Weekly Note From the Pastor 10/24/07
October 24, 2007
In 1993, Sherri and I were on Staff at a church in
The Book of Hebrews gives some very good instruction that all Believers should adhere to: “…let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us…” (Hebrews 12:1 AMP). Our spiritual growth is a process that will be an uphill battle and will require every ounce of strength and fortitude. We don’t need to carry anything extra to hold us back or hinder us from reaching our objective.
Serving You In Love,
Jeff
Weekly Note From the Pastor 10/17/07
October 18, 2007
I mentioned on Sunday how it seems that the enemy attacks in waves. They fallback, reorganize, formulate a new plan and strike again. The devil and his cohorts are referred to as the enemy we can expect the same battle approach as in war. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). If we approach life as a continual ‘leave of absence’ or as if we are ‘AWOL’ from prayer and faithful obedience, then we will be caught off guard and unprepared when the onslaught overwhelms us. This ‘absence without leave’ means that we are away from our duties without permission. You can be assured that the best time to lay siege is when our guard comes down. We need to realize this is a fifteen round bout. We must endure so we can be declared the winner and gain the prize… “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9 NASB). And the greatest part about it is… “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19 KJV).
Serving You In Love,
Jeff
Weekly Note From the Pastor 10/10/07
October 11, 2007
What a gorgeous day! Maybe we are going to finally get some fall weather. I sometimes look out my office window at the shadow cast by the afternoon sun on the building. I can practically watch the shadow move as the sun descends. It creeps along the parking lot, reaching the handicap spots, then slowly across to the grass and out of my sight. I remember the old commercial with the father and his young son watching the sunset. After it was gone the boy said, “Do it again dad.” There are some days I want to go quickly, but most go by way too fast. Just yesterday I was changing my kid’s diapers and the week before that, I asked Sherri to marry me. I am almost afraid to blink. I want to be like my children when they were young, so sleepy they would be nodding off, but would fight to the end so as to not miss a thing. “Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.” Psalm 144:4 NIV
Serving You In Love,
Jeff
TCOC Anniversary
October 11, 2007
Thanks to everyone for making our 8th birthday an incredible day! It was estimated that there were about 350 at the concert Sunday night! And the Deacons and wives did an awesome job serving and cooking. I look forward with anticipation for what God will do in this upcoming year. It is a joy to serve with you!
Weekly Note From the Pastor 10/03/07
October 4, 2007
Another year has gone by since the start of TCOC. In some ways, eight years doesn’t seem very long, but it depends on what form of measurement you use. When I look at my kids, I can’t believe how they have grown. When we moved here, Jefferson was in preschool and Sheridan was only two! Time has flown by, and in many ways, too fast. But remembering the school setup, the building of our current facility and the relationships we have developed, eight years does not seem long enough to have accomplished so much. God has surely been good! May we never forget from whence we came and where He wants to take us.
May this weekend’s celebration cause us to both reflect and be thankful. There is no better time than now to show appreciation and to cast fresh vision. It is truly a joyous time for all. “Joyfully you’ll pull up buckets of water from the wells of salvation. And as you do it, you’ll say, “Give thanks to God. Call out his name. Ask him anything! Shout to the nations, tell them what he’s done, spread the news of his great reputation!” (Isaiah 12:3, 4 MSG).
Serving You In Love,
Jeff
