Archive for May, 2018

28 May

Remembering

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Blessings, Christian Living, Freedom, God's Word, Memorial Day, renewal, Sin, Uncategorized.

I’m writing this in the middle of Memorial Weekend. One item prominently displayed everywhere, is the American flag. As we reflect on the meaning of this holiday, it is appropriate for us to fly the flag. It is by the sacrifice of many Americans, that we continue to have the freedoms we experience every day.

I hope you who are reading this were among those who honored the holiday by attending a Memorial service, where the focus was on the sacrifice made by some on behalf of us all. I know that many took the time to reflect on the meaning of the holiday, but many more spent the weekend in activities that had nothing to do with it. As pastor said yesterday, “Regardless of your opinion of war, thank God for those who have served, and those who are serving to protect freedom.”

On another, yet perhaps related theme, there was a bit of drama at our house this week. Well, maybe not drama, but a good illustration of the result of ignoring signs of impending problems. For a rather long time, I have been hearing our water pump running, even when no water was being used. Being a bit of a procrastinator, I kept putting off searching for the problem. Early last week, I took a quick glance through the crawlspace door, and saw a small lake under the house.

Suddenly, the issue wasn’t that there might be a problem. The problem was real. To shorten the story, there was a leak in the line going to our yard hydrant. After disconnecting the offending pipe, and using a sump pump to remove about six inches of water from the crawl space, we are waiting to the ground to dry out a bit. After that, there will be action taken to prevent this from happening again.

Whether forgetting the reason for a national holiday, failing to deal with personal sin, or even putting off repairing a leaky pipe, there will be a day when action needs to be taken. We can only pray it is not too late to repair the damage.

Let us return to the values of yesterday, and follow God’s plan for mankind as revealed in his Word. It is not too late. If we will confess those sins, nationally and personally, he will restore us to fellowship with himself.

Thinking again,
Pastor Jerry

21 May

Read the Book

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Bible, Christian Living, Culture, God's Word, Gospel, Obedience, Truth, Uncategorized, Wisdom.

I guess it is monsoon season again. I’m not sure how many days it has rained lately, but it has been several. Taken together, it amounts to something over three inches. Looking out my window, the scene is almost tropical. There will be no lack of grass to mow when the rain stops, and the sun comes out. An appropriate scripture would be Psalm 147:8; “He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes the grass grow on the hills.”

“I didn’t know that was in the Bible.” I have heard this statement from various people over the years, and I wonder how much time the person has actually spent reading it? In our current culture, there is an almost total lack of knowledge of scripture. I am reminded of an Old Testament passage from the book of Amos. Israel had rejected God’s words to the point they would hear his words no more. These are the words of the prophet, speaking for the Lord: “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it” (Amos 8:11-12).

I wonder if this is could happen today, or has it already begun? More and more, it seems we are seeing what is described in Paul’s second letter to Timothy: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season… For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit their own desires, the will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths (2 Timothy 4:2-5).

Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:66).

I believe it is time to wake up, and get back in touch with God. It’s not too late, but I wonder how much longer he will allow this to continue?

In Him,
Pastor Jerry

14 May

Contentment

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Blessings, Christian Living, Creation, Faith, Peace, Praise, Uncategorized, Witness, Worship.

It seems we are trapped in an endless winter. There have been a few days when the temperatures resembled spring, and then we have a week of unseasonable coolness. Actually, as I remember, there have been spring seasons like this in the past. In the “old days”, we drove cattle across country for 20 or so miles to summer pasture. I recollect some of those trips, when we were sure we would either freeze, or come down with pneumonia because of the cold rain. There are few things that make you appreciate a warm, dry place like riding horseback all day in those conditions. On second thought, I have it pretty easy these days, so I’ll quit complaining about the weather.

We have been enjoying life at the lake. The flowering trees and shrubs are in full bloom. The grass is green, and our back yard is populated with all kinds of birds. Some are just passing through, and others will be summer residents. We have several varieties of orioles and finches, and have enjoyed the presence of a pair of ruby-throated hummingbirds. All this brings a renewed appreciation, and sense of thankfulness for God’s creation. On that note, I’ll just share some thoughts from God’s word.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:26).

The apostle Paul had this to say about contentment in life: “For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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 want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength… And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 11-13, 19).

In other words, God is able to provide for our needs, just as he cares for the birds, if we will only trust him. His storehouse of riches is inexhaustible, but he is not bound to give us everything we want. There is a great difference between want and need, and his promise is to meet our needs.

In His caring hands,
Pastor Jerry

7 May

Milestones

Posted by sandhillspastor in Best Life, Blessings, Change, Faith, Families, God's Word, Planning, renewal, Uncategorized.

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning as I write this. Across the street, the carousel sits empty, showing no signs of the graduation party held last evening for our grandson Alex, as we celebrated with friends and family from near and far. Thanks to all who helped with set-up and clean-up. Those who brought food, and those who came to partake. It was a fitting end to a wonderful day. The Lord gets the credit for providing a perfect day. Our congratulations to Alex, and to all his classmates on a job well done, with best wishes for the future.

Thus ends another chapter in our lives. It wasn’t a chapter I would have written if I was writing the book, but still, I wouldn’t want it to be any different. That is the neat thing about letting God write your life story. As we look back, we understand he always has the best plan. I’ve always said if you think following God will be boring, you are mistaken. The Christian life lived in obedience to God is nothing less than an exciting adventure. Boring? Not!

Proverbs are wise sayings, not necessarily promises, but here are a few: Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3); In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps (Prov. 16:9); Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails (Prov. 19:21).

There is also this promise to the those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, and have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Notice this is for those who love him, it is not a blanket promise to all people.

We will wait to see what the Lord has in store for us, but in the meantime, the camper is waiting, and we plan to spend a little time enjoying some of our state’s attractions. But, as noted, our plans are subject to God’s will and purpose. As it says in James’ little epistle, “You do not even know what will happen tomorrow… Instead you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will do live and do this or that” (James 4:13-15).

Be blessed in all you do,
Pastor Jerry