Weekly Note From the Pastor
June 26, 2008
It was about this time every year when me and my brother would be blowing up everything in sight with our ‘Black Cat’ firecrackers. From ant piles and grasshoppers, to the farm cats and chickens, nothing was safe from our barrage of tactical invasions with noisemakers and smoke bombs. Then, on the evening of the Fourth, we would light the ‘big ones’, saving the best for last. We anticipated the oooo’s and aaaah’s from our mother who always made our displays seem better than the year before and prettier than anything on television. All this surrounding a family gathering out at the farm pond where we enjoyed a wiener roast with homemade ice cream and fresh watermelon. The adults would laugh about old times and the kids would be into mischief, scaring the adults with an unsuspecting ‘pop’ or catching fireflies in a jar for who mom graciously acted as if she loved them. But one thing you could be sure of, we all knew what we were celebrating and why. There was a pride and patriotism that existed in the midst of every moment, knowing we were very blessed to have the freedoms our great country enjoys.
We will continue the tradition this weekend when all my family will be together around that same pond. I hope to impress the same truths and understandings to my children so that Independence Day can be viewed for the great holiday it is. And hopefully, we will never take these liberties for granted.
“Live like free people. But don’t use your freedom to cover up evil. Live like people who serve God.” 1 Peter 2:16 NIRV
Last week
June 18, 2008
A special thanks to all those who participated in the Wednesday night service at District Council at SAGU in Waxahachie last week. It was a great night of worship. I enjoyed ministering with you.Thanks as well for your prayers for Shawn & Brandee. I know it means a great deal to them and helps them to bear this difficulty know so many are standing with them.
Weekly Note From the Pastor
June 18, 2008
How is a person supposed to deal with loss? Is there a manual for grief etiquette? Does opinion change according to experience? These questions and others weigh on my mind when I see God’s people suffer. We seem to judge proper conduct upon our own empathy toward a given situation. And although wisdom comes partly through experience, outside of faith, God’s Word does not provide the comfort our human nature looks for in bereavement. Maybe that’s why the Psalmist uses the analogy of a valley that we walk through during lamentation. The original meaning of this term denotes a steep, narrow gorge, not a beautiful lush bottom land. These type passes are dangerous because of rough terrain, falling debris and high waters when it rains. It is easier to be ambushed, robbed and taken captive in such a cleft. Yet He promises to be with us, finding solace in His provisions and promises.
“Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 AMP
Weekly Note From the Pastor
June 4, 2008
“The Scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer, then three days later he will rise from death. They also say that all people of every nation must be told in my name to turn to God, in order to be forgiven. So beginning in
Jerusalem, you must tell everything that has happened.” Luke 24:46-48 CEV
If we are to go to every nation, we must understand the reward that comes from our obedience is met with much risk. For when you go and meet people at their place of need, you also put yourself at the same risk they are involved in. For instance, if you feel led to go to a foreign land to present the Gospel, you face the same dangers, disease, etc. as those you are trying to help. Even in our own country, where practically every nation is represented, as well as the largest expanse of diversity found anywhere in the world, you make yourself vulnerable if you want to be Christlike – ‘Jesus with skin on,’ exposing yourself to criticism. There is also often a backlash of being taken advantage of, unappreciative response, and seemingly fruitless reward. Yet we were not promised happiness, only joy. Don’t forget the sacrifice of taking up His cross and quit before you receive the eternal reward.
