This 'n That

Date:	Fri Jul 4 10:05:03 2008
Today's Commentary Happy Independence Day! The Fourth of July was always a big thing in my home when I was growing up. It is a time to celebrate and to reflect on what we have - freedom and opportunity. Of course, along with freedom comes responsibility. May we never take what we have for granted and may we always use our blessings to help bless the lives of others. We as believers can also celebrate the freedom we have in Christ. Christ declared in John 8:31-32, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." We have been set free from sin and death. Paul warns us to use our freedom wisely and not abuse our position - "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13)." Enjoy the freedom you have as a citizen of the United States, but enjoy it responsibly. Enjoy the freedom you have in Christ, but enjoy it responsibly. Happy Fourth of July!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Thu Jul 3 15:06:13 2008
Today's Commentary The following article was written by a colleague of mine, Pastor Jay Keele. I thought I would share it with you: One of the best ways to reduce stress is to keep your sense of humor. Don't panic, don't overreact, and don't use unnecessary force. If you do people will avoid you. Happy people get more done than their oh-so-serious counterparts. Actually, being joyful can make you laugh all the way to the bank. Would you rather buy a car from a stressed out, verbally abusive salesman, or someone whose company you enjoy? Would you rather work around someone who's congenial, or someone moaning and groaning about what ought to be done? Proverbs 17:22 says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine." However, keep in mind two things when it comes to humor: 1) Make sure your humor is at no one else's expense. Avoid jokes about things about which others might be sensitive. Weight, bad hairdos, and cheating husbands make some people laugh, but to others it isn't funny. No one likes to be the butt of the joke. Be careful with teasing someone else. Make sure that their personality can handle your humor. It's always wise to let the joke be on you; you know you're not going to offend yourself. 2) Remember that timing is everything. "There is a time for everything. . .a time to weep and a time to laugh" (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4). If people don't believe you truly care about them, your humor will produce only a shallow and strained response. Every relationship, every path your cross, every conversation you have can ultimately be used by God to further His purposes. Whether at work, at home, or at play, always keep these things in mind.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Wed Jul 2 13:09:52 2008
Today's Commentary What do you do when you receive too much change? It is always so tempting to say something like, "Well, they should have been more careful" or "I'm overdue for a break" or "They charge too much anyway" or "Their loss is my gain." This error will probably go unnoticed until the end of the day and the drawer doesn't balance. Maybe it won't be noticed at all, so what is the harm in keeping what has been given to you? You may differ with me on this, but if you discover you have been given too much change, and don't do something about it, that is wrong. It is situations such as this where our real character comes out. Regardless of what many may say about this, we as followers of Christ should demonstrate integrity and honesty, and do the right thing. I don't know if the following story actually happened, but I heard of a pastor who took a new church. Shortly after arriving in town, he caught a bus to ride downtown one day. When the driver gave him change, it was too much. The pastor caught the mistake and returned the excess to the driver. The driver said, "I'm glad you did that. I knew you were a pastor, and I have been looking for a church. I gave you too much change on purpose just to see what you would do. I will see you Sunday. Hmmm. Even if no one is looking and no one ever catches the error, God is and he will. James 4:17 tells us, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." You know what is right in these situations, so do it!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Tue Jul 1 10:54:58 2008
Today's Commentary Those of us old enough to remember the Vietnam War are sure to remember one of the most famous photographs of the war. It was taken on June 8, 1972, and it won a Pulitzer for photographer Nick Ut. The picture is of a group of children running on a road, their faces are masks of terror, you can almost hear their screams. In the center of the group there is a young girl, naked and obviously in great pain. Her name is Kim Phuc, and her story is at www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91964687 . One of my deacons brought me this story last night before our meeting at church. Kim Phuc's story was the "This I Believe" segment from yesterday. Her story of redemption and forgiveness is phenomenal. The details I will leave for your discovery. The heart of the story is the issue of forgiveness. We should he forgiving people. We have been told to be forgiving people - Paul tells us in Colossians 3:13, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Always remember from what you have been forgiven - this will help you to develop the kind of forgiving spirit we should have. Reading Ms. Phuc's story of forgiveness should help us put into perspective the issue of how much we need to forgive. Be glad you are forgiven, and gladly forgive others!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Mon Jun 30 12:16:06 2008
Today's Commentary Our services yesterday were especially meaningful. We had a service of Children's Dedication which was very moving. Some of the friends of the family sang during the service which was very nice. I had both of my brothers here along with a very close friend with whom I sang for many years. We were able to sing for the service as well. My youngest daughter and 2 of my brother's children also sang. We were so blessed by all the participation of friends and family. Times like these do not happen frequently and are so very special when they take place. We really enjoyed a marvelous time of music and praise, and certainly saw the hand of God at work. Music is important to God. Throughout the scripture, we see music and songs play such an important part of his interaction with people. Psalm 150 records the use of instruments and song to praise God in a jubilant manner. This psalm concludes with this statement (verse 6), "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. This is something we should do joyously. We were able to do this in our services yesterday because of the joy we were experiencing in light of the presence of so many friends and family. It is good to praise him. It is good to enjoy God's blessing and provision. I hope God brings all of you times such as he brought to use in our time of worship yesterday.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sun Jun 29 08:11:06 2008
Today's Commentary Many times we read of accidents being caused by people who are driving "too fast for conditions." They are driving so fast that when something unexpected occurs, they don�t have the time to adjust, and simply wreck. The same can be said about our lives. Sometimes we live our lives so fast that when something unexpected occurs, we don't have the time to adjust and often wreck. There are two words that can be applied to either of the above scenarios: SLOW DOWN! Two passages in Proverbs have something to say about excessive haste. Proverbs 21:20 tells us, "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." Proverbs 29:20 says, "Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him." Here we see that excessive haste can lead to poverty, and makes us to be a fool. So, if you want to be a poor fool, keep going fast. If not, slow down and take some time in life. Of course, this could apply to your driving as well. I will let you be the judge of that.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sat Jun 28 00:29:07 2008
Today's Commentary The building of the Panama Canal was one of the most ambitious engineering feats in the history of mankind. This project was a daunting task, and things were not progressing very well. Then President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Major General George Goethels to oversee the project. Under his leadership, the project was completed. Fred Bauer writes about an incident that occurred during the building of the Panama Canal which illustrates Goethels' character. A huge section of the dig collapsed after months of work. General Goethels was surveying the damage with an aide. The aide asked, "What do we do, General Goethels?" Geothels replied, "Dig it out again." There are times in our lives when such perseverance is a good trait. We experience setbacks, sometimes our efforts "collapse" and leave us little choice but to "dig it out again." We read in Romans 5:3-5, "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Paul manifested perseverance throughout his life. There are times we need to emulate these examples of perseverance. There are times when we simply need to "dig it out again."
