Pastors luncheon

Almost every Monday, I receive a reminder, by e-mail, of a weekly pastors luncheon. I am informed of the time and the location for the luncheon, and am encouraged to come and be a part of this time with fellow pastors. As you can probably guess, sometimes I look forward to this luncheon, sometimes I don't (sorry, but I'm just being honest). I have been in church for a long time, and I have made friends with a lot of pastors through the years, and when I hear them talk about going to a pastors luncheon, it's all the same......all they do is complain. "The people aren't responding"; "I feel so drained from working so hard"; "I don't believe they care about me at all"; and the list goes on. I guess you can see my reason for not always looking forward to a luncheon with pastors. Don't get me wrong; these guys are friends, and partners in the ministry of sharing the love of Christ, but can't we have some fun at luncheons; like this past Tuesday.
I thought that there was a good turn out this week for the luncheon, and everyone seemed to be in a very good mood. Not the usual, "Man, I had a tough weekend". There was so much conversation going on, and laughing, that I just took a moment to listen and try to decipher what all was being said. Here's a sample......"I couldn't believe what I saw on a billboard about your church. I had to turn around and read it again." "..and at the end of the service, five people gave their lives to the Lord." "I saw 700 people come to the Lord while on my trip to Africa." "He was a 94 year old preacher that remembered when he would place a pistol on the pulpit beside his Bible before he preached." "If someone came into our church and tried to steal the offering, 15 people would be injured in the cross-fire." "When I shared the story of Ray and Que to the inmates on Thursday night, they stood and applauded." And it continued for the whole meal. I enjoyed every minute of it. These pastors.....these men were having a wonderful time sharing stories all across the length of the table, and laughing so loud that I am sure everyone else in the restaurant knew we were there. And when we left.....each one of us left.......encouraged, and ready to face whatever may lay ahead for us, because we know that we are not alone. There are others.....just like us.
Hey Ronnie, shouldn't your blogs be more, how should say this....biblically based? I thought it was.....Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."