We've all read the story of Ed Spencer who jumped into the icy waters of Lake Michigan to save seventeen people when the ship "Lady Elgin" sank. After he brought seventeen people to shore he collapsed. Throughout the night he lay in the infirmary. Witnesses said he kept mumbling "Have I done my best?" Edwin Young heard of it and wrote that immortal hymn "Have I done My Best for Jesus?". As Paul Harvey says,"Now the rest of the story".
Ed Spencer gradually recovered from his exposure and exertion. However, it broke his health, from which he never recovered. He moved to California where he spent the rest of his life in seclusion. When he died at the age of 84, a paper told the story and stated that not one of the seventeen he had saved ever thanked him for what he had done.
Oh! How that story should convict us. I read one time that an ungrateful man is like a hog under a tree eating acorns but never looking up to see where they came from. Each day we are the recipients of God's favor and His blessings. Psalm 68:19 tells us that "God daily loadeth us with His benefits".
Please know how thankful I am for each of you. I appreciate your kindness toward myself and my family. Each of you are a true blessing. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy the food, festivities and family. Remember where it all has come from and thank Him for it. God bless you dear and wonderful people. I love you dearly!
See you Sunday!
Pastor
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Preparation for the Journey
My wife and I recently took a trip to visit our daughter who is away at college. We got the suitcases out and excitedly packed for a four day excursion. My wife packed like she was going for 6 months! But that's another story.
I packed my clothes and a few necessities. Then I packed a few things I thought I might need; The camera, fishing rod, a book, I-Pod and the list goes on and on.
What I thought would be a simple and quick task turned into a marathon. Packing had become a minor moving job! Then a thought occured to me. If we spend this much time to get ready for a short trip, how much time should we spend to get ready for eternity? Someone has said "Life is a dress rehearsal for a role on the stage of eternity." If we are fortunate we will live to be 70 or so. If we are really blessed, we may have 80-85 years. However, sooner or later life will end. We will be in eternity forever. Think of any vast number of years you can imagine. After that time period, eternity will still last forever. The mind cannot accept it, it boggles the brain. We have no vision capable of seeing or comprehending eternity. However, according to the Bible, eternity is real and every person will spend eternity in heaven or hell.
Therefore, in light of the length and importance of the trip, a man would be hard put to spend too little time in preparation.
How much packing time for that journey have you spent recently? Think about it. It makes sense to be prepared.
See you on Sunday!
Pastor
I packed my clothes and a few necessities. Then I packed a few things I thought I might need; The camera, fishing rod, a book, I-Pod and the list goes on and on.
What I thought would be a simple and quick task turned into a marathon. Packing had become a minor moving job! Then a thought occured to me. If we spend this much time to get ready for a short trip, how much time should we spend to get ready for eternity? Someone has said "Life is a dress rehearsal for a role on the stage of eternity." If we are fortunate we will live to be 70 or so. If we are really blessed, we may have 80-85 years. However, sooner or later life will end. We will be in eternity forever. Think of any vast number of years you can imagine. After that time period, eternity will still last forever. The mind cannot accept it, it boggles the brain. We have no vision capable of seeing or comprehending eternity. However, according to the Bible, eternity is real and every person will spend eternity in heaven or hell.
Therefore, in light of the length and importance of the trip, a man would be hard put to spend too little time in preparation.
How much packing time for that journey have you spent recently? Think about it. It makes sense to be prepared.
See you on Sunday!
Pastor
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Don't Be A Draft Dodger
In a bold and daring move Franklin Roosevelt selected an unlikely candidate to lead the Allied Forces in the effort to crush Hitler. The obvious choice would have been either Douglas MacArthur or George Patton. Either was supremely qualified to handle the assignment. However, the rumor in the White House was that each of these men was more concerned with his own reputation than the success of the mission.
So Roosevelt chose a young General from Kansas. Dwight D. Eisenhower wasn't as dynamic as the others, but he was selected to be the man of the hour, and he got the job done in outstanding fashion.
