Just Call Me Peter

Just Call Me Peter
Matthew 26

We arrived in Georgia in the suffocating summer of 1980, begrudgingly accepting our new normal. Mere months prior, my dad had taken up employment with my uncle and uprooted our family from all we knew and loved in North Carolina. For a young, pre-teen girl entering 7th grade, I was less than excited or supportive about this ridiculous relocation of our family.

School started soon after we arrived, and I quickly found my place and my people in the junior high school band. Coming from a musical family, I had started playing the clarinet in 4th grade and was at least at ease in this environment. On my very first day of band class, I met a young girl. She was my friend. Oh, how I needed a friend in this strange new world I was trying to navigate. Every day…every, single day she met me in that old stinky band-room with a smile and warm greeting. Over the course of the year, we did all the typical pre-teen girlie things from sleep-overs, shopping, tanning by the pool, manicures, 4-wheeler rides, and I was certain we were quite inseparable for life. Thankful as I was for her, as it goes, I continued to make new friends and spent less and less time with my “other” friend. She was as steadfast as the first day I met her. While she wasn’t the flashy, princess popular type, and didn’t hang with “the in-crowd,” she was true. She was true to herself, and she was true to me, even when I didn’t deserve it. How often I turned my back on her when more exciting opportunities and people crossed my path, I can’t count. Yet, through the junior high and high school years, she continued to stand in the background, propping me up. 

As Holy Week unfolds, I continue to find myself along the path Jesus walked. How often am I the cheerleader on the side of the road welcoming Jesus into my day, into my life only to put him aside and deny him in my choices? What decisions and failures have me as one of the faces in the crowd yelling, “Crucify him!” then running to the cross on Sunday morning looking for my Savior? As Jesus sat at the table with the disciples for their last meal together, he looked directly at Peter and acknowledged the upcoming denials, and loved him anyway. While Peter couldn’t imagine turning his back on the Lord, he did again and again. In the time that followed the denials, Peter, utterly sorrowful, wept bitterly at his betrayal. From that time until the end of his own life, Peter was a devoted follower and came to be “the Rock of the Church.” 

Thankfully, my denials of my childhood friend have been forgiven, and she remains today, my best friend, for life. Even when I turned away from her and all the love and acceptance she offered me, she never wavered and continues to walk with me even now. We’ve meandered through adult life, sharing joys and sorrows, mostly by telephone conversations. Like my relationship with the Lord, when I reach out to her, she will answer, and I’m so very thankful for the forever friendship and forgiveness. Just call me Peter. 

Tammy Wendling

"The Easter Bunny Came but the Ice Cream Truck Didn't"

To say, “Things have been different around our house, this week” is an understatement. The storms that rolled through our area on Sunday morning devastated our neighborhood and surrounding community. Our home suffered minor damage as compared to many others in our neighborhood, and over the last few days, the definition of community, “Come Unite” has been evident all over. People have come together to help each other remove trees from homes, start repairs, cover damaged roofs, and just clear and clean up debris.

We have been without power since Sunday morning. Cold showers are refreshing in the early morning, but it is not my favorite way to start each day. The humming of generators, the sounds of revving chain saw motors, leaf blowers, and other gas-powered equipment has become the usual sounds of the day and evenings. The nights seem darker almost completely black without the streetlights filtering through the blinds as usual. The occasional swath of light from headlights on utility trucks and other vehicles patrolling the neighborhood was hardly noticed just a few days ago, but now when we see a little light, we are caught peering out of the windows like baby birds looking through the opening on a birdhouse, just the see the darkness fade away, if only for a brief second.

Just last evening, my wife and I were sitting together, talking about anything and everything, staring into the light of a table lamp I had plugged into an extension cord from the generator. She said, “You know, the light from the lamp, after experiencing so much darkness, makes things feel a little more normal and gives me hope.” I was quiet and thoughtful for a moment after she made this statement, listening to the humming sound from the generator supplying the power for the “Light,” and pondering seeing how the community had come together as one when I recalled something I had read, “We need to be ready in and out of season to do His will.” 

As leaders, in our homes, communities, and organizations, we must understand we are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others. It is a good thing to see all the people come together for the good of others, but it shouldn’t take a storm or disaster or a pandemic to make us move in the direction of making a difference and adding value to others. This is something we should always be doing. I am very guilty of inaction, at times. I fall prey to shutting out the world by living in a bubble. I am guilty of falling into the routine of my daily life that serves only my needs and wants, failing to be of service to the needs and wants of others. I think we all do this on occasion.

