Pastor Masih of Pakistan comes to Bethel Hill
For a couple years we have included the persecuted believers in our congregation. We are beginning to take seriously the command from the book of Hebrews, “remember those in prison”. Currently we have 5 specific people we are remembering in prayer, two of which are imprisoned in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. This weekend we have a... [Read more]
Exalting Christ….above all
Last week in Sunday School, Chris continued leading us thru the book of Philippians. We arrived at 1:12-26 with the theme “exalt Christ above all”. From prison, on death row, Paul wrote these words: Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear... [Read more]
Mercies new every Morning
As I walked out onto the pier and along the beach at the Women’s Retreat, I was impressed with the vastness of the ocean. It went on ‘forever’, and its waves on the beach were so predictable. Their ceaseless rolling onto the sand, one after another, each wave a little different, but each wave covering the beach. And my mind went... [Read more]
Women’s Retreat
The spring Women’s Retreat is now history. And what a weekend it was! The best part was not the food, nor the setting by the beach, nor the speakers. The best part was the spiritual connectedness that we women enjoyed with each other. Fifteen women from all walks of life shared life together for a few days. While doing various things, we... [Read more]
A Song for you
On Sunday, we sang this song. What a message! What a wonderful melody lifting our hearts in praise. It has stayed in my heart, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I am. Jesus, What a Savior you are! The perfect savior, for all situations… eternal & temporal… physical, spiritual, emotional and relational. Let us keep our eyes upon... [Read more]
“My times are…..”
The great preacher C.H.Spurgeon was quite ill when he preached on Ps 31:15. His words are an encouragement to me. I trust they are to you and yours: ”Lastly, if our times are in God’s hand, here is A GRAND ARGUMENT FOR FUTURE BLESSEDNESS. He that takes care of our times, will take care of our eternity. He that has brought us so far,... [Read more]
Society of the Apple Pickers
What? Haven’t heard of the Society of Apple Pickers? Once upon a time there was an apple grower who had acres and acres of apple trees. In all, he had 10,000 acres of apple orchards. One day he went to the nearby... [Read more]
“I’m Fine!”
”Good morning! How are you?” The man I was greeting sat at the end of the pew, dressed in his Sunday suit. It seemed to me that he was used to being in that location each Sunday morning. I was speaking in the service that morning, presenting an update on the Lord’s work in Ethiopia. (Yes, in the midst of Stage IV cancer treatments,... [Read more]
God’s Message in the Snow
Have you noticed how absolutely brilliant a thick blanket of snow is? It glimmers in the sun, blinding the eyes with its purity. Yesterday we had the first snow for this winter blanket our area. It didn’t last long, but it brought a lot of joy. Snow men appeared, folk were greeting neighbors, sleds came out. As always I thoughts... [Read more]
Going for the Deeper Joy
For some reason, it has hit me harder this time around with the news of my advancing cancer. And this morning the reason for this finally dawned on me. I am not willing to sacrifice the joy I get in helping people! Perhaps this is the “mother” coming out in me, but I really, really like to help people. God has given me a heart of generosity... [Read more]
Think of Him….and Sing!
My soul finds rest in God alone, My Rock and my salvation, A fortress strong against my foes, And I will not be shaken. Though lips may bless and hearts may curse, And lies like arrows pierce me, I’ll fix my heart on righteousness, I’ll look to Him who hears me. O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward; Everlasting, never... [Read more]
Update on our Brother Zhang in China
Pastor Zhang Rongliang has spent more than a fourth of his life in prison. He has been imprisoned 5 times, for a total of 19 years, over the span of his career as leader of one of China’s largest house church networks. Before his most recent arrest, in 2004, Pastor Zhang led a network estimated at 10 million believers. Yet the pastor refuses... [Read more]
Jonah, Capt. Schettino … you & me
SCENE ONE: In the midst of a killer storm, 4000 years ago Pagan sailers: “What are you doing sleeping!?! Get up and help us! We’re throwing everything overboard! We’re trying to throw out the water that’s coming into the ship! Who are you, anyway?” Jonah: “I’m a prophet. I believe in the one true... [Read more]
Storm Protection Plan
A few months ago a 13-story building in China fell over. It had been built without adequate foundation….only a few hollow concrete tubes, with no rebar reinforcement. Cost savings and speed were paramount in the construction plans. Tenants moved in and life moved on. Then they decided to build an underground garage next to the building. Excavation... [Read more]
Hidden in His Face
I’m not sure of the story behind this picture. It came to me in an email long ago. Do you see the story of Jesus’ life in this drawing of His face? And do you see in His face a connection to your life? Do you have a new appreciation... [Read more]
Being Content is Enough.
We don’t have to be enthusiastic about Life’s circumstances. We do not have to be striving for this or that. There are times in life when to practice contentment is enough. I was impressed this week with Paul’s counsel to young Timothy. “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world,... [Read more]
Are you sure you are saved??
In the various specialties of science, there are tests. Things are classified according to their characteristics. Tests are run, questions are asked, and the results produce classifications. In the Scriptures, the world of mankind is divided into 2 broad categories: the saved and the unsaved….those bound for Hell and those bound for Heaven….those... [Read more]
Two weeks into 2012
Well, we’re only 14 days past the birth of the year 2012. Have you already lost the enthusiasm? Has the Mundane flowed into your hours and robbed your energy? Do the next 11 months seem like a desert, dry, lifeless, unsatisfying? Do the memories of failures in years past haunt you & steal your joy? Do the burdens weigh heavy on your heart? Then,... [Read more]
Creditor or Debtor?
In Romans 1:14-15 Paul writes: For I am debtor to all people, to the civilized and to the savage, to the educated and to the ignorant. So then, I am eager to preach the Gospel to you also who live in Rome. Wise words from a wise man, written especially to those of us who may be tempted to see ourselves as creditors instead of as debtors. At my... [Read more]
The Hope of Birth
We’ve had the birth of a new year. 2012 is a Newborn. It’s the season for hope and anticipation of good things. The opportunity for a new start is invigorating. The joy of a birth is in the expectation of the life to follow. Read that again: The joy of a birth is in the expectation of the life to follow. ... [Read more]