Cost of Independence

Edward Schneider was a young student at Philip's Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted at once and fought well, until he was mortally wounded at the Battle of Cold Harbor. As he lay dying, he said to his chaplain:
"Don't weep, chaplain, it is God's will. Please write to my father, and tell him that I have tried to do my duty to my country and to God...And there is my brother in the navy: write to him, and tell him to stand by the flag and cling to the Cross of Christ."
     Quote from: "Billingsley Christianity" pg. 95.

Let's remember to stand by our flag and cling to the Cross of Christ this coming Independence Day. The flag is a constant reminder of our quest and victory for freedom placed at the top of a mast to waves in the winds that blow across this great land.
The cross is a constand reminder placed to stand across our land as a constant reminder that Jesus Christ fought the great fight for our freedom from sin and ultimately the strength of our nation through its people of faith.
Let's never forget to stand by the flag and cling to the Cross of Christ. It is our duty.

May God bless you with freedom and strength.

Walter L. Rose
Pastor

Count Your Blessings

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, wahtever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable - if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise - dwell on these things.  Philippians 4:8 HCSB

How will your direct your thoughts today?  Will you obey the words of Philippians 4:8 by dwelling upon those things that are honorable, just, and commendable? Or will you allow your thoughts to be hijacked by the negativity that seems to dominate our troubled word? Are you fearful, angry, bored, or worried?  Are you so preoccupied with the concerns of this day that you fail to thank God for hte promise of eternity? Are you confused, bitter, or pessimistic? If so, God watns to have a little talke with you.

God intends that you experience joy and abundance. So, today and every day hereafte, celebrate the life that God has given you by focusing your thoughts upon those things that are worthy of praise. Today, [you have no other day in which to work] count your blessings instead of your hardships. Look into God's Word and view His great and preciosu promises. No one can do this for you. They may guide you but you ultimately and finally must view them for yourselves.  These great and precious promises will come to life in your heart and bring life into you that you haven't had or haven't experienced in a while. Then thank God for all things good and gifts that are simply too numerous to count.

Proverbs 15:15 - "A cheerful heart has a continual feast."

Father's Day

I have just read a short exerpt from a collection of thoughts for Father's Day. This one is called priorities. 
A first grader asked his mother why his Dad brought home a briefcase full of material each night. She explained that he had so much work to do that the couldn't get it all done at the office. The youngster pondered this soberly, then asked, "Well, why don't they put him in a slower group."
Parents, remember this. If you can't say no to some claims, your life will drip away like a leaky faucet. You won't make much of a splash anywhere.

Bill Bouknight, Collected Sermons.

If your work is so overwhelming that your children are left behind perhaps a less whelming job would serve a better purpose in this life.

God bless you

Walter L. Rose
Pastor

God's Word

I am very thankful for the Word of God. I remember looking through our old family bible when I was small. In 1966 I was born again as was my desire to look into the Word of God. Having read it through and studied it much over these years I still find nuggets of truth. If the book were a novel one would know every word and find nothing new or that which was lying there in plain sight but hidden. I have not ceased to find food for thought and for the soul in these wonderful pages that are called "God's Word." I find words for every occasion and need. I find words that direct and redirect. I find words that calm the crisis. I find words that bring joy and words that cause concern. How ever it comes it is good for us. It cleanses and chastises us depending upon our need. It applauds and advances our actions. The Word of God is for us. For you.  Read it for in its pages you will find what you need.

God bless you today

Walter L. Rose
Pastor

It's Been A While

It's been a while since I have posted anything. Without notice the controller of this blog site changed everything and for the longest i could not do anything. Along with several weeks of nonstop activity I found myself discouraged being unable to post a new blog. 
This is somewhat like life that changes suddenly and without warning.  We get blindsided and seem to be temporarily unable to get beyond the seeming barrier in our way. Such difficulties seem to unsettle us and at times stop us. Today as I write I write because I took the time to look a little closer at the new commands. The old commands were familiar and I didn't have to think or view the site closely.
Life has those moments when we stop, take a little time and look closer at God's commands. They get the same result but situations have changed. It just seems harder for a while.
As I publish this post today allow my failure to look a little closer at the commands be a lesson to all. Look a little closer to the commands of God when you get detracted for a season. His commands always bring us back to spiritual strength and fervor.
God bless you today.

Walter L. Rose
Pastor