Let's Talk about "Heaven"

One of the hottest topics that people like to talk about is "Heaven". Those inside and outside of Church circles have clamored to read about this place! So, I would to offer you some opportunities to do this here at Dutchtown. There is one Bible Study that will begin meeting on Tuesday mornings at 9:00a.m., beginning September 13th. It may meet hee at Church or possibly at June Deihl's. I would also be open to leading another one at a time conveinent for whatever group would like to get together and learn about this Holy place. I know that many of you have read a variety of books on Heaven, but the ONLY one we will be using as a reference is our Bibles! There are hundreds of references to Heaven in the Bible, more then enough territory for us to consider. So please consider the one Study already in place or lets put together as well another so that we can flesh out together this wonderful place we call Heaven! Bring with you your questions and thoughts, your own ideas and those of others. May God Bless us all as we consider His Realm. I am looking forward to the conversations ahead. Love you all, Pastor Rick

"Encourageing Prayer"

We, for pray in oh so many ways! We pray for stuff, for healing, for better jobs, for our children, for our schools. We pray for widom and knowledge, for the leading of the Holy Spirit, for our churches in general. We pray for our widows and widowers, for those storm ravaged places. We pray for nations at war against foes from afar and those who battle thier fellow countrymen. I could go on and on about the need for and the power of Prayer. It is a MUST in our lives. Yet, today I want to tell you of another kind of prayer that lifts up, encourages, brings out the best in you and I. It is "Edifying Prayer". I had all but forgotten about it until this past week while on vacation. It is prayer where you literally pray a person up! You thank God for them in everyway imaginable that you can think of. Why was I reminded of it on vacation? Well Beckie and were invited by a guy I met while fishing, to a time of worship by his small Church that was having a weekend retreat. They did not even know us but during worship they invited us to sit in the prayer seats and then they laid hands on us and prayed for us openly and lovingly. Person after person lifted us up. When finished I pondered on what took place and I asked myself why I don't pray more this way over all of you as I come in contact with on a daily basis. Why do we not take the opportunity to lift oneanother up in our times of worship. To simply bath one another in thanksgiving for who they are. Now I now that you take time to pray for one anothers needs. But to only pray for someone with words of thanks for them is encouraging. I need you to do me a favor and hold me accountable to this. That one, I always pray for you when we are togethger, wherever that may be and that two, in that prayer that I not only pray for your needs and heartaches, but that I lift you up as well with words of encouragement. And, of course I encourage you to do the same with oneanother. Our world needs all the encouragement it can get. Love you all and you are in my prayers! Pastor Rick

Oh, The Possibilities!

Hey Church & Friends,
In the past two weeks I have made 10 visits to families that attended VBS or who have recently visited with us and all I can say is that inspite of what many think, the possibilities to share Christ, to bring more people into His Church, to minister to those who are our neighbors are unmeasueable! If you think that everyone you know is a "Practicing" Christian or is active in a Church then you and I are not looking very hard! The communities that we live in may be small, but in Christ's own words. the harevest is plentyful! Thanks to those of you who donated cookies over the past two weeks as I made these visits. the families were truly thankful! The Holy Spirit has aslo laid upon my heart to do this more often. To make contact with those who need to know Him and to those who need a Church Family like ours. So cookie makers keep your ovens warm for I will soon be asking again. I ask you now to pray for those I visited andfor those God's wants YOU and I to visit. Love you all Pastor Rick

A Place of our own

Many years ago I dreamed of a time and a place where Beckie and I could go on vacation together. And that once in a while, when it fit into thier schedule our kids and grandkids might join us. We are now blessed to say that we have found such a place. This coming Sunday after Church, we will pack-up my little SUV until we cannot put in it one more item and we will head off to a place called, White Tail Crossing. A place not far from Lake Shelbyville. A drive just long enough to say that, "We got away", but not so long as for the drive to wear on you. This is now the fourth year in a row that we have come to call this place, our place! A place for us to relax, swim, fish, read, antique, nap, a place to feel at home. A place we find Sabbath. I hope and pray that sometime this Summer you found a little time for a Sabbath rest beyond the place you call home. Or that you have on your calendar a time and a place that will grant this blessed rest and relaxation. My wife and I and our Church have a full Fall ahead of us. This time will be important to the two of us as we want to give our best to God and you when we come back. I look forward to writing more to you when we return. God's Blessings upon you Pastor Rick

For Guys Only!

