Monday, June 22, 2009

Update On My Parents

Dear friend,


I want everybody to know how grateful I am for your prayers and concerns for my parents. Everyday they seem to do a little better. When I first flew in to Little Rock on June 10th my mom was unable to carry on a coherent conversation. But now she appears to suffer from no long term effects of her brain bleed. She is able to carry on a clear and lucid conversation, although she still gets tired very quickly. Her broken neck, fractured sternum, and broken ribs will take longer to heal. She still needs lots of rest.


My Dad is getting around well with a walking cast on his broken ankle and with the use of a walker. In about a week and a half the doctor will confirm whether or not his ankle requires surgery.


Recently I have been meditating on Matthew 14. One of my favorite stories of the Bible is how God took the offering of five loaves of bread and two fish to feed an entire multitude. Verse 20 says, "And they all ate and were satisfied."


It is amazing how God is able to take such an "insignificant offering" and multiply it to feed such a large multitude. This text points out to us that there really is no such thing as an insignificant offering. And there is nothing that God can't do when we sacrifice what we have for Him to use for His glory.


In the summer months it is not unusual for giving to take a dip in many churches. I want to remind you that your offering is not insignificant in the Lord's eyes. Bring what you have to God and let Him multiply it to meet the needs of many. Perhaps because of your faithful offering to God, heaven will declare, "And they all ate and were satisfied."


Warmly in Christ,


Gary

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Please Pray For My Family

Dear friend,

 

Many of you are aware that my parents were in a car accident yesterday and are already praying for them. I appreciate your prayers and concern. Joy, the kids, and I were due to fly out on Monday for vacation. Joy and the kids will still be flying out Monday, but I will be flying out of Sacramento at noon today.

 

The story was on the local news at the link below. My dad, who just turned 83, is fortunate that he wasn't more seriously injured. They were hit by some guys who were test driving a Mustang. According to witnesses, they were weaving in and out of traffic and driving at a high rate of speed. My dad, who was making a left turn, said he had plenty of room to make the turn when the car "came out of nowhere." Both of my parents (in the white car) were knocked unconscious by the impact of the crash. The driver of the Mustang that hit my parents was thrown from his car. And all three of the occupants of the Mustang were hospitalized as well.

 

http://arkansasmatters.com/content/news/fulltext?cid=228892

 

The major concerns for my mom right now are a broken c2 vertebrae and symptoms of a brain bleed. For a brief time this morning she didn't know who my sister was and she was talking without making any sense. They are preparing to do an MRI that will tell them more about the strength of her neck and whether or not that requires surgery and it will also reveal in more detail the extent of the bleeding in her brain. My mom is a strong person spiritually, physically, and emotionally which all works in her favor. And my parents’ church has rallied around them in their need.


Please continue to pray for my family. I will let you know more when I get more information.


Warmly in Christ,


Pastor Gary

1 Corinthians 15:58

Friday, June 5, 2009

The Wondrous Cross

Dear friend,


What do we learn from looking at the cross?


In his hymn When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Isaac Watts wrote:

"When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride."

Erwin McManus writes about the cross:

"If the cross of Christ teaches us anything, it teaches us that sometimes God doesn't show up until after we are dead."

The apostle Paul wrote about the cross:

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."  Galatians 6:14


On Sunday, June 7th, we will being doing our fourth of five messages looking at what the hymns of previous generations can teach us about worship, theology, and the Christian experience. This Sunday we will take communion together and look at Isaac Watts’ When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.


Warmly in Christ,


Pastor Gary

Monday, June 1, 2009

Fay B. King

Dear friend,


The Scripture says to absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Many of you are already aware that our dear friend, Fay B. King, passed away to be with the Lord on May 31st at about 8 PM. I would like to ask you to be in prayer for her family and friends. 


A memorial service will be held at 1 PM on June 20th at Liberty Christian Center in Fairfield.


Warmly in Christ,


Pastor Gary