Paint Ball Warrior

Paint Ball Warrior

12.30.08

Last year during Christmas break, Chad had this idea to play paint ball.  So we got some of the staff together and Don Robertson got some equipment and guys and we had paintball wars.  I was not too excited about getting hit, so I mostly hang back.  I think I was the first one out in all three games.

Well, last Friday we played again on our new Faith Assembly paint ball field.  Don and his team have done a remarkable job setting up a very elaborate paint ball field complete with bunkers, sand hills, and various obstacles.  This year we had about 12 on each team.

The team I was on was the more aggressive team and we moved forward through the woods like a well oiled machine.  I was definitely more confident and less chicken.  We won the majority of the games.

The difference was team unity.  Our opponents moved back and forth, advanced and retreated with no particular strategy.  They left players up front unguarded (easy targets!)  No one was guarding their flanks.  We were not necessarily better shooters, but worked better together.

In our spiritual warfare we need everyone working together.  Prayer partners that will lift us up and hold us accountable.  And as we heard in Pastor Ron Ward’s message last Sunday morning, everyone in the church family encouraging one another.  We can’t afford to leave any brother or sister in the church vulnerable.

We need each other!

Hebrews 10:24-25

24. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25. not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

In This Together,

Pastor Larry

December 30, 2008 | Filed Under Pastor's Thoughts

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No Room in the Inn

No Room in the Inn

12.23.08

Yesterday I was thrilled to go to the airport and pick up Chad and Amber, and my four beautiful grandchildren.  They were able to come home for a few weeks after completing language school and before their next assignment in Panama City.  I also picked up Josh and Lindy on Saturday.  So my house is busting with activity and excitement, and with 14 people in my house, there is definitely no more room in the inn.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, so it is time to start my Christmas shopping.  I got the kid’s lists last night.  There is nothing quite like the rush of fighting the traffic and crowds and looking for that perfect Christmas gift, or settling for whatever is left.

Tomorrow night I’ll be ready for the Christmas Eve communion, candlelight, carols and I’m sure after the day, some confession.  What a special time of the year when we celebrate Christ’s coming.  And while we may be busy and full, make every effort to make room for the Lord in all that you do.

Luke 2:7

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Larry

December 24, 2008 | Filed Under Pastor's Thoughts

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Party Animal

Pastor’s Blog

Party Animal

The Christmas parties are in full swing.  I’ve been to four since a week ago Friday, with four more to go.  I can party with the best of them, but the food is beginning to add up.  My routine is to buffet my body at the party with food, then buffet my body working out at the fitness center, but I know I’m losing ground fast.

Although I really enjoy the fellowship, I have found myself missing Tania.  Last year we went to all the parties together.  It is possible to be in a crowd of people and still have a hole in your heart.  The ride home can be very lonely.

We do though have great reason to rejoice.  “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!”  There were many Sunday morning and throughout our Christmas musical, “The Gospel According to Scrooge,” who accepted the Lord as their savior.  This year they will have reason to rejoice like never before.

Luke 2:10-11

10. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Rejoicing,

Pastor Larry

December 15, 2008 | Filed Under Pastor's Thoughts

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Birthday Celebration

Birthday Celebration

12.08.08

Saturday we had an exciting celebration at our house. It was Sam & Ben’s 3 year birthday party, although their actual birth date is December 7th. We had a house full of kids and adults. Plenty of food and presents. But the best attraction was a jump castle, which all you have to do is let the kids in and watch them jump and climb. Sam and Ben are very cute grandkids.

It is hard to believe how fast the last three years have flown by. I can still remember that day at the hospital when Jason brought the twins out and he and Tania hugged and cried. I was wishing Tania could have been at the twins birthday party, but maybe she took a break from worshipping in heaven and watched the festivities..

December 7th is also Chad’s birthday. He was in Panama looking for there new home. They finish language school next week in Costa Rica and will begin there next assignment the first of 2009. Everybody is coming home for Christmas.

It is hard to believe I have a 31 year old son. Chad’s birth was an incredible day. I told everyone I saw in the hospital, I had a son. I have so many wonderful memories and am proud of all of my kids and grandchildren. But I also realize how fast time flies by.

Ecclesiastes  3:1-4

1 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
2 A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
3 A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;

Dancing in 2009,

Pastor Larry

December 8, 2008 | Filed Under Pastor's Thoughts

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Divine Appointments

Divine Appointments

12.1.08

Thanksgiving morning is always one of the greatest times of the year…Turkey Bowl!  I was able to stack my team and win the tournament.  I was still revelling in my victory when a man in the bleachers asked if he could talk to me.  To be honest, I was thinking more about the turkey that would be coming up shortly, but I said “sure”.

The man had just lost his place to stay and was needing some help.  At Hope Assembly of God they have a men’s house and were also serving turkey and all the fixin’s downtown.  Since every room in my house is filled with family and friends, this seemed like the logical solution.  In the natural it seemed like an inopportune time to run someone downtown, but this was a divine appointment from God. On the way to Hampton Park, the man prayed with me and invited the Lord to come into his life.

If we open up our eyes we will see God’s divine encounters all around us.  It is easy to view delays as an inconvenience and miss the opportunity.  It turned out to be a great Thanksgiving for me and Jewell.  Please pray for him.

Colossians 4:5-6 (New International Version)

5. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Verses copied from BibleGateway.com

In His Harvest,

Pastor Larry

December 1, 2008 | Filed Under Pastor's Thoughts

2 Comments