Turning the page into the month of June stirs ancient memories of an early morning wake-up call as Daddy rallied Sue and me for another special time with him on St John's River.  The delicious airborne essence of bacon frying accompanying coffee's magnetic aroma rousts my sibling and I from our respective lairs of sweaty sleep in those days preceding the magic of air conditioning.

After a hurry up breakfast and a quiet drive down deserted pre-dawn sandy back roads, it always seemed a bit disquieting to us youngsters to push the old rowboat out into the coffee-colored river surrounded by silent sentinels of ghostly bald cypress trees swathed with their boas of Spanish moss. Only the strong, quiet presence of our dad rendered the spookiness of the moment an adventure rather than something to endure.

We had heard the stories of his childhood on the river. We knew he understood the currents and weather we might encounter. He even knew the schedule of any major boat traffic coming our way and how to survive such events.

I believe I hear another Voice waking us to yet another adventure. Are there elements of potential danger lurking in our tomorrows? But of course. Could there be things we have never faced awaiting around some fog shrouded bend? Definitely.

Are we chewing our nails to their beds in nervous anticipation of the unknown? Definitely not. Because the strong, quiet Presence of our Heavenly Father is with us. He knows the way like the back of His hand. He is our guide and our constant companion by the power of His Spirit.

No sir. We are not fearful, because He is with us. We are not alone.

Sure do love serving God with you!

Rich Orrell, Pastor

Nahum 1:7-8  New Living Translation (NLT)

The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes.  He is close to those who trust in Him.    ⁸ But he will sweep away His enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes  into the darkness of night.

Last Sunday evening we were blessed by Western Michigan Teen Challenge Choir—amazing testimonies of God’s ability to love and care for us in times of trouble.  If you missed the service—you missed out.   If you’re facing a struggle this week, and we all do face times of distress, turn that problem over to the One who created all things—HE is well able and is a strong refuge when trouble comes your way.    Don’t face your burden alone, You have a friend, His name is Jesus. He cares for you my friend, and so do I.

Love ya,   Pastor Phil      

From time to time most of us are called upon to write a letter of reference. It may be a potential new employer needing to know about a prospective employee. Or it could be a University asking for help getting acquainted with an enrolling student.

It doesn’t matter about whom the letter is written, there is always something better left unsaid: A bill paid late, harsh words that should never have been spoken, a period of unreliability as they worked through some family crisis.

If the writer of the letter chose to do so, much hurt could result. But in kindness, barring glaring disorders, most former supervisors, neighbors, pastors or friends will emphasize the good they know and just not say much about any known negatives.

Such hedging is totally unnecessary when we are called upon for a reference about Jesus Christ. He is the only One who can stand up under the closest scrutiny. No skeletons lurking in His closet. No sordid past to keep under the rug.

Those who know Him best are the quickest to recommend Him with neither hesitation nor reservation. Never once has He been needed but was too busy to come. It has never been too late for Him to be on call. And the storm that can sink the vessel in which He lies simply does not exist.

Ask anyone who has truly trusted Him with their life and their eternal life. They’ll write you a letter without fear of contradiction attesting to His complete reliability and trustworthiness.

From the six year old who just invited Christ into her life to the grizzled veteran of a fifty year friendship with Jesus, each will recommend Him to you as the dearest and kindest, most faithful friend.

He waits at your heart’s door today. Will you let Him come in?

So glad to serve Jesus!

Rich Orrell, Pastor

Isaiah 40: 28-31:  “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 

²⁹ He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; ³¹ but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not grow weary,  they will walk and not be faint.”

Remember, GOD is in control, He is our source, our strength and our Redeemer.

Trust in Him,  give your lives totally to Him and see what he can do with your lump of clay. 

He is the master potter, let Him shape you into what He wants you to be today: strong, courageous and victorious.

Remember to celebrate Moms every day!

Love ya,  Pastor Phil      

John 14:27 says: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

No doubt there are friends and neighbors who really would like to know how you as a believer can be so calm and assured as you face the same kinds of things that so recently crushed them. Your secret lies in the truth of this verse of scripture. The peace believers experience is not really their peace. It is God’s personal peace predicated on His own strength, wisdom, and character. Just think about it. As He sits there on Heaven’s mighty throne, what is there that could throw Him into an emotional tailspin? Is there any power He fears? Is there any need He cannot fill? Utter peace pervades His realm because He is God.

Jesus knew His followers were soon to face the same forces that would gleefully murder the Lord of life. He realized that as the means of their own martyrdoms overshadowed their lives, they would need a peace not available from natural sources. So He found a way to take some of His own supernatural peace and drop it into their hearts. In the chaos of mock trials, burnings at the stake, being boiled in oil, stoned, beheaded, drawn and quartered…crucified; they went serene with praise on their lips and love in their hearts drinking deeply of a potion no earthly hand could blend. They were filled with the only real peace in the time of trouble…HIS peace.

