Happy Easter! What's next?

You’ve heard the saying, “April showers bring May flowers”… you’ve also heard the saying that “You have to stop and smell the roses”… another fine saying… which brings up an interesting thought… if April showers bring May flowers, then May is the perfect time to ‘stop and smell the roses’. So how are you taking time out for yourself and those around you? How are you taking time to just soak in the beauty and harmony found in the many little things that surround you. There is another saying that says, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings, see what God hath done… Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done” When times are good and even when times are rough, you can always find a “silver-lining” if you look for it. Philippians 4:8 counsels us, “… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy –THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS… and the GOD of Peace will be with you.” Great advise… great counsel… let’s learn to follow it! Amen. Pastor Chuck.

The Call

God calls. Do we hear? God calls us by name. Do we discern his calling us? Do you hear the call of God on your life? Have you responded to Him yet? Have you responded, as the Prophet Eli told young Samuel to respond… saying, “Here I am Lord”? There are many reasons or causes for our ill response. First, we may not even know the Lord is calling at all. Second, we may hear something or some spiritual voice calling, but we do not recognize it as the Lord, rather some deeper need within us? Third, we may be so caught up in activity and things that we can’t hear anything other than our own little world and its voices. Still God is calling. He always will. He always does. You are on his list. He is calling you this day; at this very hour. Pray thee that you hear the precious and persistent call of the Almighty this day. Amen.
Prayer of the Week: Almighty God, you who continually call your people to yourself, draw us by the power of your Holy Spirit into such a warm and binding relationship that we may faithfully follow you all the days of our lives. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Call

k

Happy New Year

Can you believe it... last year is just gone... so much happened... so many smiles, hugs, songs, friends made... hopes shared... This last year was one of the best years of my life... it wasn't the easiest year by far... but the best... I am closer to Deb, my boys, my family, a new dog, my mom and dad, my brothers, my sister, my church family, my friends... and best of all, my God... love, laugh, hug, hold, dream, explore, believe... 2009 has these and many more possibilities...

Merry Christmas!

Good Morning Chaps! 

Mitch, Jacob, and Ben went snowboarding last night up on Powder Mt.. Their first outing up the mountain this year. They were excited and spent. Deb, Aaron and I spent most of the evening together just relaxing at home... it was a good night. Today Deb and I will go out for breakfast and then some Christmas shopping. We have most of everything ready for our celebration next week. We're suppose to get some snow this afternoon, 3-6 inches here in the valley. They are predicting 12-16 inches up on the ridge. I wonder about our friends back in the midwest and how they are doing out there...

Blessings and Joy

PC

The Secret of being content...

We hear it all the time. Our parents said it about us, and we say it to our children. I hear it said by those around the neighborhood. I hear it spoken in all cultures and all languages, regardless of religion or ethnic group, regardless of nation or tribe, regardless of who or where you are... I WANT MY CHILDREN TO BE HAPPY...  or spoken in another way, IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY. When Paul says in his letter to the Philippians "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength", I believe he was revealing a profound and eternal "secret" or truth to each of us. Who among us can say what Paul says, "I have learned to be content in every circumstance"? Through HIM... in HIM... with HIM... beneath HIM... the secret of being content now and forever.