Rich Reflections

Barely old enough to have graduated high school, she already bore marks of maturity far beyond her years. Long hours each day hammering out the ka-ching of the cash register at a major food store had etched a patina of bored professionalism into the smoothness of her young face. Had anyone paid attention on this particular day they would have noticed that her eyes, normally tightly focused on the next item to be rung up, darted with regularity to the clock on the far wall. She could hardly contain her excitement as lunchtime approached.

It was only a few blocks down the street through the springtime heat and humidity of central Florida to the department store where her treasures awaited. With a spring in her step born of joy and the need to be back at work in her allotted thirty minutes, she cast her apron aside and hurried past the garden tools and perfume counter to the clothing side of the store.

The scrap of paper with all the proper measurements scribbled the night before was in her hand as she confidently requested the help of the attendant in finding the right outfit. After all, it was Easter and everybody would be wearing their very best in Sunday’s services at the little church near the center of town.

That is, everybody except her. You see, the Easter clothes for which she was spending her hard earned cash were not for her. They were for her little brother. She had noticed that with the hard times the family was going through, he would have only his usual jeans and tee shirt in which to celebrate the resurrection. Oh, they were clean. No one would say anything. It was just that others would look so nice and fresh while someone she loved was just another little boy.

It was many years before he grasped the significance of the little brown suit he wore that day. The sharply creased pants and nicely shined shoes were appreciated but were quickly eclipsed by the excitement of the Easter egg hunt and dinner on the grounds.

I wish I could remember what my sister wore that Easter. I’m sure it was clean and looked nice. But I’m also quite certain it was last year’s outfit…at least.

As an adult, I have come to appreciate deeply the kindness of that one act at Easter time so long ago. I have also come to be more and more thankful for God’s ultimate act of love when He gave His only begotten Son to die on an old rugged cross so that we can be saved.

Hopefully we will each be motivated to accept His love and to mirror it in our daily lives.

Happy Easter!

He is RISEN!

Christian love,

Pastor Richard Orrell

The book of Psalms in the Bible closes with this suggestion: 

"Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!" NLT 

I have become convinced of the necessity of praise. Encapsulated within praise are several facets of healthy thinking.

To praise God is to acknowledge there is Someone larger than life's current crisis. Simple praise also stems from a truly thankful heart. It requires that one focus on the good that's all around rather than on the pervasive evil of a godless society. Provision occupies center stage, not the perceived lack likely stemming from clever sales pitches sandwiched among progressively smaller bites of actual programming.

This person who has learned the secret of praise is deeply aware of the personal Presence of the Lord in each of life's convoluted challenges. HE becomes central in their thinking. The first thought in this person's morning is praise. Throughout their day the mantra of their mind and their mouth is praise. And the final thing uttered as blessed sleep overtakes is praise. 

What can you do with someone who does not allow anything or anyone to crush their ebullient inner person? They cannot be killed because they already died to sin and self at an altar of prayer. They refuse to be discouraged because they are convinced that no matter how daunting the circumstances God has a plan. Aloneness just gives them more time with the Lord and His Word. In their isolation they might just write a new song or poem! 

Reading the Bible through brings the conclusion that the great people of God have always been those who praise Him...no matter what. 

Lovingly,

Pastor Richard Orrell

Jeremiah 29:11  NLV

 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Sometimes our enemy launches an attack on our character, our health or our reputations!

He attacks us where he thinks we may be vulnerable.    Take this promise from Jeremiah to heart today.  YOU are God’s child, HE has great plans for you.

Recognize today the attack of the enemy for exactly what it is, a desperate attempt from the defeated foe to destroy us.   God wins in every single battle and is victorious in our lives.  

HE will provide HIS best for you and give you a good future, just trust in HIM:   God is our source!

Love ya,  Pastor Phil      

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      

Immediately upon graduation from high school I went to work as a teller at our hometown bank. In those days banks were not known for their high salaries but were an excellent choice for someone wanting to work while pursuing education. It was during this crucial time of learning about life and figuring out my role in things that the car buying bug bit me...big time.

I remember the frustration and disappointment when my Dad exercised the wisdom I lacked and refused to sign for the loan on my dream ride. I took him and Mom for a ride in it and showed off all its bells and whistles thinking he would be as amazed as I was. At the time, I could hardly believe my ears when he suggested it was foolishness to obligate for something that would take so long to pay off; that possibly I wasn't really settled into life as deeply as I thought. 

It took a long time for me to accept the fact that Dad was right. Little did I know that in a few short weeks I would have an encounter with God that would totally change the dynamics of life for me. Had I been allowed to purchase the newer vehicle it would have been a financial anchor I would have dragged all the way through Bible College.  It might well have derailed the plan of God for my life. 

It just makes me wonder how many times a good solid "no" has kept me out of something that I had no business being involved with in the first place.  

"Savior, like a Shepherd lead us. Thus we need thy tender care". 

Lovingly,

Pastor Richard Orrell

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.”

February 12th we celebrate our church family in our All-Church-Appreciation-Banquet.  We want to share the Apostle Paul’s sentiments, we thank God for each of you that are part of this family.

Each of you bring your own special gifts from God to our church.  Without you the family would not be complete.

PLEASE attend the Appreciation Banquet to help us honor each person in our church body.  We are ONE in the bond of love.  In Christ we are united to see what He is going to do in our midst in 2016.  See you there!

Love ya,  Pastor Phil      

What an encouragement to read the account in the Bible of the feeding of a huge crowd with a little boy's sack lunch. And how about the one where Peter steps out of the boat and takes a few steps on the water?

Oh, I know he got his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. But at least he did the impossible for a moment or two. The miraculous healings in the gospels, the emotional and spiritual deliverances; each of these encourage the believer to expect the best in his or her set of circumstances.

But isn't it also very uplifting to hear or read yet another intervention by the Lord in the life of someone who lives as one of our contemporaries? So often, the challenge met and defeated bears uncommon resemblance to the one looming on our own horizon.

A sin forgiven, a habit broken, a bill paid, a medical crisis survived: Some are too private to share but the G-rated ones certainly bear repeating as often as there is a listening ear. Others need to know God is still in the miracle working mode.

Your success story may be just the catalyst to ignite a friend's failing faith. Go ahead and share it. It is nearly certain that someone you love is waiting to hear that there is still hope.

Can't wait to share Heaven with you!

Pastor Richard Orrell

God has a plan for 2016

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

As we begin a new year our minds are filled with questions about what  the new year will bring.    Will it be good for us or will we face difficulties?

Today’s scripture assures us that whatever comes our way this year will be in accord with God’s plan for us.    Our Father does not plan things to  harm us, but things for our good to make us stronger.

We can rest in the assurance that God has our best interests at heart as He planned this year for us. Each of our days is designed by His loving grace.

Happy New Year friends—God cares for you!

Love ya, 

Pastor Phil