Monday, March 20, 2006
Yeap, Spring Is Here
A Wet Monday
We know that spring is definitely here, because its raining. It's been raining for three days. But such is spring in the south. But, it's good for the land. We'll need the rain for those crops and gardens.....and it will give us something to do....mow our yards. After a long winter we kind of enjoy doing that though, don't we. Everything around us is "greening up." It's beautiful. So, we don't really mind these days of rain because they are good for us. Kind of like some other things that God sends into our lives that we don't necessarily enjoy at the time they are sent, but they are good for us and we come to realize that later on. So, enoy the rain and look forward to those beautiful crops and gardens and green, green grasses of home.
Another wonderful Lord's Day
Despite the rain, we had another great day in the Lord yesterday as we gathered together for worship. Even the crowd wasn't bad considering the weather. As a pastor, I really appreciate our folks braving the elements to come out and be in God's house, as they should. We were graced by the presence of some guests yesterday. I pray that they enjoyed their time with us. A pastor is always concerned about everything being just right and making our guests feel welcome into our fellowship.
The Dilemma of Preaching
Which brings me to another concern. Yesterday, I must admit, I was concerned about how my message (not really my message, but God's message, since it was His Word that I was delivering). After the service I became concerned that I had preached too hard and too long. Most of the time I don't really think about those things. I try to keep my sermons to "just the right lenght." Most of the time that is about 30 minutes. I went a little longer than that yesterday, but not on purpose. I didn't realize that it was after noon before I concluded my message. I would apologize for that, but I'm not sorry that I did it. It was God's message and I believe that I delievered all that I was supposed to say. Nevertheless, I was concerned what our guests thought. I was also concerned what, not only our guests, but what our fellowship thought about some of the things that I said. Did I come across a little harshly? Did I speak the truth in love? If I did come across to harshly, I do apologize for that. If I didn't speak the truth in love I confess that, not only to our congregation, but to God, to whom I am ultimately responsible. I did speak the truth; it was God's Word. But I really didn't mean to sound so arrogant, so brazen, so..... unloving and uncaring. I love people; I love our folks and I love our guests. I'm just so concerned, as God is, about The Truth being contained... keep rightly, in our fellowship and in every church. God forgive me if I did not communicate Your Truth well.
Our grandchildren
Anita and I had the priviledge of "speaking" to our youngest grand-daughter, Abigail Hope, whom we call Abby, this morning. Our oldest son Matthew, our grands dad, had to say home with one of them, Cody, because he has that old bad bug that is going around. Seems that it is sweeping through their home, as it is many of our homes. Anyway, while speaking with Matthew he put Abby on the phone. Abby is about 7 months old. Matt put the phone to her ear and we talked, Abby listened. Then she began to laught and coo and make all those wonderful sounds that babies make. Aren't they great! What a pleasure it was to talk with Abby this morning. We can't wait to see them again. We'll do that as soon a school is out. It will be a trip to Kingsville!
Birthday Parties
We attended two birthday parties this past weekend. We took Micah to "Brother" Jason Nielsen's party at Bayou Divers in West Monroe Saturday. Had a great time there. Yesterday, we went to Lynda Carol Nielsen's party at her home with..... well, everyone it seems. Well, except for Mrs. Shirley and Mr. Samie. Mrs. Shirley had to stay home ill. Bless her heart! Anyway, we all had a great time at the Nielsen's with Lynday Carol. It was also Paul Wells birthday and I understand that they had party in his honor at their home. We didn't get to make that one, although it sure would have been good. Happy Birthday to all of you! And many happy returns.
Baseball Season!
We're going to a Rangers game! Alright!!! Our youth will be making a trip to Arlington on April 6-7. They are going to see the Texas Rangers play the Detroit Tigers at Arlington stadium. Jessie Nielsen is going to make a trip out there with Micah and I to see the game with them. Man, are we excited! Most of the youth will stay in order to go to Six Flags on Saturday. We will be coming back that night, as will some of the youth early the next morning. We have dress rehearsal for the Lord's Supper Saturday night and I must make sure all is ready for that. Some of our youth have a baseball game on Saturday, so they'll be coming in for that.
Yeap, spring is definitely here! Are are we every busy. But, isn't that they way it always is?
Everyone have a great day! Take time for the Lord and tell someone about His Love.