Pastor Steve

Date:	Fri Jun 27 08:19:11 2008
Today's Commentary I read recently about some advice given to some young people by educator Dr. Frank Dickey. This was entitled, "If I Had My Life to Live Over." Here is part of what he said: "If I had my life to live over, I would relax more. I wouldn't take so many things so seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains, and swim more rivers. I have been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. Not next time! I'd start barefooted earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I wouldn't make such good grades unless I enjoyed working for them. I'd go to more dances. I'd ride on more merry-go-rounds. I'd pick more daisies. . ." We know we can't change what has been, but we can change what might be. Paul tells us in Philippians 3:13-14, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Look to what is ahead � don't fret the things that have been and can't be changed. Change what you can that needs to be changed.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Thu Jun 26 18:54:50 2008
Today's Commentary This past Sunday my children's story focused on the text found in Matthew 10:29-31, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." I find this text really instructive and comforting. How many times do you see sparrows? You really can't tell because they are so numerous, you see them frequently. And because they are so numerous, you really don't pay much attention to them when you do see them. But God does. Not one thing happens to a sparrow that escapes the attention of our Father. Not one thing. So, this makes what Christ say next really powerful - God knows how many hairs you have, and you are certainly worth more than many sparrows. The next time you think your life is escaping God's attention, go bird watching. Find some sparrows, look at them and observe what they do. Then realize that what you are seeing God is seeing and so much more. Then try to convince yourself that God isn't watching you. You are more valuable that the little birds you are observing. Even as God knows what is going on in their world, he knows what is going on in yours.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Wed Jun 25 17:08:21 2008
Today's Commentary Farmers are really struggling this year. Many have had to plant their crops over not just once, but twice. Unfortunately, there are some that will not be able to replant at all because their fields aren�t just wet, they are flooded. We really need to be in prayer for so many folks, and include the farmers in our prayers. Why are they so determined to get the seed in the ground? Well, this is really a rhetorical question - if you don�t plant, you don�t reap. That is true metaphorically as well. In our lives, we need to plant something in order to reap something. In addition, we need to plant what we want to reap. If we want peace, joy and harmony, then plant peace, joy and harmony. If we want strife, discord, and anger, then plant strife, discord and anger. This is a simple fact. Listen to what scripture has to say about sowing and reaping: James 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. But, on the contrary, "those who plough iniquity and sow trouble reap the same" (Job 4:8). Hosea warned his contemporaries that if "they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind" (Hosea 8:7). These principles are immutable laws of God. We are not the helpless victims of our nature, temperament and circumstances. On the contrary, what we become depends largely on how we behave. Our character is shaped by our conduct! What are you planting?
Pastor Steve

Date:	Tue Jun 24 21:03:06 2008
Today's Commentary King Jehoshaphat was in between a rock and a hard place. A huge coalition had formed and was on it�s way to do battle with the army of Judah - �After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat (II Chronicles 20:1). What in the world was he going to do? The only thing he could do - let God take care of what he couldn�t. This was the advice he received from a spiritual leader, Jahaziel. He said, �Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: `Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's (vs.15).�� We often seem to be losing ground in our spiritual warfare. Sometimes our personal spiritual life suffers. We see believers losing their �rights� in their expression of faith: the Ten Commandments are banned, no prayer in school, biblical references are frowned upon. What is going on? Well, one thing we must remember is the same advice given to Jehoshaphat: �Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.� God�s plans will not be thwarted. We should continue to stand for Him, we should continue to make our testimony known - but the ultimate victory is in the hands of our Lord. If you are facing something in your spiritual life - remember the same advice - �the battle is the Lord�s.� Rely upon his strength and his presence. God is undefeated.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Mon Jun 23 21:06:42 2008
Today's Commentary Last night we hosted Scott and Than Coats at our church. They are missionaries to Thailand and their presentation reminded me of something we should never forget - when it comes to the Great Commission, we still have a lot of work to do in the world. 2000 years after Christ declared �But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and you will be my witnesses first in Jerusalem, then in Judea, then in Samaria, then to he uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8)�, the work of the Coats reminds us how much work needs to be done. It is good we hear from folks such as the Coats because they help us look at our vision and see if we need to do some focusing. The Coats reported that even though there has been mission work being done in Thailand since the early 1800�s, only 1% of the population are believers. Pray for their efforts, pray for the Coats and other workers who continue to do God�s work in areas that desperately need news of Christ. By the way, what are you doing to help keep the work of Acts 1:8 going?
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sun Jun 22 07:31:26 2008
Today's Commentary We hope you enjoy our newly designed web page, thanks to our very capable webmaster, Kenny McCall. I certainly think it has a fresh look - and we hope you find it easy to navigate. As you can see, all the features have been preserved, including this daily column. If you read this column and enjoy it, we would like some feedback. We are just interested in how many of you might be taking advantage of this. Of course, I need to be careful here - I don't want to fall into the trap that David did in II Samuel 24. He ordered his right hand man, Joab, to go throughout Israel and count all the fighting men - "So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, 'Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.'" (verse 2). I think this may have been a Sunday School lesson recently for many of you. The problem here was that David was showing his pride; he was getting a little too "high minded" in his dependence upon his own power. We have to be careful to avoid this, and not get too proud and "independent." It is interesting to watch children as they grow assert their independence. We did this as we were growing up. It is a natural thing. The problem is we can get in trouble when we get in a situation where we "bite off more than we can chew." We should always remember our dependence upon our heavenly Father. I don't think my request falls outside the line of "dependence." I am just curious. But I always want to rely on God, and never get too "high minded." That simply leads to trouble.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Fri Jun 21 07:15:42 2008
Today's Commentary One of the great affirmations of the scripture is found in Jeremiah 31:3. There God declares, "The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.'" Isn't that amazing? God is speaking specifically to the nation Israel in this passage, but this passage reveals the kind of love God has towards all of his children. His love is an everlasting love. As one commentator puts is, "Here Jeremiah underscores the Lord's inexhaustible patience--the basic concept of his constantly wooing his people and drawing them to himself." We have a hard time understanding such love. This is a love that is totally one-sided, it is a love that is not based on a condition, "I will love you if. . ." There are no strings attached. God simply loves his people. This is the nature of God's love. It is how he loves us. We should be appreciative of such love and be careful not to take his love for granted. Did you ever pick a flower such as a daisy (they seem to work well) and do that thing where you go, "She (He) loves me, she (he) loves me not" as you pull petals off the flower? The purpose is to determine if the person you have in mind really loves you. You don't need to do that with God. Or if you do, the last petal you pull will always be as you are saying, "He loves me!" God loves us unconditionally. This is hard to explain and hard to understand, but it is indeed the way he loves us. Be thankful for such love. We should make sure we do all we can to show God our love in return, not to make sure we keep his love, but to reveal our gratitude for something we really don't deserve.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Fri Jun 20 08:03:42 2008
Today's Commentary I read the following on the "Back to the Bible" webpage and thought I would pass it on to all of you: People in the United States hate to wait. Some define a split second as the time between the traffic light turning green and the person behind you blowing his horn. Fast-food chains have sprung up everywhere because many people don't want to go to restaurants where they have to wait for their food. Grocery stores have express lanes so that those with only a few items will not have to wait long. Patience is certainly a dying virtue in our culture. God knew that Israel would have to wait a long time for fulfillment of the many promises He gave through the prophet Isaiah. Nearly 150 years would pass before "Cyrus . . . My shepherd" would restore the people from captivity (44:28). It would be more than 700 years before the "people who walked in darkness" would see the light of the Gospel (9:2). And many promises have yet to be fulfilled (11:6-9; 35:1-10). We may not like to wait, but God attaches a promise to waiting. In patiently trusting Him, He assures us, we will find a new strength. When the right time comes, we will have wings like eagles and supernatural endurance. Many Christians wear themselves out because they are running ahead of God rather than waiting for His perfect time. If you're prone to do this, let God not only have His will in your life, but also let Him accomplish that will in His time. Use the waiting time as an opportunity to renew your strength and prepare for what lies ahead. Waiting doesn't have to be a drag; it can be a surge.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Thu Jun 19 15:48:03 2008
