Encouraging Recovery

01/09/2025

10/31/2024

Warning: Beware of any post that requires your SSN to complete your response.

10/31/2024

Lunch with another new friend. Life is so good and God is so GREAT!

10/30/2024

“Why do the nations plot, and why do their people make useless plans? The kings of this earth have all joined together to turn against the Lord and his chosen king. They say, ‘Let's cut the ropes and set ourselves free!’ In heaven the Lord laughs
as he sits on his throne, making fun of the nations. The Lord becomes furious and threatens them. His anger terrifies them as he says, ‘I've put my king on Zion, my sacred hill.’ I will tell the promise that the Lord made to me: ‘You are my son, because today I have become your father. Ask me for the nations, and every nation on earth will belong to you. You will smash them with an iron rod and shatter them like dishes of clay.’ Be smart, all you rulers, and pay close attention. Serve and honor the Lord; be glad and tremble. Show respect to his son because if you don't, the Lord might become furious and suddenly destroy you. But he blesses and protects everyone who runs to him.”
(Psalm 2 CEV)

10/30/2024

PASTOR PONDERINGS: I love how the CEV translates Matthew 28:19-20: “Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” Then just a short time later Jesus told is followers this in Acts 1:8: “But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses—in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world” (NCV). Two statements that are so very obvious, but to me, seem to be overlooked by the church today are this: One, Jesus said GO. Then he said to BEGIN in Jerusalem. To GO we must leave our cozy cathedrals and connect with those who need Jesus. And we need to begin in our Jerusalem, our own community. Mission trips are good, but our first priority in serving others for Jesus is to begin where we live. And we also need to understand this goes beyond inviting people to church, it means consistently connecting with the hurting and hopeless in our own communities. So let’s actually obey Jesus by going consistently to our Jerusalem, then go to all the world as the Holy Spirit leads and provides. Just some more pondering from the tired old preacher.