Mornings

Today I woke up early and God met me in my backyard. I hope this will encourage you to seek God's face. Maybe your backyard is your kitchen't nook. late evenings when all the kids are down or a quiet lunch alone. God, though, will make a place for you to meet with him in your "quiet time."

One of the sort of odd blessings of being "down and out" for a few weeks is my mornings. I'm sitting in my back yard-surrounded by grass, a large grape vine that is almost ready to be trimmed back. There are countless birds hanging out in the trees and my cat is chasing any living thing that moves-or should I say prowling. The temperature right now can't be above 80 with 0 percent humidity. It is downright pleasant. No one else is up and its me and the cat, birds and most importantly the Lord Jesus Christ. By the way-the cat and birds as well as chirping crickets and a few barking dogs only draw me closer to my creator today. My mind is taken to "I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus. . . And wonder how he could love me a sinner. . ." I also think of the verse about creation that so encourages me in my small existence. "I am fearfully and wonderfully made. . ." the Psalmist writes. "Be still and know that I am God." Right now it is awesome knowing God. Seeing Him work---knowing He is the great designer. Knowing he is the Great Savior. Understanding His great personal love that is always consistent and boundless. I honestly know that without surgery I would not have this moment, right now with God. I would have struggled sleeping-ended up sleeping in-then rushed off barely making it to church or school.

Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Selah
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah

So when I looked up "Be still" this is where I ended up. It just started out as normal morning in shut-tin existence. God took me where he wants me to be in His presence. He took me to a place so that I would be still. As a Pastor who has the work of a pastor, preaching and then a job on the side I usually take the philosophy of my devotions are my messages. I'll probably never abandon this totally to some extent. But, this week--I'm meeting God every morning-He's always there. It may take getting up earlier or getting to bed at 9:00 pm or something--but I need this kind of time with God every day. I'm amazed at the need for this quiet morning. Sitting in the office going through my Bible reading would not bring these truths to light in such a powerful way. God's at work-and "early will I seek Thee."

Home and Trying to be "/contented/ with whatsoever state I am"

When I was younger in the minsistry, I would observe some great brothers and sisters in Christ and their journey through various trials. Over the years I have read James 1 and his encouragement to believers in the "fiery trial." I've taught Paul's words from Philppians 4 that read: "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need". But not until this last week have I had to deal with a trial that "I had to rely only upon God." I know that there are many of you that have gone through greater trials than I have. yet dealing with two deaths of the "fathers" in my life was very hard. They were both Godly examples. Finally, though the heart surgery God has put me through a great struggle Not that I haven't had hard things before. But there has been nothing that has made me so reliant upon the Lord than this. The Lord has brought me through various hardships, but none that look you in the face and say--you can't go on one without me. I'm writing to you on this just one week after I was operated on. The surgery was serious. My problem had to be dealt with. Praise the Lord I made it through. Now, for the next six to 12 weeks I will be reliant on God and Sarah, my kids and some of you to carry out the responsibilities that I maintained before. This is God's will. I'll take a another blog to mention prayer (many of you were steadfast in prayer for me). For our church it is God's will that others help more with some of the responsiblities. It is God's will that Trinity Baptist come forth as gold through the trials it is has experienced from death, denial of faith and sickness over this last year. May we grow and walk close with our Lord. May we be be full and abound in Him!!!

Pastor Craig-and his firery trial

Hi everyone,

We sure missed you all on Sunday. Unfortunately I won't be able to be preaching much in the next few months. I'll need God's help for recovery. Yes, I had heart bypass surgery and it was quite an ordeal. The Lord was good and brought me through ok--I'm thankful for his provision of highly trained health care workers that helped me through all of this. The nurses at sunrise were a great blessing and helped through each day with great care. The doctors seemed to know exactly what I needed at the right time. There were many that prayed for me and I could defintely tell that they were making a difference. Even the ambulance driver-who was an old friend prayed for me as he left me at the hospital. What a blessing that was. I'm about to be picked up by Sarah and we'll be heading home. We'll pray for quick recovery. In the mean time I'll be off work, not driving and remaining basically pretty passive here in the next few wees. You all are welcome to come for a visit, though. I'm trusting the Lord in the verse James "the trial of your faith worketh patience." I'm learning alot of that and will in the next few weeks. IN Christ's love. Craig