Today's Commentary So, how do you handle it when a clerk gives you the wrong change? Or when a waitress/waiter brings you the wrong order? Or when your flowers turn out not quite what you expected? It is so easy to use these times as occasions to �let someone have it.� I remember years ago becoming so incensed with a clerk over a dime that I wrote a note of apology to the store for my outburst. I didn�t say anything bad, I just was not really nice. Of course, the apology was certainly necessary, but frankly, the damage had been done because of those who witnessed the interchange. We who call ourselves Christians should work to improve our �social graces� in these circumstances. Who knows who might be watching? In addition, what part of Christ are we emulating when we have such scenes. �Well,� you say, �didn�t he throw some folks out of the temple?� Yes, but remember who he was, and also remember his divine abilities, which we don�t have. Proverbs 17:27 says, �A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.� Use your words with restraint so that you won�t damage your testimony and create bad feelings in someone else. There are times when restraint is something we need to do simply because of who we are. This is indeed a Christ-like attitude.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Wed Jun 18 11:49:26 2008
Today's Commentary I recently read that 20 people die along our ocean shorelines each day. It is not just those who don�t know how to swim or are poor swimmers that lose their lives. Often, they are the victims of riptides � underwater currents that can trap people and cause drowning. I remember on a mission trip to Costa Rica in 1992, several of our party almost lost their lives because of this phenomenon. We were able to get them out � however, one of the rescuers looked to be in trouble. David had helped others, but now looked as if he was being pulled under as well. He was out in the water, but simply bobbing up and down with the waves. In actuality, he wasn�t in trouble � he knew what he was doing. He simply rode the current to a safe place, and swam to shore. When you get caught in one of these underwater tows, the best thing to do is not fight against it. What this does is makes you exhausted, then you drown. What you should do is simply relax, float in the water, the current will pull you along parallel to the shoreline at times, but you will eventually reach a point where the undertow stops, and you will be able to swim to shore. The key thing is not to panic, keep a clear head, and realize you will be able to swim in when you reach a spot where the current isn�t as strong. Many times we find ourselves in situations where our first reaction is to panic � it might be a true life and death situation such as described above, or it may be simply an event or circumstance that comes suddenly and we don�t know what we are going to do to take care of the situation. The first thing to do is not panic. A great thing to do is pray. We did in 1992. It is amazing how prayer can help keep us calm and help us reflect on what we should be doing instead of flailing around making ourselves exhausted physically or mentally. Many people in drastic situations talk about how prayer helped them � and it can. We focus on God and the help he can provide. We keep our heads straight so we can hear his voice and think. Psalm 4:1 reminds us that God does hear our prayer, �Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.� Keep calm! Trust God! Let him help!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Tue Jun 17 09:13:39 2008
Today's Commentary We are in the middle of our �patriotic� holiday season. This begins with Memorial Day and concludes with Independence Day, with Flag Day, June 14th, more or less in the center. Sunday at church our choir performed a musical entitled �Stars and Stripes.� Our incredibly efficient webmaster already has this posted on our website. You can listen to this by simply going to the home page, clicking on �Audio Sermons� on the left side, scrolling to yesterday�s date (June 15th), and then following the instructions to listen. We hope it all will come through well. In this musical, we are reminded of the great privilege we have to be able to worship freely. We are also reminded of our dependence on God, and the fact that God certainly had a big role in shaping the early history of our country. We should never forget that we are dependent upon Him, and that he should have a huge role in shaping our individual lives as well as the future of our nation. I hope you enjoy the program. As we are in the middle of our �patriotic� holidays, take time to give thanks to God for all he has done for you, and allowing you to be in a place where we can honor him without fear of reprisal. We are truly blessed. Continue to pray for our leaders, and for the ongoing electoral process whereby we will choose a new leader. Pray for those who are serving in hostile areas. Pray for the completion of their tasks and their swift return to us. Psalm 33:12 tells us, �Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.� May we always do all we can to make sure we are a nation whose God is the Lord.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Mon Jun 16 15:39:29 2008
Today's Commentary Yesterday was Father�s Day, and I have another story about a father I would like to share. Over the past few weeks, thousands of graduates have heard about the benefits of �aiming high� to achieve lofty goals. I read a story recently of one person who took this advice to heart. David W. Hartmann graduated a few years ago with a medical degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. He was 27 when he graduated, which is not unusual. What was unusual about Dr. Hartmann that since the age of 8, he had been completely blind. He was the first sightless person since 1827 to graduate from Temple University School of Medicine. In commenting on his accomplishment, Dr. Hartmann gave credit to his father. When he learned of his son�s aspiration, Mr. Hartmann�s response was, �You will never know until your try.� This is good advice from a father for his son, and also good advice for us all. There are so many examples of this throughout history � the voyages of Columbus, the efforts of the Pilgrims, Edison�s light bulb, Charles Lindburgh�s solo flight across the Atlantic, Edmund Hillary�s conquest of Mt. Everest, astronauts on the moon � the list goes on and on. There are many biblical examples of this as well � Joshua�s conquest of Canaan, Solomon and the temple, Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem. I have always loved reading about Caleb and his conquest of Hebron, ��Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.� Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.� What task do you have that seems daunting to you? What is it that you want to attempt, but are a little afraid of trying because it seems like a really big task? What is it you want to do but aren�t sure you can? Remember the examples above of folks who took on big tasks � as Mr. Hartmann said, �You will never know until you try.� Remember also that as you step out in faith, God is there with you. Caleb wasn�t afraid because he knew the Lord would help him. One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:13, �I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.� Go ahead and try!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sun Jun 15 11:58:12 2008
Today's Commentary Today is Father�s Day � the following history of Father�s Day was taken from www.morning-glow.com: The idea for creating a day for children to honor their fathers began in Spokane, Washington. A woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd thought of the idea for Father's Day while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909. Having been raised by her father, William Jackson Smart, after her mother died, Sonora wanted her father to know how special he was to her. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Sonora's father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910. In 1926, a National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City. Father's Day was recognized by a Joint Resolution of Congress in 1956. In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday of June. So Father's Day was born in memory and gratitude by a daughter who thought that her father and all good fathers should be honored with a special day just like we honor our mothers on Mother's Day. If you were blessed with a loving father, as I was, I am sure you can remember so many things you learned from him. I can � but there is one thing that stands out. My dad was always consistent. You never had to guess what he would do, or how he would respond, or what you might expect from him because he was so consistent. He didn�t keep you guessing or �play with your head.� He was consistent. Consistency is a trait of our Heavenly Father. James 1:17-18 tells us, �Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.� What a wonderful thing � give thanks for your dad, and give thanks to your Father � he is changeless!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sat Jun 14 08:54:58 2008
