I wish I had an answer for those of you waiting, as we are, for a decision from John and Cristina Grys regarding the vacant position on our staff.I am hoping that I may know something by Sabbath, but we did agree that they would let us know before the end of the month at least.Just keep praying that their pathway will be made clear by God’s Spirit.If they should choose not to come we are pretty much back to the drawing board at this point.I would not welcome that prospect, but I am still willing to wait for just the right match.
By the time you are reading this I will be only 2 ½ weeks away from leaving for Romania.The actual date is April 10, and I will return the evening of the 29th.I will actually leave Bucharest at 1:00 p.m. and will arrive in San Francisco about 7:30 p.m., which is pretty good considering that I will be flying for about 15 ½ hours.Amazing world we live in don’t you think?The funding is coming in.At this point in time I have enough to cover my expenses and just a little more.I hope we can finish with a good push here so that we can leave them enough to finish the outside of the new church.I would love to leave them at least $6,000 before I conclude my work there.
I do want to thank all of you who have been a part of the faithful financial supporters of our church.Last year we had a record tithe of over a million dollars.In addition to that you supported our church budget to the point that we almost broke even for the annual budget and, in fact, did manage to give more than our actual expenses.That is on top of the fact that we have all but paid off the roof expenses.As of today we only owe just over $4,000.There is much more to do, but your faithfulness makes pastoring this church all joy.I know that God has blessed your for that faithfulness as well.Please continue to trust Him as you support His work.
As of our February report we also have about a 10% tithe gain for our first two months.There were some special contributions that came in during the middle and latter parts of 2006 that will be a challenge to keep up with, but if every family that attends were faithful with their tithe I know we would do it again.While the tithe does not stay in Napa we still benefit from it locally and it enables the church to operate on a world wide scale.We are just a small part of the world body, but it is a privilege to do our part.You continue to be such an awesome church!
Ingrid and I have marveled lately as we have watched God work in many different areas.More than ever before we have seen His hand guide, comfort, and strengthen in seemingly miraculous ways.We have been reminded again of the absolute power of prayer, and particularly the power of multiple prayers being offered for individuals.After I return from Romania I want to do a series on prayer.I know we all pray, but I’m not sure that we all know how to maximize our prayers and how to listen for God’s answers.I know that I will grow from the study.I have felt for some time that God wanted me to explore this facet of our spiritual life as a follow up to our study on the Holy Spirit.I would ask that you not only pray for my travel and my evangelism there, but also for experiences and insights and divine guidance as I think about this series.I also promise to bring back pictures of the people God allows me to touch this year.I have literally felt your prayers before.Let me feel them again as I prepare, as I go, and as I come back home to you, our family.
I want to appeal for more of you to engage in the ministry of visitation.We have so many who have to remain at home and in nursing homes.We have others who are discouraged and still others who are new and would love to get better acquainted.Visitation is a fantastic ministry and one that offers great potential for strengthening the body.
On a sad note I need to remind you that there will be a memorial service this afternoon at the Lodi, FairmountChurch for Mel Freund, Peach’s husband.He passed away two weeks ago tomorrow at the Meadows after he struggled with pneumonia and other complications at St. HelenaHospital for a few weeks.Mel had studied for the ministry when he was younger, but never was able to follow through with that formally.These last four years with Peach they were able to conduct several evangelistic series in a variety of countries and he was having the time of his life.It is sad to lose a friend, but it is so wonderful to see him be able to live out his dream in such a remarkable way.Our heartfelt sympathies go to Peach.
I always watch with interest as the stock market fluctuates, as various countries continue to develop nuclear abilities, as men, women, and children are sacrificed in countless numbers for insane reasons in so many places around the world, and as “entertainment” reaches ever increasing lows.I don’t know how long it will be before Jesus returns, but I know that I am ready for it to be today.I love life, but I am truly anxious for Christ to come and show us life everlasting as He intended it to be.In the meantime, we have a message to give.It is a message of hope, assurance, and acceptance by the One who died that we may live.Let’s never forget the bottom line for our existence as a church…GIVE THE GIFT!We have no other calling.And when they come to worship with us…no matter where they are coming from…hold their ropes.You do it so well!
