Sunday is Father’s Day!   In celebration of our earthly fathers, it seemed fitting to celebrate one who must be called one of our spiritual fathers.  There is probably not another person God has used more to inform the faith and life of the church of Jesus Christ than the Apostle Paul.  You read any of the three accounts of the astonishing way God changed Saul’s life in Acts 9, 22 or 26 and it almost seems surreal that he wrote what some call “the greatest letter ever written”—the letter to the Romans.  In some ways, he is a most unlikely choice, but on the other hand it is easy to see why God chose him.    

 

This Sunday, I will be preaching on Acts 9:1-19.   Why don’t you take a look at that account and consider the kind of person God chooses for His purposes.  You might also want to reflect on your own unlikely choice by God.   Sunday we will look in depth at God’s choices and purposes.  

 

See you then,

Bill

Sunday's Comin'!                May 28, 2010     Dear Brothers and Sisters,          I have to tell you we were all so blessed by your response on Compassion Sunday.  All eighty packets were quickly taken and now eighty more children will be introduced to Jesus, His love and compassion along with receiving medical care, food, clothing and educational help.  In addition to the eighty packets, twelve more people requested packets to be mailed to them and others said they would sign up on the internet.  I believe it is safe to say that close to a hundred children may have been sponsored on Sunday.   Please follow through if you intended to sponsor a child and got to the table after they were all taken.   It is a simple process on the internet at www.compassion.com.   Just click on "Sponsor a Child".  If you're already sponsoring children, why not write them today and let them know about your Friend who has done so much for you?   I can still get choked up thinking about that African young man reading the letter he received from his nineteen-year-old sponsor some ten years ago and weeping when he got to meet him.   Because of that faithful sponsorship, Africa will have a seminary-trained pastor returning to his country to help his people-all because a new nineteen-year-old believer sponsored him.                 Sometimes people talk about their faith and it seems so irrelevant and unrealistic.   It almost begs the question, "Are you serious?"   You have probably been in situations where you were a little embarrassed about what you believe and kept it to yourself rather than risk being marginalized or ridiculed.   Sometimes we offer friends, neighbors and co-workers a listening ear when what they really need is help.   We are going to look at the greatest thing you can tell anybody this Sunday.   It is the only thing that has the power to truly change people in lasting ways.    Many people have called what we are talking about this Sunday, "the most important truth in the world".   Come join us as we consider Romans 1:8-17.   See you Sunday! Bill   P.S. Thanks so much for all the people who have volunteered to serve with our children giving our regulars a break over the summer.  If you haven't volunteered, but would like to, I know Shannon would love to hear from you.  Your response has been so generous!