To a six year old in a family with limited financial resources the crisp new dollar bill in the birthday card seemed a fortune. An out of town relative had sent it perhaps realizing what it would mean to the boy to have an entire dollar to spend on himself. Unrealistic visions of the purchasing power of that single dollar filled his head as he slipped on his faded dungarees and buttoned his only dress shirt preparing to head for church with the family. Mountains of candy and piles of toys occupied his thinking as the '35 Plymouth sedan coughed and chugged toward church on it's remaining 5 cylinders. 

The guest speaker for the morning was a missionary. Memories of just which country the speaker served have dimmed with age. But the urgency of the request for assistance in getting there still rings true through the years. 

At the close of the service the missions offering was finally being received. The six year old thought about the great need for the Gospel in that distant land and the enormous cost the missionary had underscored in his talk. In the little boy's mind, the only source of money massive enough to fund such a need was his one and only dollar. By the time the offering container had arrived at his pew the boy clutched his offering reverently in his pudgy little hand. Mountains of candy and piles of toys evaporated from his thinking to be replaced by thoughts of a child rather like himself, but with darker skin, kneeling to pray as he had done months earlier to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. Gravely, the little boy placed his dollar in the pan experiencing that warm, clean feeling of joy every missions giver knows. 

It was not a solitary piece of money that the Father had given that bought salvation for all. It was His one and only Son. He still looks for those who place greater value on the souls of men than they place on money or possessions. 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..."

Lovingly,

Pastor Richard Orrell

2  Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT

⁹ “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ¹⁰ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Today you may feel that life has brought you more than you can bear.  As Christians we often do face trials, but be encouraged, HE has overcome all of our trials.  His Grace is sufficient for you today.   Rest in the scripture above, when you are weak, He makes you strong.   You CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens you  - -  you’re not alone, He has everything under control!

Rest in HIS strength for all of your todays!

Love ya, 

Pastor Phil      

I was thankful for Dad's borrowed Chevy as I headed back to college following Christmas break. The flamingo pink paint job didn't do much for me but at least it was in good shape and reliable, or so Dad and I thought. With barely enough money for fuel and meager eats, I couldn't swing any repair bills. So when the motor made an odd noise and lost power for a moment, I was galvanized to pray enthusiastically.

It picked right up with its familiar rhythm and I breathed a sigh of relief as I was coming into Montgomery at rush hour. Noticing the sinking fuel gauge, I pulled into a gas station and filled up. Remembering Dad's fuel stop routine, I checked the oil, cleaned the windshield, eyeballed the tires and paid the bill from my small supply of travel cash. The old motor fired right up and soon I was pulling out into the river of cars on Montgomery's south side. At the first stop light the motor died. I turned the key and cranked the engine until the battery died. As I listened to the futile clicking of the solenoid I realized I was in a tough situation; a very balky car, a very small amount of travel money, and very alone in a very big city.

The honking and rude comments from the drivers behind me only served to underscore the precariousness of my situation. I bowed my head and prayed, asking God to help the old Chevy start one more time. My work around Dad's service station as a kid had taught me enough to know there  was no "start" left in that battery. And whatever possessed me to think it might start after it WOULDN'T moments before?

Naïveté? Desperation? Faith? After all these years I'm still not sure. All I know is that when I raised my head from praying, that old pink Chevy started like a new one and ran like a top all the rest of the way to Missouri! It never gave me another moment's trouble as I drove it for a semester. 

Moral of the story? Even when it looks impossible, go ahead and pray. The Angel told the Virgin Mary, "...with God, nothing shall be impossible!"

Ask, attempt, anticipate...

Be encouraged!

Pastor Richard Orrell

​

We felt fortunate not to have wrecked but were honestly wondering why the delay with the flat tire when we had prayed for divine protection before starting our trek from the safety of home.  

The only tire shop in town just happened to have a trailer tire in the correct size. After negotiations using our interpreter, we paid the steep price and waited "patiently" while the tire was put on the trailer.  

It was only when we were asked to come see what they had found that we realized the answer to our prayer. The shop near home that had serviced the trailer prior to our departure had failed to tighten the lug nuts on the wheels. They were close to falling off and might have caused a serious accident. It was only the annoying flat from the near-miss with the express bus that saved us from worse trouble ahead.

