Thrusday’s post was a request for ideas about games for the picnic on Monday. There have been some great ideas already. Get in on the fun and put in your ideas! (Click here to see Thursday’s post).
I can’t tell you how many times I have said that very phrase to someone. It has struck me over and over that God has good things for us at the right time. This is true in the story that we would call “the prodigal son” from Luke 15. In this story we see that “the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.” (v. 12)
Now, what he was asking for was something that would be his eventually. It was the will of the Father to give it to him, but he wanted it now. So, out of sync with the Father’s will he took it. And, by the way, the Father let him have it. We can’t get impatient with God. Of course, this out of timed inheritance turned to unruly living which cost him everything–”easy come, easy go”.
Yet, the story gets even more interesting because the older brother of this prodigal son waited on his inheritance. Daily he served the Father until the day that his Father would willingly give it to him. Here’s were it get’s interesting. While waiting for the Father’s blessings, he gets out of sorts with the Father. It begins to boil inside of him that his brother got instant blessings even though he was way outside of the Father’s will. And when this brother returned home, the Father forgave him and threw a feast celebrating his return.
At this point this older brother had “had it.” He begin to indict the Father with accusations of not being good or fair. Listen to the tone of his voice coming accross in his words, “Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.” (v. 29, 30)
It seems that he had gotten tired of waiting on the will of the Father. Had the Father changed? Was He not being fair? Was He not good? Quite the contrary, He was proving how good He was to have mercy on this runaway. It was the older brother who had changed. His perspective had changed from willingness to please the Father and have His blessings to the “why don’t I ge what I want” attitude.
But the Father let him know that His blessings were coming in time. “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” Beware that while you wait on God that you don’t doubt His goodness. Because, if you do, it will be you that changed not Him. God is still good; God is still right–and that never changes!
Does anyone have any ideas for games at the Memorial Day Picnic on Monday? So far, it has been suggested to have ping pong. If anyone has croquet, that would be fun. I also thought water balloons for the kids might be fun. We have a basketball goal, too. I think we should try to rig up a volleyball net, also. So, what do you think? Leave a comment if you have an idea or like any of these.
Monday is a family picnic at the church, so make plans now to come before you commit to any other plans. It is a bring your own picnic meal with games and activities for the whole family. Have a great day!
Have you ever noticed that it is much easier to do a task when you have people doing it with you? Not just the mere fact of more workers doing more work, but the emotional boost it is to feel like you’re a part of a team. Besides the uplifing working environment teamwork provides, it seems that two can do more work together than separately. Someone once named this idea synergy.
I just want to say as pastor that I much appreciate all those that help around the church. When I see people working together or I get a chance to work with my brothers and sisters in Christ, it makes me feel great to be a part of the MRBC team. So, I encourage you. Don’t just get involved–get involved together. Families and friends can serve the Lord together and have a great time doing it. “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9)
What we believe is very important, it is what makes us distinctive. We do not yet have a belief statement on our website home page, but I thought I should post it here for now. Many people shy away from terms like ‘denomination’ or ‘fundamentals’ because of supposed negative connotations. Yet, in other contexts these terms are readily accepted (i.e. the “fundamentals” of basketball or the “denomination” of a dollar bill). We cannot become phobic of terminology such that we give up on our doctrinal distinctives. The Bible says it this way, “Beloved, I …exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3) In a day of breaking down the walls of doctrine, we should be proud of what we stand for when we are standing for the truth.
The past couple of days have been marked by some sweet fellowship among the people of McKee Road Baptist Church.
Friday night at the men’s shotgun shootout, the men didn’t break any records for the most clay pigeons hit, but how great it was just to be doing it together. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1) By the way, Chris Pulley won first, Steve Crownover took second, and Rick Thingstad was third (Steve and Rick went to a shootout).
Saturday was the Mother-Daughter-Friend Luncheon. I (pastor) had an opportunity to get a glimpse of their fellowship also. They were having a great time laughing and talking and sharing life experiences with each other.
Church is about being who you really are before God and others. Church family is about being who you really are with other Christians who understand. Too many people feel like they have to put on a show for others when in reality they ought to feel like they can be themselves. Fellowship in a godly environemnt allows us to have good fun without any regrets.
I hope you will take the opportunity to be a part of one of the next fellowship activities (Memorial Day Picnic, Men and Boys Campout, etc.). Get to know God’s people because the fellowship is sweet!
Coming soon! Make plans now!
May 24–God and Country Sunday
May 25–Memorial Day Picnic at Church
June 12-13–Men & Boys Campout
June 14–Promotion Sunday
June 21–Father’s Day
(Camp has been moved to August.)
Don’t forget that the men are having the annual shotgun shootout today! Call the church for more details.
And tomorrow is the Mother-Daughter-Friend Luncheon. That’s all for now…
Today, Rich went to be with our Saviour. As his eyes, closed here they opened in Heaven. The Bible says, “…to be absent from the body…[is] to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8) So, he woke up in Heaven today.
But as I sit here at the end of the day here, I know his first day in Heaven has not ended. Speaking of Heaven Scripture says, “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof… And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.” (Revelation 21:23, 25) There is no night, just one eternal day–living in the light of the Lamb.
Night is not the only thing that Rich will see no more of…”And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4) We will miss Rich, for sure. But we know that he will be waiting for us there in that wonderful place. And, by the way, we will get there the same day as he did.