My Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,
I praise God for all of you as we continue to follow Jesus together gathering more followers along side of us as we journey toward eternal life in the Father's house. Continuing in 1 John has been enlightening and helpful in guiding us in just how we are to show love to God and love to those we are around each day. Our first insight was that we need to recognize our sin, confess it and God will forgive our sin - that's a promise. The next is that we are not to love the world nor the things in the world, for they only pass away. We are to love God and our fellow human beings believing in Jesus as our Savior and we have the promise of eternal life. What a comfort.
We are entering into the third chapter of our "Journey Through the Gospel of Luke" where we are learning about John the Baptist and his baptism as compared to Jesus and his baptism (why was Jesus baptized?). I invite all of you to join the 25 of us who are on this journey, so that we can journey together.
Continue to pray for me as my recovery moves along. I have many more good days than bad ones, but bad ones are still part of the total package. Thank you for your support, prayers, and willingness to work together to reach many lost people for Jesus Christ.
In Our Loving Savior,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Hi My Brothers and Sisters in Jesus!
I had a great time this weekend worshipping with all of you and reading and discussing the Scriptures. 1 John is an amazing book. I really like how John constantly lets us know that our relationship with Jesus Christ is not just a verbal commitment, the love of Jesus that is in us because of this relationship shows in our everyday lives. We who receive the love of Jesus are to share this love with everyone that we meet each day. In this way we are walking in the light of Jesus.
Luke continues to be a Gospel journey that brings us surprising revelations into who Jesus is. We discovered last week that Jesus is the final Passover Lamb whose blood was shed for us, so that the angel of death will pass over us and we will walk through the door of death into eternal life. What comforting assurance.
I have been overdoing somethings lately because the weather has been so nice. I am trying to gauge what things I can and cannot do as far as chores around the house. I also am coming to an understanding of how long I can do certain projects and when I need to take a break. It is not the same as it was before. My personality is that I push myself and it seems that I have done a little too much lately. Thank you all so much for all of your prayers and encouragment. It means a lot to me.
In Jesus' Care,
Pastor Randy
I had a great time this weekend worshipping with all of you and reading and discussing the Scriptures. 1 John is an amazing book. I really like how John constantly lets us know that our relationship with Jesus Christ is not just a verbal commitment, the love of Jesus that is in us because of this relationship shows in our everyday lives. We who receive the love of Jesus are to share this love with everyone that we meet each day. In this way we are walking in the light of Jesus.
Luke continues to be a Gospel journey that brings us surprising revelations into who Jesus is. We discovered last week that Jesus is the final Passover Lamb whose blood was shed for us, so that the angel of death will pass over us and we will walk through the door of death into eternal life. What comforting assurance.
I have been overdoing somethings lately because the weather has been so nice. I am trying to gauge what things I can and cannot do as far as chores around the house. I also am coming to an understanding of how long I can do certain projects and when I need to take a break. It is not the same as it was before. My personality is that I push myself and it seems that I have done a little too much lately. Thank you all so much for all of your prayers and encouragment. It means a lot to me.
In Jesus' Care,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Pastor's Weekly Blog
My Christian Sisters and Brothers,
What a great day God has given us today. And what a great weekend. Historically the Sunday after Easter is usually the lowest attendance day of the year - not so at Friends In Christ. I enjoy celebrating the resurrection of our Lord each and every week all year, but there is something special about the resurrection during the Easter season.
It was great to get back to our Journey Through the Gospel of Luke on Sunday mornings at Turtle Tap. What an eye (and heart) opening look into God's plan of salvation using many different people focusing on Jesus and His life, but there is continuing reference to the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all involved.
The warmer weather allows me to feel a little better and do more things. My wife and I went for a walk through our neighborhood yesterday and enjoyed seeing all of the flowers and trees in bloom. It is nice to have uninterupted conversation with my wife - not something that happens everyday.
As Spring progresses into Summer we have some great opportunities in our community to reach people with the saving message of Jesus' death and resurrection for forgiveness and eternal life. There are many people in our community who do not know who Jesus is. Some of them may be your neighbors, coworkers, friends, and even family members. Show them extra love and help them when they need it and you may get the opportunity to share with them what Jesus has done for you.
A Brother in Jesus,
Pastor Randy
What a great day God has given us today. And what a great weekend. Historically the Sunday after Easter is usually the lowest attendance day of the year - not so at Friends In Christ. I enjoy celebrating the resurrection of our Lord each and every week all year, but there is something special about the resurrection during the Easter season.
It was great to get back to our Journey Through the Gospel of Luke on Sunday mornings at Turtle Tap. What an eye (and heart) opening look into God's plan of salvation using many different people focusing on Jesus and His life, but there is continuing reference to the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all involved.
