Basket Full of Blessings

Well we are only five days into November and God has already filled my basket full of blessings:

1) I got to vote! To vote is an honour and priveledge that every American should recognize and DO! So make sure you make it to the polls tomorrow! Don't miss out on the opportunity to let your voice be heard.

2) My car has been making some strange, unidentifiable noises lately. So when I took it in for its regular oil change, I asked the service department to give the car a look over. PTL! They couldn't find anything amiss. So whatever noises I've been hearing... are either in my mind, or I'll just have to wait for whatever it is, to break. :)

3) After a month of R&R, Pastor Sargent is back in the pulpit! PTL!! God gave him two wonderful messages yesterday that were such a blessing to my soul.

In the morning he taught on the feeding of the 5,000, out of the Gospel of John. Briefly, he mentioned 3 types of people in this miracle: the multitude, the twelve disciples and the lad. Jesus saw the multitude as sheep without a shephard, the twelve saw them as a problem and the lad was willing to give his all to the Lord.

Our church just came out of a Missions Conference and Pastor challenged us using this miracle. There are roughly 7 billion people in the world today, with 42% that have yet been reached for Christ. What is our attitude towards them? Will we give of ourselves? Of our wealth so they can hear the good news?

The evening message was on How to Take a Stand for Christ. Pastor preached from Daniel 1:1-21. He clearly showed what Daniel and his three friends went through as they were deported from Jerusalem to Babylon and then to be mentally and spiritually manipulated/brainwashed. Thankfully, Daniel had purposed in his heart to take a stand for Christ, he had prepared his heart diligently while in Jerusalem, by praying and reading God's Word. So when the trials came later, he was prepared to take a stand without being demanding or obnoxious.

His results can work for us too: God will honour our life in this world if we purpose to take a stand for him. God will use us in this world; especially, if we are in his Word, seeking his face daily, praying and memorizing scriptures. We will impact others and people will know who to turn to in time of need.

As the month goes on I am sure there will be many more blessings to report. What praises or blessings can you share that God has bestowed upon you recently?

Palau - May 13, 2012

If you are not a history buff, or have never been in the military, you may have never heard of the island of Palau. This past Sunday, Brother Terry McClure and his wife, Gloria spent Sunday evening with BBC sharing the ministry God has given them in Micronesia.

The service started out by honoring Pastor Sargent and his wife Vicki, for their service to the Lord. Well, Pastor thought it was just that, but it ended up being more than that. Our deacons and school principal were behind the scenes preparing for a skit that Bro. McClure invited them to participate in. The skit was based on the ceremonial customs of the country of Palau. It was a great adventure and lesson for all to learn. It was also very entertaining when they presented Pastor Sargent with a raw fish to eat. Do you think he partook?

Brother McClure has really been blessed with the ability of storytelling. This is one of the primary ways they reach the tribes in Palau and it seems to work very well. They have been missionaries there now for ten years.

Based on the pictures we saw, Palau looks like a beautiful place and a place that needs to be visited, indeed!

Steve and I were also given the opportunity to take them out to lunch and that was such a blessing! You can tell they have been married for a while because they think a like on so many levels. They are very fun people to be around and they love to fellowship.

We will continue to pray for their ministry, the people of Palau, and for the time they are in the states on furlough. May the Lord bless their efforts!