KEEPING
IN TOUCH
MARCH 9, 2010
Good
morning church family,
As we make
our Lenten journey to the cross, on Sunday we used Luke 13:1-9.
Jesus tells a parable to help his listeners understand that there
is more to following him than just being there. The parable is
about a fig tree, a keeper of the tree, and the owner of the tree.
The tree is not bearing fruit so the owner orders it cut down.
The keeper asks the owner to give it some time while he works
with it. We learned on Sunday that God is the owner, Jesus is
the keeper, and we are the tree. God expects, no demands, that
we bear fruit. Jesus prays for the Father to give us some time.
Surely God is merciful and patient. But surely there is a limit
to how much time we have. Verse 9 says, "if it bears fruit,
well. If it does not, next year cut it down."
Are you bearing
fruit, or just taking up ground? I suggest that you measure your
fruit this way: Looking upward - are you bearing fruit in your
worship?
Looking outward
- are you bearing fruit by reaching out to others?
Looking inward
- are you bearing fruit by searching your own heart?
Let me encourage
you, as you continue your Lenten journey, to "look."
Lord, let
it begin with Jerry.
Coming up
this week:
Wednesday
- 7:00 W.O.W. Revelation, Chapter 8
Wednesday
- 7:00 Youth Bible Study
Thursday
- 6:30 Men’s Fellowship.
In case you
missed it:
After church
on Sunday we reached outward by packing 10,000 meals, as we participated
in "Stop Hunger Now." This was the grand finale to a
very special weekend. Some of our youth joined Mr. Steve and Miss
Tamsey in looking inward during a 30 hour fast, as they lived
in cardboard boxes at the church, and did not eat for 30 hours.
During that time, they also looked upward as they spent time in
prayer, worship and learning. They lit candles, built crosses,
and focused on those children who die of starvation. Awesome!
Funny of
the week: (I couldn’t resist this one. I have never jumped
from an airplane, but I am often apprehensive) This is a story
from GCFL.net
As a sergeant
in a parachute regiment, I took part in several night-time exercises.
Once, I was seated next to a lieutenant fresh from jump school.
He was quiet and looked a bit pale, so I struck up a conversation.
"Scared, lieutenant?" I asked. He replied, "No,
just a bit apprehensive." I asked, "What's the difference?"
He replied, "That means I'm scared, but with a university
education."
Quote of
the week:
"There
are four words I wish we would never forget, and they are, "God
keeps His word."--Charles Swindoll via Brian Rogers E-votional.
Scripture
of the week: 2 Corinthians 5:17
So if anyone
is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed
away; see, everything has become new!
Prayer requests
updates and praise:
Pray for
so many people who have "the bug."
Praise: Mr.
Tommy Beamon was in an auto accident on the way to church on Sunday.
No one was hurt. God is good!
Numbers:
Worship Attendance:172
8:30 - 66
/ 10:45 - 106
Offering:
General Fund: $4008 Building Fund: $970
On a personal
note:
My good friend,
Lynn Taylor’s granddaddy is Seth B. Hollowell. Many of you
will not recognize that name. And those of you who do might say,
"is he still alive?’ Yes. He is still alive. He is
98 years old. However, he will be Heaven very soon. While visiting
with him last night at the hospital, I heard him repeat the Scripture,
"you have been faithful in a few things." Mr. Seth Hollowell
has been faithful in the main things. He has trusted Jesus, and
he has been a shining example of what a man of integrity and honest,
hard work looks like. His family has been blessed because of his
faithfulness. One day, I would like to be at the edge of eternity,
and be able to repeat that Scripture. I have a long way to go
to be like Mr. Seth. But his life has certainly given all of us
something to strive for.
Looking
Pastor Jerry
God is good!
