Feeling at Home

In the words of the Gaither's song, Feeling at Home, we hear the words, "Warming my feet by the fires of The Spirit, camping right close to the Throne, feeling at home, feeling at home," we hear the cry of my heart today.

I’m tired of this old world, tired of winter, homesick for Heaven and Jesus.

I awoke this morning with this wonderful song on my heart and later this morning that changed to "I've a longing in my heart for  Jesus, I've a longing in my heart to see his face, I am weary, oh so weary, of traveling here below, I've a longing in my heart for Him."

Winter won't last that much longer, just a  little while and it will be better, The ache in the heart of each Christian is to see our Savior and to be HOME at last.

Hang in their my friends, "Soon and very soon", we're going to see the King!

Please join us this Sunday at His house.    Let your voice join with ours in worshiping the King.   Enjoy anointed ministry in song and the Word.    Services are at 10:30 AM and again at 6 PM.

We'll say "Welcome Home", the words we anticipate hearing from our Saviour soon.  See ya Sunday!

Love ya,  Pastor Phil      

The inside of a car engine can shed some light on what keeps the believer going when the emotional high of the revival service is over and the realities of everyday life kick in.

There are times when none of the cylinders in the motor are actually firing and producing power. Some fired recently. Some will fire shortly.  But at this instant in time, NO power is being produced by any of the eight cylinders. What keeps the motor from suddenly stopping?

There is a simple device deep inside the motor that has absorbed the energies produced when the cylinders actually did fire. It is called the flywheel. It is just a disc of heavy steel whirling at the speed of the motor. When an instant occurs when no cylinder is firing, the flywheel with its weight and inertia keeps the motor turning so that the moment of opportunity will come around for each cylinder to fire and do its part. 

For us as believers, commitment to a local church, involvement with its programs, the expectations of those depending on our attendance and performance…these all serve the same purpose as the flywheel in the depths of the motor. We really need to have the inertia of involvement to get us through the flat spots when there is neither excitement nor enthusiasm. We are there because we are expected to be there. That pressure pushes things around to our own firing point. The kitchen as a cook, the foyer as a greeter, the lectern as a teacher, the pulpit as a preacher, the office as a secretary…well…you get the picture.  :-)

How about you?  Are you still going from today’s emotional high to tomorrow’s hoped-for apex of religious fervor? Or have you learned to let the deep commitments of your involvement with a local church take you through your valleys of today to the thrill of accomplishment as a servant of Christ the next time it’s your turn to function??

See you Sunday!

Lovingly,

Pastor Richard Orrell

Isaiah 40: 28-31-NLT
^28 "Have you never heard?  Have you never understood?  The Lord is the everlasting God,  the Creator of all the earth.  He never grows weak or weary.   No one can measure the  depths of his understanding. 

²⁹ He gives power to the weak  and strength to the powerless.

³⁰ Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. 

³¹ But those who trust in the  Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."  Not much we can add to His Word.  He is all we'll ever need!

This Valentine's weekend let's thank the Lord for His  blessing in providing soul-mates for those of us who are married.

 To those who are not married or whose spouse has passed, God has promised to be a husband or companion to them.

Let Him fill that role for you.  He's a friend that is closer than anyone!

As the old song says, "Our God is an Awesome God".  

Not only do we have our Valentines and great friends to be thankful for, but God Himself, the best friend we could ever have!     

He is our peace, our provider and ever-present companion!  Let's love Christ with our Worship this weekend!

Love ya,  Pastor Phil      

Isn't it odd how a decision that seemed to be just another whim on the part of a junior high kid could turn out to be such a part of the fabric of life for the adult that kid was to become?

Under the careful tutelage of the band director, reading music from the bass clef had become second nature.

Alas, rules are rules. If he was to play football the kid would have to switch to the high school Glee Club and learn to read vocal music.

What was a bit frustrating to the youth turned out to be mysterious direction for his life task.

The strong background in music from the bass clef served him well as he sang bass in quartets and choruses in various venues over the ensuing decades of time. The tedium of hearing parts punched for sopranos, altos and tenors taught him to harmonize as needed. As time went by, the upper end of his vocal range was revealed when out of necessity he had to lead worship.

The guitar fit him like a glove and became yet another element of mysterious direction for a life under construction. The basis for many of the chords struck in leading worship heartened back to his foundation on the sousaphone in the junior high band.

When life seems to have dealt you a random hand. When nothing seems to makes sense. Trust God. He has a plan and will bring it to fruition if given time and opportunity. 

A satisfied heart,

Pastor Richard Orrell