MIDWEEK MESSAGE #54<\/p>\n
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Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #54. Being gone this past Sunday makes it seem like forever since I\u2019ve seen you. While it is nice to take a break every once in a while and know that Ryan will do a good job, it is always nice to be back. I look forward to seeing you Sunday.<\/p>\n
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I heard and saw we had some visitors this past Sunday. I was excited to see that and was disappointed I wasn\u2019t here to greet them. If you are reading this and you were one of the visitors, I\u2019m coming for you!<\/strong> Just kidding. I do look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to OVCF if you come this Sunday. Meanwhile, I hope those of you who are regulars took the time to say Hi and welcomed them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yesterday (Monday) Jo and I got our second vaccine.\u00a0 So far, other than a sore arm where she took the nail and pounded it in, I\u2019m doing okay. So is Jo.\u00a0 I have mentioned it before, but just in case you haven\u2019t heard or read, I did have COVID around Christmas and then was fighting a battle with my digestive system. Several procedures and eventual surgery took care of that. I chose to have the shot because I want people to feel safe around me. I have never taken a flu shot and had to be \u201cforced\u201d to take the pneumonia shot and booster, so it is a big deal for me to get one. But if it is one more thing I can do to help people feel safe around me, I decided I would do it. Now\u2026you have no excuse to hide from me! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sunday morning Jo and I drove to Maryland Community Church in Terre Haute to meet some friends from the church I pastored in Terre Haute, then went out to eat. Lee and Rene were super people whom I loved dearly. They did a marvelous job adopting and raising a son with Asperger\u2019s syndrome. Jeremy graduated Valedictorian of his class at Terre Haute North and then with a 4+ GPA from Kelley School of Business. He is working for a firm in Madison, WI and was also able to come to lunch with us. Lee is a 4 year colon cancer survivor and it was wonderful to see them and visit. While Scot, Maryland\u2019s Senior Pastor did not preach, the Discipleship Pastor, Nick Strobel, did an admirable job speaking about Greed.\u00a0 Using the story of Elisha, Naaman and Gehazi found in 2 Kings 5, he brought some good thoughts to the table. {Please take a moment and read the Scripture. I won\u2019t have summarize it for you}.\u00a0 After Naaman went on his way with Elisha\u2019s blessing, Gehazi chased him down and lied about Elisha wanting his money. Here are the three points Nick brought out: (Main thoughts his; commentary mine)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why did this mean so much to me? It never ceases to amaze me how God prepares one for something which is to come. Let me explain: last night (Monday) the Building Team met again to continue discussion about an addition. We know most of what we want and need. Greed says, \u201cAww, just go ahead and do it.\u201d Wisdom and God\u2019s leading says, \u201cNope. Follow me. Don\u2019t get greedy and go outside my will and parameters.\u201d The addition we would like to do is not flashy or over the top but we will not compromise our \u201cdebt free\u201d approach by moving too fast. We have to find the line of moving by faith and believing by faith. I was pleased the folks present last night are of the same mindset. \u201cBuild as we have it.\u201d Conventional thinking (cultural and religious) says, \u201cBuild it and people will come.\u201d Wisdom says, \u201cWe will wait.\u201d Waiting is hard but it is the way to go. Pray with us about this please.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n You will be receiving this Wednesday. Today is the kidney transplant of Michael and Ryan Laws (old friends of ours from Ohio). Mike is giving his kidney to his teenage son. Would you please stop and pray for them? Thanks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today is also Administrative Professionals Day. It used to be called Secretary\u2019s Day but that is one of those changes society has made. Ryan and I are honoring Diana by taking her to lunch (Mr. Hibachi). I can\u2019t keep this a secret but have you let her know how much you appreciate her work for OVCF?\u00a0 It\u2019s never too late!!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a great week. I can\u2019t wait to see you Sunday! Love you all.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pastor Bill<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MIDWEEK MESSAGE #54 Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #54. Being gone this past Sunday makes it seem like forever since I\u2019ve seen you. While it is nice to take a break every once in a while and know that Ryan will do a good job, it is always nice to be back. I … <\/p>\n\n