Draw near that same Source beloved as you face the crisis of the day. You will discover the truth as did the martyrs; His peace truly IS the peace that passeth understanding. One might even say the peace of God makes no sense at all. Well, of course it doesn’t. It isn’t based on the circumstances in which life is lived. It is based on Him and His character because it is His peace…not yours. God is giving you His own personal serenity and confidence to get you through whatever life may throw your way. Bask in it as He envelops you with the peace of God from the God of peace.

Honored to serve as your pastor,

Rich Orrell

PSALM 23: NIV   The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. ²    He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, ³    He  refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths   for His name’s sake.  ⁴ Even though I walk  through the darkest valley,  I will fear no evil,   for You are with me;  Your rod and Your staff,   they comfort me.  You prepare a table  before me  in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil,  my cup overflows. ⁶ Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord  forever.

I can’t add more to this scripture,  take this into your hearts and let HIM be your PEACE, He cares for you my friends!

Love ya,  Pastor Phil      

Easter always conjures memories of another time and place predating free flowing cash and endless credit possibilities. No one had much in those days as families struggled to rise from the doldrums of the Great Depression. Gasoline was still on the bottom side of thirty five cents per gallon. And a working man might be content with a salary of $40 or $50 per week.

Such dismal finances served as a dark backdrop highlighting the priceless qualities of selflessness that motivated a little boy’s Mother to proudly wear her “favorite” but ancient and faded burnt orange dress one more Easter so he and his sister could have new shoes for church and school.

Only the passage of time and the perspective of maturity have brought into focus the fact that Daddy’s navy blue suit was badly in need of replacement. But the needs of the children far outweighed his desire for the latest fashion.

As we celebrate the resurrection and enjoy the arrival of spring, let’s remember that selfless giving is really the heart and soul of God’s plan of Salvation. “He left the splendor of Heaven knowing His destiny was the lonely hill of Golgotha, there to lay down His life for me!”

As Pastor Tommy Barnett would say, “Find a need and fill it. Find a hurt and heal it.”

Happy Easter!

You are loved,

Pastor Rich Orrell - Lead Pastor

“For I am the Lord thy God . . . and I have loved thee. . . . Fear not: for I am with thee" (Isaiah 43:3-5).

As a Child of God we should anticipate daily His Divine favor.

When we receive unexpected blessings - an unexpected refund, a great parking space, kindness from a cashier, a message that exactly fits our current dilemma, those are not accidents.

Our Heavenly Father is touched with the feelings of our infirmity.  He has promised He will supply our every need, and He actually delights in giving us the desires of our hearts as well, even if they are not actual NEEDS, but just something we’d like.

As our Father, He delights in taking care of His children.    “Little children rejoice, you’re a child of the King, - - - Lift your heads up high and rejoice, you’re a child of the King!”

Quit moping about what you don’t have today and rejoice that you’re an heir to Jesus’ riches. He loves and cares for you!

Love ya,  Pastor Phil      

Foundation repair is an industry that seems to be flourishing in our area if the number of TV ads is any indicator. Because of the composition of the soil beneath the surface, many homes experience cracked foundations due to heaving and settling. The builder may have used all his expertise in laying the foundation and building the house but if the ground underneath the foundation is subject to movement, cracks will eventually develop.

One cannot help but wonder if that is what is happening with the terrible cracks developing in the foundations of society. What is beneath the surface of a culture that protects to the extreme the lives of helpless animals but casually sacrifices its unborn children on the altars of inconvenience? What gaping crevasses yawn under the façade of Hollywood banalities reinforced with artificial laugh tracks? Have we allowed ourselves to be duped into building the structure of our lives on the shifting sands of popularity? Have we rejected the solid societal substrata offered by God’s Holy Word only to complain about the instabilities inherent in a self-absorbed narcissistic world in which one’s personal desires and perceived needs trump all else?

It might be a good thing for us to return to the simple truth of loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves. That is exactly what Paul presents in Romans 13:8-14 as bedrock on which one can successfully build a life.

Love ya,  Pastor Rich

Spring has sprung!   Hallelujah!

This past winter has seemed to be  extraordinarily long and grueling, glad it is behind us.  PTL !

It’s time for a fresh-start spiritually as we begin the spring season.  Let’s make worshiping Him a priority in our lives.  Plan to wake up each morning thanking God for giving us another day to serve Him.  

If we start the day with thanksgiving, and make ourselves available to do what the Lord would have us do, the day will be fruitful and we'll be a blessing.   Plus, having a positive attitude makes us much more content and pleasant to be around.

LORD -  Tell me what YOU want me to do, say and be today!   My life is in your hands to mold me into what YOU want me to be.  Try this prayer each day and see what the Lord will do through you this week.

Celebrate Jesus each day, He is our reason for being!

Love ya,  Pastor Phil