Pastor’s Ponderings
“Thank You”
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” (Psalm 100:4-5).
I realize I just quoted November verses in May, but it’s okay to be thankful more than one month in the year. And I am thankful.
At the end of my April article, I mentioned that we were about to take up our annual Mission Cards, and you responded in spectacular fashion. 2020 was a rough year, and we took in less money for missions. But the challenge to support more missionaries was met, and you have already promised to give over $10,000 more this year than was given last year. In addition, the love offerings for the missionaries in January-March and for Evangelist Tim Lee were phenomenal. I always love to call one of our guest missionaries and tell them a love offering is on the way, and most are astounded at the amounts given by Calvary. Please don’t think of this as boasting. I’m just excited that our church loves missionaries.
I am also thankful for the great Building Fund offering. We still do not have final totals as of the writing of this article, but so many gave to see our auditorium remodeled, and I am thankful. Again, I ask that we all be patient through the process!
I am thankful for the love and prayers lifted up by my church family during this time of crisis in the Monk family. My wife has a lengthy article giving a play-by-play account of her ordeal, and I am grateful for a church family that practices 1 Samuel 12:23. “God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you.”
I am thankful to have our choir singing again in the morning services. We went over 12 months without those voices, and I am glad to see (and hear) them back.
I am thankful for so many who have taken up the slack while my wife and I have missed many services. So many preached for me, others worked with guest missionaries, the office staff held the fort while we’ve been gone, and I am appreciative for all who have stepped up. I’ll include my sister-in-law here who has been a great help at home
Lastly, I am thankful for the peace of God during this time. Betty and I had some tough discussions this past month. Betty asked me, “What if I never get better?” With the doctor using the word “fatal”, we even briefly discussed the possible mortality in this situation. But I can honestly tell you we never felt the need to panic because we were certain God’s will would be done. Whatever would happen, we were convinced of Jesus’ words in John 18:11 when he said, “The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” Perhaps the most courageous words in the Bible were spoken by Job after he lost everything. “The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” I AM THANKFUL!
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May is always one of the busiest months at Calvary (in some ways busier even than December).
- May 5th: the final week of On Track with our Awards Ceremony in the auditorium.
- May 9th: Mother’s Day with a ladies’ breakfast during Sunday School and a gift for all mothers (no evening service).
- May 11th: Outreach at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (bring a side dish).
- May 18th: Golden Agers returns at 10:30 a.m. and the West Coast Baptist College singers minister at 7:00 p.m. (this takes the place of our Wednesday service).
- May 20th: WINGS Ladies’ meeting at 11:30 a.m.
- May 21st: Youth Activity at 6:00 p.m.
- May 23rd: Graduation Day where we honor our high school and college graduates.
- May 29th: Men’s Prayer Breakfast at 8:00 a.m.
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I did have one other concern during my wife’s illness: I thought the Amazon delivery drivers might forget where we lived. Betty has been home two days as of this writing, and I can assure you, they did not forget!
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I have asked from the beginning for you to pray for me and my family in five areas. Thank you for doing so, and please continue to plead with God that I would have:
1) Courage
2) Wisdom
3) Strength
4) Victory
5) Vision