there is already a moving forward and doors opening up.

It would seem that roots are to be put down here in Atlanta, GA. With that in mind we are setting our hearts to be here for at least 5 years or more.

If any of you know of small schools who are struggling and might need some help or counsel, please let them know of ISCL. The web site is iscl.org .

Well I will sign off for now, but more will be forthcoming.

DR. Bill