I do not like to acknowledge that sometimes, just maybe, it takes a storm, disaster, or pandemic to jolt us back to reality to make us realize we are not living alone on an island. We are a community, a team of people, living together, depending on each other, disciples serving one another, serving Him. 2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season.” We should always “be ready,” whether we like it or not. Because, if we do what only what we feel inclined to do, some of us would never do anything. I am saddened to admit that, on occasions, I have resembled the last statement.

On a lighter note, my wife gave our grandchildren some money in an Easter card to purchase a popsicle from the ice cream truck that frequents their neighborhood in the afternoons. The Monday after Easter their mother was standing with them awaiting the arrival of the truck to their neighborhood, which on that day was a no show. Disappointed, they started back to the house when one of the grands sighed, “Well, the Easter bunny came, but the ice cream truck didn’t.” And a child shall lead them… This simple statement helps me to understand that if we seek and follow the things of this world we are bound to experience some temporary disappointments in our lives, but if we seek and follow Him, His gift of grace will provide us with salvation, faith, hope, joy and unconditional love, forever. 

I encourage each of us to “Come Unite” in community, putting our focus on Him. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God…” He was telling us is that the greatest concern of life is to place our relationship with God first and everything else second. It will make a difference and add value to all of us. 2 Timothy 4:2

Have a wonderful day,

James Dodwell

I Want to Go to “You” House

In the past, I have avoided using “social media” as much as possible because you lose track of time when surfing Facebook posts and all the other things available. However, during this “Staycation” we are all experiencing social media, particularly “Face Time” has been a wonderful thing as we’re practicing “Social Distancing” with our family, friends, and work associates. It’s difficult when you want, but can’t, visit your children and grandchildren, but it is better to be safe in this current world environment. It’s even more difficult for young children who are used to seeing their Ce-Ce at least once a week, in person, to understand the complexities of having to be separated from the loving arms, hugs, and kisses of their Ce-Ce.

Recently, during a “Face Time” visit with our son and his family, our granddaughter said; “I want to go to YOU house, Ce-Ce!” “I know darling, but you can’t right now, I will see you soon”, sighed Ce-Ce. ” I want to go to YOU house, Ce-Ce!” she said with much more volume and inflection in her voice as if Ce-Ce didn’t understand. But oh, how she understood. “I sorry darling, not today, but soon, okay?” “I lub you Ce-Ce, I lub you, Pa-Pa!”, those sweet grandchildren shouted as we ended the call, with heavy hearts and almost in tears.

The “interaction interruption” that has recently plagued our world and altered our lives hasn’t been easy on anyone and has touched every aspect of our existence in some way, form, or fashion. This microscopic evil has created an unwanted paradigm shift in all our lives; meaning our lives will never be the same and the change will take us to a new normal; who knows what that will look like in the future and when we can begin again. However, we can hope we will come back stronger and more aware of what is truly important to all of us, God – Family - Career in this order.

Outside of the family interaction and workplace interruption, one of the most obvious and disturbing shifts is the suspension of our coming together as a church family for worship. When I think about it, our granddaughter’s words ring true and clear, “I want to go to YOU house. “, and I want to follow that up by saying, “I want to go to YOU house, Jesus.” I don’t want to take no for an answer or hear any other excuses why I can’t. However, for the sake of helping to keep our families, friends, community, and world safe and healthy we must comply and be patient, for now. We must continue praying for His healing touch on our lives and our world. When the healing comes and it will, we need to celebrate by filling our places of worship to overflowing and share our faith, hope, joy, and unconditional love like He intended for us to do.

Difficult times are calling for leaders to correct and direct the people back to the narrow path. They are gifted the skills and the power over people. This gift is not to brow-beat the people or hit them over the head with the Bible but to show them the way through their walk, actions, and reactions. Effective leaders emerge during difficult times to speak the cause for righteousness. They are truly burdened by the world’s condition and want to help by being a source of light and hope. As we watch effective spiritual leaders in action, we should be reminded that we serve a God of order and harmony, not of chaos as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:33, “God is not the author of confusion but of peace.” 

During this “interaction interruption” we are being transformed. We as leaders need to understand that our leadership is needed now more than ever because leadership is about transformation, not mere information. However, information is important to transformation as leaders challenge the people to pray in the Spirit. They share hope and unconditional love for the people. They have compassion on the doubters and help lead them into the Light. 

I encourage each of us, once this too has passed, to go to YOU house, Jesus and celebrate His love and forgiveness with our Church family. As leaders in our homes, communities, and organizations, be the hope and the light for others to follow. Stay focused, be safe and do all you can to make a difference and value to others. 1 Corinthians 14:33

Have a wonderful day,

James Dodwell

The Cross and Corona Virus

“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Matthew 16:21

Loved ones, I can say with great certainty that I have never merged the two words “Cross” and “Corona” until today. I will avoid the obvious thought that Corona is another word for “crown.” I have used cross and crown in a sentence.

