A Call to Ministry
or
Outta the Kitchen...For Good!
By Rick Boufford

Ever sensed you should be doing something else? Perhaps a feeling of being "called" to something greater than you could do on your own? Did you listen? Did you search it out? I did and my world has been turned upside down. I got to the point in life where serious decisions had to be made. It was like a flight test that turned into a nightmare. My instructor took me high in a small unassuming plane. He did some turns, twists, climbs and dives. This is fun I thought as I was enjoying the ride. This "instructor" then blindfolded me, repeated his fancy maneuvers, disconnected all the instruments and bailed, leaving me all alone. I removed the blindfold and was totally confused, not knowing which way was up. I thought I was flying straight but all of a sudden the ground came into clear view and I realized I was in a dive I couldn't get out of. All I could do was let go of the controls and pray. I had to pray, for I was facing certain destruction and there were no other options. In doing so I met the Creator of the universe. He saved me. Then He showed me how I had been misled. Now I must share, for you see,
I owe Him my life.

I'm convinced God created each one of us for a "one of a kind" special purpose. Learning this is what has made the last eight years the most; interesting, demanding, eye opening, and yet refreshing of my life. God called me but I found in order for me to work for Him, He had to do a complete makeover not only of me but of everything I do, have and know. I had to learn to give Him control of everything I thought I possessed; my wife, family, business, money, everything including my very life! That's not easy, I'm the head of the house, I'm the owner, I'm the chef, that means I'm the boss, and I'm in control! But then something happened that will forever change me. My enjoyment of food and wine became a passion. The wine became a habit, the habit, after more than 20 years of this so-called "good life" became an addiction. I'm human and first there's a period of denial, followed by the "I'll cut back and keep it under control" bit until finally, I found myself the lead in the story above and I had to make a choice. Reluctantly (there was a bit of a fight), I chose to give God's way a try.

I'm not going to tell you it was easy, looking in the mirror and seeing yourself the way God sees you is not fun, in fact in my case it was a nightmare. Now I can understand how people without God could consider running from everything, or worse, suicide. It was from this "pit" that I gave God everything. Then something unbelievable happened, I began to understand. I began to see what this world is really all about. I can't explain it, and those addicted to this possession driven world won't understand it, all I can say is when you don't "own" anything any more because you've put it in God's control, everything about you changes. Now I see everything is a gift from God Himself for me to enjoy, not to be a slave to. Now that I know He owns it all, I realize He is far more able to take care of these "things" than I. I'm free to responsibly enjoy all that He gives me. And, in essence, like Job, He's given me back many times what I gave Him. He took all of my loved ones, all of my possessions, all that I know and changed it forever. Actually, He changed me, by returning to me something I thought I had lost forever, the trusting heart of a child! With that heart I got new eyes, His eyes to see with. Where there is tarnish, I see the silver, where there is resistance I see opportunity, where there is little I see much. Those that know me know I was a pretty optimistic person before. But this is different, and it doesn't compare to that which is deeply ingrained in me now.

I was extremely fortunate to grow up in a loving home, but as a child, it was impossible for me to understand all my parents did and gave up for me. But the older I got, the more I found out about the world, the more I could understand and appreciate what they did and continue to do for me. Regardless of your personal family life, those who dive into God's world will find the greatest; designer, provider, healer, helper, father, and friend. You will begin to realize He is the smartest, the strongest and the most compassionate being you could ever encounter. When you give your heart to the One who gave His life for you, you will begin to find how much He did, is doing and will continue to do for you. He loves soooo much. There is not another love like it in all the universe. His love is what you were made to desire, and it's something you get to chase, and when you find it you will continue to chase it forever because it is so big and so grand, it is so powerful you will not be able to hold it back. Eventually, you yourself will begin to share it and that, in essence, is how you'll know you are a part God's true kingdom, because His kingdom is available to each of us right here and now, on this very earth. This brings us to the greatest challenge of Christian life, actively sharing God's eternal love. I say challenge because it is, but learning to share it is where the true joy of life on this earth comes in.

I'm fortunate for I do for a living what I like to do best. I get to take something, add a little bit here, and a pinch there, I mix this to produce that. I'm a chef. I don't create anything new, I just add my touch to it and present it in a different way. I don't do this just in cooking, I get do it in many ways. I look for the best in things and I enjoy figuring out how they can be used in a unique way.

Now I get to do this with what God is teaching me. Since receiving a serious challenge from a pastor in '93, I've done more reading, studying and research than all the previous years of my life (this inquiring mind has to know). Through my study of the Bible, God has led me to a far greater understanding of His Story. His Word has led me to many hundreds of secular and "religious" sources which in turn has led me to answers to many of life's questions that satisfies even my curiosity (and that's not easy). Most importantly, I've found the Bible is the final word. Life's answers must match up to the Bible, not the other way around.

I have written and I'm in the process of writing about some of the fun things God's Word has exposed me to. Some examples are: anatomy, anthropology, astronomy, biology, cells & living machines, chemistry, cosmology, climatology, creation, Dendrochronology, DNA & gnomes, dinosaurs (living and historical), ecology, electrons, energy & light, evolutionary theory (all forms; cosmic, chemical, stellar & planetary, organic, micro & macro), fossils, geology, history (especially Jewish), languages, life & death, mathematics, matter, memory, music, oceanography, physics, quantum mechanics, quarks, radioactivity, religion (all), reproduction, sex, subatomic particles, technology, zoology and more! I'm not the leading expert on any one of them but there is no doubt in my mind my Rabbi (Teacher) is! So pick up any of our ministry materials they're free, and don't be afraid to come to me with questions or comments. My library of resources (books & videos) is available to you also.

It's true there is a war going on, but God has also shown me it's  OK to enjoy ministry, that it can be fun. God says He's going to one day return us to this "good" world and the lamb will lay down with the lion, and small children will play in the dens of poisonous snakes. When? it could be soon! And hey, if kids get to play with poisonous snakes, what will the adults get to do?

God has allowed me to greatly expand my horizons, so I'm

Black Sheep Ministries
Tustin CA 92780 (714) 544-7058
 

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