Our Final Sunday

What a special momento! Thank you all for signing this amazing quilt!

Whoever thought of this gift truly blessed us!

We know how to POTLUCK!

Auntie Sue shared her glasses with my son, so cute!

He loves to grab glasses off of unsuspecting faces...

Here's the notes from today's Sermon:

I like to start with something funny: A pastor decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon. Four worms were placed into four separate jars. The first worm was put into a jar of alcohol. The second worm was put into a jar of cigarette smoke. The third worm was put into a jar of chocolate syrup. The fourth worm was put into a jar of good clean soil. At the conclusion of the Sermon, the Minister reported the following results: The first worm in alcohol - Dead. The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead. Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead. Fourth worm in good clean soil - Alive. So the Minister asked the congregation, "What can you learn from this demonstration?"
A little old woman in the back quickly raised her hand and said, "As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won't have worms…

Oops, that backfired!

I pray the sermons I’ve preached over the last almost 6 years haven’t all backfired!

Please have patience with me as I struggle through my final sermon as your pastor….Because Rogue River is home, every decision, every activity, good or bad has been rather emotional…I truly believe this change is under the Lord’s clear direction. It’s the right timing for my family and for our church.It is time for me to step out of the way… the Lord is preparing a new pastor to take you further in your new beginning…

When the Lord led me to pastor my home church I preached a sermon series based on my mission verse:1 Timothy 4:12…Let no one despise thy youth, but be an example for the believers in word, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (it applies to old people too)

Today I conclude my final sermon series based on my life verse: Proverbs 3:5&6…Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps.

We already looked closely at the first two steps that allow God to truly direct your steps: trusting with all your heart and leaning not on your own understanding…Today we focus in on In all your ways acknowledge Him…
Let’s turn again to Proverbs 3 in our Bibles…

I could preach for months out of this chapter!

SO MUCH FOOD FOR THE SOUL

He will direct our steps when: 1. we trust in the Lord with all our heart 2. we lean not on our own understanding and 3. in all our ways acknowledge Him…

I’ve really enjoyed what we have learned with our Hebrew word studies…

(if you need to catch up visit my blog)

Today’s Hebrew word here in Prov 3 verse 6 for acknowledge is:

OH THIS IS SO GOOD

yada: the root meaning is TO KNOW

aware, care, chosen, clearly understand, cohabit, comprehend, concern, consider, declare, discern, disciplined, discovered, distinguish, experienced, familiar friend, find, gain, have, knowledge, informed, instruct, intimate friends, investigate, know for certain, notice, observe, perceive, realize, recognize, predict, provide, take notice, teach…

my blood is starting to boil

wake up church

in all your ways acknowledge Him

KNOW HIM

Let’s go back to Prov 3 verse 19

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; By His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew…

Did you hear what I just heard?

Knowing Him gives access to things beyond measure!

We have membership to God’s premiere country club, we’re talking about the Creator of the Universe!

AN ALL ACCESS PASS

Helen Parks writes…My Declaration of Dependence

I am free from failure, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus' strengthening me, enabling me to do all things. Phil. 4:13

I am free from want, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus to supply all my need according to his riches in glory. Phil. 4:19

I am free from fear, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus for the spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind that He has given me. 2 Tim. 1:7
I am free from bitterness, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus' forgiveness, who said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive your trespasses." Matt. 6:14

I am free from weakness, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus' strength which He daily gives me (Psa. 27:1), and His joy, which is my strength. Neh. 8:10

I am free from the power of Satan, because I am DEPENDENT upon the One who lives within me, who is greater than he that is in the world. 1John 4:4

I am free from defeat, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus, who always causes me to triumph. 2 Cor. 2:14

I am free from ignorance, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus, who has been made wisdom to me from God. 1 Cor. 1:30

I am free from sin, because I am totally DEPENDENT upon Jesus' Blood, which continually cleanses me from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:7

I am free from worry, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus, who tells me to cast ALL my care upon Him. 1 Peter 5:7

I am free from all evil, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus, who gives His angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways. Psa. 91:11

I am free from ever being alone, because I am DEPENDENT upon Jesus, who says, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." Heb. 13:5

Conclusion:All these things AND MUCH MORE being true, I hereby make my DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCEON JESUS and thereby declare myself FREE! Because Jesus said, "If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:36 GLORY

Ok back to Prov 3 this time verse 21

My son, let them not depart from your eyes – keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. (lets keep going)

verse 23Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet
Knowing Him helps you sleep at night

even when you feel like your stumblingdon’t be afraid…

lets keep going, verse 25

Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught
Listen to the Prince of Peace

in all your ways acknowledge Him

He will keep your foot from being caught

What does that really look like in a Christians life?

I think this author found out

Joseph Mazzella writes…GOOD FRUITS OR SOUR GRAPES

I have noticed something recently. I am not as angry as I used to be. I am not as grouchy either. I don’t complain nearly as much as I used to. I am not as worried or afraid as I once was. I can’t think of anyone or anything that I really hate either. Now I don’t think it is because I have mellowed with age. Quite frankly, I am not that old yet. Besides I know people a lot older than me who are a lot grouchier. I also know people a lot younger than me who are already way more mellow than I will ever be. Maybe it is that I just don’t have as much room for those things inside me anymore.
When life squeezes you, what is on the inside comes out. If you are full of sour grapes then you will give the world vinegar. If you are full of good fruits then you will give the world orange juice. Maybe my good fruits are finally ripening while my sour grapes are dying on the vine. Maybe I am finally gardening my soul the way that God wants me to.
One thing I do know, however, is that the more you fill your heart, soul, and mind with love and thankfulness the less room there is for anything else. The more you love God, yourself, and others the less room there is for anger and hate. The more you thank God for your life and every good thing in it the less room there is for fear and worry. The more good fruits you plant and care for the less room there is for sour grapes in the garden of your life.
May you always fill your heart, soul, and mind with wonderful love and glorious gratitude then. May you always feel God’s perfect love hugging your heart and uplifting your soul. May you always be so full of the good fruits of love, joy, and thankfulness that not a single sour grape can be squeezed out of you. Remember, you are the gardener and your life is the harvest. Plant well, water often, and always invite others to the feast.
That sounds like acknowledging Him in all your ways…

One more look at Prov 3 verse 27

Do not withhold good from those whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so
Knowing Him makes you generous

For once you’ve experienced His amazing grace you cannot help but share the wealth!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your steps…