Today, I want you to do what Christians have been asked to do for two Millennia, reflect on the meaning of that Roman cross. It hangs around our neck. It adorns our altars of worship. It sits on our mantles. Why? It is the single most recognizable sign of a covenant sacrifice between God and human beings. I affirm today that no “virus” could ever change that reality. The cross changes our very existence FOREVER.  

So, during Holy Week, notice that protestants cherish an empty cross and not a crucifix. The reason is to emphasize the cross as a completed event. It leads to resurrection, but don’t pass over it too quickly.  

The cross is the will of the heavenly Father for Jesus. Matthew declares Jesus was to become a sin offering for all people. A divine sacrificial covenant redeeming the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve. A concept that takes us way back to a time in Abraham’s life when God puts him in a dream to swear a redemptive covenant with Him (Gen 15: 12-21). A covenant ratified with God himself in the form of a smoking pot and a flaming torch passes between a sacrifice prepared by the man, Abraham. An unprecedented picture of God walking between an animal sacrifice to say, I swear by Myself to keep the promise that I make to you. It is an incredibly gracious condescension. Why? He loves His creation so much that He is efforting to be with us through Abraham. Well, a greater one than Abraham or David or any servant is present in Jesus. He is unlike anyone. A perfectly obedient, unique Son who accomplishes God’s will in establishing His Kingdom on earth. God is finally incredibly “with us.” This redemptive effort brings Jesus to us as Son and King. His work is teaching the true God honoring life and a cross. He is king of a different kind; a servant King who loves and gathers His children into God’s presence (or salvation) by dying for them on a cross and then overwhelming the greatest efforts of an evil, terrible death. He will conquer evil’s best and final weapon, but before He does, He redemptively suffers for you and me. Think on these things redeemed children of God.

Brother Barry Dunn

Holy Monday

Matthew 21:12-46 (Focusing on Matthew 21:12-14)

Sometimes the word “shocking” is the only way to describe an action or event that changes the course of human history.  When these verses took place in real-time, the city of Jerusalem was in turmoil.  Even though the Palm Sunday parade was met with “Hosanna, hosanna, to the Son of David” by a cheering crowd of supporters, those in power were threatened and planning their next move.  The Sabbath morning arrived, with the normal hubbub of vendors gathered to sell animals for temple sacrifices and money changers.  Those who desired entrance to worship were able to buy their way inside, but those who were poor, blind or lame had to keep their distance.  Jesus, with the strength of a superhuman wrecking ball, blasts onto the scene “overturning the tables of the money changers, and the seats of those who sold doves.” He  said to them,  “It is written,  ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a house of robbers.”

     In the midst of the hysteria, the blind, lame (and probably others who felt unwanted) seized their opportunity, came to him in the temple and he cured them.  Our Holy Week is hopefully one that will change the course of our history for the better.  We have been shocked that something as horrifying as a virus could threaten our way of life and our sacred practices of worship during this time.  Right now we are all forced to be on the outside and it doesn’t feel right. Perhaps this unparalleled time in our lives is when our human family can come together in heart, mind, and spirit to celebrate Christ’s resurrection from the dead in our ordinary places of life at home and realize that He is surely with us. He makes us feel loved, accepted and wanted as His children with no strings attached. As our Lord cleansed the temple in Jerusalem, may we invite Him to cleanse and make us new people for the day we can rejoice and be together again.  Thanks be to God!

Patsy-Coe Densmore

Jesus Enters Jerusalem and Clears the Temple

Matthew 21:12-13

And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”

It’s Monday after a beautiful and exciting Palm Sunday. Jesus is now in Jerusalem and events begin to unfold that are walking us closer to the cross. When Jesus entered the temple area after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he began driving out everyone who was buying and selling there.

What had stoked the fires of his divine wrath and anger? We know from Scripture that the “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Jesus knew that too. Jesus became angry because religious schemers were using God to make extra money. You see, people traveling into Jerusalem for the Passover needed to buy animals for the sacrifices they would offer to God during this festival. Most of those people also needed to exchange their money for temple currency in order to buy the animals. The trouble, though, was that the money changers and sellers were often dishonest and took advantage of those travelers.

We’ve all met people who were turned off by the church. My father was one of these people. He often said he had quit gathering for worship because the church didn’t care for him—they just wanted his money. I don’t know if that was true or just an excuse. But I do know that many people have been turned off because they’ve been fleeced by some unscrupulous person who claimed to be a Christian. When that happens, Jesus gets angry.

