Weekly Note From the Pastor
September 26, 2008
I was looking up the definition of a word a couple of days ago and discovered that I have been misusing this word for years. What do you say when someone is eating their food really fast? You say they are “sc____ing it down. I have asked several people to fill in the blank. Folks who are excellent at grammar and often edit articles for others. They all pronounced and spelled this word – “scarfing.” But this is the wrong use of this verb. The correct term is “scoffing.” That’s right, the word meaning ‘to mock or jeer’ also means ‘to eat food quickly and greedily.’ That just doesn’t seem right for us raised down here in the south. It would have been hard for someone to convince me of this fact if I hadn’t looked it up myself. Who would of ‘thunk’ it?
If we aren’t careful, we can do the same thing with the Holy Spirit. When the Lord is trying to show us our wrong interpretation or belief, we are often stubborn and too ‘bull-headed’ to investigate it thoroughly and pray adequately for the Truth. How we have always seen it or how we were first taught must be the truth. Not always… and sometimes, He just wants us to see something a different way.
“Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”
Luke 24:45 NIV
Weekly Note From the Pastor
September 20, 2008
As a whole, people like stories with a good ending. Movies where the good triumphs over evil, the guy gets the girl (and vice versa), and the underdog overcomes. Whether it’s a movie or a novel, the outcome has an affect, either positively or negatively on the psyche. I often watch patrons as the leave the theater, observing their countenance and body language to determine the impact.
Perhaps it is because in our own drama of life, we want things to go right. We hope the saga will end with a rosy result. There is a need for light in the darkness, hope for the dismal and peace for the conflict. Thanks goodness we know that our lives on earth can have a happy ending if we have Christ… He is our Blessed Hope!
“God’s saving grace has appeared to all people. It teaches us to say no to godless ways and sinful longings. We must control ourselves. We must do what is right. We must lead godly lives in today’s world. That’s how we should live as we wait for the blessed hope God has given us.
We are waiting for Jesus Christ to appear in all his glory. He is our great God and Savior.” Titus 2:11-13 NIRV
Jeff’s Favs
September 12, 2008
On the way to the Men’s Golf Retreat this past weekend at Turtle Hill, I was reminded of one of my favorite places to eat. We stopped in Muenster on our way up and at a German restaurant called Rhomer’s. I have a lot of German in me (on my mother’s side) so I guess it is understandable why I am a fan. All of their Schnitzel is great: chicken, pork sausage, Bratwurst, etc. And they have fresh Sauerkraut and fried potatoes to boot. The service is great and the food is home cooked. And don’t forget to try the cobbler… if you are able to save any room that is!
9/11 7th Anniversary
September 12, 2008
We flew our flag at haf-mast yesterday in honor of those who have experienced loss due to 9/11. It is a somber thought to realize the deep wound true Americans suffered on and since that tragic day. Our prayers go out to family members and friends, not only of the fatalities of the attack, but those who are in anguish everyday as their loved one continues to fight for freedom on foreign soil. May God bless them and may He continue to bless America!
Weekly Note From the Pastor
September 10, 2008
Sherri and I were driving home from Denton on Monday afternoon. About the time we got to Corinth Parkway, we suddenly realized there was debris in the road that was unavoidable. I tried to straddle it so it wouldn’t blow out a tire and possibly cause an accident. But there is not much clearance under the Mustang and we hit the obstruction very hard and knew it had done damage. I pulled over for a second and realized there were other vehicles damaged as well. Though it was smoking badly, I was able to drive the car home. Once home, both the transmission and engine oil completely leaked out. Fortunately, the semi-truck that had caused the dangerous fragments was waved down and pulled over. His load was too high for the overpass and had clipped the bridge and caused broken metal to fly onto the road. He never even knew it. Now this company will be responsible to pay for the damages.
There are obstacles in life that we sometimes stumble upon. Whether caused by us or others, we still bear the consequences. We must take responsibility for our lives regardless of what comes our way. We will not be able to put blame on someone or something else. Christ paid the price for our sin which is eternal death, but we still are accountable for choices on earth.
“I will be responsible for what happens to me.” Job 13:14 CEV
Weekly Note From the Pastor
September 3, 2008
As a spiritual leader, sometimes the correction of those you lead is necessary. Conveying a wrong spirit and carrying out the penalty is very sensitive because you want to be led of the Spirit and not of the flesh or personal opinion. It must be done with the right attitude and intent, that way, even if you are wrong, there is a much easier rode to forgiveness and recovery. However, the response almost always confirms what was ascertained in the first place
Remember when God disciplined Cain? It was at the point that Cain had a choice. His true nature became evident through his reaction. “The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master” (Genesis 4:4b-7 NLT). So when the confrontation doesn’t go well and you question yourself, if you approached the situation righteously, you can take confidence in your action. And usually, the condition of a person’s soul is revealed for the whole world to see.
