Goodbye Times Square

It goes without saying that New York is a busy place. It is even busier during Christmas. But New York City during Christmastime is a beautiful and nostalgic place to be. Despite that, I am writing my last post from this Times Square Church blog. John Jenkins and some of the guys from His Place drove up to Manhattan this past week, and they offered me a ride home. After some thought, I took the offer on one condition: that I could leave with the blessing of my boss, Earl. After being given his blessings, I packed my things and loaded the van. At first, I didn’t think I would be able to go with them since there were six guys in the van already. But since two of those guys stayed in New York, I was just able to fit my things and myself in the van. Fortunately, I was able to work it out for my arrival to be a surprise to all! As I write, I am at the Starbucks where my beloved fiancé, Helen, is employed. I walked in without her noticing, snuck to the back with roses in hand and said, “Surprise!” It was great!!! HA HA! She nearly fainted! So now I am happily in sweet home, Alabama, with my family, friends, and fiancé.

The day before I left New York (Saturday, the 12^th of Dec.), I certainly had a lot of nostalgia and time to reflect. I had a unique experience that day. I strolled over to Rockefeller center, sat near the 72 ft. Christmas tree, and smoked a pipe, while wearing my wool overcoat and brown fedora. I just sat and enjoyed the festive scenes and happy people. I watched as so many couples showed warm affection, and for the first time ever, I beheld those sights with joy knowing that my own lovely bride was waiting back at home for me. I can definitely say with the psalmist that “the Lord has caused the lines to fall in pleasant places” for me. He has surely directed all my paths and has kept me to this day.

It’s been a good time at Times Square Church. I have left with a sense of accomplishment from my work, with the blessing of my boss and co-workers, and with a deeper work of sanctification. I’ll miss it. I will miss the urgency of prayer which consists there. I will miss the refreshing words from the man of God, David Wilkerson. I will miss the prophetic sensitivity of the pastoral staff. I will miss the sound teaching and exposition of Pastor William, especially in the context of the Ministerial Intern Program class. I will miss the leadership of Earl and Rick. I will miss the mentorship and compassionate advice of Joshua. I will miss Hector’s consistently joyful attitude and constancy in prayer. I will miss Larry’s background music (he sings praises to the Lord at all times throughout the day). I will miss the friendship of Billy, Ramesh, Louie, and others. I’ll even miss opening and closing the church at the Friday night youth service, The Gate.

If I could carry away some thoughts/principles/memories from my experience in New York City, what would I seek to retain? It would be foolish and a failure on my part to claim that I didn’t learn anything new while I was there. I became adapted to big-city life—learning the subway system, the right places to shop, and how to drive in Manhattan. I also learned from Larry and Joshua how to plaster walls properly. In addition, I became aware of how a mega-church operates. But more importantly than those things, what spiritual lessons did I learn? I may be presumptuous if I am too quick to answer that question comprehensively. Perhaps I may not know all that I have gleaned from being at Times Square Church until years from now. But stay tuned, and I will try to convey that as time passes. Right now, I am in the process of getting re-adjusted in Alabama with my wonderful fiancé. Pray for me as I look for a new job.

I will be concluding this particular blog, but starting another one. I’ll give details as I decide what to call it and what the purpose and theme of it will be.

Until then, grace to you all.