I remember during high school days being required to read George Orwell's creepy novel, "The World of 1984". As I read the fiction about the intrusiveness of big brother government I thought a couple of naive thoughts.

First. I thought such a thing could never happen here. Second, I mused that 1984 was so far into the future it might never get here. It would appear I was mistaken on both counts. Not much I can personally do about the first issue except vote. I certainly do that at every opportunity.

But that 1984 thing has me buffaloed. HOW can it have become 2014? And is it really possible we are turning the page into 2015? The year I thought might not arrive is now ancient history. And if things rock on as they tend to do, 2015 will soon fade into life's rear view mirror.

So...what to do with another half million plus minutes being handed to us on 1/1/15?? How about these suggestions?

1. Determine that I will not let my yesterdays affect my new year. Repentance works!

2. Accept that God loves me and will help me make the most of 2015.

3. Receive the new year as a gift from God.

4. View the new year as a blank sheet of paper on which I can write success rather than failure.

5. Lay concrete plans for change. This is based on the sage wit that as long as I keep doing the same things I have been doing, I will keep getting the same results. Change is vital.

6. Make daily devotions my habit. There is NO substitute for cultivating a relationship with God.

7. Determine that I will be a regular in my Bible believing, Christ centered church.

Happy New Year!!

Pastor Rich Orrell

Rejoice, Jesus is Born

Matthew 2:10 "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."

Christmas is such a joyous time of the year.   We celebrate Jesus' birth, we gather with friends and family to exchange gifts and eat far too much at this time of the year.

In the hustle and bustle of the season let's make sure that we don't overlook the true meaning of Christmas!    Take time today and all this Christmas time to honor Christ and to remember HIM in all of our celebrations.

Sometimes we get so busy we overlook the Christ Child.  Honor Him always, as   JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.

Please make sure to be in attendance at all the Christmas services at Battlefield Assembly, and take every opportunity to Worship the Christ Child!

Sunday evening the 21st at 6 pm we have our Children's Christmas program followed by our annual 'Tasting Party" in the Upper Room.    

Christmas Eve at 5 pm is our annual Candlelight Communion service in which the Pastors serve each family group communion and have personal prayer with each group.   The service is designed to last just one hour so you can then celebrate with family on Christmas Eve.

Twila and I wish each of you a Very Joyous Christmas!   

Love ya,      

Pastor Phil      

Christmas can be the most dangerous season of all. Just think about it. There's the danger of over stuffing our tummies with all the goodies. Credit traps yawn invitingly on every corner. Cars, clothes, phones, gizmos of every kind and description lurk waiting to sate our appetite for the good life. Alas; January with its overdue bills and catastrophic stress levels is thinly disguised behind the tinsel and glitter of a commercial X-mas.

For some, family disasters from the past dominate memory lane as they try to put a happy face on yet another awkward and painful Christmas. A loved one's December passing, the divorce that culminated too close to the holiday, the heart attack that changed everything: all these conspire to rob the unsuspecting of their happiness as Christmas closes in.

But for the wise and mature believer, none of these really interfere with the joyous celebration of the birth of Christ. Their solution is simple. They buy what is actually needed rather than falling for the latest fad. They do not spend money they don't have for things their loved ones will return the following day. They make it their business to know their family well enough to be aware of their actual needs. And if Christmas sales make it easier to acquire necessities, so much the better.

Shattered promises and broken hearts from yesterday are not allowed to rob them of the peace of God. The mature believer focuses on the fact of Bethlehem's miracle. Shepherds, Magi, Angels, Mary, Joseph, Jesus...THESE crowd out any misery clamoring for their attention.

Be blessed as you celebrate the true meaning of Christmas...the birth of our Savior and Lord, the returning Christ!

Lovingly,

Pastor Rich Orrell

Oh The Wonder of It All

As we begin the month of Christmas and have just concluded Thanksgiving my mind drifted to the song "The Wonder of It All".

I stand amazed that God loved us so much that He gave His Son to pay the price for our Salvation.

Another song says, "I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene."

Let's be joyful and thankful this Christmas Season for all He has done for us and truly praise Him.

"Get all excited, go tell everybody that Jesus Christ is King!  Sing it with Joy!

Let the songs of Zion resonate within your soul this Christmas Season!

Love ya,   Pastor Phil