Alright ladies, since I know that you opened this please make sure that the man in your life gets this as well. On Wednesday morning as I ran I re-aquinted myself with the music of Jonny Lang. I reccommend strongly that all you guys listen to his song "On My Feet Again". It will help as you seek to be the best dad, husband and man of God that you want to be. You can easily find this song @ JonnyLang/Free Music. It is song 25. As a matter of fact several of his songs speak to being a man of God! Happy listening! I will be on my knees in prayer for you all.
Love ya' Guys Pastor Rick

Financial Criss

Since I got home from Church Camp last week and heard about the melt down, once again in our Finalcial Markets. Both in our Nation & around the globe. And as we consider our own Dutchtown Financial outlook for this year and looking ahead to 2012 and beyond, I have been asking God how I might respond to you about it from a Christian perspective. And then guess what happened? I read today's, Tuesday August 9th's Upper Room devotional. GOD is GREAT!!! Please read it, and then re-read this Blog! No it is not the answer to all of our world's financial woes, but this is where we are to begin. One family at a time taking "Leap's of Faith" in Christ. Understanding that you cannot out give God. Understanding that our TRUE security is not found in money but in God's eternal love! Amen! Love You all, Pastor Rick

Motives

Have you ever done something because if you did not someone would make you feel guilty? Of course you have, we all have. But what a rotten feeling that is, feeling guilty! Especially when you are not! I once heard a person say, "Don't take a bullet not meant for you". In other words don't feel guilty about something that you are NOT responsible for. But why do we make people we care about feel guilty. Is it because someone has done it to us? And so we think it's our duty to do the same? The Bible is quite clear how we are to live out our faith in this world. That all we do or is to be done with the right motive. For the buliding up of the Church and it's people. Our motives are to be pure and Godlike. But when we operate out of guilt we not only do not do the best job that we can, but we do it with a stinky attitude as well. And believe me that will come through in the way you carry out the task. Every day a lot of bullets get shot your way in an attempt to make you feel rotten if you do not carry out that task that someone else thinks you should do. Many of us then carry out that task not wanting to feel guilty by not doing it. I feel as if I am rambling now, forgive me, I don't want to feel guilty! Please know this, Satan is the giver of guilt, Chirst the one that took all of that guilt upon Himself so that you and I could lead victorious and not guilt ridden lives! Love You All and so does Jesus Pastor Rick

Test

Test

Following up

In sports you here a lot about, "Following Through". Whether it be a golf or a tennis swing, rolling a bowling ball or shooting a basketball. Following through is a must if you want to do your best! The same holds true for us in the Church. We often times talk a lot about what we should do or what some should do, but then talk is cheap and putting the effort in takes work, patience and desire. Take last weeks Vacation Bible School for instance. We had a large number of children in attendence whose families do not know Christ or do not have a church family that they are active in. Oh, a few will claim membership somewhere because once upon a time they were baptized there as a kid, but they are rarely in attendence. Now it is time for me and I need your help to "Follow Through" with those families with the hope of bringing them to Christ and unto a Church family who will love them and cherish them. Hopefully we might that Church they consider. So when I get back from Church Camp, Phase II of Vacation Bible School begins for us. We can bask in the glow of a successful VBS by those who attended and what they learned that week and then leave it at that or we can do the work that Christ has called us too, to bring the Gospel to all. Please keep this new phase in your prayers and if you are interested in making a batch or two of cookies or brownies for me to take to VBS attenders, please let know.
Love You all, Pastor Rick