3/25/20:   

1 Peter 5:6-7:

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Do you sometimes feel as if you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders? Burdens come in all forms, but they have one thing in common—they weigh us down and wear us out.

And the longer we carry them, the heavier they seem. Unless we deal with them properly, they can cloud our thinking, interfere with our work, and affect our life in many ways.

Barb and I were in Manhattan at Christmas a few years ago. Did the Holiday shopping at Macys, watched the Ice Skating and the enjoyed the Tree in Rockefeller Center.

The International Building caught my eye. Outside the building is a very large, impressive statue of Atlas. He was carrying the World on his back. Muscles were straining as he held the weight of the world upon his shoulders.

Across the street is St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The Choir was practicing their Christmas music. We went in and moved to front to hear them. They were wonderful, of course, but something else caught my eye. It was another statue. This one however was of Jesus as a small child, standing very peacefully and hold the world on His left hand – effortlessy.

It made me think.

As the ‘world’ struggles to handle our issues , each in their own way, we struggle.

During these days the world’s answers for anxiety mounting, but Jesus  offers the only true solution.

The author of Hebrews writes in chapter 4 : 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin

Jesus, not only wants us to, but encoursges us to to cast our worries and concerns on Him because He cares for us.

He’s our faithful High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses and intercedes for us with His Father .

While on His earthly journey, Jesus knew firsthand the difficulties and burdens of life.

He knew how to live on meager financial resources without feeling anxious and that is sometimes hard for us, especially now.

Most importantly He trusted His Father

He experienced betrayal by Judas Iscariot and rejection by His own people. And while Jesus never sinned, He faced temptations just as we do.

When, and as, we feel the pressure of the day, let us accept His call to give our burdens to Him?

Perhaps we’ve tried, but the heavy load of concern and worry just seems to keep rolling back onto our shoulders. We struggle like Atlas.

It takes a humble spirit to admit we can’t handle things ourselves, and it takes trust to allow God to work the situation out according to His will.

 “After all He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”  (listen below)

If we’ll surrender the burden to Him, the only thing we have to lose is our anxiety.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDBJNQiugnM

Lets Pray:

Father God, we come to you today encouraged by the knowledge that You have the Whole world in your hands. That means us. It means You have know our cares, our worries and and our anxiety all the time and perhaps even more during these days.

We sometimes struggle to carry our burdens ourselves, and we ask that you forgive us.

We know you are in control, and You walk with us during our trying times and we thank you.

Let us feel the “peace which the world cannot give”.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Peace and Blessings, Be safe and stay well and remember the 5 P’s.

  3/25/20:   

Where is God?

A couple had two little boys, ages 8 and 10, who were excessively mischievous.

The two were always getting into trouble and their parents could be assured that if any mischief occurred in their town their two young sons were in some way involved.

The parents were at their wits end as to what to do about their sons' behavior. The mother suggested they talk with their Pastor. He may help, he had children…

The husband said, 'We might as well. We need to do something before I really lose my temper!'

The Pastor agreed to speak with the boys, but asked to see them individually.

The 8 year old went to meet with him first. The pastor sat the boy down, made some opening introductions and then asked the boy--'Where is God?'

The boy made no response, so the pastor repeated the question in an even sterner tone, 'Where is God?'

Again the boy made no attempt to answer. So the pastor raised his voice even more and pointed his finger and asked again 'WHERE IS GOD?'

At that the boy bolted from the room and ran directly home, slamming himself in the closet.

His older brother followed him into the closet and asked what had happened. The younger brother replied, 'We are in BIG trouble this time. God is missing and they think we did it.'

Sometimes we all have problems with that question as well. WHERE IS God?  We try and try, we pray and pray and yet it seems sometimes we wondered if someone took him.

During these days, many of us may wonder sometimes, WHERE IS GOD, as well.

In John 11, they wondered as well.

11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

Here we read that Jesus, God incarnate waited.