It is important for us to recognize, as Eisenhower had his time and place in history, all of us have a time and a purpose as well. You and I were not accidents. When God formed you He threw away the mold. Contrary to popular opinion, there are no two people who are exactly alike. There is no one quite like you.
In all of us there is a uniqueness which is known only to God, a uniqueness with which He has deliberately endowed us for a particular purpose. In other words, God has specifically designed a work for you to accomplish, but He has also specifically designed you so you could accomplish it! Do you realize that God has a sovereign plan and purpose for your life and mine? Do you realize there is something God has for you to do that no one else can do?
F.B.Meyer put it this way: "From the foot of the cross, to the brink of the river where we lay our armor down, there is a pathway which God has prepared for us to walk in." From generation to generation God has prepared for each of us our role in His kingdom.
Often God uses the least likely's, the never-want–to-be's and the who-me's to accomplish His work. Ehud was chosen because he was left handed; Gideon because he was the least of his father's house; Nehemiah was a food taster and Jonah was full of prejudice. Each one had a uniqueness which God used to fulfill His purpose.
Time is moving on, we will soon depart. Do you want God to use you? You need not be a trained theologian, or skilled craftsman. All you have to be is available.
Don't be a draft-dodger. God has a job for you - do it!
See you on Sunday!
Pastor
So Roosevelt chose a young General from Kansas. Dwight D. Eisenhower wasn't as dynamic as the others, but he was selected to be the man of the hour, and he got the job done in outstanding fashion.
It is important for us to recognize, as Eisenhower had his time and place in history, all of us have a time and a purpose as well. You and I were not accidents. When God formed you He threw away the mold. Contrary to popular opinion, there are no two people who are exactly alike. There is no one quite like you.
In all of us there is a uniqueness which is known only to God, a uniqueness with which He has deliberately endowed us for a particular purpose. In other words, God has specifically designed a work for you to accomplish, but He has also specifically designed you so you could accomplish it! Do you realize that God has a sovereign plan and purpose for your life and mine? Do you realize there is something God has for you to do that no one else can do?
F.B.Meyer put it this way: "From the foot of the cross, to the brink of the river where we lay our armor down, there is a pathway which God has prepared for us to walk in." From generation to generation God has prepared for each of us our role in His kingdom.
Often God uses the least likely's, the never-want–to-be's and the who-me's to accomplish His work. Ehud was chosen because he was left handed; Gideon because he was the least of his father's house; Nehemiah was a food taster and Jonah was full of prejudice. Each one had a uniqueness which God used to fulfill His purpose.
Time is moving on, we will soon depart. Do you want God to use you? You need not be a trained theologian, or skilled craftsman. All you have to be is available.
Don't be a draft-dodger. God has a job for you - do it!
See you on Sunday!
Pastor
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Catching Up
My apologies for not posting a blog last week. I made a quick trip to Florida to attend the Southwide Baptist Fellowship sponsored by Trinity Baptist Church. It just so happens that my daughter attends Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville, so we killed the proverbial “two birds with one stone”. It sure was good to see Emily and see how she's adapting to college life. She stayed with Jeanette and me at night and we enjoyed talking about her life in college: her academics, playing on the volleyball team, etc. She's getting involved in singing groups, and I even met some boy who seemed to keep hanging around us. I thought he was a pretty good guy - as guys go!
It is a real eye-opener to see your children mature. It causes you to praise the Lord and breath a sigh of relief that just maybe you did something right. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving when, Lord willing, I will see her again.
I really enjoyed the Pastor of the church in Jacksonville. He has done a wonderful job with that ministry. The preaching at the conference was richly inspiring. Between the music and the preaching we had a veritable spiritual feast for two days. I also attended a couple of workshops that really gave me some insight into the ministry.
We left Monday around noon and were back home Thursday evening. It was a quick trip but very much worth it. Thank God for traveling mercies!
Forgive me for being so personal, but I just wanted to share my blessings with you.
Please know I sure do love and appreciate you dear, wonderful people.
God is love and Jesus is wonderful! Lord willing I will see you Sunday!
Pastor
It is a real eye-opener to see your children mature. It causes you to praise the Lord and breath a sigh of relief that just maybe you did something right. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving when, Lord willing, I will see her again.
