E-note From Pastor Andy 8-30-13

Friday, August 30, 2013

Dear Eastridge Family,

This past weekend I took my twin girls up to Olathe to attend MNU.  I must admit seeing my older two boys go off to college was much easier than leaving my girls behind.  Judging by the response of my wife and youngest daughter as we drove back to Wichita it was more difficult on them as well.  Of course it seems like it was not that long ago when I was in the NICU at the Hays Hospital visiting my twin girls and now they are out of the house. 

If you had the chance, would you like to be 18 years old and headed off to college?  I saw a list of things someone listed out that they wished they would have known back then.  Maybe a few will resonate with you.

#1 Don’t stumble over something behind you.

It’s not always easy, but it’s important to leave the past in the past because focusing on what’s behind you is a hindrance to experiencing what God has for you in the present and the future.

 I love what Os Hillman says, “Our past should only be viewed for what we can learn from it.  Many people have allowed their past to dictate their future.”  It doesn’t have to be that way.

If you spend too much time thinking about what happened yesterday, last week, last month, or last year, take Isaiah 43:19 to heart, “See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

#2  Serving is better than being served.

I love the saying, “The tallest person in the room is the person who stoops the lowest.”  Over the years I have learned that there is no higher calling than serving.  Matthew 20:26b-28 echoes this sentiment, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

#3 Have an attitude of gratitude.

One of the most important things anyone can do to glorify God is to have a grateful heart.  Not only that, but practicing gratitude draws you closer to Him.  I wish I had learned early in life to always practice an attitude of gratitude for what He’s given, what He’s done, and what He’s going to do.

#4 It’s more blessed to give than receive.

Most of my life I have heard, “You cannot out give God.”  I have found this to be true.  With every paycheck, I encourage you to invest in God’s kingdom.  Give to God first, save second, and live on the rest.

Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

#5 Words matter.

The old phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is simply not true!  The words you use with your spouse matter; the words you say to your children have impact; the words you speak to your parents are life altering.

Words can be like cold water, refreshing to the soul.  Or, words can be like scalding hot water that scars.  Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.”  Don’t forget that you have the power to speak life—or death—over those around you. Have you seen someone’s spirit open because you spoke words of life to them, or have you crushed and closed their spirit through negative, critical words?

• Saturday Morning Prayer Service

Each Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. here at the church Pastor Daniel will lead our prayer service.  Everyone is invited to attend.

• Spanish transmitters

We have recently had a good problem, more people who attend the worship service on Sunday morning who also need the service translated into Spanish.  To remedy this problem we need to purchase some more transmitter/receivers.  We estimate the need to be about 7-10 more at the cost per unit of a little more than $100.  If you would like to help with this need you may mark your check or offering envelope “Spanish Ministry” and we will use that money to purchase more transmitters.

•  Alabaster Offering

The Alabaster Offering provides funds for property and buildings around the world.  While we understand the church consists of the people of God and not a building; the Alabaster funds do help provide land for many Work & Witness projects, and the entire Alabaster Offering goes toward the purchase of land and construction of churches, schools, medical facilities, and homes for missionaries and national workers.

The Alabaster boxes are located on the information table in the entryway of the church.  We will collect our Alabaster offering on Sunday September 22^nd.

I’m looking forward to worshiping with you Sunday.  I plan to preach a sermon entitled “Follow Me” using the Scripture from Matthew 4.

Pastor Andy