It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. Today I finished my two year and three month assignment at Coral Ridge as the morning preacher. The link to the sermon is below. It was a bittersweet time. It was sweet because now I will be able to concentrate on my classes, my writing (I have had several articles that have been due for months), and my studies of the Greek New Testament. It was bitter because, despite the pressure of preaching every week in what was one of the countries most important pulpits when Dr. Kennedy was here with us, I will miss delivering the Word to God’s people.

There are a few people to whom I owe special thanks: to my friend, colleague, and brother in the: Lord, Dr. Warren Gage. Without him I don’t think I would have made it through some of the trials that came along with the job of morning preaching. To my mentor, and beloved minister at Coral Ridge, Rev. Ron Seigenthaler (I hope I spelled that correctly). Ron is indeed the consummate minister and a wonderful example to all of those he comes in contact with. To my kids, Charity and Josiah, who put up with their dad being gone on Saturdays, on Sundays, and many other days because of the pressure of the next sermon. To my wife Cindy, without whom I would be standing in front of a bridge with a sign that says “will read ancient Greek for food.” To the folks at CRPC, you have been so kind, gracious and loving to a guy who was just a “cardboard” fill-in. Thanks so much for all of the letters, cards, gifts, and especially the prayers. To my friend Buz McNutt who had encouraged me greatly during times of difficulty. I could go on, but mostly I owe thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ who chose to take a funny little man and use him to speak to thousands of people. This is none of my doing, and if you have been blessed it is all the Lord.

I will still be around CRPC, teaching at Knox, attending services and supporting our new pastor in whatever way that I can. The time I spent in the pulpit will be a great memory of what the Lord can do with a person who is not very good, but tries the best he can.

At the end of one of the Indiana Jones movie a character says to Jones “I am missing you already.” To the congregation of CRPC I say, “I am missing you already.” You have been a congregation that any minister would love to have. You have been supportive, loving, generous, and unbelievably kind to this strange little man. You’re the best. So long, and thanks for all the fish!

John 21:1-14- So Long and Thanks for all the Fish! 02 John 21_1-14.mp3

Your friend who has done the best he could with what he had,

SamLam