Prayer

Lord, what needs to be cleansed in my life? Is it a love for money? Is it a desire to exploit people for our own purposes? Help me to look deeply into my life to identify what needs to be cleansed. I know, Lord, you are not happy with these areas and I need help turning away from any and all things that distance me from you. Lord, cleanse what is offensive in me. In your name, Amen.

Palm Sunday, 2020

Palm Sunday

Matthew 21:1-11

The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday, when the crowds welcomed Jesus waving branches and shouting “Hosanna.” The “Palm” in “Palm Sunday” refers to the tree branches that the crowds used to make a path for Jesus. His arrival—often called the Triumphal Entry—fulfilled a prophecy by the Old Testament prophet Zechariah about the Messiah’s appearance in Jerusalem. While this is a triumphal entry, it is Jesus’ first step toward His death.

Matthew 21:4 tells us: 'This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 'Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.' *The prophecy is cited from Zechariah 9:9 and Isaiah 62:11.

Jesus had become somewhat of a celebrity among people who had heard of the miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead, and they wanted to see Him and treat Him like a king. But Jesus wasn’t arriving to be their king on account of Lazarus; the story of Lazarus would have had the religious leaders in even more of an uproar and determined to put an end to His life, which He knew . . .  Jesus’ glory would be greater than that of a local king." -Excerpted from When Is Palm Sunday?

Balanced Perspective

I was a young man beginning at the beginning of a corporate career. I was not very savvy about corporate politics, but very fortunate, the Director of Human Resources had taken a personal interest in my development plan. He chose me as his golf partner in our company golf league, and we played golf together every week for a number of years. George was a tremendously competitive man both on the golf course and in his professional life. He was a devout Christian with tremendous integrity.

   One day, as we were playing golf, I was briefing him on a significant issue we were facing, and he was asking particular questions to develop his understanding of the facts and what our responses had been to that point. As we were riding between shots, he suddenly said, “You need to make sure you have a blend of W.C. Fields and the Boy Scout Motto.” I was stunned and asked him what he meant. He replied, “The more experience you gain and the more challenges you have, you must always remain optimistic and, at the same time, always be prepared. Now, I’m going to make this putt, and if I don’t, you’re my back up plan.”

   I worked for George for about ten years, and we were partners the whole time. I never saw him compromise his integrity or violate his rule. He was always prepared and, as a result, always optimistic.

   As we work our way through the challenge/s that face us, may we optimistically claim, “This too shall pass,” as we wash our hands, maintain the discipline of social distancing, and continue to be prepared.

   A healthy perspective in life is always about hopeful optimism and being prepared.

Brother Mike Densmore

The Problem with Evil: Further Thoughts on Romans 8 in the Days of Corona

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8: 28

What is our take-away from Romans 8? What does living in the tension between a fallen creation and a new creation look like for us?  It looks likewise and resilient faith, hope and love.  Here are some hints: 1. We’d best be honest about the dangers and not test God by living recklessly, but wisely, confidently and faithfully serving. Paul was well acquainted with pain and suffering, but Christ gave Him perspective based on a promised future. Remember, he left his mission team in Berea (Acts 17) because of danger. Live wisely.  2. Trials and hurts often unlock our hearts and minds to hearing the word of God. So, be honest with pain but embrace your Bible and your prayer life when you hurt. Pain and suffering can drive us from God or draw us to Him. 3. Trials can temper you. So soberly ask yourself, what needs to change in me? 4. Trials engender in us opportunities to show grace and mercy to others, just as Jesus does with us. Live grace-filled lives, enriching others and glorifying God.  This is how we wait and pray for deliverance from the Corona Virus and all the corruptions of this world.

 In response:  I am asking all our members to call 3 shut-ins, 3 family members and 3 friends each day to check on them.

Brother Barry Dunn

Where Are You?

When I think about what is happening in the world today, I am reminded of the few words that begin the book, “A Tale of Two Cities” … “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”

What this says to me is it is not where we start but how we finish. Maybe my comparison or interpretation of this is incorrect, but the way I understand it, God gives every one of us a good – enough start to be able to finish well. It’s up to us to see to our character and build trust with others so that God can use us as leaders in our homes, communities, and organizations to make a difference and add value. We have this responsibility to follow in His footsteps and not be so mesmerized and controlled by what the world offers us. After all, He gave us a written life plan in a book, that’s printed in black, white and red and is the only book that comes with the author; we just need to follow it, simple enough.

