Canelo Cowboy Church

Words from the Pastor
Have you ever looked back on your life and thought about how extremely different you thought it would be when you were younger? I have a tendency to “what if” things. You know, “What if I had joined the military? What if I had done…?” You get the picture. Naomi and I were talking about this the other day. We were wondering “what if?” What if we had taken different paths, would we have ever met each other? Were we “destined” to be together? Would God have another one out there that would have put up with me for 40 years like she has? Then it dawned on us that maybe we’d been watching to many Hallmark movies (I only watch them by default! Please, understand!) and that God indeed can use everything in our lives for His glory and His good no matter what our past has been. Oscar Wilde said, “The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” So instead of looking at our past, lets look at our present and see what happens in our future!
Paul writes to the church at Philippi this, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13 & 14).” Even though Paul was an Apostle and had done more to help get the early church started than anyone besides Jesus, he said he had not taken hold of the resurrection that was promised to us in the hope of Jesus Christ! So, even Paul had to forget what was behind and press forward to win that prize. And consider this; no matter what your past looks like, I doubt very strongly that it could equal that of the Apostle Paul. He was going into cities and towns and having Christians arrested, thrown into jail and even killed for their faith! And now that Paul was a Christian himself, I am sure that his actions would haunt him if he allowed them to. He was present when they stoned Stephen and Paul watched and heard as Stephen died: “Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:60).” Can you imagine the torment that Paul had to endure because of his past? I believe that that is why he said that we need to forget the things in our past and press on toward the goal. Press on! As an athlete wanting to get stronger and do their best to win that prize.
And the really great thing to realize is that we don’t have to do this alone. Remember what Paul writes in Philippians 1:6? “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” He is doing a work in you and that work starts right now, today, right this minute! Please don’t waste time in the past! Press on, hold on and watch God show up and show off!
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

One of my favorites that we did yesterday. Love the talent that we have at this church!!!

-Cisco

Words from the Pastor
Welcome to the August RFFD of 2019! It’s wonderful to have you with us here today. I am excited to see you here and I hope that God speaks to your heart and you allow Him to change you from the inside out. Remember what Max Lucado said, “God takes us just like we are but He loves us too much to leave us there.” And praise the Lord that He doesn’t. He works on us and molds us and makes us into the people He can use right where we’re at. I hope that you can remember this. He (God) wants to use you right where you’re at! You may be the only Bible someone is ever going to see. Oh my! I know that for me at least, that can be scary!
I was reading this morning (Tuesday) in Proverbs. What a great book and since there is 31 chapters in the Book of Proverbs, I can start in the book on the 1st of the month and read a chapter a day and be done with the book by the end of the month. That way I can claim to read 12 books a year! What a deal! And even though I have been reading the Book of Proverbs for a long time, I always seem to come across something new, or at least something that convicts me and makes me think. Like today I read, “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.” (Proverbs 15:28 NKJV) Does that convict you like it does me? A modern-day proverb that I read the other day said, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; They listen with the intent to reply.” Yep, ain’t that the truth? Have you ever noticed how some people always have an answer or a comment even when you’re not really needing an answer, all you need is a listening ear? Have you ever been that person? I have. I have an opinion and I will give it to you even if you don’t want to hear it!
Interesting isn’t it that God gave us two ears and one mouth. Do you think He may have done that for a reason? I think that I mentioned James 1:19 a few weeks ago, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (NIV),” but for me anyways I feel it bears repeating. Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry! That is so important folks. It is very important in our churches, in our work places, where we shop, where we play and most importantly, in our homes. That’s the relationships with those that are closest to us. You know, the ones that you are constantly hanging out with and the ones that you don’t mind them seeing all your faults.
So next time someone is pouring their heart out to us, can we just listen? And listen intently? Are we able to allow others a chance to share their true feelings with us or a burden with us or a doubt with us without us trying to fix it? You pray for me and I’ll pray for you.
Please let me know if you need anything. Naomi and I love you! -Pastor Steve

This Sunday we have Ranch Family Fun Day! Come and join us and bring a friend or two!

Also, could you please bring a can or two of non-perishable food to church this Sunday? (20oz beef stew and 15 oz canned vegetables are needed)

Our food collection has fallen short:
We have no extra food to stock the mini food pantry next to the Sonoita library.
We have no extra food to bring to the Patagonia Food Bank where they feed mostly single senior citizens.

If each of us bring two cans of food to church each month we will be in good shape to help our community in need.

Thank you!!