Dear Friends,
We spent Saturday and Sunday at Lake George. We had planned to stay through Monday, but as someone once said, “the best laid plans”… I’m sure we’ll get another opportunity. I was asked recently, “just where is Lake George?” The short answer is: 9 miles north of Rose, Nebraska on highway 183. Now everyone knows.
There are some who believe I can’t be separated from my pulpit on Sunday morning. It is not true. Thanks, Tom Huffman, for filling in for me. I did enjoy the day off.
While in the neighborhood, Milrae and I spent a couple of hours in the basement of the Historic Rose Church. We were installing a new light in the basement, in preparation for insulating and drywalling the ceiling. It is hoped that this project can be completed sometime soon.
I wonder at times, as we endeavor to preserve and maintain the old centers of worship, if we have left out something very important. When the population base is reduced to very small numbers, and the people show no interest in spiritual matters, are we making a building an idol? The psalmist says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). Maybe this applies to his “house”, as well? Have we forgotten to include the Lord?
On the other hand, God spoke to the prophet Haggai, chastising the people of Israel for neglecting His house. “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains in ruins” (Haggai 1:4)? It is true, I believe, that we need to maintain a presence for the Lord in a community. I also believe we need to include the Lord, by being in constant prayer for his guidance and his provision in the effort.
Lastly, we press on, because in any area, no matter how thickly or thinly populated, there are people who need the Lord. We are called to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world. Even to the scattered residents of the Nebraska Sandhills. Would you pray for the unreached people in the lesser populated areas of our state, and for those who are willing to invest in them?
Just thinking,
Pastor Jerry
sandhillspastor 