Joe Campbell in SA

 Pastor Joe Campbell ministered for us last night. It was good to see my old friend again. He gave us a message that was from a pastor, not a Fellowship leader. Tonight he is doing a service for the men.

Faith or Works?

 My devotions today too me to the book of James. It seems as though James was more Jewish than Christian based on his theology. He puts forth a works based faith based on what we are to do to please God. The Bible says it is faith alone that saves us. That the finished work of Christ on the cross is enough. 

In building the alter of burnt offerings God instructed Moses that no tool was to be used in fitting the stones together. We understand that when it comes to sacrifice nothing we can do will add to what Christ did. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for all men of all time.

So, brother James, we value your words to help us live out the faith we hold and the new life we live. That's all.

Thanksgiving Thought

 So far I have had 2 invites for Thanksgiving dinner from church friends. I will be spending the day with my family. But it was nice to be thought of and invited. I got so used to not being invited that I found ways to make my own plans. But spending the day with my children and grandchildren is better by far.

Prayer Request

 Please pray for me. I seem to be going from one ailment to another lately. I need the Lord to send His word and heal me. I am under a doctor's care. I am also trusting that the Lord will do what the doctors cannot do. Amen.

Grateful

 Our church is blessed beyond words by the pastoral staff we have. Pastor Rubi of course and the men he has brought on board to assist him. We have pastors who we can trust to bring us a word that is manna for our souls. They are wise and loving and strong in the Lord. 

I am grateful for the ministry these men bring to us every service.

Happy Birthday

 Last night I attended the birthday celebration for our pastor and his wife. This was a new experience for me since in Prescott we never had pastor Mitchell home for his birthday. And even if he was at home we never did a big party for him. I do not know why not.

There were over 300 adults plus children at the party for pastor Rubi and Yolanda. Good food, good fellowship, and games. I have never been involved in anything like that ever before.

Being here and being a part of this church has been good for me. My eyes have been opened and I am seeing a church that is doing a great job and seeing the fruit of it's good works. I am grateful to be here.

So happy birthday pastor Rubi. Happy birthday sister Yolanda. 

The Death Of Your Dreams.

 Part of the church planting program is what happens to the couples who come home? How do we view them? How do we treat them? When we were told that we could not stay in Chandler, pastor Mitchell told me that he had nothing more to give me, and then he asked if maybe we wanted to relocate to another Fellowship church. Looking back, I wonder where I would be today if we had done that?

A couple invests years of their life as disciples and then as pioneer pastors. It is a dream to do what they are doing. And if it works, then life is good. But when it does not work, life seems empty and meaningless. As for the folks back home, life has moved on for them while you were chasing your dreams. You cannot expect that things will be as you remember them in your home church. Memories do not tell the truth, but that is a different topic of discussion.

There is an element of grieving that a couple goes through when they realize that their dreams did not come true. Grieving is a way to deal with the loss of something that you used to love. Grief helps get you through, but it cannot be your new permanent abode.

One final thought. In all of life we find ourselves in circumstances for which there is no simple solution. We do what we always do in such situations. We pray. Ask the Lord to show you what to do and how to do it. You can talk to your pastor, but don't expect much guidance from him. The Lord knows you and loves you and He can help you. The only way to lose is to give up and to quit completely. Do not go to Hell over a mystery.

Another Thing To Adjust To.

 I just experienced my first election since moving here. I just added to my list of thigs that are different living here. The election told me that my neighbors are different politically too. Is anything here similar to what I am familiar with in life?

Pastoral Care

 I am so grateful that, when I was in the hospital via the ER, one of my pastors came to visit and to pray for me. I am home and that episode has passed and I am back to normal. But I thank God for pastors who care about us and who visit us in our time of need.