My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
What a great start to the Lenten Season last week. Ash Wednesday has always been meaningful to me as I reflect on my fragile mortality because of my sins. What great joy comes to my heart in knowing that Jesus willingly, and out of love, died on a cross for my sins. This gives me strength to live following Jesus in spite of the distractions that this world thrusts upon me knowing that my eternal life in Jesus is not fragile nor mortal. I pray that you also find strength, as well.
I am enjoying our Wednesday evening series, as well as, our weekend one. Last Wednesday we began to look at who wants Christ to die. We saw that Caiaphas wants Christ to die because he said it was better for one man to die that for the whole nation to perish. And of course he is right. It has been better that one person - Jesus - would die that that we all would die. I am thankful for Jesus. And on each weekend we are going through Jesus' Sermon On the Mount. We may know parts of it, but do we know all of it. Jesus is the final authority, since he is the Word become flesh. It is interesting to see what he says and how we have to change - yes I said it - change to live his Word.
I am tired of the cold, as well as many of you that I have spoken with. I pray that Spring comes soon and more moderate temperatures return. God's blessings shower you as you do HIs work wherever you are. Thank you son much for your continued prayers and encouragement.
In Jesus' Care,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Hi Everyone! Greetings in Christ.
I had a great weekend. My family and I went to Lubbock, Texas to visit our son and daughter-in-law. My parents and Jessiaca's family were also there. Our son, Rodney, wrote a play that won an award at the Dallas Arts Festival and was produced and performed by Texas Tech University. A representative from the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts (in Washington D.C.) was there because Rodney's play was nominated to receive the Kennedy Center award as the best play written and performed in 2010. If Rodney wins he would receive the award in the Spring of 2011. The play was outstanding and I'm not predjudice in any way -ha, ha! It was a dark comedy, which is the most difficult genre to do well, but he pulled it off. The local television station was there to interview him and he handled himself very well on television. To say we are proud of him is an understatement. We had a great time visiting with them, worshipping with them, and spending time with them - it is always hard to leave.
The plane flights for the most part weren't a problem for me. As the pressure rose when we descended the pain rose in my face, that was the most difficult part of flying. I pray that over time this will get better. It won't keep me from flying if I want to, though.
I look forward to the beginning of the Lenten season as Ash Wednesday begins tonight. I hope to see all of you there at 7:00pm tonight. We are going to explore "Who Wants Christ to Die?" Tonight we will talk about Caiaphas wanting Christ to die. God's richest blessings be with all of you as you contemplate on your mortality on earth and your immortality that comes through faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.
In Jesus' Love,
Pastor Randy
I had a great weekend. My family and I went to Lubbock, Texas to visit our son and daughter-in-law. My parents and Jessiaca's family were also there. Our son, Rodney, wrote a play that won an award at the Dallas Arts Festival and was produced and performed by Texas Tech University. A representative from the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts (in Washington D.C.) was there because Rodney's play was nominated to receive the Kennedy Center award as the best play written and performed in 2010. If Rodney wins he would receive the award in the Spring of 2011. The play was outstanding and I'm not predjudice in any way -ha, ha! It was a dark comedy, which is the most difficult genre to do well, but he pulled it off. The local television station was there to interview him and he handled himself very well on television. To say we are proud of him is an understatement. We had a great time visiting with them, worshipping with them, and spending time with them - it is always hard to leave.
The plane flights for the most part weren't a problem for me. As the pressure rose when we descended the pain rose in my face, that was the most difficult part of flying. I pray that over time this will get better. It won't keep me from flying if I want to, though.
I look forward to the beginning of the Lenten season as Ash Wednesday begins tonight. I hope to see all of you there at 7:00pm tonight. We are going to explore "Who Wants Christ to Die?" Tonight we will talk about Caiaphas wanting Christ to die. God's richest blessings be with all of you as you contemplate on your mortality on earth and your immortality that comes through faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.