Gods timing however is always perfect, and He is always in control.

He told those who were angry at Him for healing the Lame man by the Pool in Jerusalem, and doing it on the Sabbath.

He said, as recorded in John 5:

16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”

Sometimes that work comes in Mountain top ways … we all know about The Flood, David’s clash with Goliath, Opening the Red Sea and of course the miraculous. Birth of the long awaited savior.  Those in darkness have seen a great light.

It doesn’t end there however.

He is always at work, in in quiet ways and when we think He has stopped.

This is what the sisters said when He finally arrived in John 11 again : 

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

then a few verses later:

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

He wept…. Scripture tells us just before that verse, the shortest on in the Bible, “He was moved by the Spirit and was troubled”

Perhaps one of the reasons He was troubled because of the sadness, but also because their faith was wavering.

When we face difficult times we may waver as well.

When we remember that He is always at work we can feel encouraged and walk ‘through’ any Valley, even when the darkness overcomes us we can see a great light.

We don’t have to hide in a closet and worry “where is God”, we know He is wherever we are.

Lets Pray: Father God, we do not hide in our closet and wonder where you are today. We come to you full of faith, faith is that whioch is believed though unseen.

Thank you Lord Jesus for being with us always. Just as you promised “I will never leave you NOR forsake you”.  That ‘forsake you’ stands with us today as much as the faith that you will never leave us.

Forgive us when we sometimes wavier, when we succumb to the fear and loneliness which the Evil One showers upon us.

We love You and our faith is in you.

In Jesus name we offer our prayer… AMEN

  3/23/20:   

In the Woods

Proverbs 3:1-6:

3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.[a]

If you’ve ever been lost in the woods,?

I know I have.

A few years back Barb and I were vacationing in Yellowstone area, Jackson Lake I believe. We rented a small cabin down by the lake side. There were only a few and at that time of year, even fewer were occupied.

We drive down from the Guard station and unloaded our luggage. We went down to the lake and enjoyed the Sunset and then went back to the small porch off the side of the cabin.

We watched the final rays of the Sun set and were at peace.

We decided to go back into the cabin.

The problem was that I ‘somehow’ locked the door. My keys to my car and my sandals were inside….

We were over a mile from the station.

Barb was concerned, but I said ‘no worry, I will walk up to the station and get another set of keys’.

So , here I go, bare footed, in the dark, walking up to someplace I am only guessing was there.

I saw a path, and decided to follow that instead of the dirt road, and I took it.

Soon I realized that I was walking more than a mile.

Then I heard another person walking in the wood.

The branches snapped, the limbs were being pushed – but he seemed to be making better head way than me.

I called over : “excuse me – is this the way to the Guard Cabin?”

No answer – only silence.

Then I heard him walking again.

I moved closer and asked the question again – “Are you heading up to the front gates?”

Again – stillness.

When he started to walk again, hardly being able to see my hand in front of my face, I decided to follow.

He was moving very well, so I rushed to stay up to him.

I stared to think he may be afraid I was stalking him, so I moved as stealthily as I could. At that point I had no idea where I was.

Finally I could hear him shortly ahead. He had again stopped.

I moved closer and , not wanting to scare him, open the bushes and limbs as quietly as I could… and said” Excuse me, can you help me?”

Then and only then did I realize I was staring in the eyes of a Big, Big Bear ---

His eyes went wider than me, he ran one way and I ran the other.

I made record time back to the lake and the cabin.

We slept in our car that night …..

If you have ever been in a situation like that (and hopefully not) you know the concerns, confusion, and panic such a situation causes.

Now think what a difference it would have made to know that a guiding light before you….

Spiritually speaking, we all have such a Light… whether in the Woods at Yellowstone , or right now, Hunkered down in these days…  We call it—God’s Word.

But guess what, it does no good unless we let it guide us during these trying times

There have been many ways and we have many hours of opportunity to dig in and study His word.

