Thursday, December 27, 2012

Happy New Year!


We are on the threshold of a new year. There is always an element of fear associated with the unknown. The Bible teaches that we know not what a day may bring. The story is told of some men out at sea on an old leaky ship. A storm came up and the men feared for their lives. They went up to the sea captain. He told them, “The boilers are weak and may explode at any moment. The ship is old and she’s taking on water. We may have an explosion or we may sink. We may go up or we may go down. But until then we are going on.”

That’s how we are to face the New Year. We may go up or we may go down; but until then we are going on. The old gospel hymn says it this way:

I’m pressing on the upward way
New heights I’m gaining every day
Still praying as I’m onward bound
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

The old mapmakers would make a map just as far as they had been. Then they would write “Beyond this there be dragons”. They were obviously afraid of the unknown. Actually, there were golden beaches, verdant fields, and beautiful mountains.

That’s how we are to feel about the future. What a year 2012 has been. We all would change some things if we could, but we can’t. We need to be trustful with our future and give it over to God.

As Americans we have great gain. Be thankful and not boastful of all God has given to you. We don’t know what tomorrow holds. But praise God we know Who holds tomorrow.

See ya Sunday!
Pastor

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Good To Be Home!

It sure is good to be home! My recent missions’ trip was as exciting as any I’ve been on. I was in five different countries with four different missionaries. I was in Thailand with our missionary Kiatisak Siripanadorn. He has a great work going in the heart of Bangkok. He has also started three orphanages for the hill tribe people of Northern Thailand. These children are such a blessing to be around.

In Burma I taught a room packed with young students studying for the ministry. We were there for several days. They sat on a dirt floors, in 100 degree heat, from 8 in morning till late in the afternoon. Most of these men will take their education back to their tribe of people.

It was a tremendous blessing to be with a Pastor in the Philippines, his wonderful people and students. I had never been to the Philippines. I was not expecting what I found. Pastor Dimver Andeles has a thriving church of 1500 people in a very poor and down-trodden area. It is a great church in an open-air building. The college has over 100 students who sleep on the church pews at night. There is also a thriving day school. This work was started by our missionary Bruce Rice. We have supported Bruce for 25 years. We have had a great part in this ministry. Pastor Andeles has asked us to come back next year to speak at his Pastor’s Conference. He told me he would have over 400 pastors from the Philippines there.

All in all, God blessed us. We were stuck for two days in typhoon Pablo. However, God spared us from any harm.

Thank you for praying for us. We took twelve flights in two weeks. Our bodies were tired but our spirits were quickened when we saw what God is doing around the world.

Keep on praying for our missionaries. And keep on giving. Believe me I have seen first-hand the wonderful job they are doing.

I’m glad to be home. I love you all! Merry Christmas and God bless you!

Pastor