ON CALL: Our Path Has Crossed Again, Could It Be Fate?

I ran into someone who I shared very intense and romantic feelings with a number of years back. After a little catching up, it was clear that both of us still seemed to have some type of chemistry for the other. Since then, we've spoken and seen each other from time to time, but had agreed to take things slow and see where they went. Well recently, for no apparent reason, this person just drops off the face of the Earth and will not respond to my texts, return my calls, deleted me from their Facebook... I was left trying to figure out what happened, what did I do wrong. About a week later, this person calls and says they are sorry and needed some time to clear their minds but they are cool now. No explanation was given, but they seemed ready to proceed like business as usual. I will admit that I was relieved to hear from this individual because I honestly felt like perhaps it was meant for us to reconnect at this particular space in time. Yet even in my excitement, there is this nagging feeling about the way they just kind of flaked out like that. Is it something I bring up, ignore? Do I proceed, leave them alone???? Please help!

-  Is This Meant to Be?     
 Chicago, IL 

ON CALL: Is That Opportunity Knocking?

Early this year, I had an offer to go to Africa. I turned it down because I would have been gone for 3 months. Shortly after that, I moved to Colorado for a frest start. Since I have been here, things have been going extremely slow for me and once again the opportunity to go to Africa has represented itself. I'm confused and not sure what to do. Can you give me some advice?

- Opportunity Knocks
Denver, Colorado

On Call: I Need More

I am 31 years old and have been attending the same church for my entire life. My father is a bishop and the pastor. Although there are many aspects of the ministry that I love, I am not getting the spiritual nourishment that I need. It's not that what my father is preaching is wrong, but it is just so predictable. The only thing different about the messages that he preaches now and when I was growing up is the date on the cd or dvd. How do I tell my father that I am going to look for another church without him taking it personal? Obviously, someone is getting what they need from his preaching and teaching or else the church would be empty. I just need more! In my situation, is conflict unavoidable?


I Need More - in TX

-------------------------

Dear I Need More, 
It's pretty safe to assume that some level of conflict is unavoidable. However, don't fret. One definition for conflict is simply a disagreement. While the situation you find yourself in could potentially excalate beyond a simple disagreement, be careful not to approach him with a defensive attitude. Its better to handle this with humility and sensitivity. For many parents who also happen to be pastors to their children, over time the two become so intertwined that they can't clearly distinguish the difference. It is important that your father is clear that in finding a new church home that better suites your spiritual needs that it doesnt mean that he has lost your respect or support. Ecc. 3:1 says To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Those times and seasons are not set but us, our parents, or anyone else.

Employ the prayers of your father as you embark upon this new spiritual journey. Because you go in a spirit of meekness and humility, if by chance your leaving the church is a mistake, you will have left in such a way that should make returning fairly easy. In the end there is no way to fully know how he will respond or react to your decision or this conversation. However, you still have a personal responsibility to follow what you believe you are being lead to do. To stay for any other reason besides the fact that YOU believe you are supposed to be there will ultimately not be enough (in the long run) to keep you there. If the truth be told, a portion of the people at your father's church probably came from or grew up in some one else's church. He, no doubt, came from another ministry to lead or create this one. That said, he would have no church without people who responded to their spirit's cry for something more than what they were getting. Continue to be there for your father and pray for him, but do what needs to be done.