Today we had the privilege of hosting Burlington High Schoolers to help around the church. They put out mulch, cleaned inside, worked on the food pantry, stuffed Easter Eggs, and helped on the trail for the Ablazing Race. We got so much done. The Lord truly blessed me because we needed help. Thanks, Lord and thanks to BTHS. Pastor Bob
This was last year’s race.
The last six months I have had 5 different muscle pulls in various places. Additionally, I have hurt one of my shoulders. These injuries have drastically changed my ability to do so many things and sometimes I get frustrated with getting old. But when I look around I see people that have endured far more than I have and still maintained a good attitude. I am reminded that the Word of God encourages us to be thankful regardless of circumstances.
I have so many things for which to be thankful; my health in spite of a few aches and pains; the health of my family and a family that serves the Lord. The list goes on and on. This time of year I am especially thankful that Jesus made it possible for my sins to be forgiven. So I’m going to try to be thankful and I hope you will also. God bless. Pastor Bob
Emotions are powerful things in all of our lives. We experience anger, sadness, joy, etc. These emotions speak volumes to us about our lives and our relationship with God. If we experience anger, we should try to find out what is the true driver behind it. Often we try to ignore the emotion but in essence God is trying to speak to us through our emotions. If we experience fear, then a trust issue could very well rest at the center of the issue.
Forgiveness plays a huge part in our lives. I am not talking about just forgiveness in our lives towards others but towards ourselves. When the Apostle Peter denied Jesus three times, Peter displays a wide range of emotions. Mark 14: 71 records Peter showing anger and cursing for being accused of knowing Jesus. Matthew 26:75 highlights that Peter went out and wept bitterly after the third denial.
After the resurrection, Peter saw Jesus a couple of times but he still returned to fishing. One day he was unsuccessful fishing and a man on the shore advised him to put his net on the others side of the boat. They caught so many fish that the boat started sinking. Then Peter and the other disciples recognized that it was Jesus on the shore. Peter jumps out of the boat and swims to shore. Jesus and Peter would have a conversation that would bring healing to Peter. “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” Jesus asked Peter three times some variation of this question and each time Peter answered the same. What is interesting is that each time Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep or lambs. That would indicate to Peter that Jesus had forgiven him and it was time for him to get back to work.
Peter was forgiven and he forgave himself. Is there something in your life that is holding you back from forgiving others or yourself. Only when you forgive can you begin to do what God wants you to do. See you soon. Pastor Bob
We had a great day today. The weather was beautiful though it was kind of windy. After such a long winter, the anticipation of springtime is huge. People can’t wait to get outside and do things. Don’t forget to spend time with the Lord because the Lord will help you to live your life to the fullest. See you soon. PB
Tonight I go bowling…in a league. That may not sound like much but I haven’t bowled in a league since 1969. I have noticed some things have changed since I bowled back then. First of all, technology has played an important part in making bowling balls that have the potential to give you much more pin action and consequently more strikes. I have watched as people have hit the head pin all sorts of ways but in the pocket and still been awarded a strike. Because of that, what used to be a good average of let’s say ,170, is now far from the best. To be a pro bowler, one must have about a 230 average.
Second, I have also noticed that it is possible to bowl really bad when those strikes become difficult to get. But the best bowlers use the technology (and additional balls) and skill to pick up spares to have some high scores. What does all this mean to you? Get a high tech ball. Just kidding. Just as the technology gives you a potential for a high score, living for God certainly ups the change of you living a better life here and much better in eternity. God is so good. Think about it. Pastor Bob
Today I finished my taxes. That doesn’t mean they are right but, by George, I am done with them. My emotions run high, a heavy weight has been lifted. I am a free man…at least until the next thing…and, of course, please Lord don’t let me get audited. Paying your taxes makes most people uncomfortable. We try to be prepared but there is always the unexpected and possible something has changed. Maybe we can’t find a piece of paper that proves we are innocent. You get what I mean. But it is the idea of accountability that makes us nervous.
Someday we will have to give another account of our lives to the real IRS (Internal Redemption Service). They will not want to see how much you have given to various charities or how many good works you have done. They or should I say He, God the Father, will want to see that your account has been paid through the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you ready for that day? The deadline is close. Pastor Bob
The story of the blind man recorded in John 9 has all the makings of a Hollywood movie. There are interesting characters, villains, unusual characters, a guy in a white hat, and of course a surprise ending. It also has a great deal of humor. As the story begins, a blind man who has been blind since birth is spotted by the disciples. The story does not tell us if he was walking or sitting but it does open a deep theological question. The disciples ask if the blind man sinned or his parents sinned. Does a disabled person imply that someone sinned? Maybe but it could be that disabilities are the work of a fallen world and no one person is at fault.
In this story, Jesus tells them neither sinned but that this happened that the work of God might be displayed. Then Jesus makes a mud pie and sticks it in the man’s eyes. How funny is that? What would our modern doctors say about that? What about all the people that are standing around and watching? This event certainly would have been strange at the very least.
But the guy gets healed. You would think that the Pharisees would be happy for this guy, but instead they are furious because Jesus healed on the Sabbath. But the story gets funnier. Picture an interrugation room at the FBI. It must have seemed like that as they cross-examined the former blind man about his healing. This old guy kind of reminds me of Jack Nicholson in the movie, “A Few Good Men” when he says, “You can’t handle the truth.” In spite of the cross-examination, the former blind man doesn’t back down and that caused him to be thrown out of the meeting with the Pharisees.
Later Jesus would talk to the man and the man would become a followers of Jesus. Many smaller things happen everyday in our lives that are the work of God but we fail to see God’s fingerprint on the work. Let’s not be blind to what God is doing. See ya soon. PB
March Madness is upon us and many are watching the college basketball playoffs. It takes a special kind of person to be in the finals and win. There are so many things working against you. Not only do you need talent and good coaching, but you need everyone to be healthy. If someone is injured then someone has to take up the slack.
Even with all the talent and coaching, there is a certain mind set that each player needs. They need to hate to lose. If they are behind in the first half they need to have enough confidence to say that somehow they can overcome that in the second half. And then there is the pressure of millions of people watching you on TV. I can’t imagine what that is like. I get nervous standing in line at the grocery store.
The story of Joshua offers a compelling parallel to the playoffs. Joshua was the new guy and was largely unproven. How would he do as a leader taking the place of the great leader Moses? Would he be able to hear from God? Would he have the miracles that Moses had? Right off the bat, he was challenged with crossing the Jordan River when it was at the flood stage. What would he do? See you next time for the answer. Pastor Bob
The other day I was going into a parking lot and I saw a loose shopping cart coming towards me. It was easy for me to avoid it in my truck but I watched as the cart continued downhill picking up speed toward a snow bank. It collided with the snow bank and that was the end of the ride for the cart. But it stuck me at that moment that that is how so many people run their lives. They just go with the flow like the cart and let gravity take them wherever. You’ll hear them say things like, “if its meant to be then it will happen.”
The Bible has so much to say about living in the real world. Matthew 6:33 tells us that our top priority should be to seek the Lord. Not if I have time, or if I get something else done but the first thing. The promise of this Scripture tells us that if we do seek God first, then the other stuff we worry so much about will be taken care of. What a wonderful promise. Read it for yourself and put God first. Pastor Bob
Pastor Bob 