The warmer weather allows me to feel a little better and do more things. My wife and I went for a walk through our neighborhood yesterday and enjoyed seeing all of the flowers and trees in bloom. It is nice to have uninterupted conversation with my wife - not something that happens everyday.
As Spring progresses into Summer we have some great opportunities in our community to reach people with the saving message of Jesus' death and resurrection for forgiveness and eternal life. There are many people in our community who do not know who Jesus is. Some of them may be your neighbors, coworkers, friends, and even family members. Show them extra love and help them when they need it and you may get the opportunity to share with them what Jesus has done for you.
A Brother in Jesus,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Dear Christian Friends,
Christ Is Risen! Alleluia!
He Is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia!
What great celebration I had with all of you Easter weekend - from Maundy Thursday through Easter Sunday we had meaningful fellowship and worship in remembrance of Jesus suffering, death, and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life. This is why Sunday was chosen by the early Christians for worship, because each Sunday was a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Through his resurrection we have undoubted proof that Jesus is our Messiah-Savior. He has power over sin, death, and the power of Satan. He died, so that we can live.
I am excited! This excitement causes me to act like Jesus to the people that I meet in my life each week . Sometimes this gives me the opportunity to tell them about the Savior of the world, Jesus and sometimes it takes more than one encounter. If we want the people we know (and I hope we all want this) to have forgeness and eternal life, then we should want to act like Jesus towrd tham and be ready for opportunities to tell them about Jesus' death and resurrection for forgiveness and eternal life.
I became very tired by Sunday afternoon. I needed a nap, and so I took one. The warm dry days helped a lot with my energy, so that I had enough to do all of the worship services on Holy Week. God is so good - He continues to provide exactly what I need when I need it. The storms that have been coming over the past few days are still an adventure for me, so pray for strength and tolerance. I do thank you all for the continued prayers.
In Our Resurrected Savior, Jesus,
Pastor Randy
Christ Is Risen! Alleluia!
He Is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia!
What great celebration I had with all of you Easter weekend - from Maundy Thursday through Easter Sunday we had meaningful fellowship and worship in remembrance of Jesus suffering, death, and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life. This is why Sunday was chosen by the early Christians for worship, because each Sunday was a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Through his resurrection we have undoubted proof that Jesus is our Messiah-Savior. He has power over sin, death, and the power of Satan. He died, so that we can live.
I am excited! This excitement causes me to act like Jesus to the people that I meet in my life each week . Sometimes this gives me the opportunity to tell them about the Savior of the world, Jesus and sometimes it takes more than one encounter. If we want the people we know (and I hope we all want this) to have forgeness and eternal life, then we should want to act like Jesus towrd tham and be ready for opportunities to tell them about Jesus' death and resurrection for forgiveness and eternal life.
I became very tired by Sunday afternoon. I needed a nap, and so I took one. The warm dry days helped a lot with my energy, so that I had enough to do all of the worship services on Holy Week. God is so good - He continues to provide exactly what I need when I need it. The storms that have been coming over the past few days are still an adventure for me, so pray for strength and tolerance. I do thank you all for the continued prayers.
In Our Resurrected Savior, Jesus,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This past weekend we celebrated the beginning of Holy Week. It was a great celebration - with palm branches, God's Word, and the Lord's Supper. We discovered that we are wise when we hear the words of Jesus and do them and we are unwise when we hear the words of Jesus and do not do them. We heard from Jesus that the Father's will is that all would look to the Son and believe in Him and receive eternal life.
That is a comforting message as we look on the Son, Jesus, this week and see what He did for us. That He was brutely beaten, scourged, and then executed on a cross - probably the cruelest way to execute someone that has ever been devised by mankind. He volunteered for this treatment because it was necessary to pay the price for all our sins. That is how we receive eternal life from the Father.
I had a bout with the stomach flu last week, but I am doing fine now. The warmer weather is a welcome break from the cold. The pain in my face and arm are more tolerable when it is warm outside. Thank you for all of you prayers. I will need them as we go into four straight days of worship services. I pray that I will see all of you Thursday and Friday at 7:00pm, Saturday at 5:30pm, and Sunday morning - either at 8:30am or 11:00am.
I pray that God blesses each and every one of you with a wonderful celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ - Easter!
In the name of our Savior,
Pastor Randy
This past weekend we celebrated the beginning of Holy Week. It was a great celebration - with palm branches, God's Word, and the Lord's Supper. We discovered that we are wise when we hear the words of Jesus and do them and we are unwise when we hear the words of Jesus and do not do them. We heard from Jesus that the Father's will is that all would look to the Son and believe in Him and receive eternal life.
That is a comforting message as we look on the Son, Jesus, this week and see what He did for us. That He was brutely beaten, scourged, and then executed on a cross - probably the cruelest way to execute someone that has ever been devised by mankind. He volunteered for this treatment because it was necessary to pay the price for all our sins. That is how we receive eternal life from the Father.
