MIDWEEK MESSAGE #112<\/p>\n
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Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #112. I am so grateful you allow me into your world each week. I don\u2019t ever want to take that lightly or waste your time.<\/p>\n
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As you know by now, my surgery is history.\u00a0 See the end of this MM for some thoughts on that whole thing. I\u2019m definitely not moving as fast I normally do but I simply pray each day brings improvement. I have to remember not to overdo it.<\/p>\n
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Father\u2019s Day 2022 is history! You already knew I was excited about the special Father\u2019s Day event we were having. I can honestly say I loved it and relished hearing some of the men speak. I heard chuckles, laughter, and applause, and have heard from a few of you who totally appreciated it. I can\u2019t take any credit for it other than pulling it together. The real \u201cheroes\u201d of the morning were the men who put themselves out there and spoke. My thanks to Will Schneider, Daniel Hamlin, Rob Anderson, Mike Edwards, Bruce Fisher, Tony Courson, Jim Markland, and Bruce Davis.\u00a0 Three other men also made contributions to the morning: Brad Brinson, Mike Basey, and Dave Keith.\u00a0 I have several stories to tell:<\/p>\n
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Long story short: thank you men for taking part and thanks to many of you who took the time to thank them and to say a few words to me which I could pass along.<\/p>\n
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REMEMBER: WE ARE BACK TO TWO SERVICES THIS SUNDAY!\u00a0 9:00 AND 10:45<\/p>\n
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This next part is something I held off from sharing in last week\u2019s MM. In fact, I had it written and included, but then decided to hold off. In last week\u2019s MM I gave you a list of upcoming sermon series: \u201c7 Cancers\u201d and \u201c8 Cures,\u201d as well as a series focusing on what the church is all about.\u00a0 November and December seem to carry their own focus.<\/p>\n
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What you don\u2019t know is that I have been giving 2023 some serious thought.\u00a0 What I am about to say might interest you, blow your mind, or completely turn you off (I hope not). In thinking of 2023, I am considering the theme of \u201cVictory.\u201d\u00a0 I can hardly believe I am telling you what I am about to tell you. From April 18th to June 2nd, I did a series of blogs on my \u201cShadow\u201d blog on the book of Revelation. I took a chapter a day to blog about, except when I read Revelation 2-3 (the 7 churches). I am considering starting 2023 by preaching through Revelation- not on interpreting it, i.e. \u201cthis means this\u201d and \u201cthat refers to that\u201d and \u201cthis is a sign of the times\u201d (I\u2019ll leave that to the scholars), but on the main thoughts from each chapter.\u00a0 What is strange, at least as you look at it from man\u2019s viewpoint, is that a brand new book came out last week that piqued my interest. It is called \u201cBlessed\u201d by Nancy Guthrie. I trust the publishing company she uses but know nothing of her. But after reading the first 5 chapters, she takes the absolute same approach I did in my blog and plan to for the series. Anyway, here is where you come in at. I\u2019d like to know your thoughts on that. I realize this is June and that is January, but it is running through my head now and when you get old you have to \u201cput things on the table\u201d when you think of them.\u00a0 \u263a\u00a0 My desire is to preach the Bible, and to avoid a book or some subject because it is difficult or \u201cscary,\u201d is not doing so. However, at the same time, I do want to preach what you might be interested in (I\u2019ll hold off on preaching through Leviticus), so please feel free to put in your .02 worth.\u00a0 You may email or text me if you want.\u00a0 And just to put a further perspective on it: I have NEVER in almost 50 of being a pastor, preached on Revelation. In fact, except for sermons on the 7 churches in chapters 2-3, one from chapter 4 on worship, and maybe one on heaven from chapter 22, I have not preached a sermon on or from Revelation. To put it bluntly, I have avoided it like the plague. No more! So, again, let me hear your thoughts.<\/p>\n
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Please let me remind you again to pray for Pastor Ryan, Hope and the other faculty and campers who are at High School Wilderness Week at Hilltop. Temps are to be close to the mid \u201890s. In fact, Tami thought it was funny because her weather app showed a sun with a cactus on it. \u263a I think that means it is supposed to be really, really hot and that means they will really need covering with our prayers.<\/p>\n
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Just one last thought before I go:\u00a0 I wrote the following the morning of June 20th for my \u201cShadow\u201d blog. I hope it helps you.<\/p>\n
Surgery was a success so the doc says. It is 6 days in and in my mind the jury is still out. I know part of it is being a man. You know…I want healed yesterday. I want to feel better yesterday. I want to be able to ride my bike yesterday. But with him having to do more than he thought, this is to be expected.<\/p>\n
Except in my mind.<\/p>\n
I had visions of my last back surgery. The removal of a bone fragment on a nerve brought instant relief!! Maybe too instant.\u00a0 Not this time. It is going to take some time for my spine and legs to function normally.<\/p>\n
That reminds me of today’s verse from Proverbs which I highlighted: “A man’s steps are ordained by the Lord; how then can a person understand his way?”<\/b> (20:24 NASB2020)<\/p>\n
Exactly! I have in my mind the way things ought to go or to be. God has something different in mind. The reality is that He will reveal His ways and His thoughts when it is His time. And only His. Not mine.<\/p>\n
The lesson about my back (Heal me yesterday!) is mine. The lesson from the Book and from the Father is God’s timing is right and true and will prevail. My steps are ordered by Him and I cannot know His way or timing.\u00a0 So are yours. Walk in His steps.\u00a0 Love you much.<\/p>\n
Pastor Bill<\/p>\n
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MIDWEEK MESSAGE #112 Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #112. I am so grateful you allow me into your world each week. I don\u2019t ever want to take that lightly or waste your time. As you know by now, my surgery is history.\u00a0 See the end of this MM for some thoughts on … <\/p>\n