Ever notice someone going through a difficult time of life with their head held high and something positive flowing from their lips? Yeah, me too. And oddly, it's not the trouble they face that makes them stick out in the crowd. It's the peace with which they cruise through the very stuff that's sinking other ships all around them. Everybody has problems. It's not the presence of problems that set us apart, its how we handle the hammer blows of ordinary life. 

So, what secret weapon might enable an unremarkable person to respond to life's disasters in such a remarkable way? 

Glad you asked!

As a pastor I am sometimes privileged to walk with someone through the minefield dujour. What I often hear the successful crisis solver articulate is that it was in a time of worship or prayer that a palpable sense of well being settled into their inner person. They often say they do not know where the peace came from; just that it is there and has brought them through a time when they could have folded.  

Maybe the words of Jesus in John 14:27 will shed some light on the "peace that makes no sense". It is actually His peace that invades the heart of the believer faced with impossible circumstances. It really doesn't depend on what's going on around us. It is predicated solely on His faithfulness and the fact that He lives in perfect harmony with The Father and His will. His unexplainable peace drops into our hearts and fits like an old glove. We rise above the storm and glow with His presence and His peace. 

Guess maybe we should just receive it and quit trying to figure it out? 

Face it...God's crazy about you!

Lovingly,

Pastor Richard Orrell

From time to time I see negative comments about Valentine's Day on social media.  I think I grasp why someone might feel that way having suffered myself through a Valentine's Day or two when popularity (worth) was measured by the number of valentines received from classmates. 

But that was a long time ago when we were all children and hadn't yet learned to go out of our way to be inclusive.  As maturity has set in we have learned to appreciate the concept of love and celebrate it with enthusiasm whether or not we are currently participant in the exchange of flowers and chocolate.

With fondness we remember the times it was our doorbell ringing to announce the arrival of the latest expression of adoration. Our hearts still thrill to the memory of the card in the mail and the sweet nothings written inside.

A pair of middle schoolers feeling the first sweet brush of puppy love on their heartstrings, or a wrinkled and bowed couple standing in matching walkers at the altar reaffirming sacred marriage vows taken seventy years earlier...both illustrate this marvelous gift of love God has given us.

Accept the pure love God has for each of us. And celebrate the love for each other He has allowed us to experience.

May your life be filled with genuine love this Valentine's Day!

Pastor Richard Orrell

FAMILY CELEBRATION

Philippians 1: 3,4,6 NLT

3 “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. ⁴ Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy. 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.”

I used this scripture a couple of weeks ago, but it bears repeating.     We truly appreciate each and every member of this body of Christ.

Let me encourage us all to continue to get better acquainted with one another and form lasting friendships.     By stepping out of our comfort zone it is amazing the benefit we will reap by knowing each other better.

As Pastor preached last Sunday, we can only get close to God and others as we spend time in close proximity to them.

Hope you’re all coming to our banquet Friday!

Love ya,  Pastor Phil