I remember it as if it were yesterday.

It was one of those years, (most families have them), when our parents had let us know things were a bit tight financially and that there wouldn't be much gift-giving in our household that Christmas. I remember the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as I processed the thought that there would be no Lincoln Logs or Erector Set like last year.

So you can imagine my surprise when daddy and mother began dropping broad hints about what might be under the Christmas tree for me. Seems everyone in the family was in on the surprise except me.

"It's about six feet long" , one of them said.

And then to add to my confusion another family member mentioned it was only about three or four inches wide...mostly. 

What?? How can it be that long but so narrow??

But then, another "loving" person, (sibling, no doubt!) brought up the fact that another of its dimensions was 26 inches. Oh...and yet another was 20 inches, or so. 

Wait...! How can one gift have so many different dimensions??

I puzzled and pondered whatever in the wide world of sports might be coming for the kid who days earlier was considering what it might feel like to have a big zero under the tree on Christmas Day. 

The time between the "announcement" and that special day passed agonizingly slowly. I fretted, whined and wheedled trying desperately to find a weak link in the chain who might let something slip that would help me figure it out. Alas; no one broke the stony silence after those few hints had been dropped.

Christmas Eve came and went when normally our family opened presents and "had Christmas". Other than a few remembrances there wasn't much under the tree. I remember a card game called, "Authors". And that may have been the year the family at large received a "Monopoly" game. Some small thing for Sue and a sack of candy for each of us. Oh there was lots of love to go around and plenty to eat. We played games and enjoyed some of Mama's readings. I'm sure we ended the evening with a rousing time of singing around our old green and red Naugahyde covered piano. (Mama could sure make that old thing talk!) But nothing was there that fit the description I had been given.

Sleep didn't come easily that night. I didn't know whether to feel deeply disappointed or full of anticipation for tomorrow.

Christmas Day finally dawned with the family all gathered, anxious to see my reaction to my amazing gift with all the strange dimensions.

Unbeknownst to a little boy distracted by the obtuse hints, daddy had found an old bicycle someone else didn't need any more. He had gotten it for almost nothing and had invested a fortune in parental love resurrecting it with new crank bearings, new tires, new spokes, new handlebar grips with tassels, and a bright new coat of fire engine red paint! I couldn't believe my eyes!!

I have never received a more amazing and treasured gift than that!

And the delight in the family's eyes as I realized they had all told the truth about the height, width and length of my anticipated gift...priceless!

Makes one wonder what is really coming when this life is finished. The dimensions and description we have of Heaven in the Bible are no doubt accurate to the last detail. But the information we have is so far short of the reality of Eternity's magnificence! Just wait till you see the "Place" Jesus has prepared for you who believe! What an indescribable Gift!!

Be faithful and patient...

Richard Orrell, pastor

The Value of the Christmas Play

Things have changed; mostly for the better.  Church Christmas plays these days often enjoy the benefits of advanced sound, lighting and costuming as the Season rolls around.  But remember with me the wonder of those early efforts to re-tell the old, old story of the birth of Christ. 

Who would get to be the shepherds and wise men this year? What treasures would be brought down from the attic to serve as gold, frankincense and myrrh? Do we dare try to use live animals this year? Who will build the sets? And how about new costumes since last year's mildewed in storage? And can't we get a more realistic angel costume? 

But the one casting decision on everyone's mind was always Mary. The Baby was most often a doll cleverly disguised in swaddling clothes and lying in this year's homemade manger filled with hay.  Joseph never had any lines to memorize and mutter. But Mary; young, beautiful, holy and chosen, Mary. 

Whom do we have of that stature and reputation?? And who can carry her grand and profound speaking parts? Whose voice projects well enough to be heard on the back row?

There was always someone.  But not once did a young girl flounce onto the stage wearing the costume and the part as a badge. Without exception, the enormity of the part subdued even the budding actress among us. It was always difficult to get them to speak forcefully the wonder-filled lines as the Virgin realized the task to which God had assigned her. The cheeks of many a young maiden glistened with tears as ancient yet familiar words from the heart of Mary burst from their lips: 

"My soul doth magnify the lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed."

No. We didn't have the benefit of modern technology. But somehow, bathrobes became authentic Jewish garments. Faux angel wings glistened with the dew of Heaven. And Mary once again touched the hearts of true believers with her complete surrender to the will of God.  Somehow authentic shepherds found the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger while angel choirs sang,  "Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men!"

Might it have been more professionally done? Of course! But could it have been more meaningful to the participants? Not in a million years! We needed that moment of empathy with the characters of the Nativity in order for them to come off the pages of the Bible and into our hearts. 