A close friend, a brother; really, sent a message, just this morning. Three simple sentences with a powerful meaning; 1. It is a rare man who finishes strong; 2. It is an excellent man who finishes strong; 3. It is a teachable man who finishes strong. All I can say is message received, loud and clear. Our character and integrity should coincide with each of these statements and at the same time, our walk-through life should reflect our rare strength, our excellence, and our teachability so brightly that others can see the path on which to follow. I read recently, if more people would follow the narrow path through life, it would be much wider and easier to follow. Just saying… 

In the best of times and in the worst of times, as leaders, we have a responsibility to provide instruction just as Jesus instructed His disciples on how to pray. Our family, our followers, those who watch us from afar are directly affected by our actions and reactions to good and bad things that past though our lives. As leaders, we must set the example for everyone else, in other words, we are to be the model. We must provide for others in some form or fashion, ensuring they have the resources they need. It could be teaching someone a new skill, helping others to find their way, praying with others or as simple as loving one another unconditionally.

We need to keep them from harm’s way and make them feel safe and secure. There are many ways to do this but just being in there for someone, listening, being kind, sharing our faith, joy, hope, and love is a mighty powerful tool with helping others feel safe and secure. We must remember that prayer and praying with and for our family, our followers, those who watch us from afar and the leaders of our country and world to reach their potential and become all God intends us and them to be is one of the most important gifts we offer. 

On a lighter note, recently, we were visiting our son, his wife and our grandchildren. Our granddaughter crawled into my lap to reach the sunglasses I had perched on my head when the slipped down in place over my eyes. She began to look around then said, “Pa Pa, where did you go too?” I responded, “Sweetheart, I am right here, holding you.” “I can’t see you.”, she said. Then I removed my sunglasses, “There you are, Pa Pa!” As I pondered this scene, I realized she could not see my eyes so, therefore, she couldn’t see me, the real me. She didn’t just want to see my big body and face, she wanted me looking into her eyes to let her know I was watching and really listening to her. Watching and listening with my eyes let her know I was focusing on her and her alone, watching out for her safety and security and being a resource that provides unconditional love for her and her family.

Now, I don’t think at 2 years young she thought through all of this as I have written it, but I do believe she understands we love her and will do anything to protect all of them, just as God does for us.

I encourage all of us as leaders and followers to be in prayer for our world to be healed and made whole once again. It is my hope and prayer that this message finds each of you in good health. I read that Jesus’s work would have failed unless His followers had taken what He gave them and reproduced it in the lives of others. He trusted the future of his organization, the church, to take His message forward into the world. Let us reproduce Him in our lives and be the change we want to see in the world, it will make a difference and add value to us and all those who surround us. Luke 24:46-49

Have a wonderful day and be safe,

James Dodwell

Embrace “The Holy” and Maintain Social Distances

 These are certainly challenging times as we live with warnings and cautions that restrict our liberties in this “Land of the free and Home of the Brave.” We are called, I believe, to a high standard of sacrificial living that compels us to suspend our liberties for the greater good of our neighbors and ourselves. Is this not what liberty has always required. Throughout history, the patriots of our societies have marched into battles, sacrificed lives and careers, and many paid the ultimate price ensuring the blessings of liberty for our time and place. As we are being called to the disciplines of social distancing and protective hygiene, may we find ways to become closer in holy ways. Prayer, reading the scriptures and devotions are ways I have always found helpful especially when I could share thoughts with loved ones and friends. Another way has been to read and reflect on some of the great hymns of the faith.

     Some of you have heard me tell the story of changing my favorite hymn from “1. My Faith Looks Up to Thee” to “2. Love Divine All Loves Excelling.” This happened as I was reflecting on the last verses of these great hymns and “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” had been my favorite for decades. Then, I compared the last verses:

• 1. “When ends life’s transient dream, when death’s cold, sullen stream shall o’er me roll; blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove; O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul.”

• 2. “Finish, then, thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be. Let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee; changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place, till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.”

     As I wrestled with these two texts in the presence of “The Holy,” it seemed the first was more about me and ensuring my ticket for heaven and the second was more about surrender. Since then, I have been convicted many times by looking in the mirror and realizing I put a crown back on many days.

     How can you embrace “The Holy” and maintain social distances? Perhaps another old hymn might help: “Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light: Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.”

