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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
Good morning! Just a reminder that we will have Sunday school at 9am and church at 10:30 at Canelo Cowboy Church.
We will also have a service at the Fairgrounds outside the Pioneer Hall under the Pavilion this Sunday starting at 10 am.
Hopefully we will get to see you at one of those services. God Bless!
Words from the Pastor
September is a crazy month in the Sonoita area isn’t it? With the Labor Day Rodeo and the Santa Cruz County Fair it just doesn’t seem that it will ever get back to normal. But you have to remember that NORMAL is just a setting on your dryer! And to top it all off here I am, God willing, sitting under a pine tree in the White Mountains waiting for an elusive Wapiti bull elk to happen by so I can shoot at him with my stick and string! Now please, before anyone out there whose allegiance leans more towards the animal than the hunter gets upset with me, let me remind you that they are full time professional wild animals and I am a part time amateur hunter! And I use the word “hunter” very loosely my friends! I love to hunt but I can’t identify as a great hunter. Psalms 36:6 says, “Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, Your justice like the great deep. You Lord preserve both people and animals (NIV).” And in my case anyway the Lord preserves the animals when I am hunting them more time than not! That’s why I don’t identify as a great hunter.
So, what do I identify with? I would like to say that my identity first and foremost is in Christ Jesus. He should be the one that makes me what I am. I am a follower of Jesus Christ and my job is to bring others into a relationship with Him that they may too be followers of His and make Him their identity. As a Christian, that is what God has called us to. Yes, He allows us to have jobs and allows us to do things that we enjoy, but as a Christian we need to be His followers!
What does the word Christian mean? By definition it is “Relating to Christ and His teachings.” We are little Christs and we adhere to and follow His teachings as closely as we possibly can. Ephesians 5:1 & 2 tells us, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (NKJV).” Imitators, or followers of God as some have translated it. The Good News translating translates it like this: “Since you are God’s dear children, you must try to be like him.” So, we should be walking in love as Christ does. Showing people His love unconditionally. Showing people that we will love them no matter what their lifestyle is. Showing people that we will love them no matter how they dress. He, Jesus Christ should be our identity. Everything else is just “fluff.” When people see me, I pray that they see Jesus shining out of my life and my actions. As Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (NIV).”
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
Just a reminder; Due to the rodeo and fair happening in September we will NOT have ranch family fun day tomorrow. Sunday school will start at 9am and service at 10:30. See you tomorrow!