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Thoughts from CrossPoints
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Thoughts from CrossPoints
Pastoral Care Corner by Butch Stillwell
This morning I woke up and the ‘Walton’s TV Show’ was on. I took the time to watch and listen. I always enjoyed watching them because the episodes had so many life lessons in them. This particular episode was about Jim Bob’s gerbil dying. He had gone to each family member trying to get them to hear about the death of his gerbil, they were all too busy. So, he decided to run away from home. The family found out he was headed towards the town where John Boy was in college. John Boy looked frantically and found Jim Bob in town near his college campus. After they talked briefly, John Boy contacted their family to let them know he had found Jim Bob. They went to a café in town to wait on their family to pick Jim Bob up. John Boy and Jim Bob were sitting in the café as John Boy offered advice to Jim Bob that if he needed someone to listen to him next time say, “I need to talk now!” John Boy also shared about the love they had as a family for each other. A stranger at a table next to theirs in the cafe took time to listen, then shared the importance of what Jim Bob had with his family and to savor those family moments. Also, the stranger told Jim Bob to take his brother’s advice and when he wanted someone to hear you, just tell them, “I need you to listen to me now.” Jim Bob understood.
The past few weeks with the Corona Virus Pandemic, has made me realize the good things that God has blessed me with in my life. I have had good listeners along my path and important lessons like Jim Bob that have helped me understand. Before the Corona Virus outbreak, it seemed as though life pushed me along when I wanted to rest or listen to another story someone was sharing, but I felt I had to be somewhere else. I hope you have had time to cherish your journey in life, and those special times and lessons you have learned.
Jesus was a great teacher, healer and listener. Think of the woman who had bled for 12 years, no one seemed to listen to her. The crowds were gathered around Jesus, but He took time to listen (Mark 5:24-34). There are many other stories: ‘The woman at the well’ (John 4:1-42); ‘Heals a man born blind’ (John 9:1-41); ‘Feeds the 5000’ (Mark 6:30-44); ‘Heals the Lame Man on the Sabbath’ (John 5:1-47); ‘A leper healed’ (Luke 5:12-16); and several more.
As you can see, Jesus is a great listener to all our needs in ALL times. He hears our prayers.
In the past few weeks, I have heard many of you at Calvary cling to your faith and reach out to each other. Continue to reach out. Reflect on your journey and how Christ has listened to you. All of you have touched me in our conversations … thank you!
Remember the Calvary family and how they have qualities like Jim Bob’s family. They reach out and love you.
Blessings, Butch
Devotional Thoughts on the Importance of Music by Pat Stillwell
During this time of isolation in our homes and away from each other, I have been listening to a lot of music and finding comfort and peace in the words of songs. I found this devotion in the “Reflections: Daily Devotional Guide” for March 27 and wanted to share it with you. Dianna has added words from some favorite hymns to comfort you – read the words and then sing them out loud..no one will hear you but God and He will love to hear your voice!!
Scripture: Psalm 89: 1 – 4 “Music expresses our emotions in ways that words alone cannot. Sometimes when I can’t find the words to express myself, only music will do.”
“Praise becomes the way we express our love for God. We sing of God’s goodness. We declare with song, as the psalmist does, that God’s love is forever and that God is faithful.”
“We are meant to sing about God’s faithfulness even in our despair (fear). We are to sing of God’s faithfulness even in our doubt. Doing so strengthens our faith. Our song grows more powerful. By singing we carry God’s light into the world and proclaim truth’s message. God calls us to sing.”
Jim Burnett is a Godly man and a wonderful musician and worship leader. Pray for him during this very difficult time. He works hard to bring joy to our service each Sunday and we all miss him and our church right now!
We don’t know what the future holds as we journey through these uncertain days but we know who holds the future – God! We don’t have to understand all that is happening, and why because we know and understand that God has promised to never leave or forsake us. He is with us ALWAYS! So sing praises to Him and bless His name – this day and every day.
JUST SING!!!!
I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day. I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray. I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said, and today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead.