Today's Commentary I am a fan of golf - I like to play golf, although I am not very good. I also enjoy watching golf. Right now, the U.S. Open is being played at Torrey Pines Golf Course near San Diego, California. After the second round, a player who was in a tie for the lead complained about the greens. He said they were really bumpy - �I�m hitting the ball well. It�s just a matter of finding a putting stroke that will adapt to these greens. They were pretty bad. A lot of times the ball�s jumping four or five times before it gets to the hole.� I sometimes get a kick out of hearing some of the player�s comments - if the greens aren�t smooth, then there are complaints. If the fairways aren�t cut right, there are complaints. If the rough is too high, there are complaints. When you think of the fact that golf originated in a cow pasture - why should there be any complaints? Of course, bumpy greens and tough rough and shaggy fairways are really more realistic, and more like real life. Wouldn�t it be nice if we could always �putt� on smooth greens; play only on well-manicured fairways, and never have to worry about the rough? As a recent TV commercial says, �sometimes life comes at you hard.� It sure does. How can we prepare for �bumpy greens?� Well, always keep in mind that you may encounter bumpy greens at times. Be prepared for this as best you can. Then, always trust the guidance your �pro� gives you. God can read the greens better than you can. Let him show you how to putt. We should always say to him, �But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, �You are my God�" (Psalm 31:14). Let God help you with life�s bumps, rough and tough lies. He will never let you down!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Fri Jun 13 15:13:40 2008
Today's Commentary I hope those of you who are nearby are able to attend the free concert that is going to be at the Jasper County Fairgrounds tomorrow (Saturday) night at 6:30 p.m. �Beloved,� a group from Chicago (which includes my daughter Megan) will be performing. Also � don�t forget that �The Angela Lilly Trio� will be at the Jasper County Fairground the last Sunday in June � June 27th � at 7:30 p.m. Come out and enjoy these events!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Fri Jun 13 15:12:59 2008
Today's Commentary When you think of God, how do you picture him? It is hard to do, and any mental image we might conjure is no doubt wrong. Some folks think that even trying to do this is not right. I wouldn�t go as far as that � but I would say I advise against �obsessing� about God�s appearance. There is no way we can know what God the Father actually looks like. As a matter of fact, we read in Exodus 33:20, �But,� he said, �you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.� In this passage, we see that God had to �hide� Moses in a cleft in the rock in order for him just to get a very fleeting glance. Now, we all can�t be hidden in rock cliffs, so how does God communicate with us and show us what he is like? Through his Son! One of the reasons that Christ came into this world is in order that we might get a glimpse of the Father. In John 14:9, we hear Christ�s response to a request to �see the Father:� �Jesus answered: �Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.�� Christ came into the world to die for us, but he also came into the world so we might be able to get a glimpse of deity. We read further in Hebrews 1:1-3, �In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.� Have you seen the Father? We see the Father when we come to him through faith in Jesus Christ. See the Father � accept the son!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Thu Jun 12 11:57:27 2008
Today's Commentary Fred Bauer writes about Dan Crawford, a missionary who was returning to his post in the jungles of Africa after a furlough in the states. As he was returning through the jungle, he and his party encountered a river that was swollen from recent rains. There was no bridge, and the water was too deep to ford. So, they decided to camp there, and pray that God would provide for them a way across the river. That night, a huge tree fell across the river. The next day, Dan and his party crossed the river on their �bridge,� and made their way to their destination. Many might call this a �coincidence.� Some would view it as an obvious answer to prayer. A coincidence is defined as �a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance.� What we might define as coincidence in many cases is a case of divine intervention. I believe is that this happens more than we know � events take place in what seems to be a �random, chance� way, what we might label a �coincidence,� when in actuality there is nothing random about it � God is there directing things for us. Now, I have long ago quit trying to figure out �which is which� when it comes to coincidence or God�s hand at work � I simply thank God for what takes place and realize that in reality, God is behind it either way. I Corinthians 2:9 tells us, �However, as it is written: �No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him�" � We never know what God might do for us! If we need a tree to fall across a river, we just might see it happen!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Wed Jun 11 18:39:52 2008
Today's Commentary Many of you have perhaps already seen this as it seems to be making the �email circuit,� but I thought I would share it with you after receiving it yesterday. The Bible should be a priority in our lives. In II Timothy 2:15, Paul encourages us to �Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.� CELL PHONE vs. BIBLE I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone? What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets? What if we flipped through it several time a day? What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it? What if we used it to receive messages from the text? What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? What if we gave it to Kids as gifts? What if we used it when we traveled? What if we used it in case of emergency? This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible? Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill. Makes you stop and think "where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Tue Jun 10 09:17:21 2008
Today's Commentary Daniel and his three friends had a good reason to be scared, angry, and confused. He and Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah had been plucked from their homes in Judah, from their families, from their friends, from all they knew and loved, and taken hundreds of miles to the east to live in a place where they had different customs, different food, a different language, and strange gods. However, led by the courageous and faithful Daniel, they did not lose their perspective of who they were and, more importantly, they did not compromise their faith in God. Asked to eat of the fine food of their captors, they refused, and thrived on only water and vegetables. We read of this in Daniel 1, �But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel asked, �Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.� At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.� Daniel and his friends could have given in and ate the �non kosher� food - who would know? �Why can�t we?� they might have asked, �Haven�t we been forsaken and forgotten? Who is going to know if we compromise our principles? Anyway, �When in Rome, do as the Romans do.�� Well, they probably wouldn�t have had this last thought as the Romans weren�t around yet. Regardless of this, the young men chose not to forsake the God who loved them, the God who was there for them, the God who would help them all throughout their captivity. We find ourselves at times in a position where we could easily justify compromising our principles and beliefs. Who would know? Well, God will, for one. For the four friends, this was enough for them to choose to remain faithful even when it might be easy to not be faithful. Remember, God is there. Make decisions in all times and in all circumstances that reflect your faith in God, especially at times when it might be easy to go another way.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Mon Jun 9 17:59:48 2008
Today's Commentary I have always admired those who answer God�s call to minister in other lands, sometimes in remote areas, lad by the Lord to bring the good news of the Gospel to those who have never heard. If you have read the book Peace Child, then you know the story of Don and Carol Richardson who, along with their 8 month old child, made a trip up the Kronkel River in what is now known as Irian Jaya to work among the Sawi people � a tribe who had been cut off from civilization and were still literally in the Stone Age. Their story is absolutely intriguing and is a tremendous attestation to their dedication and to the sovereign grace of God. Through their ministry, the news of Christ was brought to this tribe, but not before they witnessed an incredible exchange of an infant child from the Sawi tribe to a neighboring tribe to ensure peace between the tribes. Don used this as a means to bring the Gospel story to the Sawis, and they responded. Many received the gift of eternal life. We often wonder about those in remote areas � how will they hear? God sends people such as the Richardsons to them. God uses us to bring the Good News to even the most remote parts of this globe. Pray for the efforts of such people as the Richardsons. Pray for your own testimony wherever you are. You may not be in a remote area of Irian Jaya, but you do come in contact with souls who need to hear what Christ has done. Ecclesiates 3:11 tells us, �He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.� We who know what God has done for us can tell others so they might understand also � then they will have �eternity in their hearts� as well.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sun Jun 8 07:53:25 2008