That is the true value of church Christmas plays, at least in the heart of this older pastor. Hopefully, such productions will continue year after year for the next generation to whom we will one day pass the torch of Faith. 

Fondly remembering,

Richard Orrell

With regard to patriotism in America, I stand amazed on two counts.

My heart is thrilled to hear up to date and current stories of American heroes on battlefields who fall on grenades to save the lives of their fellow soldiers exactly as their ancestors did in previous generations. The levels of competence, excellence and commitment in our current generation rival those of “the greatest generation”. War is fought differently now but with the same courage and willingness to die for God, country and flag.

I stand amazed.     

But my second amazement is no less profound than the first.

My heart aches at the continued flagrant disrespect shown to our country, our anthem and our flag at sporting events staffed by the finest athletes in the world, sired and groomed by the Nation they lampoon at a moment when they might serve as catalysts to unite. Their callous disregard for the blood of their peers being shed around the globe to protect their right to such misguided protest shocks me.

I stand amazed. 

But I also stand amazed that we are part of a nation so tolerant and forgiving that we allow such goings on. I am amazed at such Grace.

It is high time that we return to our roots of “one nation under God”.

I stand!

Reverently,

Pastor Richard Orrell

Three days until November sweeps in on the winds of Autumn. Merchants are already eyeing the hoped-for successes (excesses) of Black Friday while parents cope with sugar-buzzed children from October’s glut of individually wrapped and x-rayed candies.

Malls across America uniformedly gear up for the arrival of Santa and his elves while choirs brush up on carols of the Season. Parties are planned. Family gatherings are circled on many a calendar. Flights are booked. Motel arrangements are made and car rentals secured.

But what about Thanksgiving?? Have we somehow misplaced this MOST important national holiday that has at its heart the foundations of our great land?

Before the calendar turns to November let us commit that we will make time for God, for family and for Church as we celebrate the religious freedoms we have in America.

Thank God for the land of the free and the home of the brave!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Richard Orrell, Pastor

The disciples of Jesus had seen enough in their years on the sea to know they were in serious trouble. Galilee had often cast up bits of wreckage and swollen victims after storms just like this one. 

The monster raged sending towering waves smashing into their small boat as it shook it's valiant head and plunged on into the darkness. 

We're not certain who it was who thought of it first;  "If He fed the crowds with a kid's sack lunch, couldn't He do something about this storm??"

And so they woke Him up from a well earned, fatigue induced sleep. 

"Master! Don't you even care that we are about to drown?!"

The brashness of it sounds rather like Peter. But truth be told, we don't know which of the beleaguered sailors was so direct with the Lord. 

Quickly Jesus spoke to the wind and waves, bringing order to the chaos of the storm. 

As the disciples struggled to comprehend the power they had just witnessed, Jesus asked the strangest questions: "Why are you so fearful?" And, "How is it that YOU have no faith?" (Mark 4:40, emphasis mine)

His response prompts one to suppose that had they realized it, the disciples could have spoken to the storm and let Him rest. After all, He had taught them that mustard seed faith is sufficient for mountain moving and tree uprooting. 

What a powerful visual for the disciples that must have been! And such wisdom for Him to connect faith with problem solving in everyday life!

Hopefully we will each catch the lesson as well. And hopefully we will learn to address the storms of life we encounter with the same confidence in our Father who hears us when we pray. 

Be aware, the Master of the storm rides with you. 

Lovingly,

Richard Orrell, pastor

We’re glad you’re here!

Hebrews 10:25 NLT

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. “

Whether this is your very first Sunday at  Battlefield Assembly or whether you’ve been attending for years, “Welcome Home!”

We love our church and know you’ll feel right at home in God’s House with His people.

Please feel at home in His House this Sunday.

The Holy Spirit has promised us that He will be our invited Guest in the service.  Come and meet him this Sunday!

Wanted to take this opportunity to say each of you are loved and appreciated. Thanks for honoring us by choosing to worship at  Battlefield Assembly today.

I Love you and

His Church,  Pastor Phil

Long before daylight the man and his son had parked close to the road and had quietly locked the car. Rifles were loaded and flimsy hunter-orange vests were donned over the heavier coats blocking the cold winds of autumn in the Ozarks. Ball caps were swapped for hunter-orange hats designed to make them more easily visible to other hunters they might encounter in their morning quest for venison.

Ever so quietly they ghosted down familiar trails to the place they were certain the deer would be crossing that first day of the season.

Knowing it was the better spot, the man left his son sitting by the tree overlooking a well-used game trail while he went a little farther and took up his own vigil at the foot of another forest giant.

