Pastor's Blog

I realize that this is Easter weekend and not Thanksgiving.  However, my heart is very thankful as this Saturday draws to a close.  Obviously, I am thankful for the sacrificial death of Jesus and His glorious resurrection.  He lives!

We have had a number of folks serving in recent days as we have continued our “March to Easter.”  The back property was mowed which got it ready for the activities of this morning.  I am thankful to Stan Hatcher for this act of service.

I am thankful to Bro. Benny, Bro. Dale, Bro. Josh and all those folks who helped today with the Sunday School, preschool church, children’s church, and the egg hunt.  Awesome day!  I am thankful to God for giving us a great weather day!

I am thankful to Carl Ray Moulds & John Whalen for preparing the breezeway and front porch for the new carpet.  A like thanks goes to Chris Howell with an assist from Sherry Lavelle for installing the carpet.  Several guys helped this morning with removing some more carpet.  It all looks great!

I am thankful for Danny Lewis preparing and painting the steps in front of the office.  Danny has such a servant’s heart and is always, always willing to serve!  As Bruce Gill put it, “Danny works the night shift!”

I am thankful that Rita Arriola and two ladies who were recently saved in our Spanish service went visiting other Spanish speaking folks and inviting them to our service tomorrow.  Those folks are taking more “ownership” of that ministry which is a God thing.  Amen!

I am thankful that even if I am leaving someone out, God isn’t and that those folks are serving for a greater reward than a mention in a blog entry.

I am posting this quickly as the first game of the Final Four has already begun.  I have refrained from turning the television on so as to not color my thinking.

I think Michigan State and West Virginia are going to win tonight.  However, I have Duke winning in my bracket.

I am pulling for Michigan State.  Why?  Tom Compagner, Karen Foulds, Tim Millard, and the list goes on of the many supporters of GRACE Ministries who are State fans.  Those folks are too good to GRACE to pull against their team.  If it weren’t for that fact, I would be pulling for Butler.  Go State!

Why WVU?  My mama was born in West Virginia and I still have relatives living there.  Jerry West was a star for WVU and I absolutely idolized Jerry West as I was growing up.  His son is on the current WVU team.

Why not Duke?  One word – Duke!  I didn’t like Duke back in 1978 and nothing has changed.

If MSU and WVU make the finals, I project a WVU victory but I will be pulling for State.

Tony Hacker says I better be glad that I am a preacher and not a gambler.  I say “amen” for more than one reason!

*Game One is over and I was wrong.  Congrats to the Butler Bulldogs on their victory.  I hope they win it all now!  Can they?  We’ll see!