                            Embrace the Holy who has already embraced you.   Blessings, Mike  

The Problem with Evil: Further Thoughts on Romans 8 in the Days of Corona

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake, we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8: 35-37

Remember, we live in the tension of a fallen creation. It is filled with death, decay, and rebellion. This reality is starkly different from the future new heaven and earth. The Holy Spirit is with you bringing the power and fellowship we long for today. He is also proof of the certainty of God’s preferred future. The life we cherish is not one of temporary power, temporary health or temporary wealth that ends in futility. Granted, it is easier to discuss this when we are not in a crisis of grief or fear. When the Day of the Lord arrives, our faith in Christ, as Paul says in Romans 8:28, assures us “All things work together for good, to those that love God and are called according to His purpose.” We are confident that we will be conformed to the risen likeness of Jesus, that we are more than conquerors of the death and decay of this creation. Why confident? Because it is God’s final plan, and He sits as King of all creation and history. Like Abraham, we are now God’s children by faith. We are purchased with Christ's blood. His redeemed sons and daughters. “So, what shall separate me from the love of Christ?” Not one thing of this sin-ravaged world, not famine, not hardship, not persecution, not dangers in this world, not disease. One day, when the time is right, all things will be made right. We shall be conformed to His resurrected image. Until then, I belong to His mission and the pain sometimes caused by that mission. Suffering will give way to His future and goodness. He will set right, all wrongs, and wipe away our tears. So, we wait, serve, endure, pray, and enjoy the comfort of the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence.

Brother Barry Dunn

Louise and Ivory Soap

When I was a little boy, my Mom and Dad hired a lady named Louise to take care of me until they got home from work. Louise was a kind, loving lady who watched over us, cooked our meals, and gave us our baths. She was a stickler about cleanliness, and when we were dragging around in attempts to extend our playtime and delay our baths, she would always quote, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness,” summing up the whole 15th chapter of Leviticus in one clear sentence.

   We learned quickly to scrub until we were sure we were spotless. Failure to do so put the soap and the rag in the hands of Louise who would begin her “scrubbing” with, “Come back over here. Ain’t no little boys of mine going to have dirt behind their ears.” We learned a lot from Louise including wash your hands, say please and thank you, take turns, and how to play mumble-peg. The thing we most remember is the ivory soap floating in the tub, knowing if we did not use it well, Louise would.

   In our world today, we need more like Louise, making sure we are scrubbing ourselves clean not simply for our own good but for the good of those around us.

   Several years ago, Patsy-Coe and I went back to Goodwater one Christmas and found Louise. I was glad to see her, and she was delighted to see me. She had even more stories to tell than I did. We visited and departed in a spirit of joy and thanksgiving. I never saw Louise again but, until this day, I remember.

“Now ya’ll make sure you scrub real good; them germs ain’t good for you.” 

          Thanks, Louise, for the scrubbings. We could all use some now.  

Blessings,

Brother Mike Densmore

A Thought For Today

I took a step back the other day when my wife and I went to Walmart to buy groceries. There were so many people there! The parking lot was full. It looked like the Christmas Season, yet here it is March. Shelves, where toilet paper, bleach, sanitizers, and disinfectants are usually stocked, were empty, none, stripped bare! So many people at the checkout isles with buggies full of these products.

In the midst of this Coronavirus, around the world and now in the United States, people literally seemed to be in a panic! Now, I’m not saying we all should not do our part in helping to prevent the spread of this virus. We, as a church, as a body of Christ, should do everything possible to protect the well being of all our citizens in our communities. We, as a church, should do everything possible to protect children, the elderly, and those who are the most vulnerable to this virus. But, to let fear override rational thinking. It's exactly what Satan wants! When we panic, we play right into the hands of the Devil! You see, fear is a liar!

What should we do in times of trials and tribulations? We should run into the hands and arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ! It is there and only there that we have no fear. No fear of sicknesses, no fear of diseases, and yes, no fear of death! Jesus conquered all these things for us at the Cross!

2 Corinthians 5:1 says, "for we know if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands." So, as children of God, let us all go out and do our part to help keep this virus from spreading but, let us not fear anything. Knowing that all our problems, our sins, our fears, and anxieties have been cured. Cured by our Savior, Jesus Christ, who endured the Cross, was crucified, dead, and buried. On the third day, he rose from the dead and is now preparing a place for us in the heavenly realms.

God Bless.

Correll Pritchard

The Problem with Evil: Faith in days of Corona Virus

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 38-39

Loved ones, today, as I sit in my office, I have been in more conference calls and group messages than I ever imagined. People have asked questions like: Is God in control? Is God good? The Bible answers, yes. Then, why is evil in the world, like viruses? I am reflecting deeply on Romans 8. The answers to these questions fill many books, but here is my thinking contained in several short articles. 