We know that spring is definitely here, because its raining. It's been raining for three days. But such is spring in the south. But, it's good for the land. We'll need the rain for those crops and gardens.....and it will give us something to do....mow our yards. After a long winter we kind of enjoy doing that though, don't we. Everything around us is "greening up." It's beautiful. So, we don't really mind these days of rain because they are good for us. Kind of like some other things that God sends into our lives that we don't necessarily enjoy at the time they are sent, but they are good for us and we come to realize that later on. So, enoy the rain and look forward to those beautiful crops and gardens and green, green grasses of home.
Another wonderful Lord's Day
Despite the rain, we had another great day in the Lord yesterday as we gathered together for worship. Even the crowd wasn't bad considering the weather. As a pastor, I really appreciate our folks braving the elements to come out and be in God's house, as they should. We were graced by the presence of some guests yesterday. I pray that they enjoyed their time with us. A pastor is always concerned about everything being just right and making our guests feel welcome into our fellowship.
The Dilemma of Preaching
Which brings me to another concern. Yesterday, I must admit, I was concerned about how my message (not really my message, but God's message, since it was His Word that I was delivering). After the service I became concerned that I had preached too hard and too long. Most of the time I don't really think about those things. I try to keep my sermons to "just the right lenght." Most of the time that is about 30 minutes. I went a little longer than that yesterday, but not on purpose. I didn't realize that it was after noon before I concluded my message. I would apologize for that, but I'm not sorry that I did it. It was God's message and I believe that I delievered all that I was supposed to say. Nevertheless, I was concerned what our guests thought. I was also concerned what, not only our guests, but what our fellowship thought about some of the things that I said. Did I come across a little harshly? Did I speak the truth in love? If I did come across to harshly, I do apologize for that. If I didn't speak the truth in love I confess that, not only to our congregation, but to God, to whom I am ultimately responsible. I did speak the truth; it was God's Word. But I really didn't mean to sound so arrogant, so brazen, so..... unloving and uncaring. I love people; I love our folks and I love our guests. I'm just so concerned, as God is, about The Truth being contained... keep rightly, in our fellowship and in every church. God forgive me if I did not communicate Your Truth well.
Our grandchildren
Anita and I had the priviledge of "speaking" to our youngest grand-daughter, Abigail Hope, whom we call Abby, this morning. Our oldest son Matthew, our grands dad, had to say home with one of them, Cody, because he has that old bad bug that is going around. Seems that it is sweeping through their home, as it is many of our homes. Anyway, while speaking with Matthew he put Abby on the phone. Abby is about 7 months old. Matt put the phone to her ear and we talked, Abby listened. Then she began to laught and coo and make all those wonderful sounds that babies make. Aren't they great! What a pleasure it was to talk with Abby this morning. We can't wait to see them again. We'll do that as soon a school is out. It will be a trip to Kingsville!
Birthday Parties
We attended two birthday parties this past weekend. We took Micah to "Brother" Jason Nielsen's party at Bayou Divers in West Monroe Saturday. Had a great time there. Yesterday, we went to Lynda Carol Nielsen's party at her home with..... well, everyone it seems. Well, except for Mrs. Shirley and Mr. Samie. Mrs. Shirley had to stay home ill. Bless her heart! Anyway, we all had a great time at the Nielsen's with Lynday Carol. It was also Paul Wells birthday and I understand that they had party in his honor at their home. We didn't get to make that one, although it sure would have been good. Happy Birthday to all of you! And many happy returns.
Baseball Season!
We're going to a Rangers game! Alright!!! Our youth will be making a trip to Arlington on April 6-7. They are going to see the Texas Rangers play the Detroit Tigers at Arlington stadium. Jessie Nielsen is going to make a trip out there with Micah and I to see the game with them. Man, are we excited! Most of the youth will stay in order to go to Six Flags on Saturday. We will be coming back that night, as will some of the youth early the next morning. We have dress rehearsal for the Lord's Supper Saturday night and I must make sure all is ready for that. Some of our youth have a baseball game on Saturday, so they'll be coming in for that.
Yeap, spring is definitely here! Are are we every busy. But, isn't that they way it always is?
Everyone have a great day! Take time for the Lord and tell someone about His Love.
# posted by Bernard Duchesne, Jr @ 9:01 AM 