I had a bout with the stomach flu last week, but I am doing fine now. The warmer weather is a welcome break from the cold. The pain in my face and arm are more tolerable when it is warm outside. Thank you for all of you prayers. I will need them as we go into four straight days of worship services. I pray that I will see all of you Thursday and Friday at 7:00pm, Saturday at 5:30pm, and Sunday morning - either at 8:30am or 11:00am.
I pray that God blesses each and every one of you with a wonderful celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ - Easter!
In the name of our Savior,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Hi Brothers and Sisters,
Spring is trying to come - snow on the first day of Spring. God is letting us know that He is in charge and that He will bring spring as He wills. It's been one year since I fell. I am still feeling the affects of my injuries. A wondeful thing happens to me when I preach, I do not feel any pain while I am preaching. That is the only time in my week that I do not feel any pain. Praise God for the miracle.
As we head toward Holy Week - Palm Sunday is this Sunday - we remember that it is our sins that Jesus willingly died for on a cross. The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is a celebration of the true King of the universe as he sets in motion his sacrifice for us. It will be a great celebration we will have together, with Jesus, this weekend.
Ask a friend or coworker who does not attend worship anywhere if they would like to join you for Easter celebration. That is a great gift to share with them. I continue to pray for all of you every day and thank you for all of your prayers they are of great benefit to me.
In our Crucified Savior,
Pastor Randy
Spring is trying to come - snow on the first day of Spring. God is letting us know that He is in charge and that He will bring spring as He wills. It's been one year since I fell. I am still feeling the affects of my injuries. A wondeful thing happens to me when I preach, I do not feel any pain while I am preaching. That is the only time in my week that I do not feel any pain. Praise God for the miracle.
As we head toward Holy Week - Palm Sunday is this Sunday - we remember that it is our sins that Jesus willingly died for on a cross. The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is a celebration of the true King of the universe as he sets in motion his sacrifice for us. It will be a great celebration we will have together, with Jesus, this weekend.
Ask a friend or coworker who does not attend worship anywhere if they would like to join you for Easter celebration. That is a great gift to share with them. I continue to pray for all of you every day and thank you for all of your prayers they are of great benefit to me.
In our Crucified Savior,
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Pastor's Weekly Blog
Hi everyone! Greetings in Jesus.
Last week with all the weather changes I experienced a lot of pain. I had some trouble with swelling which caused more pain than I like. Today is sunny and clear and warmer, so I feel much better. Praise God!!
Disregarding the pain I had a great time last week. The lasagna Lenten meal last Wednesday evening was fantastic. I had more than I should have. Worship with all of you was tremndous, both Wednesday evening and over the weekend. I never get tired of worshipping. Our journey through the Gospel of Luke is enlightening. As we delve deeper into this gospel the Holy Spirit opens more and more up to our understanding. We have more people join our journey almost every week. There are many of us that are being transformed by God. I encourage all of you, if you are not with us already, to join us this Sunday at 9:45 am. in the Turtle Tap restaurant. We have a great time!
Tomorrow, March 17th, is not only St. Patrick's Day, but it is the one year anniversary of my damaging fall off the scaffold. I am so thankful to God for bringing me to where I am this past year. I thought at first that I would get well faster, but the doctors and therapists told me that I have progressed further and faster than they ever thought I could. So, I am thankful that God is strong and gracious. Thank you all so much for all of the prayers, encouraging words, cards, letters, and support throughout this past year. And I thank you in advance for the next year also.
In the Comforting Arms of the Savior,
Pastor Randy
Last week with all the weather changes I experienced a lot of pain. I had some trouble with swelling which caused more pain than I like. Today is sunny and clear and warmer, so I feel much better. Praise God!!
Disregarding the pain I had a great time last week. The lasagna Lenten meal last Wednesday evening was fantastic. I had more than I should have. Worship with all of you was tremndous, both Wednesday evening and over the weekend. I never get tired of worshipping. Our journey through the Gospel of Luke is enlightening. As we delve deeper into this gospel the Holy Spirit opens more and more up to our understanding. We have more people join our journey almost every week. There are many of us that are being transformed by God. I encourage all of you, if you are not with us already, to join us this Sunday at 9:45 am. in the Turtle Tap restaurant. We have a great time!
Tomorrow, March 17th, is not only St. Patrick's Day, but it is the one year anniversary of my damaging fall off the scaffold. I am so thankful to God for bringing me to where I am this past year. I thought at first that I would get well faster, but the doctors and therapists told me that I have progressed further and faster than they ever thought I could. So, I am thankful that God is strong and gracious. Thank you all so much for all of the prayers, encouraging words, cards, letters, and support throughout this past year. And I thank you in advance for the next year also.
In the Comforting Arms of the Savior,
Pastor Randy
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