I am back home after a week of travels to see my children and one precious grandchild. On our travels Barb and I took a side journey to see a dear friend I first met in 1966. Geneva is a woman of prayer and faith. She is now 84 and lives in a nursing home in Texas. She has lived a life of prayer and faith and I am very thankful for her.
Scripture tells us that once we have eaten (or partaken of food/goods/blessings) then we are to thank the Lord. It is important that we are thankful for the perceived gift however the true thanking comes after the partaking of the blessing. Such is the life of Geneva for which I am thankful. Her body is weak but her faith continues to be strong. Her remembering capacities are growing less except in one special area - that of remembering her Lord and Savior. She has seen many miracles in her life due to the road of her life which needed miracles. Nothing else would have done the work but the miracles of God. Miracles of healing of her 1st son of a major injury. Miracles of healing for her 3rd son of Brights Disease, a usually fatal disease of the kidneys. The misterious disappearance of goiters and tumors and her husbands hietal hernia. Her intercession for me over the years. On occasion she would write and ask what I was going through? We then determined that God spoke to her and her prayer intercepted that which was determined to undermine my progress in God.
I go on record today in being thankful after the fact. November 25, 2011 has passed into the records of yesterday and today is at hand. Lets continue to give thanks for the blessings received regardless of what they were and how they came. Let your life be maintained by a thankful heart and a joyous voice of thanksgiving for all God has done for and in our lives.
I take special pleasure in remembering Geneva who has sought God for the many. Take time to thank God for someone who has brought blessing into your life as well as what God has done for you.
Being thankful after the fact.
Walter Rose
Pastor
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
A Time For Family
In the rat race of life we seldom slow down enough to really spend the time with our families we would like. Recently my brothers and sisters and I spent three days together. In my life time we have done this three times since we all dispersed into the family/work world. I will be 67 on Friday so what I am sharing with you is not a good record. About a year ago I began to share the notion with my siblings and they said set a date and lets do it. What I am sharing with us today is "set a date and make it happen." Holidays are a good time to do these things however you may want to set a time when we have less hectic pace in order to truly relax and have some good fun walking down memory lane. There is a time for all the family at large to gather and enjoy pandamonia. I find that the smaller setting can be more intimate for a special time of reafirming our love.
These gatherings don't have to be elaborate but they do need to be accomplished.
Barb and I are heading West after church today to do just that. Before the week is complete we will have enjoyed a bit of time with Phillip and Tiffany and Shanna and Michael and the bell of the ball "little Sophia" our first grandchild. There will be more, but for now, she gets all the attention. Next year, should our Lord tarry His return, we will enjoy two (or more) little ones.
Take time for your family. It's the one you have.
God bless
Walter Rose
Pastor
These gatherings don't have to be elaborate but they do need to be accomplished.
Barb and I are heading West after church today to do just that. Before the week is complete we will have enjoyed a bit of time with Phillip and Tiffany and Shanna and Michael and the bell of the ball "little Sophia" our first grandchild. There will be more, but for now, she gets all the attention. Next year, should our Lord tarry His return, we will enjoy two (or more) little ones.
Take time for your family. It's the one you have.
God bless
Walter Rose
Pastor
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Reflection on our Veterans
Yesterday (Friday) was Veterans Day and we see a small window on the price that men and women paid for the rights of all Americans to pursue religion of their choice, work where they will, puruse what they might and go freely from state to state without difficulty. These freedoms would be taken away if others had/have their way. So....lets remember them and remember that we have a part to play in these freedoms.
Remember with gratitude the men and women who suffer some visible and some invisible injury to their bodies and minds i.e post traumatic syndrom and physical injury.
Stop to thank a veteran when ever you recognize one. If you see a soldier in uniform buy them a cup of coffee or a meal. Do some act of kindness for them without need of repayment. The act is payment enough. Do something for a separated family this holiday season and after the holiday season.
There are other veterans of the great army called of God. There are many who have sacrificed to see that we have a place to worship and equipment to use in sharing the word of God with those under our care.
In both cases of veterans may we be counted upon to share our lives as well.
God bless
Walter Rose
Pastor
Remember with gratitude the men and women who suffer some visible and some invisible injury to their bodies and minds i.e post traumatic syndrom and physical injury.
Stop to thank a veteran when ever you recognize one. If you see a soldier in uniform buy them a cup of coffee or a meal. Do some act of kindness for them without need of repayment. The act is payment enough. Do something for a separated family this holiday season and after the holiday season.