 The Christian answer requires a healthy appreciation for living in tension: The Kingdom is “now,” with the Holy Spirit, but the Kingdom is also “not yet.” Life is not what it should be.  In Romans 8, Paul grasps this paradox, in spades. Western culture has come to believe that true goodness looks like power, health, and wealth on this earth. Christians have long known this is wrong. Wealthy and powerful people suffer and die. God’s goodness does not insulate us from the sin ravaged creation. We still often live with desperate, vexed, and sin-filled hearts. Our peace is found in fellowship with God; in a life with Him in a new, re-made heaven and earth, that is not unlike the Garden of Eden. Until we fully enter that time, we will live with Him; but in a world of death and decay. This truth will not get you fanfare in our culture, but it is our “real.” 

In Response: I am asking all our members to call 3 shut-ins, 3 family members and 3 friends each day to check on them.

Brother Barry

Tough Dad with Tender Touch

I grew up with a Dad who was tough as nails and a hard disciplinarian. He lied about his age and joined the old CCC Camps when he was not quite fifteen years old and sent his paychecks back home to Winston County, Alabama to his blind mother. As his oldest, growing up under him was not easy. His expectations and standards were high and the consequences of noncompliance painful. Before I was ten, I could plow, cut and split firewood with an ax, use a scythe, lay tongue, and groove flooring, and many other “grown-up” tasks. I got to play sports only after the assigned duties were accomplished. It was not easy being my Dad’s son. However, it was a blessing. 

Because he had a rough time early in his life, he was determined to see that we had it better. He never ran around with the other men. He always worked all the overtime he could get, raised a huge garden, and spent all his free time with us; showing us how to do things or fishing or hunting. We kept two freezers full of home-grown vegetables and fish and game. Life was tough but, life was good. I knew my Dad cared about me. Later, I began to realize I was loved.

When I was about twelve, I remember being really sick with a high fever that would not go away and I remember my Dad coming into my room when he thought I was asleep. He put his hand on my head and prayed a simple prayer, “Lord, make my boy well.” The “Ole Man” has been gone for Sixteen years now. I’ve moved on down the road myself and, until this day, that touch is one of the most tender I’ve ever felt, and that prayer is forever in my heart. My Dad was a tough Dad with a tender touch.

Psalm 46 Says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of need. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea.”

My Dad always referred to God as “The Man Upstairs” and, anytime he had a problem, he would say, “I need to have a talk with The Man Upstairs,” and he always advised us to do the same. 

As I write this, our world is in a time of crisis; fighting an enemy we cannot see. Life’s toughest battles are in times such as this; so many challenges, so many unknowns, so much fear. These things call us to cling to that which we do know and understand. Behold the truth! We have a tough God with a tender touch who can deliver us from the things of this world.

 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of need.”

Blessings, Mike.                                

A Thought for Today

    “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.

A couple of weeks ago, my lovely wife and I went to a spiritual retreat given by our church. That Saturday, I walked into the prayer room and saw a basket full of nails. I picked one of the nails up, and as I was staring at it, I was reminded of a story I heard on a podcast a couple of months earlier. 

    Tim Tebow was telling a story of when he was a teenager. He went on a mission trip to the Philippines with his sister and brother-in-law. He went with his brother-in-law to a prison to do some ministering. As you could expect, Tim said that he was scared to death. Here he is in a one-room cell with his brother-in-law and a small room crammed with prisoners. Tim said that he sat down in a chair and prayed to God that he would get out alive.  His brother-in-law got right in the middle of the prisoners and said, I nailed Jesus to the cross! Tim said that it got so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. It got the attention of those prisoners, and his brother-in-law went on to bring the gospel to those prisoners.

     Just as that one sentence got the attention of those prisoners, it also got my attention. I was reminded of that story again as I stared at that nail. Romans 3:23 came flooding back into my mind as I heard these words. I nailed Jesus to the cross! Every time I sin, I hear the ringing of the hammer as it hits the nails going into the hands and feet of my savior Jesus Christ! I call myself a Christian, yet at times, I feel no better than the Roman soldiers that beat and crucified Jesus. I don’t deserve his love and mercy, but he says, I do.

     God has given me the ability to build things with my hands. I know a thing or two about hammering nails into wood, but I realize that when sin and temptations come my way, I pull that nail out of my pocket and it reminds me I can hammer nails into wood all I want to but isn’t it time that I stop hammering nails into the hands and feet of Jesus, and isn’t it time that followers of Jesus put those hammers down. God Bless.

