Second chances don't always come around. We often pray we have an opportunity to 'right' a wrong, but sometimes that opportunity never materializes. What will you do if your opportunity comes around again?!

My family and I recently relocated to Germany. Within a short time we were able to find a church home. As we visited one church, I was preparing to go down the list of churches until we find the one God wanted us to attend. Last Saturday we received a call from a friend from the United States. We were preparing to attend another church the following day when she told us to look up a specific person (that will remain nameless). When I heard his name, I felt a quickening of excitement within my spirit. I quickly went to the Internet to see if he had a website and before I could search the site, the Lord was telling me that this was going to be our church.

The next morning we attended the church and there were many familiar things. Throughout the service, I felt a sense of peace (and spirit of fellowship) as I had at another church I attended in Japan. The backdrop was the same –even the pulpit had some resemblance. (There were other areas as well.)

Over the last two days, my wife and I have been talking about the church and some of the similarities we found. This afternoon, she told me that it seemed like we were reliving the same experiences. BAM! That’s it! After nine years, God is allowing us to begin again. The church is very similar to the one I wrote about in Can You Spare a Few Minutes (see http://www.spiritualcombatants.com/ministry_books/cysafm-ch2.html). I thank God that I have an opportunity to ‘right’ a terrible wrong I made against my wife and family before the Lord. Though I cannot change what has happened, I can make godly decisions toward the Father's will.

During the same time I had been thinking about what I could be possibly doing in the church. Just as before, I had the intention to focus on my family, but I felt the call toward other areas calling. But before I give these 'calls' any more of my attention, I have to be able to reflect on the previous situation:

By the summer of 1999, Tonya wanted to move to another church, but I was a little hesitant because of the 'work' I had yet to do with the current Youth Ministry. Granted, she didn't attend many of the church services at the Chapel, but I came to the conclusion that the move would serve as a good opportunity for both of us to grow as individuals and as a family. My heavy workload in and out of church and a lack of ministering to Tonya's needs was a big factor in her choice to withdraw from many church functions. I helped create an unappealing worship environment that caused her to turn from the confines of the church. With the new move on the horizon, I had hoped we could start a new and better chapter in our lives.

Upon my arrival at the new church, my reputation as a Youth Minister traveled through their newly created Youth Ministry. I didn't plan on working in their Youth Ministry, but when presented the opportunity to help the Head Youth Worker, I felt I couldn't pass it up - I didn't think anything could go wrong. I just wanted to help them establish their Youth Ministry and I thought the experience I gained at the Chapel could be helpful.

Within a couple of months, the Pastor and Co-Pastor wanted to place Ministers over each of their departments, and seeing that I was a Minister, I would be a perfect fit for a new Youth Pastor position. I accepted the position without much consulting (with the Lord or Tonya). I felt that still, small voice (the Holy Spirit) telling me that it was a bad idea, but 'success' was calling my name. (Can You Spare a Few Minutes – Chapter Two, The Altar of Success)

Now, I stand again at the doors of a new church and the choice to serve my family or the church (in like manner as before) is front of me. I can commit the same acts (probably with the same (or worse) outcome) or I can use the opportunity as it was meant - to minister to my wife and daughter and grow as a family. As we proceed in our new church home, we may face some obstacles from the past and some new ones, but together through Christ, we will be overcomers.

1 Timothy 3:5 (KJV) - For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

Lead us Lord!