It is
Wednesday already, and it's
February 16, 2011, and this week is zipping along. This past Sunday we met our eldest son and his clan for lunch. You cannot improve on time spent with family. It had been a while, therefore, we were ready to visit. It was good to see all of them. I had my best day ever with our little 13 month old great granddaughter, our bundle of Madelyn Joy. She is a sight for sore or even doing quite well thank you eyes. What a little jewel she is, and the fact that she let her Grand Poppy hold her and love on her, that more or less makes it a good day no matter what might be going on. The conversations pretty much touched on all subjects both important as well as just talking but we enjoyed our time and left thanking God for family. We talked family. We talked NASCAR. We talked politics. We talked taxes. And, that was just us guys, me, my son, and my grand son-in-law. The ladies were doing their fare share as well. We were eating at a small family run Mexican restaurant and the young lady who took us to our table and took our drink order was maybe 8 or 9 years old. She was a little character. Very business like and very efficient, and cute as she could be. Let me see: A great time of fellowship with our brothers and sisters at our local meeting place; a time of Bible study; a time of praise, worship, and prayer; and then a message from our pastor; after that, a time with family. I know there's a beer commercial that has as its tag line that 'it doesn't get any better than this' but I would just say that was exactly my feeling about how to spend a fulfilling Sunday. Try all of those activities I mentioned and I guarantee that it will do a body good.
Amen. (
We now need to do the same thing with our youngest son and his clan! Hint. Hint.)
Speaking of family. I know I mention from time to time our extended family at our local fellowship or Church. Having these folks in my life is such a special blessing. Some might find it surprising to learn that one of the primary charges given to the local assembly is that the members, as brothers and sisters, we are to build each other up. That's what the word edification means and that is a huge part of what goes on inside a local Church family. Yeah, it does require one's time and attention but my how God blesses through this, His chosen means for His people to be able to grow, develop, and to become all that He has called them to be. I know there are many who say they get along fine on their own. They say they can do their thing with God without having to be a part of a local Church. That may be true and some are in circumstances where that may be necessary. However, for most folks, it just doesn't work when we do it differently than what God has ordained for His people. We need God. We need each other. We are very needy people. I cannot imagine going through life without God and I cannot see me being able to function as He would have me to without His people surrounding me with their love and support. Here's an old song that our Wednesday evening group sings occasionally that helps describe this connection: 1. Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. 2. Before our Father's throne we pour our ardent prayers; our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares. 3. We share each other's woes, our mutual burdens bear; and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear. 4. When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
That song was written in 1782 and it has been a way of expressing this binding of our hearts together for all these years. There's a particular episode reported by the Apostle Paul that reflects this caring for each other, especially for those in dire need. He told the local fellowship that met in Corinth, Greece, how that their giving to saints in trouble in Judea would provide a door for them whenever they might find themselves in need. Wow! That's the mutual care aspect of being a part of a faith family. If God puts us in a position to be the care giver to someone in need, He is also providing for us a care giver when we need one. (2nd Corinthians Chapters 8 and 9) I'll just end this little sermon by saying it can become a life changing as well as a life fulfilling experience, therefore, I recommend to everyone that they find a fellowship of believers where the truth is taught, God is honored, and the people are involved in building each other up. Find that place and become a part of it! Like any other family, it will not always be convenient or easy, but it is God's plan for His own and to me, I don't really know how folks make it in today's world on their own. I suppose thinking about family brought all of this up and that's why you have what you have for today. Who knows? Maybe I'll have something completely different for you tomorrow, but Lord willing, I'll see you then. May God bless.
Amen. ......More later.
Speaking of family. I know I mention from time to time our extended family at our local fellowship or Church. Having these folks in my life is such a special blessing. Some might find it surprising to learn that one of the primary charges given to the local assembly is that the members, as brothers and sisters, we are to build each other up. That's what the word edification means and that is a huge part of what goes on inside a local Church family. Yeah, it does require one's time and attention but my how God blesses through this, His chosen means for His people to be able to grow, develop, and to become all that He has called them to be. I know there are many who say they get along fine on their own. They say they can do their thing with God without having to be a part of a local Church. That may be true and some are in circumstances where that may be necessary. However, for most folks, it just doesn't work when we do it differently than what God has ordained for His people. We need God. We need each other. We are very needy people. I cannot imagine going through life without God and I cannot see me being able to function as He would have me to without His people surrounding me with their love and support. Here's an old song that our Wednesday evening group sings occasionally that helps describe this connection: 1. Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. 2. Before our Father's throne we pour our ardent prayers; our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares. 3. We share each other's woes, our mutual burdens bear; and often for each other flows the sympathizing tear. 4. When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
That song was written in 1782 and it has been a way of expressing this binding of our hearts together for all these years. There's a particular episode reported by the Apostle Paul that reflects this caring for each other, especially for those in dire need. He told the local fellowship that met in Corinth, Greece, how that their giving to saints in trouble in Judea would provide a door for them whenever they might find themselves in need. Wow! That's the mutual care aspect of being a part of a faith family. If God puts us in a position to be the care giver to someone in need, He is also providing for us a care giver when we need one. (2nd Corinthians Chapters 8 and 9) I'll just end this little sermon by saying it can become a life changing as well as a life fulfilling experience, therefore, I recommend to everyone that they find a fellowship of believers where the truth is taught, God is honored, and the people are involved in building each other up. Find that place and become a part of it! Like any other family, it will not always be convenient or easy, but it is God's plan for His own and to me, I don't really know how folks make it in today's world on their own. I suppose thinking about family brought all of this up and that's why you have what you have for today. Who knows? Maybe I'll have something completely different for you tomorrow, but Lord willing, I'll see you then. May God bless. Amen. ......More later.
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