Correll

Tell Your Story

On one particular day in February, for most of my life, my grandmother would pull me to the side and tell me a story, a story of family. She would always begin with, “It was cold, snowy day and most of the roads were closed between here and Birmingham…” then go on to say how the weather had quickly turned bad, just prior to taking my mother to the hospital, that day. She continued her tale about how my dad was in the Air Force stationed somewhere in Nebraska and was trying to get home but was stopped short in Birmingham, Al. at the bus station due to the snow. The only way for him to get home was to hitchhike, which in those days was safer, so that is what he did. 

Everyone was at the hospital waiting on my Dad and anticipating the birth of their first child. He didn’t make it in time for the birth, but he did make it later into the night. Once he arrived, his story was more vivid as he had to walk a couple of miles in the snow in sock feet because he had given his boots to a lady who was in the same predicament, trying to get home, and all she had was high heels. Well, they both caught the same truck into town, he got his shoes back and she went on to south Alabama. The story was something special to my grandmother because it spoke of the determination and strength of the human spirit when a person sets their mind to make something seemingly impossible happen.

Every year the story was enhanced somewhat with the snow getting deeper, the distance walked in sock feet became a little further, the temperature a little lower, and so on and so forth, but all in all, the story and the outcome was basically the same. I remember as I grew older how much I did not like being told the same story year after year, but my grandmother revelled in the telling it so I would patiently listen, eyes rolling, waiting for it to end so I could escape the unwanted attention. Some of the details are vague when it comes to the story because, after a while, I quit listening, but the memory of the joy it brought my grandmother to enlighten me and anyone within earshot, is crystal clear in my mind.

As I ponder this memory, I recall how uncomfortable it made me to be the center of attention for just a moment in time on those birthday celebrations, long ago and how much I did not want to hear the story. However, today as I remember those times, years after the passing of my parents and grandparents, I think I would like to hear the story, a story of family, shared just once more, poured out with all the joy, happiness and love in the words and voice of my grandmother.

We all have a story. Our life is filled with memories of good things and bad things, happy times and sad times, times of success and times of failure, times of celebration and times of sacrament. These stories mold and shape our lives and make us who we are. Our past experiences, if evaluated can help us to stretch and grow to reach our potential in life. We need to take the time to evaluate our experiences, to dissect the events, use the knowledge, our stories and the teachable moments to provide us with wisdom to help us become an example for others to make a difference and add value. 

Jesus conveyed His wisdom to His followers through parables or stories used to illustrate examples of unconditional love, joy, faith, and hope. As leaders, wisdom can be our best friend, especially in times of decision. For example, He teaches us through the telling of the stories such as the Ten Talents in Matthew 25, which is near and dear to my heart because at times, I am the one who buried his talent under a stone and I need to be reminded on occasions we are gifted skills and talents to share not hoard. 

Wisdom gifts us a foundation that helps us draw conclusions at times we have an impasse in our lives. As leaders, we need to understand the foundation for every decision is to honor and revere God. The story above is sort of my heritage, it is mine and mine alone, but I have found it to be useful, especially when I can tell it to our grandchildren and share with them the determination and love of family it describes. We must build off this heritage and conscience to illustrate what values we need to embrace. As leaders, as we pursue wisdom, we first go to the facts, then to our options. Once we have a consensus of mind and heart, then we must move toward inward peace.

I encourage each of us to tell our stories. Use these precious moments to share with others about how God has enlightened us to the fact we are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image to make a difference and add value to all those surrounding us. Psalm 139:14

Have a wonderful day,

James Dodwell

Just do something good!

Too many people spend too much time focused on “trying to be right.” Analysis, brainstorming, surveying, searching, for the “right” answer. We must realize there are few answers that are absolutely “right” but usually several options and means for most issues. While some are better than others, most depend upon the time and circumstances of the moment and, by the time most actions are taken, the time and circumstances have changed. Our history is to once again, analyze, brainstorm, and take another survey to “make sure we’re doing what’s “right.” ….. Just Do Something Today,…. Right Now,… based on what you already know. Just make a difference…. Today!

Brother Mike Densmore

Simple, Yet Powerful

"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19

What a simple verse with powerful implications! Jesus calls us to love everyone, even our enemies! Now that's a hard pill to swallow! If we don't love, then every other aspect of our Christian lives is done in vain. Oh sure, sometimes people may get on our nerves, say hurtful things to us, gossip about us behind our back. Does that mean we should do the same back to them? The answer to that is, NO! That can be hard to do too, but as followers of Christ, we should love that person or those persons. We should pray for them, be kind to them. Look what Jesus did for us! He loved us so much, even though we don't deserve it, he gave the ultimate sacrifice, his very own life, taken on a cross! Isn't it the least we could do is to love others as he loved us! Thanks and God Bless.

Correll Pritchard