Stay Tuned In

Oh so nice to be home....I mean back to my blogging home. It seems like I've been gone forever. I have a special goal for the month of November. I would like to focus on the role of the family this upcoming month and discuss some of the things scripture has as our guideline. I find more and more people not attending church on a regular basis and I know from my own personal experience this can be unhealthy for the family. I realize the holidays are upon us and our focus will be more family oriented, therefore I feel like its a good time to share from God's Word things He feels are important for each family member. I would like to start with the role of the dad, then the role of the mom, and finally the role of the children.

Who knows what December will bring...I'm leaning towards the role of the pastor/shepherd...we'll see. I was fascinated to learn yesterday there are seven veterans in Pensacola that are living in nursing homes in the area that have no living relatives...none, no one left for them to share the rest of their lives with. There is no one to contact in case of emergency or death. There are a couple of charities that will be reaching out to them during the holidays and I was thrilled to learn that. However, I was also sad for them that no one they recognize as family will even be a phone call away. That's why the family of Christ is so important. We can be the hands that touch theirs and we can be the voice on the other line that says "I just wanted to say hello". It is sooo important for us to not only believe in Jesus Christ as Saviour but also be active in our local assemblies of worship and get to know those around us. Love people with all that's within us! I hope you stay tuned in during the months ahead and we can learn more about our personal role.

A Service to Remember

In light of it being Hispanic Heritage Month (I think), I would like to share some highlights of this past Sunday worship service at our church. As you may recall, I've mentioned before of how we pastor a small church here in the inner city of Pensacola. It has been a tremendous challenge and a difficult area but Sunday morning was one of those services that makes you remember why you continue to work week after week in ministry. With exception to our family, the congregation was entirely Latino. Thank God one of the teenage guys can translate for all of us!!

We were singing our praise/worship and they worshipped so wonderfully not knowing half of what we were saying. We stopped after a couple of songs and suggested one of them come up and sing a praise song they knew. Just that quick we were in the boat of not knowing what was being sang yet we knew to keep worshipping. Such a sweet spirit entered that sanctuary. It didn't matter that half of us couldn't understand one another. It was beautiful worship. My husband shared the Word and the teenager translated. Soon, the Latino families lined up in front of the pulpit and wanted prayer. So we began to anoint each one with oil and pray for them. My husband felt compelled to pray for one lady about a son. He did not know anything so he asked her through the translator if she had a son. She began to weep. She does have a son who could not come to the states. He is still in Mexico for reasons we don't know. But God knew this woman's grief over the situation and wanted her to have comfort and peace through it. How wonderful is our God!!

I have felt a little like David this week when he was in the cave surrounded by the rejects and unwanted of society. They stood by him and fought for him. These people we have worshipped with recently have embraced us with such fervor and are faithful to worship. They love God and it is apparent. I can't make them legal citizens. That is something they will have to diligently work towards. But we can direct them to take the proper steps if they desire to stay in our country and we can certainly love them as Christ does. I admire their love for the Lord and I appreciate their hunger to want more of Christ. It was such a refreshing and beautiful service. I feel humbled to be in the company of people that love so deeply and sincerely. I was truly blessed.