Canelo Cowboy Church

Words from the Pastor
Here it is, the last week of September. I just turned 61 years old two days ago. As someone once said, “Youth is wasted on the young!” my daddy always says, “After 40 it’s patch, patch, patch!” I am starting to agree with him. But by God’s grace I just keep moving forward trying to do what He gives me to do on a daily basis. Someone said that living this long is better than the alternative, but I know it’s not! What is the alternative? Well if you’re a Christian it’s spending eternity in Heaven with Him! So please, don’t threaten me with death. Although the thought of getting dead sometimes isn’t so pleasant. When I die, I want to go like my grandfather did, peacefully his sleep. Not yelling and screaming like the rest of the people in his car.
But what if it doesn’t happen that way? What if God decides that I need to suffer for a while? What if I have a debilitating disease that causes me to suffer before I die. I was visiting with a man who has been battling cancer for 15 years. Before he got cancer, he was very active and talented. But for the last 15 years he has been pretty much tied to his home. I thought, “What if this were me? What would I do?” I would like to think I would start searching my heart for what God wanted to show me. I hope I would be humble enough to know to listen to what God was trying to tell me. And, even though I was sick, I hope I would still be sharing His love with the world.
In the 2nd epistle to Timothy the Apostle Paul wrote his swan song. In the 4th chapter the 6th through the 8th verses Paul writes, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” I want to live that kind of life. I want to be used by God to touch everyone that comes around me. I want to lay down my life and put His life on. I want to be able to say, “Lord, whatever you need to do to work out your will in my life, please do it.” Can you pray that? Can I pray that? I hope I can pray that prayer and really mean it. That way, when we get to the end of this life we can truly say, like the Apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” A poet once penned these words, “Only one life, will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” How is your faith? Paul penned these words from a prison cell not to long before Nero had him executed by decapitation. Would I be able to keep the faith if I knew that I was going to lose my life anytime for my belief in Jesus? I hope so.
So please take heart brothers and sisters knowing that no matter what you are going through God is right there. Jesus understands your pain because He has been there and done that. Hebrews tells us that He isn’t a high priest that can’t understand our pain. He has lived it and wants to walk beside us no matter what it is. Only trust Him, He’s a wonderful Savior.
Please let me know if you need anything. You pray for me and I’ll pray for you. Naomi and I love you all. -Pastor Steve

Men’s 3G Event

Friday – Saturday October 4- 5

This is an overnight camping trip.

3G is, “Grandfather-Son-Grandson.”

The idea behind 3G is to get fathers, grandfathers and grandsons
together to spend quality time together and do some manly-things where
the older generation teaches the younger generation.

We are going to be camping off of Highway 83 at mile marker 6, to the
east side of the road. I am planning on being there before anyone else
so that everyone knows where to go. If you plan on attending you can
arrive anytime in the afternoon. We will have a dinner on Friday night
at about 5- 5:30 then a brief Bible study. Both Friday afternoon and
Saturday morning there will be events that all of you can participate
in.

This is a camping trip so you need to plan accordingly. Either bring a
tent or plan on sleeping in a vehicle; or on the ground if you prefer
that. Friday evening’s dinner and Saturday mornings breakfast we will
provide. If you want anything beyond that like various snacks or
whatever please feel free to bring whatever you want. Also bring
water. I will try to have some water and juice is there but you can
never have too much water to drink.

Please contact me with your RSVP or any questions you might have.
Call or Text,

David Stiffey
520-403-0970

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Words from the Pastor
I have been reading about the missionaries the church supports, Billy and Ericka Tjernlund’s adventures as they have transitioned from Mexico to Alaska. Wow, what a culture shock for them to say the least! But in true missionary fashion they have met each and every challenge head on and are embracing the culture, the environment and the weather like the troopers they are. And to have a sweet little daughter in the mix is also adding to the anxiety level I would assume. I may be asking myself, “Why should I be doing this? There are cushy jobs I could take, I am skilled in enough areas that I could provide for my family easily enough, why am I here busting my tail as a missionary pilot?” Well, I have to believe that Billy and Ericka are doing this because they are called by God to do it. If they weren’t called, I can guarantee that they wouldn’t last a year on the mission field. There are too many hardships, too many lonely hours and it is just plain ole miserable if you are not called!
Remember the story of Paul and Silas being thrown into prison in Acts 16? They were in Philippi when Paul cast a demon out of a slave girl, it started an uproar in the city when the owners of the girl realized that they weren’t going to be able to make money off of the girl anymore and after all was said and done, Paul and Silas were flogged and thrown into the inner prison. Verse 25 says this, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” Here they are, they have just been beaten and thrown into prison, but instead of licking their wounds they are praying sand singing hymns! Now that’s what I call having peace in Jesus and knowing that He is in control of all our circumstances! Paul and Silas didn’t know that God was going to show up and show off. They didn’t know if God was going to rescue them or not. All they knew was that God was and is in control and everything was going to turn out just like He wanted it to. So, they sang and prayed. And God did show up and He did show off! There was an earthquake and all of the doors of the prison flew open and all of the prisoner’s chains fell off. And from this the Church at Philippi was planted and grew into an amazing vibrant church. All because of Paul and Silas’s attitude. They were called to the ministry, mark my words!
So how about you brothers and sisters? Do you allow circumstances to dictate how your life is going to be? Are you willing to let God work through all of the things that happen in your life and “Pray and sing songs” so everyone around you can hear? I know, it’s easier said then done, but this passage here shows us that it is possible. We can do it. We can rejoice in every situation! How do I know this? Because you and I were called to it! He’s got it under control no matter what it looks like on the outside! All we have to do is trust Him.
Please let me know if you need anything. You pray for me and I’ll pray for you. Naomi and I love you all. -Pastor Steve