Today's Commentary We had an incredible rain Friday night � 7.62�. According to our local meteorological people, this was a record for this date. Considering that the average for all of June is about 3.5�, I would say we had a lot of water. We have bridges and roads washed out, roads flooded, water over roads in places where some �old timers� say they have never seen water before. I am indeed glad we have God�s promise that he will not destroy the earth by flood again, or we might be doing some wondering. God�s promise is recorded in Genesis 9:11, �I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth." So, we can be thankful for this. However, it does not mean that he is not going to judge the earth again. As a matter of fact, II Peter 3:10-12 tells us, �But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.� A couple of interesting things here � first, we are encouraged to live for him in light of the promise of judgment in order that we might escape this judgment. A second thing is that through living godly lives, warning others of their need to repent, and seeing others come to repentance, it hastens the arrival of this day. I don�t understand exactly how this filters into God�s plans and his timing, but I know we need to heed this statement and realize our godly living has much to do with God�s plans. Live for him who will someday come for us and bring in the day of judgment. Bring others with you so they can have the same promise as you, the promise given in verse 13, �But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.� I know I am looking forward to what God has in store for us, and I want others to have this same expectation. I hope this is your desire as well.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sat Jun 7 07:48:58 2008
Today's Commentary John Stott, one of the greatest preachers of the latter 20th century, wrote in his book, Between Two Worlds, �Nothing is more nauseating to contemporary youth than hypocrisy and nothing more attractive than sincerity.� Christ reserved some of his most scathing remarks for religious leaders who were hypocrites. Some of what he said to them is recorded in Matthew 15:7-9, �You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: `These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.' " Christ did not like hypocrisy from anyone, especially those who were supposedly the religious leaders. When we are working with people, especially young people, our sincerity should show. We need to teach and train truthfully and not misrepresent ourselves and misrepresent God. God does not like to be misrepresented, and he doesn�t like lies. He wants sincerity from us, especially when we are involved in teaching others about him. Why? Because there is not one smidgen of hypocrisy in God. God is total truth. Be a sincere person. Pardon me for being idiomatic here but, �Mean what you say and say what you mean� and �practice what you preach.� People are able to see right through hypocrites, especially young people, so allow sincerity to be a treasured part of your character!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Wed Jun 4 08:39:32 2008
Today's Commentary I really wish I would take more time to fish. Notice, I didn�t say I wish I had more time to fish. I said I wish I would take more time to fish. I love to fish, I just don�t go that often because I don�t take the time to do it. We often bemoan our inability to do things because �we don�t have time.� In many instances, we would be more accurate if we said we don�t take the time. Doing things involves making a conscious decision to do it, whether it be fishing or woodworking or even going to church. Often we don�t go to church, or perhaps aren�t as involved as we should be because we say, �we don�t have time.� Well, be more accurate with your statement - you don�t take time. Time is something God has given to us, and it is up to us on how we control our time. Often, however, we allow time to control us. If you find yourself in this situation, then perhaps some changes need to be made in order for you to be in control rather than being controlled. Ecclesiastes 8:6 says, �For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter.� This is true � and we need to be in control of our time in order to accomplish what we need to accomplish at the right time. We need to realize there is a �proper time� for our work, a �proper time� for our families, a �proper time� for leisure, and certainly, last but not least, a �proper time� for God. Learn to develop �proper times� for your activities. Don�t let time get control of you � learn to control time!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Tue Jun 3 15:23:26 2008
Today's Commentary We have had a great first two days of Vacation Bible School here at our church. I have always thought that VBS, like summer camps, are good ministry and educational tools because they sort of break the routine, offer different settings and activities, and really focus on kids. We really enjoy that here at our church and it has always been one of the highlights of our year. When we conduct a VBS, we are really accomplishing something that our Lord wants us to accomplish � training our young ones. Proverbs 22:6 says, �Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.� We normally look at this verse and think it applies to parental obligation. I think it does, but I believe it goes beyond that. I think the admonition here is for anyone who has the privilege of being involved with the lives of children and young people. As a church, it is indeed a privilege we have to be involved in teaching our children. We need to take this seriously. We need to support parents raising young children, and we need to be involved in their training as well. I have always enjoyed VBS. I enjoyed it as a child more than 40 years ago. I enjoy being involved now as a pastor. Christ said, �'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.� When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there (Matthew 19:14-15).� To this I say, �Amen,� bring them in!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Mon Jun 2 15:48:00 2008
Today's Commentary I was visiting with my mother recently and observed a sad sight � the elementary school that sat across the road from our house had been torn down. In its place was a newer, bigger, nicer and much more functional building. There were a number of reasons why this was sad for us. Mom was with the first group of teachers to occupy the building when it was a �new� structure back in the early 50�s. She taught there until she retired in the middle 80�s. I had gone to school there, used to mow the grass there � lots of memories. We knew this change was coming and was actually necessary not just for the sake of a new building, but because of the structural problems with the old one. Apparently, there were some issues with the foundation of the old one, and it was sinking. Now, the building looked fine � sturdy, attractive, serviceable. But, the problems were unseen and involved the very basis of the building. So, it had to be replaced. A poor foundation is a bane to any structure. It goes without saying that you need a proper foundation. This is true in our spiritual lives as well. Christ told a parable about foundations. You can read about this in Matthew 7:24-27, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." The need for a the proper spiritual foundation is evident � to go without a good foundation just doesn�t make good sense. What kind of foundation are you building upon? Make sure it is solid � make sure you are not on shifting ground. Don�t just try to �look good on the outside,� make sure you are properly supported!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sun Jun 1 21:59:45 2008
Today's Commentary Our study this morning was on the laver in the tabernacle used for ritual purification in the Israelite worship. The purpose of the laver was to remind the people that God wants his people to be �clean.� Psalms 24:3-4 tell us, �Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.� What can we do to keep clean? Confess! I John 1:9 tells us, �If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.� We know we are going to do things that displease God. When we do, we need to come to him and confess � he will cleanse us and help keep us in a place of fellowship with him. Even after our salvation, we still sin. Confession promotes fellowship with God. Why do we sin? Because it is our nature. I remember many years ago, after we had just moved to a new house my parents had built, we were having a party in the spacious back yard. There was loads of places to play � lots of green grass. But there was one little mud hole. My youngest brother, about 2 at the time, went straight for that mud hole the minute he got outside, even with all the other clean areas in which to play. Why? Because he wanted to get dirty. So do we � it is our nature. That is why we need to be continually cleansed. We need forgiveness offered through Christ � we come to him and allow him to clean us up. Someone once said, �confession is good for the soul.� I would say, �Confession is necessary for the soul.�
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sat May 31 00:08:42 2008
Today's Commentary I have always loved the story of Naaman. If you aren�t familiar with what took place, you can read about this in II Kings 5. Naaman was a commander in the Aramean army - a nation who was not exactly on the best of terms with Israel. He contracted leprosy - and to whom did he turn for help? Israel! Why? Because of a servant girl in his home who was an Israelite. She had been captured on one of his raids and Naaman brought her back to his wife as a gift. There are so many great aspects of this story - and one that should not be overlooked is the role of the Israelite girl. When she learned of Naaman�s plight, instead of saying �Good, he�s getting what he deserved,� her response was, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy (vs. 3)." If someone had taken me captive, I think I would be a little angry. However, her concern was for Naaman. If you know the story, you know what good thing happened. If you don�t, you need to read it, I won�t reveal any more - I will probably write more about this at some point, so I will reserve some of the �thunder� for future articles. When we are wronged by someone, usually our desire is to get even, or �see justice done.� In the story of Naaman and his servant, we see another way to react. We see a story of forgiveness, compassion and concern when a greater good can be achieved. Sometimes our feelings of resentment need to be put away so we can see God glorified. Learn a great lesson from Naaman�s maid - look for how we might be used by God even when we are not in the best of circumstances ourselves. Hey, I can think of someone else who did this as well - can�t you? If you can�t, let me refer you to John 3:16.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Fri May 30 08:46:29 2008