The darkness was so impenetrable he couldn't even see his hand as he passed it in front of his eyes. But he knew where he was and felt secure in the Presence of the Lord, even in the woods, even in the darkness as he and the boy patiently waited for the soft light of morning.

As the day dawned and night's heavy gloom dissipated the man slowly swiveled his head from side to side looking for the deer that was certain to come down such an obviously well-traveled trail.

To his horror, he counted six other patches of hunter-orange dotted around the area. That meant there were six other rifles besides his and his son's loaded and ready to blaze away at any deer foolish enough to travel that trail on deer season's opening day.

Cautiously, he slowly rose to his feet and eased back up the trail to where his son was sitting. He motioned for the boy to follow as he made his way back to the car, somewhat relieved the deer had not come down that trail on that particular day. What a dangerous situation he had accidentally gotten himself and his son into! Who could have known that so many other hunters would have chosen the same spot for opening day? And who could have predicted that each would choose a different path to that same patch of woods so that none knew the others were there?

One must wonder how many similar situations we encounter during our lives and we never know it. We thoughtlessly go our way day after day putting ourselves at great risk without ever realizing God was watching over us.

How marvelous that He dispatches His angels to watch over us even in times when we feel we don't need assistance.

"For He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands lest thou dash thy foot against a stone!" Psalm 91:11&12

Lovingly,

Richard Orrell, pastor

When I call on Jesus

Revelation 3:8 NLT

⁸ “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed My Word and did not  deny me.”

Whether it is a flood from nature, opposition from a ‘”friend”, sickness in your body, stress in the family or a financial hurdle to climb, Jesus is your answer today my friend.

No matter what He has called you to do or be He is faithful to complete the work He has  assigned to you.

When you don’t know what to do there is just one  number to call,   J E S U S. 

He is faithful and He is right on time.

Love ya, 

Pastor Phil      

The old gentleman had been home barely a week from his latest heart episode. And although he had been quietly trying to comply with the doctor's instructions, he just couldn't wait another day to get in on the spring crappie fishing. His wife protested that she could not go along and there was no one else to accompany him in his small fishing boat on such a large lake. But against her wishes he drove around the corner and down the hill to the fishing dock to scratch his fishing itch.

Faithfully, his wife of many years prayed as she watched for his distinctive little aluminum boat to come chugging around the point of land that would lead him into the open water of the Lake of the Ozarks.

Amazed, she noted someone else sitting in the front seat as he plowed through the chop forging his way to his secret crappie beds.

"Oh, thank goodness he found someone to fish with him today of all days!"  She thought as she dismissed her concerns of him aged and alone on the bosom of such a massive inland sea.

Hours later she idly looked up as he rounded the point heading back to the dock. Gratitude filled her heart as she noted the faithful presence of his friend seated in the bow of the little boat. 

"I'll have to ask him who it was when he gets home", she mused.

Shortly, with the customary rattle of the chain-driven garage door, his arrival home was announced.

After her usual question about his fishing luck she brightly asked, "So who was that with you today?"

"Nobody", he said.  "There wasn't a soul around so I just went by myself."

Well, you can imagine the energetic discussion that ensued as she pointed out that she knew his boat, and that no one else was on the water but he and his friend, and there was no way she could be mistaken...

It was only later that they put two and two together, remembering Jesus had promised He would never leave us nor forsake us. The unknown Stranger in the bow of the boat that day was One who was very familiar with small boats, high winds and crashing waves.

As you go through your latest storm remember you are not alone either, no more than the old gentleman was that day. 

Rest in the assurance of the Presence of the Lord.

Lovingly,

Pastor Richard Orrell

God is Faithful

Philippians 1:6   NLT

⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

We were entering ministry and had a home to sell prior to moving.   Prime rate was 19%, nothing was selling.

Our God brought us a ‘cash sale’ for the amount we’d asked for and it happened, yes, right at the last minute, but right on time.

Then the next dilema, I was to arrive at our new church severeal weeks prior to shool letting out, so needed my family to stay put till the boys were out of school.   We thought we'd have to rent a place for them to stay for that few weeks.  

Alas, God was concerned about that as well, and He had everything under control.    The folks who purchased our home weren't wanting to move in for several weeks, so we rented our own house - what a blessing.

God arranged for our family continue to live in that house for a few weeks till we were ready to actually move the family. 

God knows how much I hate to move, especially twice. 😊

God is so good and His timing is perfect.

God took care of our family and he’ll take care of you my friends.  He’s always right on time!

Love ya,  Pastor Phil  😊