Each week , after our Scripture reading I say “ May Gods blessings be revealed in  the reading and studying of His Word”

That studying is so important. We all can read… but it takes commitment to STUDY

At times, we may fail to study scriptural guidance because of many reasons ...

Neglect. Sometimes we are so busy walking through life a dn life issues (especially now)  that we forget to follow the Light of the World to make sure we’re headed in the right direction.

Pride. We often want to determine our own destiny. Many of us prefer to plan a course of action by relying on our strength, wisdom, and abilities. What a difference it makes when we put our pride away and submit to that which God puts forward to us

Distractions. The Lord’s path of obedience isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it can be extremely challenging. The evil One offers other trails that promise pleasure and ease if we will just ignore the Word and follow him.

Although these routes seem pleasant at first, they lead to heartbreak and discouragement, and sometimes the “Bears” in our day.

Difficulties. Whenever obstacles appear on the trail, our natural tendency is to try and find a way around them.

But by ignoring God’s light following our OWN path, we’ll miss the blessings He wants to give us through the rough patches—benefits such as strong faith and godly character.

Why should we wander when the Lord’s light is available?

Let Scripture be our guide on life’s journey.

God promises productive days and fruitful years if you follow His path.

He’ll direct.

Why should we wander through these days when the Lord’s Light is available?

Let Scripture be our guide on this journey.

God promises productive days and fruitful years if we follow His path.

He’ll direct us through this as well as other trials we may face later.

He directed ME back to the Cabin…. Scratched feet and all. To that I will always be thankful,

By the way, in the morning, Barb and I walked the dirt road to the Station.

She had her sandals…. I just limped along.

Be safe, Be well … and please remember the 5 P’s.

Lets Pray…   Oh Father God, we come before you and ask that you shed your light on our journeys path. Not through the Woods of Yellowstone, but the through the Woods of these days.

We know you are on the Throne and in all ways, on all days, You are in control.

Let us use these quiet days to spend time with you and your Word..

Let us not just read, but study and see the Light our Jesus, the Light of the World is illuminating upon our journeys path.

Bless us and bless us indeed.

In Jesus name we pray …. Amen and Amen

  3/21/20:   

  Joshua 1:1-9 

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Many years ago I dropped off my date after a Movie Date.

I was just a little over 16 years old and had my first car which my father bought me for my birthday. Now it wasn’t anything fancy, not like a Charger , a Camaro or a Vette etc, it was a Corvair, but it was special to me -- .

The Movie we watched was especially scary.  There was a scene in it where the Villian hid in the back seat of a car and when ready, he reached up and grabbed the driver.

It was close to midnight, and I was driving up Township Line Road as I thought about this. It was dark of course and I just wanted to get home. I was about 2 miles from home as I was getting ready to go over the RailRoad tracks. 

The scene from the movie was waying heavey on me and then I thought –“ya, know, I never even checked the back seat before I got in; someone could be back there right now, and as soon as I stop, he’ll grab me”

I stared to panic.  So I thought – I’ll just slowly check the back seat with the rear view mirror, nothing fast, nothing obvious, just look. So slowly I adjusted the Mirror a bit and began to move my head to look….

AHHHHH ---- there he was, looking at me, he was right there and close…

I over reacted and yelled, and my car went off the road and down the embankment on the other side of the RR tracks.

My car was buried in brush and the front end – it was a mess. Only then did I realize the face I saw in the mirror – was mine. 

I scared myself off the road. 

That wasn’t my only lack of courage that night.

One can only assume what courage it was going to take, now to walk 2 miles home and tell my Dad I was in an accident and “I” was the reason….

I thought of this passage from Joshua 

Can you imagine the COURAGE it took for Joshua to move ahead?

Much more than it was for me, walking home.

As Joshua stepped into Moses’ giant-sized sandals, he faced a tremendous challenge: bringing the Israelites into the Promised Land. 