I really enjoyed the Pastor of the church in Jacksonville. He has done a wonderful job with that ministry. The preaching at the conference was richly inspiring. Between the music and the preaching we had a veritable spiritual feast for two days. I also attended a couple of workshops that really gave me some insight into the ministry.
We left Monday around noon and were back home Thursday evening. It was a quick trip but very much worth it. Thank God for traveling mercies!
Forgive me for being so personal, but I just wanted to share my blessings with you.
Please know I sure do love and appreciate you dear, wonderful people.
God is love and Jesus is wonderful! Lord willing I will see you Sunday!
Pastor
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Sacrifice and Surrender
The ultimate example of sacrificial love is the Lord Jesus. He chose to surrender the glory of His heavenly home out of love for each one of us. As followers of Jesus, we should desire to emulate this attitude of self sacrifice.
The apostle John tells us in IJohn 2:6 that "whosoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus walked". The great question this - are you willing and ready to make yourself as nothing? To take on the very nature of a servant, to be obedient?
In Matthew 25, Jesus condemns the people for not caring for Him as they should. When they questioned Him as to when they were negligent in this, He responded "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not". In verse 45 he tells them "You didn't help them and therefore you didn't help me."
Ouch! That is a slap in the face. Think of it this way - how much would our lives change if we actually thought of every person we came in contact with as the Lord Jesus? If we believe, as the Bible teaches, that the two greatest commands are "Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself", shouldn't we behave accordingly?
Conversely, in the same chapter Jesus blesses some of the people for what they have done. Confused, they ask "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in? When did we see you in prison and visit you?" His answer was staggering. "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did unto me."
Matthew 25 is essentially teaching us that by loving others we actually demonstrate our love for God.
Treating those around us like they were Jesus requires sacrifice and surrender. God expects us to live in such a way that demands abandonment to self. He doesn't want us to say how much we love him, He wants us to show how much. As the Lord Jesus Himself charged us in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
See you on Sunday!
Pastor
The apostle John tells us in IJohn 2:6 that "whosoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus walked". The great question this - are you willing and ready to make yourself as nothing? To take on the very nature of a servant, to be obedient?
In Matthew 25, Jesus condemns the people for not caring for Him as they should. When they questioned Him as to when they were negligent in this, He responded "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not". In verse 45 he tells them "You didn't help them and therefore you didn't help me."
Ouch! That is a slap in the face. Think of it this way - how much would our lives change if we actually thought of every person we came in contact with as the Lord Jesus? If we believe, as the Bible teaches, that the two greatest commands are "Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself", shouldn't we behave accordingly?
Conversely, in the same chapter Jesus blesses some of the people for what they have done. Confused, they ask "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in? When did we see you in prison and visit you?" His answer was staggering. "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did unto me."
Matthew 25 is essentially teaching us that by loving others we actually demonstrate our love for God.
Treating those around us like they were Jesus requires sacrifice and surrender. God expects us to live in such a way that demands abandonment to self. He doesn't want us to say how much we love him, He wants us to show how much. As the Lord Jesus Himself charged us in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
See you on Sunday!
Pastor
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The Hungry Crab
Most of you know I am a native of New Jersey. Born and raised on the shore, I spent a great deal of time on the water. After teaching school for seven years in Oklahoma, God lead me back to Maryland and again be the water.
I love summertime. The biggest reason is because of the outdoor activities. One of the most popular in our area is crabbing. I distinctly remember the first time I went out on the Chester River with Bro. Manning and learned how to crab. The procedure was simple. Tie the bait to a trot line, and then drop the line in the water. When you pull up the line, a crab is eating the bait. Remove the crab, and then throw him into the boat.
Later on you throw several of them in boiling water to steam them. Sprinkle on some Old Bay, add some corn-on-the-cob on the side, and talk about good eating! Whoa!