Today's Commentary Yesterday was John F. Kennedy�s birthday. He was born May 29, 1917. It is hard to imagine that he would be 91 if he were still living. For those of us who remember him, our recollection is of a man much younger than 91. This is what happens when one dies at a younger age. For those of us old enough to remember President Kennedy, we can remember vividly where we were on November 22, 1963 when we first learned that, at the age of 46, he had been cut down by an assassin�s bullet. On January 31, 1961, just a few days after his inauguration, President Kennedy wrote the following to Brazilian president Janio da Silva Quadros, "Once in every 20 years presidential inaugurations in your country and mine occur within days of each other. This year of 1961 is signalized by the happy coincidence. At this time, each of us assumes challenging duties...To each of us is entrusted the heavy responsibility of guiding the affairs of a democratic nation founded on Christian ideals." We need to pray for our current leaders, and those who are seeking to lead us, that they would understand their responsibility and accountability before God. It is so easy to get into a position where we criticize our leaders when what we need to do is pray for them, and pray they have the attitude of President Kennedy in understanding the �heavy responsibility of guiding the affairs of a democratic nation founded on Christian ideals.� This concept is reflected in scripture in Romans 13:1: �for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.� Pray that our political leaders acknowledge this and conduct their oversight accordingly. They have examples to follow in this - pray that they do so.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Thu May 29 18:42:20 2008
Today's Commentary Recently I was asked to sing at a funeral of a dear man who left behind a wife, four adult children and several grandchildren. The songs the family requested were from his �generation� - older hymns that are not all that familiar today. I didn�t know any of them myself, but found that each expressed in a powerful and moving way the hope of the believer. This was why they were chosen - because of the hope they expressed. The deceased had been familiar with them, so they held a special significance for the family. I spoke to my mother on the phone the night after the funeral and told her of the songs - she was able to sing every one of them! She didn�t miss a note or a word. She was of the same generation as the deceased - so it was no wonder that she was familiar with them. Folks of my generation probably wouldn�t pick these songs - but I can think of many that convey the same hope. I know my daughters� generation would have other musical selections. One thing that binds these songs together is the hope they express, regardless of the musical style used to convey that hope. The hope God gives us does not change from generation to generation, because our God is constant from generation to generation. Mary proclaims in Luke 1:49-51, �for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;� This is so true. God�s hope and his love extends from generation to generation - one generation has the same hope of another generation because God�s provision is constant and consistent. There may have been some at the funeral who could not identify with the style of song I was singing, but they certainly could identify with the hope the songs conveyed because they expressed the hope we have in our God. From �generation to generation� his extends his mercy - God is our hope.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Wed May 28 09:13:11 2008
Today's Commentary This was emailed to me yesterday, and I thought I would share it with all of you. We live in such a �me-centered� world, it is important to remember we don�t have a �me-centered� Savior. Also, it should go without saying that our focus should be less on ourselves and more on others.. Proverbs 11:25 tells us, �A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.� Enjoy the poem! "JesUs" Before U were thought of or time had begun, God stuck U in the name of His Son. And each time U pray, you'll see it's true, You can�t spell our �Jesus� and not include U. You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name, Fur U, He was born. That's why he came. And His great love for U is the reason He died. It even takes U to spell crUcified. Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand He rose from the dead, with U in His plan? The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew, and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U. When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension, He felt there was one thing He just had to mention. 'Go into the world and tell them it's true That I love them all - Just like I love U.' So many great people are spelled with a U, Don't they have a right to know JesUs too? It all depends now on what U will do, He'd like them to know, But it all starts with U.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Tue May 27 09:26:35 2008
Today's Commentary This is the time of year for many things, especially graduations. Locally, graduations were held last week. I was visiting my mother over the weekend and the local newspaper was filled with stories of graduations. Graduations are a marvelous time. They are at once exciting, scary and even a little sad. There is a great sense of accomplishment and pride at what is being recognized � students have completed a course of study and are ready to move on. But that idea of �moving on� can be both sad and scary. You�re leaving what you know, that which makes you comfortable, relationships with friends are going to be changed to varying degrees. All of this can be both thrilling and sad at the same time. Maybe a little encouragement from scripture can be beneficial. There are several �graduations� recorded in scripture, but one of my favorites is that of Joshua�s which is recorded in Joshua 1. We read about this in Joshua 1:1-2, �After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: �Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites.�� In essence, God was telling Joshua that he had now graduated from his training and it was his duty to take over for Moses and lead the people. Do you think he was a little excited and a little scared, maybe even sad, all at the same time? I would imagine he was. His mentor and leader now was dead. There was still much to be done. The one who would lead the people was none other than Joshua himself. God knew the conflicted feelings of his servant. That is why he told him, �No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them (vss. 5-6). Joshua could go out knowing that God was on his side. If you are a graduate (or even if you are not), remember there is no where you will go and nothing that you will do without God being right there for you. We do face times when we feel both excited and scared all at once; just remember that God knows what we feel and will be with us every step of the way. Congratulations, Graduates!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Mon May 26 10:47:04 2008
Today's Commentary Today is Memorial Day. This day was initially set aside to honor those who had lost their lives in the War Between the States. It has become a day to remember all those who have passed on, however, there is still a special significance in the honoring those who lost their lives in war. The following is from www.usmemorialday.org: Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee. In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem: We cherish too, the Poppy red That grows on fields where valor led, It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies It is good that we have days of remembering. We need memorials to remind us of what has taken place in the past and how God has moved. After the Israelites crossed the Jordan River to enter the land of Canaan, God told them to build a memorial. We read in Joshua 4:20, � And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken up out of the Jordan.� We need days of remembrance to remind us of sacrifices made, significant actions taken, lessons we have learned from others no longer with us. So, Happy Memorial Day! Give thanks for what we have learned from those no longer with us.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sun May 25 09:07:25 2008
Today's Commentary On this date in 1892, Isaac Stringer had responded to a call for missionaries to work among the Inuit of the Mackenzie Delta region. The two-month journey from Toronto to Fort McPherson, Stringer's destination for his first Arctic assignment, would involve a variety of modes of transportation. Stringer had set out by railroad on May 16 and by this date -- May 25 -- had reached the end of the steel rails at Edmonton. From here, he faced 2,000 more miles of winding trails and torturous streams. Before leaving Edmonton, Stringer purchased a year's worth of supplies from the Hudson's Bay Company. Knowing communication possibilities beyond Edmonton would limited, he also sent telegrams to friends and family. Stringer spent 25 years in the Yukon region ministering to the people there. Can you imagine having the desire to leave all that you have and go to a place as harsh and dangerous as the Artic region of the Yukon to live and work? We need to thank God for folks such as these who respond to the call to go where others won�t. After 25 years, Stringer was reassigned to a different area of ministry. He would be going to a new location where it was much more comfortable. Do you think he was entirely happy with this? Read what he wrote in his diary: �When everything was considered it did not seem right to refuse to accept the position. It has taken some time to get accustomed to the new outlook. I shall not cease for a long time to think in terms of Yukon. The change from Yukon to Rupert's Land means a very serious break with the past. It will not be an easy matter to leave Yukon. Looked at in almost every respect it means saying good-bye to a work and a people that have become a part of my life." Isaac Stringer�s life stands as a testimony to one dedicated to God. We don�t have to go to the Yukon to demonstrate this same commitment, but we need to demand to give our lives to God. We are encouraged to commit our lives to God in Psalm 37:5, �Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:� How is your commitment?