The responsibility was huge, and we can surmise from the Lord’s repeated commands to “be strong and courageous” that Joshua was probably not feeling up to the task (Josh. 1:6-7; Josh. 1:9). 

At one time or another, we all face obstacles and difficulties that seem insurmountable.  Many are feeling isolated and alone right now. Others are on the ‘front lines’ of this virus and they and/or their families may be  worried.

The question is, How do we respond? 

Some people try to push through or manipulate their way around the barriers, while others give up. 

But the Lord wants us to trust Him to remove each impediment. 

Any obstacle that stands between us and God’s purpose is subject to His supernatural power. 

Most of us would readily agree that nothing is too difficult for the Lord, but fear and worry reveal our doubts. 

By focusing on the problem, we allow it to grow and block our view of almighty God.

Knowing the difficulty of Joshua’s assignment, the Lord assured him that he would be successful in completing the mission. God’s responsibility was to remove every hindrance that stood between the Israelites and the land He had promised to give them. Joshua’s job was to believe the Lord and carefully obey all His commands. 

Obstacles are one way that our faith can grow. 

When we are confused and cannot see how God could work out your situation, lets  not walk away in defeat and miss His blessing. 

He wants to teach you His way of obedience, trust, and courage. 

Believe Him—He always keeps His promises. 

BTW – I summed up my courage and told my Dad exactly what happened.

He never was mad at me, and helped me that night as late as it was to dig my car out of the Brush….. actually, he couldn’t get mad, we was laughing too hard all night.

Be safe, stay well and always blessed.

Lets pray, Father God, we come to you this day with varied obstacles in our path. Some are worn out and tired, fatigued and perhaps over worked as they are working in the medical practice; some are our first responders , now doing extra duty due to others who may be not ‘on the lines’, ; families who wory for their loved ones; others may be angry at their situation or perhaps bored…. They are all obtacles which prevent us from seeing the blessings you shower upon us.

Lord as we pray for all those above, we ask that help us remove our own obstacles and to “Be strong and courageous “ and to put our trust in You.

Thank you Lord Jesus for being our Good Shepherd and walking with us through our Valleys.

I Jesus name we pray, amen.

PS – This link is a wonderful song by one of my favorite artists. It makes a point that obstacles can be large or small. I am also trying to practice on my Ukulele.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe4SckesWLE

 AMEN

  3/19/20:   

Hebrews 11:17-19 

7 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”[c] 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

Is YOUR God as big as Abrahams?

Ever notice how big a Jumbo Jet is?

Well, its really BIG…. The problem is, when we look at it up in the Sky, it looks much different than what it looks like when Boarding it, doesn’t it…when your standing beside it, its Huge… especially a Trans Atlantic Jet.

The difference between the two is, HOW CLOSE you are to the Airplane.

SO again, I ask you HOW BIG is your God? 

Have you ever heard the old saying, “Faith gives feet to belief”? 

This simply means that faith is the active expression of what you truly believe about God. 

If you have the idea that He sits in some far-off place called heaven and only half-heartedly listens to your prayers, then that will reveal itself in our day-to-day walk of faith. 

Our God will seem very small, distant, powerless, and disinterested. 

Abraham’s actions demonstrated that he had a very largeview of God and complete confidence in His faithfulness. 

Even though the patriarch misjudged how the Lord would rescue Isaac, it was evident that he knew God would fulfill His promise. 

His God was BIG

Abraham’s faith was perfected (or made complete) when he demonstrated willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to the Lord.

As Christians, we profess faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, but it’s by our actions that we prove our faith is genuine and see how BIG or SMALL our God is…

When God says not to be anxious about our physical needs, do we trust Him, or do we worry about our situation – especially in these different times. 

Do we worry about our finances as we watch the economy fluctuate so greatly? 

