Monday 24 November 2014

Monday Morning Thoughts-Saying Goodbye To Johnny D.

Sunday morning Johnny our pre high pastor shared he was called to another Church.

It was with tears and joy that he shared. And I gotta tell you it was hard for me too.

The influence and lives you've changed Johnny -you will never know.


And a little song from my childhood popped into my mind...

Heavenly Sunshine, Heavenly Sunshine

Flooding my soul with glory divine

Heavenly Sunshine, Heavenly Sunshine

Hallelujah! Jesus is mine.

Johnny that's you, full of sunshine and blessed by God's assurance that Jesus is yours.

That's what you taught, that's what you lived.

And I thought back to Church influences in my life

People that left the warmth of heavens glow in my life

And I thought of my Sunday school teacher Martha Guze-she loved on us gals, and she taught me life was not just about rules

And I though of Pastor John Dyck who made the Bible come alive in my life and who lead me to the Lord

And I thought of Pastor Ken Dyck who awakened in me a desire for helping others in need

And who can ever forget  Pastor Kevin Snyder? My Children's beloved youth pastor. Our house fell in love with you the day we met. And your footprints in our lives will never leave us. 

And then it was Pastor Matthew Price. We fell in love with you and your passion for youth. And your joy for the Lord. I'd say our kids had the best of all youth pastors. You and Kevin remind me of my most critical growing up years- and the youth Pastor I had, Mr Baerg. Amazing .

And then Pastor Matthew you became our pastor to the congregation of NLCC. And the blessing that happens every Sunday morning blows my sock's off.


And Pastor Johnny you were part of this Church family and you rocked being pre high Pastor and you will so be missed.

And Pastor Johnny you were the perfect fit in our Church and in our lives.

And we are so happy you said yes to God in your life.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You

May The Lord Make His Face To Shine Upon You

And Be Gracious To You

May The Lord Lift Up His Countenance Upon You

And Give You Peace.

And may we continue to be heavenly sunshine to those around us. Thanks for the reminder Pastor Johnny.

Heavenly Sunshine, Heavenly Sunshine

Flooding My Soul With Glory Divine

Heavenly Sunshine, Heavenly Sunshine

Hallelujah! Jesus Is Mine. Charles E. Fuller

Only One Life Will Soon Be Past ;Only What's Done For Christ Will Last.  C.T. Studd

Monday 17 November 2014

Mondays Thoughts-Love The Church

What has Jesus Christ ever asked you to do that wasn't for your own good? Billy Sunday

The house is quiet again, no not missing the pitter patter and squeal of little children, but the shuffle, cough ,advice of more mature people than me.

I didn't think the silence would engulf my emotions so much.

But I long for adult fellowship, I long for family times, I long for someone to have time and input in my life.

Yes I am busy, I have agenda's just like everyone else.

But just like a little child I thrive on attention.

Sunday mornings sermon again brought the focus off of me to where it should be.

The challenge? Love God ? Love the church. Really!Be on guard for yourselves and for the flock, among which The Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28.

Love the Church. Yup I've been hurt by those in the church more than once. We probably all have.

Love God love the Church, don't tolerate, don't cause dissension, don't bow out when the going gets tough. Love it.

I must confess. It is much easier to close my heart, take what I want each Sunday, give lip service to God...but not love His Church.

Loving His Church means extending grace to others. 

Investing in the Church.

Praying for the Church.

How often do I take time to do this?

And if I may take this one step further

Love God, love the Church, love family.

Extend grace

Invest in them

Pray for them

I'd have to say because of past hurts, this too at times is difficult.

There requires a commitment to walk through life together, through thick and thin

In my world of take it or leave it, this appears to not be an option.

The Church is beautiful because it belongs to God.

The earth is beautiful, no doubt in today's pictures.

But the Church is beautiful?

The Mona Lisa painting is valuable because of what someone is willing to pay for it.

The Church is valuable because of the high price of the cross. The cross , the blood of Christ. His sacrifice for us.

For me , for you, for the Church.

Beauty from the inside out.

So I can't possibly say I love Jesus but not the Church.

I would a thousand times rather God's will should be done than my own. D.L.Moody

Easy? Never see that word in the Bible.

Without pain, never promised.

When God dwells at the centre of our lives, peace and contentment will belong to us just as surely as we belong to God. Beth Moore

So again I'm challenged. To walk a life that loves the Church.

We cannot be lukewarm; we have to be on fire with the cause of Christ D.L. Moody 

No matter who you are or what your life has been like so far,

the rest of your life's journey can be different.


With God's help you can begin again. Billy Graham