There are other veterans of the great army called of God. There are many who have sacrificed to see that we have a place to worship and equipment to use in sharing the word of God with those under our care.
In both cases of veterans may we be counted upon to share our lives as well.
God bless
Walter Rose
Pastor
Friday, November 11, 2011
Ageing
On monday of this week my wife and I traveled to her mom and dad's home in North Louisiana.
Her parents have served the Lord for over 50 years and are strong in Him to this day. However life and time have their way of drawing attention to the fact that life is unceratain and death is sure. Loss of physical strength and mobility are great indicators of ageing. Physical health needs are needed more than in their younger days. In the ageing process we try to hold back the tide of life and live longer.
However allow me to share this with us today. We cannot hold back the tide of living and dying. At some place (and it doesn't have to be in old age) physical death knocks at our door. In many cases unwanted and uninvited death comes. The great fear of it all is in our preparation for this momentous event. Our soul and spirit do not have to grow weak like the body. In fact my observation is that faith grows stronger in those who have made the Lord their stength. Dying isn't nearly so fearful if we have a great place to go. If we have not preapred for this event we then will have a deal of fear to contend with and rightly so. The saved i.e. born again ascend into the presence of God where we will remain forever and ever. The unsaved i.e. those who refuse to accept Jesus as Lord will descend into the pit of despair and agony forever and ever. Two drastic differences and destinations which we control by our acceptance or rejection of Christ.
While you have the opportunity and time make the right choice. The choice to follow Christ and one day ascend into the eternal presence of God. He is no reaspector of persons therefore receive Him today. He who forgives of sin will forgive your sins and give you the wonderful hope and assurance of eternal life. Do this today.
God bless you
Walter Rose, Pastor
Her parents have served the Lord for over 50 years and are strong in Him to this day. However life and time have their way of drawing attention to the fact that life is unceratain and death is sure. Loss of physical strength and mobility are great indicators of ageing. Physical health needs are needed more than in their younger days. In the ageing process we try to hold back the tide of life and live longer.
However allow me to share this with us today. We cannot hold back the tide of living and dying. At some place (and it doesn't have to be in old age) physical death knocks at our door. In many cases unwanted and uninvited death comes. The great fear of it all is in our preparation for this momentous event. Our soul and spirit do not have to grow weak like the body. In fact my observation is that faith grows stronger in those who have made the Lord their stength. Dying isn't nearly so fearful if we have a great place to go. If we have not preapred for this event we then will have a deal of fear to contend with and rightly so. The saved i.e. born again ascend into the presence of God where we will remain forever and ever. The unsaved i.e. those who refuse to accept Jesus as Lord will descend into the pit of despair and agony forever and ever. Two drastic differences and destinations which we control by our acceptance or rejection of Christ.
While you have the opportunity and time make the right choice. The choice to follow Christ and one day ascend into the eternal presence of God. He is no reaspector of persons therefore receive Him today. He who forgives of sin will forgive your sins and give you the wonderful hope and assurance of eternal life. Do this today.
God bless you
Walter Rose, Pastor
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The Hope We Have
Looking around us and across the expanse known as the world we see a troubled landscape. We see earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, heat waves and cold waves. Prices escalating and the power to purchase growing weaker. Into the mix of this there is trouble on every hand - nation against nation and people groups against people groups. There is a lot of hatred and prejudice that permeate our presence. Nastiness of character and perversion on every hand.
These things were not to be but sin has wrought a great tragedy upon human kind and has trickled down into everything else.
Good news! Jesus came to bring peace and forgiveness to everyone who will call upon him to be saved our personal sins. The real joy is in knowing that Christ has come to set us free. Having been set free from these things we are free to be/become salt and light unto our present, darkened world. This is what Jesus called "the good news." The good news is that it is for you and all others who will call upon Him to be saved.
Call upon Jesus today, He will forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. He alone can save you.
Walter Rose
Pastor
These things were not to be but sin has wrought a great tragedy upon human kind and has trickled down into everything else.
Good news! Jesus came to bring peace and forgiveness to everyone who will call upon him to be saved our personal sins. The real joy is in knowing that Christ has come to set us free. Having been set free from these things we are free to be/become salt and light unto our present, darkened world. This is what Jesus called "the good news." The good news is that it is for you and all others who will call upon Him to be saved.
Call upon Jesus today, He will forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. He alone can save you.
Walter Rose
Pastor
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