Is prayer our first reaction to a problem, or are we more prone to rely on ourselves for a solution? “Many have “Hunkered down” while the outside world deals with this virus .. but we do not need to “hunker down” from God.

How confident are we God will do what He’s said?

Consider what our actions say about our perception of God. 

If we believe that the Lord is who He has revealed Himself to be in the Scriptures, then our life will show evidence of our faith, and our GOD will be BIG.

In Psalm 46 we learn to “Be Still and know I am God” …. He is the Alpha and Omega, yes, but He is God right now as well and that is How BIG He is.

Lets Pray

Father God, you are our God and we are your children. We may have moments of tension, anxiousness and even sadness, but we know you are in control. You who Lit the Skies, who chiseled out the Canyon, who scooped out the Seas…. That is how big you are. You who knows the number of hairs upon our head and who knows when a single sparrow falls, you are that big. Your eyes are always upon us, no matter where we may be, and your eyes are nurturing us all the days and moments of our life. 

Fill us with your peace this day and let us be still – and know that you are a BIG God.

We give our cares to you as we give our praise and thanksgiving to you, and we do it in the name of Jesus, as we say -- AMEN

  3/17/20:   

I read that -  once upon a time, before television, there was radio. 

You know what radio is--television without pictures. 

Well, before television, one of the most popular daytime radio programs was called "Queen for a Day."
He wrote that each day four or five women from the studio audience would tell the host what they would like to have and do if they could be "Queen for a Day." 

And then, on the basis of applause, one woman was chosen, and insofar as they were able, the sponsors fulfilled her wildest desires. 

She was given a number of valuable prizes and for one day she reigned as "Queen."
That sounds like what happened to Jesus, doesn’t it? 

Jesus was crowned "King for a Day" on that first Palm Sunday. 

Still a few weeks away, but during this lent season, as we journey to the Cross and the Son-Rise, we trek through Palm Sunday.

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem marked the beginning of his last week on earth. 

It fulfilled prophecy and revealed his true identity to the masses. 

But I think it was more than that. 

It was God’s own gift of encouragement to Jesus.

 

As Jesus rode through the crowd who praised and cheered Him, as if He WAS King for a Day -- it was as if God was saying, "Son—remember this day? Remember what it’s like to hear the angels above say 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.' Only one more week and it will be finished— and you will be home.” 

We all need encouragement at times.

William Arthur Ward once said:- Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.

In a sense our life, especially in these ‘times’ we could use the cloud of witnesses - our heroes, our family and friends - cheering us on in a similar fashion.

We too can be the ones who are the encouragers. 

Encouraging our family, friends, those who are shut-in with limited supply of food. 

We can encourage the Doctors, Nurses, Technicians and all the Health Care folks working their best to help others. The First Responders of all sorts, who are still there to Protect (one of our 5 P’s). 

Who can WE make a Queen for a Day? A King for a day?

When we feed the hearts of others with encouragement, we find peace. (and that wasn’t even one of the P’s)

 3/15/20: 

Good morning, 

There is a story of a young couple who were planning their wedding. They were in love with ONE another as well as with their Lord Jesus.

The Bride hired a wonderful Baker and Decorator to make the Cake for their reception.

She asked that he just put the words “1John 4:18” on the top.

That is the beautiful passage : “18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love”.

They knew they had ‘perfect love’

She was aghast when they arrived at the reception and saw on the top on the cake “John 4:18”.

The Baker forgot the “ONE (1).

John 4 is the story of the Woman at the Well and the Verse 18 is:

18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

Wow, how things can change just ONE number.

Yes, One number, One person, makes a difference.

In THESE times when each “ONE” of us is, or should be,  taking it upon ourselves to not only ‘be’ healthy, but to keep someone else healthy, that number has new respect.

That number is important as well to our little church and to the greater church as well.

Paul writes about Jesus and His Bride in Ephesians 4:

He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe. 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

What does that mean to us…..WE, individually and as a Body of Christ are ONE with Him.