This thought occurs to me whenever I eat steamed crabs; we humans are much like the crab. He becomes so preoccupied with his appetite and so absorbed in the meal that he does not see the impending danger to his freedom. How many people resemble the hungry crab? They are so interested in their own ambitions and desires they fail to realize that life will soon be over. How we need to resist this practice - failing to plan on eternity. Both nationally and individually we are sacrificing our future on the altar of immediate gratification. Don't jeopardize your eternity while yielding to temporary earthly pleasures. Remember the fate of the short sighted crab!
Thank God for last Sunday! Looking forward to a great time this Sunday!
Pastor
I love summertime. The biggest reason is because of the outdoor activities. One of the most popular in our area is crabbing. I distinctly remember the first time I went out on the Chester River with Bro. Manning and learned how to crab. The procedure was simple. Tie the bait to a trot line, and then drop the line in the water. When you pull up the line, a crab is eating the bait. Remove the crab, and then throw him into the boat.
Later on you throw several of them in boiling water to steam them. Sprinkle on some Old Bay, add some corn-on-the-cob on the side, and talk about good eating! Whoa!
This thought occurs to me whenever I eat steamed crabs; we humans are much like the crab. He becomes so preoccupied with his appetite and so absorbed in the meal that he does not see the impending danger to his freedom. How many people resemble the hungry crab? They are so interested in their own ambitions and desires they fail to realize that life will soon be over. How we need to resist this practice - failing to plan on eternity. Both nationally and individually we are sacrificing our future on the altar of immediate gratification. Don't jeopardize your eternity while yielding to temporary earthly pleasures. Remember the fate of the short sighted crab!
Thank God for last Sunday! Looking forward to a great time this Sunday!
Pastor
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Innovation
For years, I have been a fan of mysteries. I have watched all of the Sherlock Holmes stories many times over. By the way, no one can touch Basil Rathbone. I even enjoyed the Alfred Hitchcock stories. For many years he was the Dean of movie-makers. He wrote his own rules. No one created suspense quite like him. It is said that he became bored with his story lines. In an effort to rekindle his passion, he devised an innovative plan to jump-start his movie making. He began making cameo apperances in his movies. In Birds, he's found walking past a pet shop with two white terriers. In North by North West, he is spotted missing a bus. In Psycho, he is seen through a window wearing a cowboy hat. In Rear Window, he is winding a clock in the neighbor's apartment. In Dial M for Murder, he's seen in Ray Milland's class photo. In Topaz, he is being pushed through an airport in a wheelchair.
Innovation: it is the oxygen for the suffocating Nine to Five routine. And to be honest, all of us could use a dose! God's people are better known for their traditions than for innovation. However, when you consider Bible heroes, all of them were innovative. Noah used a boat as a sermon visual. Joshua walking around Jericho was not the norm-but it worked. Solomon's temple was one of a kind. John the Baptist's wardrobe still hasn't caught on. Many of us become bogged down with the same ole, same ole. We often need to be stirred and that means asking God to move us. Maybe it means a fresh prayer life. For others, it may be time on your knees just worshipping God. Often a slight change is needed to enhance our walk with God. Maybe a new sermon or even a new chorus would help us to be fresh. Think of your life spiritually. Are you in a rut? Does your heart ache for God? If so, then change your ways; become biblically innovative and regain your passion. Let Christ be seen in you again. I love you blessed and wonderful people.
See you Sunday!
Pastor
Innovation: it is the oxygen for the suffocating Nine to Five routine. And to be honest, all of us could use a dose! God's people are better known for their traditions than for innovation. However, when you consider Bible heroes, all of them were innovative. Noah used a boat as a sermon visual. Joshua walking around Jericho was not the norm-but it worked. Solomon's temple was one of a kind. John the Baptist's wardrobe still hasn't caught on. Many of us become bogged down with the same ole, same ole. We often need to be stirred and that means asking God to move us. Maybe it means a fresh prayer life. For others, it may be time on your knees just worshipping God. Often a slight change is needed to enhance our walk with God. Maybe a new sermon or even a new chorus would help us to be fresh. Think of your life spiritually. Are you in a rut? Does your heart ache for God? If so, then change your ways; become biblically innovative and regain your passion. Let Christ be seen in you again. I love you blessed and wonderful people.
See you Sunday!
Pastor
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