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sat May 24 21:01:33 2008
Today's Commentary Fred Bauer, former editor of �Guideposts�, tells the story about a store owner on the western frontier in earlier days of our country. Travelers would pass by on their way west to get supplies and often ask about what to expect on the trail ahead. Sometimes they would ask about the people they might encounter, �What kind of folks are up ahead?� The wise store owner would reply, �What kind of folks did you have at the place you left?� If they said, �ornery,� he would tell them to expect ornery folks up ahead. If they said �good and kind,� he would tell them to expect good and kind folks up ahead. It was said he was rarely wrong. Often our perceptions of others and our perceptions of circumstances are what determine our assessment of others or of the circumstances. If we enter into a venture thinking we will fail, we likely will fail. If we believe we are going to encounter success and have a positive outlook, we more than likely will succeed. The same is true of our expectations of people. We are often treated the way we are treating others. If you want to be treated well, then treat others well! Christ even takes this a bit further in Luke 6:27-31, �"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.� This may be a difficult principle, but it has great returns. What kind of people are up ahead in your life? Listen to the wise shop keeper!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Fri May 23 08:40:55 2008
Today's Commentary In Philippians 2:5-6, Paul writes about Christ, �Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,� The idea of equality of all people is something we talk about quite a bit, but in our hearts we often find it hard to practice. We tend to treat people on �different social levels� differently. We shouldn�t, we know better, but we are often guilty of this. George Bernard Shaw takes on this issue in �Pygmalion� (My Fair Lady). Henry Higgins, speaking to Eliza Doolittle, says, �The great secret, Eliza, is not having bad manners or any other particular sort of manners, but having the same manner for all human souls, in short, behaving as if you were in heaven where there are no third class carriages and one soul is as good as another.� Our world would be in a much better state if we could all live by this statement. But we struggle with it, we tend to treat folks differently and that is why we often have hurt feelings (or worse) and why there is inequality. We need to emulate God. Romans 2:10-11 tells us, �but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.� And neither should we. We need to work to adopt the �mind of Christ.� Our prayer should be for a Christ-like attitude towards all people. Don�t play favorites - treat everyone equally!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Thu May 22 10:03:00 2008
Today's Commentary An advocate is someone who takes up for someone else, simply put. We sometimes think in terms of lawyers when we hear the term �advocate,� but an advocate need not be such a professional. We can take up for others in many circumstances without possessing law degrees. Now, I am not referring to going to court, I am referring to other times when folks are simply needing someone to stand by them or with them or for them - times when people are hurting because of grief, times when people are hurting because of financial problems, times when people are hurting because of abuse from other people, times when someone is needed to help resolve a dispute. There are many times in our lives when we need an advocate, there are many times in our lives when we could be an advocate. We know that God is our advocate in so many circumstances. Job 16:19 tells us, �Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.� Christ is also portrayed as our advocate in I John 2:1-2, �My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.� Be grateful for the advocacy of the Father and of the Son. Be willing to be an advocate for someone else if you see someone who needs a willing person to stand by them and take up for them. Be an advocate!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Wed May 21 09:19:10 2008
Today's Commentary There is an old story which I first heard many years ago and have told many times myself about a fellow who gets trapped inside his house by a flood. First, a big truck comes along and offers help, �No,� he says, �God will take care of me.� Then, as the water gets higher, he goes up to the second story of the house. A boat comes along and the people offer help. �No, thanks, God will take care of me.� The water gets higher and he is forced to climb out onto the roof. A helicopter comes by and offers aid. �No, God will take care of me.� Finally, the water gets higher and the fellow drowns. When he arrives in heaven, he asks God, �God, you promised to take care of me. Why did you let me drown?� God replies, �I sent you a truck, a boat, and a helicopter. What more do you want?� We often miss God�s hand in our lives because he sometimes comes in unexpected ways. There are times when he helps us that we don�t recognize the help at all because he does his work in an imperceptible way. We can never think he isn�t there helping us, because he is. He is often unseen, often unrecognized, but nonetheless still there. We read some amazing stories of God�s deliverance of his people in II Kings 6 & 7. Jehoram was the king of Israel at this time. The Arameans were enemies that gave them fits. On one occasion, under the leadership of Ben-Hadad II, the Arameans laid siege against Samaria. Things looked very bleak; donkey�s heads were being sold for food. One day, Elisha prophesied that on the next day, food would be cheap - Elisha said, "Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria (7:1)." The next day, some wandering lepers went to the camp of the Arameans to either die or get food, and they found the camp deserted. Why? Because God had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of a large advancing army � even though there was none. They left, the people of Samaria plundered the Aramean camp and were saved. Elisha�s prophecy about God�s aid came true, but who would have ever thought it would come about in this way? And another thing � the Israelites didn�t hear a thing and didn�t know at first they had been delivered! God is working for us. He is there to help us, and sometimes he does so in creative ways. Hey, is that the sound of an army I hear?
Psator Steve

Date:	Tue May 20 08:51:49 2008
Today's Commentary Are you old enough to remember the TV show, �Queen for a Day?� This started as a radio show in 1947, then moved to television. I don�t remember the radio show, but I do remember the TV show that was hosted by Jack Bailey. The premise was 4 contestants came on the show and told of their dire circumstances. Then, a winner was picked by the studio audience using an �applause-o-meter.� The winner was bedecked with a crown, a red velvet robe (well, I assume it was red, we only had a black and white TV at that time), and given roses. The winner was pampered for a day, and some things were done to make the person�s life circumstances a little better. The only thing was in most situations it really was only a temporary fix. God offers us more than being �queen for a day� or �king for a day.� In many things in our lives, more than just a �quick fix� is needed � and that is why we need to continue to look to a source of comfort and help that is more than just a band-aid solution. Psalm 118:13-14 tells us, �I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.� God is indeed �our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).� God offers more than just a quick fix. He is going to be with you for the long haul. Depend on him, trust in him, and you will get more than a crown and a velvet robe!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Mon May 19 09:09:53 2008
Today's Commentary Strawberries are ready to be picked here in our county. We have a couple of �u pick� patches that are now open for business. I really like strawberries � they may be my favorite fruit. There is nothing like a strawberry � so delicious, so sweet, really yummy! I am looking forward to strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie, and strawberry jam. There is nothing better than a hot biscuit with strawberry jam. Doesn�t that sound good? Makes you want to rush right out and pick some, doesn�t it? But why would you want to do this? Well, for one thing, you probably want to do this because I said some positive things about strawberries in the first few sentences of this article. I told you how much I liked strawberries and got you to think some good things about strawberries. My positive statements had the effect of getting you to think about strawberries and then acting on what you were thinking. We sometimes wonder why our churches aren�t growing, and perhaps the reason is strawberries. Well, not so much the strawberries, but how we talk about the strawberries. You wanted some strawberries because I spoke of strawberries and spoke about them in a positive way. When we don�t speak to others about the good things of God, about the good things about our church, why should we expect others to want to find out about God and discover what he has in store for them? I knew about strawberries because someone, most likely my parents, introduced me to the goodness of strawberries. I found out about the goodness of God because there were people who introduced me to the goodness of God. Psalm 34:8 says, �Taste and see that the LORD is good.� For those of us who have �tasted� God, we know the truth of this statement. And since we know the truth of this statement, we should invite others to make the same discovery. Invite others to find out what you have found out � that God is good � even better than strawberries. And if you have never discovered the goodness of God yourself � I invite you to �taste and see that the LORD is good.�
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sun May 18 08:04:32 2008
Today's Commentary �Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never harm me.� If only this were true. Sticks and stones inflict wounds from which you more than likely will heal. Words can inflict wounds from which you may never heal. That is why we are warned in the scripture to watch our mouths, watch our words. David cries out to the Lord about people who are speaking against him, �They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows (Psalm 64:3). Our words can be used as deadly arrows. Our tongue can be a very effective sword. James has a good deal to say about our misuse of our tongues. We read in James 1:26, �If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.� James writes further in 3:3-8, �When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.� So, don�t throw stones, don�t use sticks, and, please, watch your tongue. That is probably the most dangerous weapon you have, if you use it the wrong way!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sat May 17 07:59:36 2008
Today's Commentary My children�s story this coming Sunday is the creation account in Genesis. I have always been amazed at the number of people who treat this account as just that � a children�s story that is a nice tale, but is not actually factual. It is more sophisticated and realistic to believe that I am a cousin to the ape. It is more informed to believe that our ancestors were some one celled organisms that came to life mysteriously in some primordial soup. This, to me, takes more imagination to believe than does the account of how God created all there is. Even after studying evolution and reading Darwin (I was a biology major in college), I have never been the least bit swayed to not believe that �In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day (Genesis 1:1-5).� It is comforting to know that I am more than just a product of some �random act of nature,� I am a design of a designer. I don�t believe this simply because it is a comforting thought. This is a fact. Leave the stories to the science books. They make for interesting reading, but I know how I got here and why I am here.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Fri May 16 08:54:04 2008