I don’t know about tomorrow, it may bring me poverty; but the one who feeds the sparrow, is the one who stands by me. And the path that be my portion, may be through the flame or flood, but His presence goes before me, and I’m covered with His blood
Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand. Words by Allison Krauss
Pastoral Post for Sunday, January 26, 2020
Guy
Sunday, January 19, 2020
Pastoral Post July 28 2019
Friends,
As we’re gathered here on Haywood Road to offer our worship to God, Dan and Margaret Bradshaw and Terry Smith are sharing in prayer and praise with sisters and brothers who are part of churches in Nicaragua. With our support and in partnership with Vision Nicaragua, Dan, Margaret, and Terry are “on mission” in the name of Jesus. They’re offering themselves and God’s love to the people of that land where, recently, there has been a great deal of political discord and social upheaval. I know you’ll keep our friends in your prayers as they do this kingdom-work and as they return to the United States on August 1.
We welcome Jim Burnett back from a couple of weeks of much-needed and well-deserved vacation (we missed you, Jim!), and we express our thanks to Harry and Evelyn Ponder for their excellent leadership in Jim’s absence. We appreciate their faithfulness and their willingness to share their gifts with us.
If your schedule allows it, plan to stay for a few minutes after the conclusion of worship to participate in our quarterly church conference/business meeting. It’s a good way to be informed about, and participate in, what’s happening in the life of our congregation. My thanks to Lennie Thornton, Chair of our Leadership Team, as well as our Treasurer, to Bruce Farlow, our Deacon Chair, and to Doley Bell, our Moderator, for their leadership of our church and of this important meeting.
Grace and peace,
Guy
Sunday July 21 Sermon
Pastoral Post July 21st 2019
Friends,
At the end of today’s service, we will commission Dan and Margaret Bradshaw and Terry Smith who are on their way Nicaragua to engage in mission and ministry in the name of Jesus and with resources and prayers provided by our church. While Dan, Margaret, and Terry invest in their own travel, many Calvary members have made financial or in-kind contributions to the mission trip, and the Logan Lawrence Fund is also providing support. We pledge to pray for our friends as they go on our behalf; for Vision Nicaragua, the partner organization which has an ongoing presence there; and for the people who will be served. I know you are grateful, as I am, to Dan, Margaret, and Terry for engaging in this vital mission work.
Next week, immediately after worship, we will have our quarterly Business Meeting. A particularly significant agenda item will be the presentation of a modified church budget for the remainder of 2019. The Leadership Team has reviewed our gift and expenditures through the first half of the year, factored-in some staff shifts, and adjusted some specific amounts related to the care of our buildings. The changes that the Leadership Team is recommending to us are wise and good. I’m grateful to them for their work.
Our business meetings are important, because they give us an opportunity to hear about, support, and shape the ministries of our congregation. I hope you’ll plan to participate on that day.
Grace and peace,
Guy
Pastoral Post
Friends:
In two weeks—on July 28—we’ll have our quarterly Business Meeting. It will take place immediately following the worship service, and, if it unfolds like most of our business meetings, it should last about half an hour. Brief though they are, these meetings are important; because they give us an opportunity to hear about, support, and shape the ministries of our congregation. I hope you’ll plan to participate on that day.
One particularly significant agenda item for the 28th will be the presentation of a modified church budget for the remainder of 2019. The Leadership Team has reviewed our gift and expenditures through the first half of the year, factored-in some staff shifts, and adjusted some specific amounts related to the care of our buildings. The changes that the Leadership Team is recommending to us are wise and good. I’m grateful to them for their work.
Next Sunday, July 21st, we will commission the Nicaragua Mission Team. They will be gone from July 23-August 1, and we want to send them off with our prayers, encouragement, and support. As you likely know, there has been a good deal of unrest in that country over the last year, and our friends’ time there will be a sign of peace and reconciliation, as well as a tangible and hands on demonstration of the love of Christ.
Grace and peace,
Guy
Pastoral Post
Friends:
We will observe and celebrate Independence Day this week; and, as we do, I offer you these beautiful lines from a prayer written a few years ago by my colleague Jim Sommerville, who is pastor of the First Baptist Church of Richmond, VA.
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