Where does the Time go?

I was reminded this week that I have not put anything on this blog since July. My first question is where does the time go? I was sure I updated just a few weeks ago. As I get older a few weeks turns into a few months.

God has kept me busy and blessed me and the church family with so much since July. We have had guests every week, some from out of town just passing through and some like the couple Sunday that said they have lived in Mesquite for 6 years and have been going to come to church, but have been busy. (Bet they haven’t been on there blog for a while!). I continue to be amazed at how people view church. I have to remind the church family that we are not a time share. They are welcome every week, not just once a month or once every 6 months. I guess some people feel like if they show up every once in a while that they are doing there duty to God. On the other hand after they sat through one of my long messages they may feel like they have suffered long enough for a while and need the time to unwind. I guess we will leave that between them and God.
Vic and I have recently completed 11 years in this ministry, the one that we said we would do for 5 years and then move to another area. We have learned that there is God’s plan and there is our plan! So far God’s plan is that we continue to be blessed by pastoring a wonderful church 100 miles from our main home. He has given us so much to make the journey so worth while. Each week we give God thanks for all he has done for us and praise him for the opportunity that He has given us both.

Recently I ran into a group of people who came against God a few years ago and tried to destroy His church. I once again was so thankful that God had taken these folks out of the fellowship and allowed us to grow in unity instead of the dysfunction of a few who felt like they knew better than God how a church should be ran. They are now in there fifth year of trying to do it their way. It is a very sad situation and our hearts hurt for people who will not admit that they have sinned against God and continue to try and build a church on there own strength. Again there is God’s plan and there is our plan. I am grateful that God is still in control at FBC and that He will build His church and each one of us must see it as a privilege to serve.

As we get ready for the holiday season, I am looking forward to seeing what He will do in the upcoming months. We are planning our annual Thanksgiving dinner and a time of putting the Thanks back into Thanksgiving. As soon as that is over we will be getting ready for our Christmas Celebration. This year will be a great challenge as Christmas eve is on a Saturday! We will have our Candlelight Service and then do only one service on Sunday.
Stay tuned and I will try and be more diligent in keeping this post current.