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Home Coming

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.                 Matthew 11:28 ESV

Fed up with the rules at home, I decided one day to go to live with my grandparents. “I want to live with Gammy and Cap-Cap!” I stated defiantly to Mom.

“Okay, I’ll help you pack.” she said. “How are you going to get there?”

“I’m going to walk up Route 6!” I said confidently. Technically this was possible but I did not know that 300 miles separated me from their home in Connecticut. Mom just smiled and helped me close my suitcase. After my stepdad got home from work they helped me put my things in the car and drove to the edge of town then pointed me in the right direction.

I bravely got out of the car and started walking away but each time a car sped by I flinched. “See you later!” Mom said waving as they turned and walked out of sight. But my world seemed suddenly so big and frightening that I started to cry. At that moment my parents magically appeared, scooped me up in their arms and took me home!

I bravely got out of the car and started walking away but each time a car sped by I flinched. “See you later!” Mom said waving as they turned and walked out of sight. But my world seemed suddenly so big and frightening that I started to cry. At that moment my parents magically appeared, scooped me up in their arms and took me home! Have you ever decided to run away from Jesus? You may think He didn’t notice when you started down the road; but He was watching and waiting for us to cry out. He is prepared for our home coming and has a place where we will always belong!

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This is the Lake Retreat cottage we were loaned named SImplicity. It has the benefit of no Wifi, TV or Cell service. What a wonderful place to call home for a few days!

Our Good Shepherd

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

After a weekend more terrible I cannot recall except for in time of war these words from the twenty third psalm gave me hope and comfort. I pray they will for you as well.

In the presence of death He remains the Good Shepherd

At a time of great sorrows only He can comfort

When our world seems black as night He knows the through the valley

Even if everyone runs away our Lord Jesus promises He will never leave. Our hope is built not on who sits in the white house but who sits upon the throne!

No Smoking!

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

When I was a kid I remember how my parents laid down the law about the evils of smoking early and often. The only problem with their argument was that I knew there was a carton of Camels in the kitchen drawer which I began snitching on Saturdays when I was about 11. Those pesky cigarettes made me wonder a little about laws in general – even God’s laws. But the good news is that Jesus isn’t like me or my parents. He not only tells us the right thing: He does it Himself! So when Jesus told us to ask, seek and knock, it is wonderful to know that He also put into practice everything that He asked us to do.

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 ESV

Now stop for a minute and ask yourself, “Why does the creator of the universe need to ask for anything?”  Then remember when Jesus says. “Come to me all who are thirsty. Come to me and drink” He doesn’t chase after us with a garden hose! Instead He asks and then patiently waits for us to come. Also there are times when we get so tangled up in sin that we just can’t get out. That is when He comes seeking us like a shepherd. He willingly leaves the safety of Heaven just so He could find us at the cross. Last of all recall that He doesn’t break down my doors of doubt and anger (though He could). Instead Jesus stands outside knocking; and then waits until I open. What an amazing Savior we have! Jesus didn’t just come to lay down the law. He came lay down His life!

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