In Jesus' Love,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Greetings in Jesus my friends in Christ,
As I look outside winter rages on. The snow is piling up and the roads are getting more treacherous by the minute. If you have to be out in the storm I pray that God will keep you safe. The changes in weather are still an adventure for me. I never noticed the atmoshperic pressure changes before my fall. I understand better now how many of you who have sinus issues feel at the change of the weather. God give you strength. The apostle Paul comes to my mind where he asked God three times to remove a thorn in his flesh, but God reminded him the God's grace is sufficient. I take solace in this as I am reminded to lean on Jesus for all things at all times. For this I give thanks to God. Not that I always wanted to or did, but now I do. I pray that you are at that place in the issues of your life, as well.
We are having a great time journeying through the Gospel of Luke on Sunday mornings. We have learned so much more about the Christmas story in Luke 2 than we knew before. The salvation plan of God is unfolded in the birth of Jesus and how God's providence works to make everything happen the way He wants it to is amazing. All this is for us and applies to our lives today more thatn we realize on the surface. We are not meeting this Sunday - February 14, 2010 - but we will resume the following Sunday at 9:45 am at Turtle Tap restaurant.
This Friday myfamily and I leave for Lubbock, Texas to visit our oldest son and his wife. Rodney wrote a play that is being performed by Texas Tech University students and we are going to see it. He won an award for this play at the Dallas Arts Festival and had to go there and speak to the convention. We are very proud of him. Blessings to all of you as you worship together this weekend.
In Jesus,
Pastor Randy
As I look outside winter rages on. The snow is piling up and the roads are getting more treacherous by the minute. If you have to be out in the storm I pray that God will keep you safe. The changes in weather are still an adventure for me. I never noticed the atmoshperic pressure changes before my fall. I understand better now how many of you who have sinus issues feel at the change of the weather. God give you strength. The apostle Paul comes to my mind where he asked God three times to remove a thorn in his flesh, but God reminded him the God's grace is sufficient. I take solace in this as I am reminded to lean on Jesus for all things at all times. For this I give thanks to God. Not that I always wanted to or did, but now I do. I pray that you are at that place in the issues of your life, as well.
We are having a great time journeying through the Gospel of Luke on Sunday mornings. We have learned so much more about the Christmas story in Luke 2 than we knew before. The salvation plan of God is unfolded in the birth of Jesus and how God's providence works to make everything happen the way He wants it to is amazing. All this is for us and applies to our lives today more thatn we realize on the surface. We are not meeting this Sunday - February 14, 2010 - but we will resume the following Sunday at 9:45 am at Turtle Tap restaurant.
This Friday myfamily and I leave for Lubbock, Texas to visit our oldest son and his wife. Rodney wrote a play that is being performed by Texas Tech University students and we are going to see it. He won an award for this play at the Dallas Arts Festival and had to go there and speak to the convention. We are very proud of him. Blessings to all of you as you worship together this weekend.
In Jesus,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,
Another great weekend of praising God together has come and gone. I often think of heaven being like our worship together full of joy and praise as we receive the love of God in its fullest. What a great joy it has been to serve generously with all of you in our response of sending aid to the victims in Haiti. We have certainly let the light of Jesus shine in our lives together. Thank you all for your compassionate generosity - what a joy.
This week people have been telling me that they are going to go south for a month or so. They have had enough of the cold for a while. If you are going or are already there enjoy what God has provided, because we here still have to shovel snow and scrape ice off our car windows - think of us from time to time.
I have been feeling much better this week than last. I have been trying to excercise in the way that the doctors told me to. It does help me gain endurance which allows me to do more things better. As always I am overwhlemed with all of your prayers and support and relish them every day. Thank you so much!!
In the Comfort of Jesus,
Pastor Randy
Another great weekend of praising God together has come and gone. I often think of heaven being like our worship together full of joy and praise as we receive the love of God in its fullest. What a great joy it has been to serve generously with all of you in our response of sending aid to the victims in Haiti. We have certainly let the light of Jesus shine in our lives together. Thank you all for your compassionate generosity - what a joy.
This week people have been telling me that they are going to go south for a month or so. They have had enough of the cold for a while. If you are going or are already there enjoy what God has provided, because we here still have to shovel snow and scrape ice off our car windows - think of us from time to time.
I have been feeling much better this week than last. I have been trying to excercise in the way that the doctors told me to. It does help me gain endurance which allows me to do more things better. As always I am overwhlemed with all of your prayers and support and relish them every day. Thank you so much!!
In the Comfort of Jesus,
Pastor Randy
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