Today's Commentary Earlier this week I wrote about �Xerox machines� and copying and how we need to avoid getting into the mentality of simply trying to quickly reproduce our spiritual life. We need to take time to develop our spiritual lives. I did some more thinking along the lines of copying and a scripture came to mind which I think is somewhat convicting. Paul�s words recorded in I Corinthians 10:32 � 11:1 are: �Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God-- even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.� It is this last statement that I find interesting, where he encourages the readers to �Follow my example.� In other words, he is telling them to copy him. My � what confidence Paul had in his life as an example of spirituality. He lived in such a way that he was actually able to encourage others to �Follow my example.� How are we doing in this department? Could you encourage others to �Follow my example?� We really should be able to do this. Don�t use false modesty to try to cover this up � as followers of Christ, we should be living in such a way that we are role models to others. That doesn�t mean we are perfect, it means we are following the Lord in a way that bears repeating. It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Can you be flattered by others trying to imitate you? Be an example others follow!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Thu May 15 09:07:18 2008
Today's Commentary We awakened to sunshine today. For those of us who get up before dawn, we saw the sunrise � it was really beautiful, and sort of a rare occurrence this spring as we have had so much rain. When I see the sun rise over the eastern horizon, I am reminded of a couple of things. First, I am reminded of God�s greatness and his control over all things. Isaiah reminds of us this in Isaiah 45:5-7, �I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.� Another thing I am reminded of is the hope of resurrection that I have in Christ. Even as the sun rises each day, I know that though I will die, I will live again. Christ reminded Martha of this when they stood beside the tomb of her brother, Lazarus. We read in John 11:23-25 , �Jesus said to her, �Your brother will rise again.� Martha answered, �I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.� Jesus said to her, �I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?�" This is the hope we have as believers. I hope the presence of the sun each new day reminds you of these great truths. We know we serve a God who is in control, and we know that as followers of Him, we have the hope of eternal life. If this is true in your life � rejoice in this! If it isn�t, why not make the decision today to accept this truth and have the same confidence that others have? If you do, the rising of the sun will have new meaning!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Wed May 14 14:17:53 2008
Today's Commentary Many years ago Habbakuk asked a question that still sounds so relevant for today, �How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, �Violence!� but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds (1:2-3).� Have you ever asked this question of God? Why does it seem that he tolerates wrongdoing � why doesn�t he do something about the evils that exist in the world? From our perspective, this seems like a logical question. And, in one sense, it is. Yet we need to back up from this question and put our understanding of God in perspective. For one thing, we really don�t know how much God is actually restraining evil. We sometimes have the mistaken notion that the world is really as evil as it could be. That is really not accurate. As bad as the world is, it would be so much worse without the restraining power of the Holy Spirit. Another aspect we need to remember is that God will deal with evil � all that evil has done will be undone by our just God. In the last chapter of Habakkuk, God�s intervention is assured � He will right all that is wrong. He is not incapable, unwilling or impotent to do this, he is just operating according to his sovereign timetable which is best. Habakkuk comes to the place where he affirms his trust in God even though nothing is going to happen (although he knows it will). He says in 3:17-18, �Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.� We can be joyful because we know that the judge of all the earth will do right. It only seems like evil is winning � but that is not the case. God cannot be defeated or frustrated. He will set things right.
Pastor Steve

Date:	Tue May 13 17:15:28 2008
Today's Commentary My grandparents were a little leery of banks. Now, they used a bank, but they had been stung by the stock market crash and bank failure of 1929, so they were a little leery of them. And, you really couldn�t blame them. The old adage, �fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me� probably could have applied. They were not alone in their concern. Many folks shared this fear after 1929. That is why the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was established. Of course, even this entity could fail � any of man�s institutions can fail. There are no absolute guarantees in life with anything. Well, that isn�t entirely accurate. We know that God�s promises to us are absolute. He will never ever break any of his promises to us. As you read God�s Word an come across his promises, you can rest assured they will not be broken or done away with. You will never experience a stock market crash with God. When he says, �Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5),� he means it. Life is indeed uncertain at times, but God is infinitely superior to the FDIC. So � put your trust in him because he will never let you down!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Mon May 12 17:47:09 2008
Today's Commentary I often marvel at how easy copying things has become. I am referring specifically of making copies of documents and things of this nature. The �Xerox� machine certainly revolutionized paperwork of all sorts. When I first started teaching, we were still cutting stencils on a typewriter and running them off on a mimeograph machine. The mimeograph revolutionized things in its day as did the copier in its day. Things got easier and faster. This is great when it comes to making copies, but there are some areas where easier and faster may not be better. This is especially true in our development of our spiritual lives. We are so used to putting an original in a machine and receiving a great quality copy in just a few seconds that we sometimes mistakenly think others things should be just as fast. When it comes to our spiritual growth, time needs to be spent. We need time in God�s Word, time in prayer, time in fellowship with others, time in study time reading things that will benefit us spiritually. You can�t take God�s �plan for discipleship�, make a copy, and then think that is all that needs to be done. Time needs to be invested! God told Joshua in Joshua 1:8, �Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.� Psalm 119:97 says, �Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.� Both of these verses speak to time being involved in the process of spiritual growth. Don�t use the �Xerox� method of spiritual growth! Take time with the Lord � allow him the time to help you develop the kind of relationship with him that you should have! There is something to be said for copying things by hand!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sun May 11 06:50:49 2008
Today's Commentary Happy Mother�s Day! I want to wish all of you ladies a most special day today, you deserve all the accolades that can be given you. There are so many mothers in scripture that give us examples of how a mother should be. One of these is Naomi. I think of the tremendous role model that she was in her relationship with her family and her relationship with God. Her life was so much of a role model of godliness and faith that her daughter-in-law, Ruth, would be no where else but with Naomi. Upon the death of Naomi�s husband and her 2 sons, one of whom was Ruth�s husband, Naomi had decided to return to her homeland. Ruth was determined to accompany her. Naomi tried to discourage Ruth, but Ruth was not to be swayed. Ruth made one of the greatest attestations of faith found in the scripture as a response to Naomi�s argument for Ruth to stay put and not follow her. �But Ruth replied, �Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.� When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her (Ruth 1:16-18).� Naomi had made such an impact on the life of Ruth that Ruth was unwilling to be anywhere else than with Naomi. I know there are many ladies out there who are making an impact on the lives and your family and others by how you are living your life before them. I praise God for you, and certainly hope that God will richly bless you today and all the days of your life! Happy Mother�s Day!
Pastor Steve

Date:	Sat May 10 16:07:34 2008
Today's Commentary This morning I went to the church to make sausage gravy for the Mother�s Day Breakfast. The men from the church treat the ladies to a breakfast on Mother�s Day. We really enjoy doing this and it is a way of showing the ladies how much we appreciate them. I make the gravy a day ahead so I can get out of the way of the rest of the cookers on Mother�s Day. I was taught how to make sausage gravy by one of the ladies in our church many years ago. One of the things I was taught in making gravy was that it is important to stir the gravy continually while it is cooking. This makes it nice and smooth and prevents it from being lumpy. It is what helps the gravy become gravy. All the ingredients get mixed together really well - they �get happy together� as Emeril would put it. One of the things that can help our lives be less �lumpy� and run more smoothly is constant stirring - that is, consistently focusing upon activities and endeavors which sharpen our relationship with God and with others. Deuteronomy 7:12-13 tells us, �If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the LORD your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your forefathers. He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land--your grain, new wine and oil--the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land that he swore to your forefathers to give you.� These verses show us the benefit of consistent stirring - constant attention given to the desires of God for us. God tells the Israelites what is necessary to �prevent lumps� in their lives. Life is lumpy enough - don�t beg for more by allowing your attention sway from following God! Keep stirring!
Pastor Steve

Date:

Fri May 9 09:20:18 2008

Today's Commentary
The tragedy that hit the Indian Ocean country of Myanmar (formerly Burma) this week is almost unfathomable. Here is an excerpt from an internet news service, �Myanmar's state media said Cyclone Nargis killed at least 22,997 people and left 42,019 missing, mostly in the Irrawaddy delta. Shari Villarosa, who heads the U.S. Embassy in Yangon, said the number of dead could eventually exceed 100,000 because of illnesses.� Our prayers and thoughts go out to this nation - and we also need to pray that the government will let in outside agencies to help with the relief efforts.

There is no real answer as to why such unspeakable tragedy occurs in our world. What it does show is the tenuous nature of our existence and why faith in God is so important. Our lives are fragile. We reall