Charles Stanley explains it this way:

One body. God adopts people into His family without regard for race, gender, or denomination. Trust in Jesus Christ is all that matters

One Spirit. All Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. We’re different on the outside, but as believers, we all have the Spirit to empower and guide us. 

One hope. As believers, we share a common hope—the return of Jesus and life in heaven with Him. 

One Lord.  Jesus’ lordship extends over all people. We should submit to His authority in every area of life. 

One faith. Believers are united in one faith, which is founded on several basic truths: Jesus is God; He lived a sinless life, died for our sins, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, where He’s seated at God’s right hand. 

Yes, when we are ONE in Christ, we can better understand the things we have in common and not dwell on that which separates us.

My Prayer for today:

Father God, We thank you, and bring praise and honor to you this morning .. we are grateful we can join together as B&S’s in the body of Christ, perhaps not in person, this day, but as ONE BODY united in our love for you. We may be in many different places this day, but are ONE with you.

We thank you for this day of light and warmth.. and not just in the pre-spring sunshine but for your love. 

We know that spring and summer will turn into fall and winter.. not just outside, but also in our lives.. but your presence is ever upon us..

We come here this morning, children in need of your comfort. 

We hunger for tranquility. 

We thirst for the peace we have known in months and years past.

We seem somewhat separated from our social norm, but we feel secure in your arms and in the prayers of our sisters and brothers in Christ.

We pray for family and friends around the world who are in similar situations and we know you are in control and all ‘this shall pass’.

As we adjust to what may be the new norm at least for a few weeks,  we understand that we do not always appreciate what we have till its gone … we struggle with a day to day regimen that keeps us anxious, keeps us on edge, but Lord Jesus, we come to you today knowing that YOU can calm the seas of our souls, that YOU can establish a PEACE within us and OH God, we thank you for that.

Lord, we ask you to Bless us, and bless us indeed .. 

For all the mercy you have showered upon us. For all the grace you have bestowed ON us.. for the glory that belongs to you and you alone, we praise you, thank you and love you … In Jesus name we pray -AMEN  

Remember the 5 P’s and let us be One with Christ and with One Another.

Blessings and Peace

Larry ONeill, Pastor

Skippack Church

  3/12/20:  I wish to share which I have pondered deeply these past weeks.

The Updates on the COVID-19 strain comes daily and it seems to change hourly.

I have always considered myself in a “last man standing” mentality.

That is not Prudent. (The first P)

That being said, Church services will be Cancelled this Sunday.

While some may say this is over reactive, it is actually my ‘2nd P’  - Proactive.

Being overreactive or overcautious it may be, but being proactive for a week or two is still acceptable.

It comes after a lot of thought and even more prayer.

This virus affects folks differently, but with the population of our church family, and the rapidly moving components of this virus, we want to have some sense of “Preventiveness” for those who would attend. 

It would be hard for me personally to carry the guilt-feeling should someone become sick or seriously ill by not being ‘Protective’ of them. 

I will be sending a similar message to the Local churches, informing them the Mid-Week Lent service will not be held at Skippack next Wednesday. 

My final “P” is Prayerfulness”. 

Let us keep those who are ill, those in the Healthcare profession who, even if not working with patients with the Virus, are in a location where the possibility is greater, in our prayers.

I will send out a Time for Peace, a Prayer and a Sermon.

I would do something on YouTube, or Upload it to our Website if I could ever figure out how to do that.

Sunday March 22 will be decided later. We have some thoughts about that, but we will see how this week plays out.

I have believed since Valentine’s Day, and told many folks, that we will all have greater grasp and understanding of the impact of this Virus by St Patricks’ Day, and it seems we will. 

Till then – let us be Prudent – Proactive – Preventive - Protective and of course Prayerful.

Please call, email or text me if you have questions, or if I can assist in any way.

Blessings and Peace

Larry ONeill, Pastor

Skippack Church