Makes me wonder what else God might be protecting us from when we experience life's little exasperations.

Be thankful for all things! (Paraphrasing Ephesians 5:20)

Thankfully,

Pastor Rich Orrell

"You are in the process of becoming what you are going to be," is an axiom first heard in the early 1960's on my arrival at Bible College green as grass and wet behind the ears. Contained in these few cryptic words is a truth many will live a lifetime and never grasp. 

Each date, Bible study, conversation, part time job, or book we read helps to formulate opinion and character.

Even the occasional disagreement or lively debate may serve to coagulate our view of life and how it should be lived.

It behooves us to be careful what influences we allow into our lives. Even the most casual contact or recreational choice can unduly affect our outlook.

The children's chorus says, "So be careful little eyes what you see!"

May we be discerning in all we do.

With compassion,

Pastor Rich Orrell

Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

^20 “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to  accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

This past week during our revival we were witnesses to many healing miracles. What a joy to see God do mighty works in our midst.

The revival was great, but let me encourage you, the evangelist didn’t bring God in his suitcase.  He is always here in our midst.

Let’s learn the lesson of which the evangelist Mike Peterson reminded us. The healing and other provisions are already paid for, through Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary.

Our job is to ask, believe that He has paid the price, and expect our miracles.   Let’s not  relegate God’s miracle powers to our last resort.  Let’s take our needs to Him first, He is more than able to do what we need done today!

Love ya,  Pastor Phil      

Those who relegate the Holy Spirit to the building in which the church meets would do well to scrutinize the earthly life of Christ. It was on the streets of small hamlets in Galilee and beside the sea that many of His great miracles were performed.

The Judean hills rang with shouts of joy as the blind regained their sight and lepers were empowered to rejoin society. It was not always in the confines of the synagogue nor in the hallowed environs of the Temple that the nature of the Father showed in the actions of the Son.

We who believe have that same Holy Spirit at work in us as we mingle with the broken, needy and hurting of our day. Let us anticipate His power and involvement in our own attempts to alleviate the suffering around us.

"Oh, to be His hand extended!"

Lovingly,

Pastor Richard Orrell

Matthew 11:28-30   (NLT)

²⁸ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you,   because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Monday we will celebrate Labor Day.    This holiday marks the end of the summer season and preparation for fall.

Jesus said:   My yoke is easy and my burden is light.   Friends  enjoy the long weekend, of course, but more importantly,  allow Jesus to carry your burdens.  He longs to lighten our load and make our way’s straight.

Celebrate Jesus this weekend, He is worthy!

Love ya,  Pastor Phil      

At one time the old house had been pretty nice. At least it had been sturdy enough to withstand the occasional hurricane sweeping across the narrow peninsula of central Florida. Many family gatherings had graced its board floors and non-air conditioned interior. It was home.

But with the passage of time came deterioration. Decay had taken a terrible toll on the old place.

As a small child I was not privy to the decision making process. But I envision late night whispered conferences as mom and dad planned our family future while we children slept.

Soon, our secure nest was in total disarray as the roof came off, the walls came down, the floors and foundations were dismantled and we lived in a small out building.

Little did we realize that the exciting future our parents had prepared for us required the destruction of all we held dear and familiar. The very materials of which our secure old home was made were the boards and beams that would build our brand new home. Even the children got into the act de-nailing the best of the old lumber to be re-used in the building of our dream home. 

Life often involves the necessary destruction or catastrophic change of the limited present enabling the child of God to move into the limitless future the Father has prepared. Witness the morphing of the slug-like caterpillar into the delicate soaring beauty of the butterfly.

Even now our Father moves the pieces to arrange for our miracle.  The greatest miracle of all will be when we move into our brand new home in Heaven with Him...forever!

In anticipation,

Pastor Richard Orrell

Psalm 122: 1-2 NLT

¹Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our Salvation.

² Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.”

Scripture has numerous references to the musicians and worshipers leading thearmy into battle.

When God’s children worshiped Him in song, God granted them a great victory!

I often think of that when leading worship!  

Worship brings us to the Holy of Holies and God’s  Holy  Spirit draws near.

Welcome Holy Spirit! Please   accept our praise and worship this Sunday.

Thanks for joining in heart-felt worship. He is worthy! 

Love ya,  Pastor Phil