01
Jan '22

For the Journey – January 2022

Posted on Jan 1, 2022 in General, John |

01
Jan '22

Happy New year Trinity! I am reminded today, as I write this article, that God is moving forward. His promise in the past is His promise for the  future. God has plans for us. His plans include prospering us and not harm us. His plans include giving us hope and a future. I view the timing of hope in a present perfect tense; a past event that carries present benefits. God is faithful in bringing about His design and plan of reconciling the world to Himself.

I so enjoyed our Christmas series, “At Just the Right Time”. To submit our timing to God’s timing is not always easy. However, when we do submit to God’s timing, and look in both directions, we see God’s faithfulness in the past, coupled with God’s empowered assignment for the future. We have a story to tell because People Must Know.

God has blessed Trinity with next step relationships and decisions for future growth and health. We are moving closer to putting our Blessed to Bless commitments in action as we will use a new facility and gathering space for God’s glory. God is honored and we are continually blessed by the faithfulness of Trinity members who have joined the LORD in the ministry ahead of us. It is so rewarding to stop and consider the faithful offerings of Trinity members who have faithfully given to our cooperating effort of reaching others for Christ.

The year, 2021, brought many opportunities for ministry and next steps as it comes to following the LORD. I anticipate that 2022 will be no different as we combine our spiritual giftings and blessings to serve God in our community. To God be the glory, great things HE is bringing our way.

I am excited about our assignment together as a family of faith. God has plans for us that will not only prosper us but will provide the hope and future we desire and that God has planned.

In Christ,
 
 

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01
Dec '21

For the Journey – December 2021

Posted on Dec 1, 2021 in General, John |

01
Dec '21
I love the Christmas story presented in the gospel of John. “And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
 
Christmas is full of symbolism and storytelling. The season of Christmas affords us great opportunities to consider God’s great love for us. We pass along family traditions while considering new ones each year. Traditions may change from daughters to grandsons. But every Christmas brings back fond and cherished memories.
 
We count down the days until Christmas and the giving of gifts as well as counting down the days until we celebrate the birth of Jesus. The celebration of the first advent gives great hope to our anticipation of the second advent to come.
 
Trinity celebrates the Christmas season in many ways. Inside our newsletter, you will find the many opportunities to join with us as we remember and celebrate Jesus’ birth. It is such a blessing to see our faith family together so often. I trust it will be no different this month.
 
In preparing for our Christmas sermon series I have been reminded of God’s timing. At Just the Right Time, we will cover not only the prophecy concerning Christ’s birth, but also God preparing the way; God revealing His favored one; God revealing His faithful one; and God sending Jesus, His Son. We are truly blessed and loved by our heavenly Father.
 
The stage is set, the actors are ready, the choirs rehearsed, and the worship scheduled. Don’t miss any opportunity to be with those who love you in the presence of the One who loves us most.
 
“But from everlasting to everlasting, God’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children, with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.” Psalm 103:17-18
 
Merry Christmas!
 

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01
Nov '21

For the Journey – November 2021

Posted on Nov 1, 2021 in General, John |

01
Nov '21
“I will give thanks to You, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing the praises of Your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:1-2
 
Thank you, Trinity Baptist Church, for appreciating our Ministerial staff so well during Pastor Appreciation month. We were blessed by all your cards and kind words and gracious gifts. It was very rewarding to be on Sabbatical this month and have the opportunity to just sit and think and pray.
 
The LORD opened up a place for me to go and spend quality time resting and reflecting. It was somewhat off the grid with a little electricity from solar panel but no refrigerator. I got to go back to my days of camping with my family and having to keep our food on ice. My routine each day included a bike ride around the property covering portions of loops more than once, allowing me to accomplish over 7 miles each morning. I would sit in the swing on the cabin porch and journal after riding. Never underestimate what can be accomplished by sitting and swinging on a porch.
 
One thing the LORD brought to mind as I was journaling and watching the nature around me was the awareness of squirrels and deer that blended in so well with the landscape. They were very camouflaged but visible. The thought immediately came to mind that we are sometimes so busy, going from place to place and doing this activity and that activity, that we certainly miss some of the landscape around us. Whether that landscape be animals or people, it is worth slowing down and focusing on the moments God places before us.
 
There is no better time to stop and consider all God is doing around us than at this season of giving thanks. I love that November and Thanksgiving precede December and Christmas. We ought to always be grateful and remember God’s love through Christ’s coming. Our calendar puts us in the position to let the world know what we are truly thankful for and to Whom our gratitude is given.
 
It was good to be away. It is even better to be back in Kerrville and anticipating the good God has placed before us as a Faith Family. Find a swing, find a place, where you can sit and see what God is doing. Let’s be thankful together.
 
“But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children – with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.” Psalm 103:17-18
 
We are truly blessed to bless.
In Christ,
 

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01
Oct '21

For the Journey – October 2021

Posted on Oct 1, 2021 in General, John |

01
Oct '21
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2a
 
Eugene Peterson’s book, “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society,” shares timeless truths based upon biblical foundations. The Christian life has been described in many ways. One that seems to resonate with me is that of a race. Track meets hold different events allowing many athletes to compete in their specific fields. I think the endurance events better describe the life of a Christian. It is not a quick race, but rather a strategic and long one.
 
Ranatunge Karunananda was a long-distance runner who represented his country of Sri Lanka. In the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, he was described as the most spirited loser in Olympic history. In the 10,000 meter race, Karunananda was overtaken by the leaders and by the end of the race had been lapped four times by winner Billie Mills from the United States. Karunananda continued to run. At first, he was met by jeers from the crowd as he chose not to quit. Then as he continued to run, the jeers became cheers. As he crossed the finish line there was applause from the entire
stadium for his effort of perseverance and completion.
 
When asked about his running, he responded, “The Olympic spirit is not to win, but to take part. So I came here. I took part in the 10,000 meters and completed my rounds.” Yes, Paul tells us to run in such a way as to win in 1 Corinthians 9:24, but what is the real reward? Is it a ribbon or medal? Or could it be the race itself and the lessons learned in the journey? Paul speaks of training so that when the time comes he is not disqualified for his race. We should also take aim at our effort, but do so with our focus on Jesus who authors and perfects faith.
 
God is blessing our journey together. There are many who are running in the same direction with a long obedience. Thank you for your faithfulness to God’s assignment among us. May we continue to see the blessings of our race together as we give honor and glory to God.
 

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