Sunday, August 5, 2007

I was standing in line at the bank when there was a commotion at the counter. A woman was distressed, exclaiming, "Where will I put my money?! I have all my money and my mortgage here!! What will happen to my mortgage?!"

It turned out that she had misunderstood a small sign on the counter. The sign read, WE WILL BE CLOSED FOR GOOD FRIDAY.

This is just a little joke I read, but it does drive home the point that we should think through what we write and how we word what we say. It probably also speaks to how careful we are in reading and hearing. I have read and thought a lot about the art of communication lately, and this joke emphasizes the importance of clear communication.

If there is any area in which we should communicate clearly, it is in teaching from God's Word and sharing the Gospel of God. Though not always perfect, I do my best to communicate both clearly each Sunday. This Sunday will be no different. Another challenge is to say it each week with variety so that it does not become mundane. Please pray for me and other preacher / teachers as we try again this Sunday to clearly and creatively communicate the Good News through God's Word.

Our Sunday school and Adult Bible Fellowship teachers will be doing that this Sunday (9:30 am), please pray for them. Three of the ABF's are studying about the Apostle Paul or some of his writings. Another ABF is discussing general topics which may arise at your place of work. Our kids learn about the Bible regularly, pray for proper application.

In our worship service at 10:45 am we will have our monthly Communion Service for part of the time - prepare, confess, restore, and medidate on what the sacrifice of Christ is in your life. Then come to participate in the elements and the Benevolent Fund offering. We will also briefly consider 2 Corinthians 10:1 - 6 in our continuing look through this book. This passage will center on "Help for the Battles You Face" with weapons from God. I am grateful that God has not left us to our own devices in facing Satan or his cohorts. We need to expect the battles in spiritual, emotional, psychological, and even physical areas of life. But thankfully God has given us unique weapons with which to fight these battles. Read the passage then come to hear more about these weapons.

"Sports 4 Life" grew greatly last Sunday evening and was a GREAT time of learning and fellowship. We lowered the ages to preschool for the wiffle ball area, and expanded up through 8th grade for basketball. It begins at 6:00 pm and ends about 7:15 pm. Come and bring others with you, and pray for the contacts we make. We have briefly discussed a character trait each week from the Bible - last week "Obedience" and the week before was "Personal Discipline." These obviously have to do with athletics, but also have much to say in regard to daily living. This week will be another trait, pray that all will learn how to practice these traits along with new athletic skills.

We had a great time last Sunday with the missionaries from Baptist Mid Missions. It is our privilege to host these new ones, pray for their work as they become fully engaged in it.

This past week our Leah was in Panama City Beach, Florida to babysit Nicholas while Sam and Sarah attended a Youth Conference ("Bigstuf Camp"). They had a great time with over 1,500 kids, and Nicholas had a chance to "swim" in the Gulf of Mexico! I told Leah to watch him as he would make a nice "M&M" (or is one just an "M"?) for a shark! They are now all back home resting after their flight (Sarah and Nicholas) and 16 hour bus trip (Sam, Leah, and youth.) What a big trip "Bigstuf Camp" was!!

Make sure YOU are not too tired out for worshipping the Lord this Sunday. Plan your Saturday activities to end early evening, lay out your Sunday clothes Saturday night, get up early, eat a good breakfast, read you Bible instead of the Sunday newspaper, and pray - then leave early enough to enjoy the blessings God has in store for you. And pray that in all our churches Jesus would be lifted high, and some come to know Him as Savior.

Pastor Don Workman