Message
From
Pastor Warren Huddleston
This Week at Providence
Weekly Message
“Well, Excuuuuuuuuse Me!”
Doesn’t it just drive you crazy when you have your whole day planned—it’s the weekend and you’re going golfing or shopping, maybe you’re just going to lay on the sofa and read a book or you’re taking the kids for a walk and are halfway out the door—and then the phone rings? You know if you answer it you may have to change your plans, you’ll be late getting back to what you were going to do…or you may never get to do what you planned!
What I have discovered is this: God is in the interruptions in our lives. I’ll have my day planned out with meetings, visitations, planning, sermon writing, phone calls and email, the phone may ring and all my plans will change because someone is having surgery, someone needs to meet with me or there is a crisis in a family. Though I am sad for the circumstances, I am happy to be interrupted because I know I am needed by the family of God to be His hands and feet.
Even Jesus had interruptions in his ministry! The very first miracle Jesus performed came about because His mother interrupted Him at a wedding to ask that He change water into wine, even though Jesus thought it was not yet time for His ministry to begin. (John 2:3-4) On the way to heal a girl, a woman interrupted Him so she would be healed. (Matt. 9:18) Ten lepers came to him while he traveled to Jerusalem (Luke 17:11), and men broke through a roof while he taught in a home. (Mark 2:1-5) Even Jesus’ dying moments were interrupted by the criminals being crucified to His right and left as one mocked Him and the other begged for mercy. (Luke 23:39-42)
If our Lord and Savior took time for those who interrupted His ministry, surely we can look around us and stop to be His servant when there is a need. There are so many opportunities to serve! You can: get hooked on The Net-Children’s Ministry, feed the homeless on August 16th, be an usher or greeter, help clean up on Wednesday nights—there’s something for everyone. When we view service as an opportunity rather than an interruption, we are blessed to be a blessing!
Your brother in Christ,
Warren
Monthly Message
“God of another Chance”
August is a time of new phases—vacations are coming to an end and sports are starting up again along with school. Our kids may be starting school for the first time, moving up to middle or high school or going away to college. For adults in the church family, this is a time to look at what Bible study or class we’d like to commit to for the fall or for the school year. On August 2nd there is a bulletin insert listing many classes that are available this fall—check it out and decide where you want to participate. Wednesday Night Suppers and children’s choirs begin August 19th—if you have not made church a habit for a mid-week spiritual and emotional boost, please prayerfully consider making this a priority for your family. Years from now our kids won’t miss the sports practices they went to—but they may feel the void of not being better connected spiritually.
As we get ready for another school year to start, it reminds me of how excited I was when I was in elementary school at this time of year. I loved getting new pencils and paper! These days, kids are probably more excited about new calculators, computers, and deciding what new clothes they will wear. But no matter what excites us, it’s always good to know that we have another chance to start over with a clean slate.
Our God is a god of second chances! Whether we have just found Him, or have come back to Him after turning away, He loves us just the same. If we want to make a fresh start in our lives—study harder, more exercise, better diet, serving others, growing spiritually—our loving God in heaven is the only One who can help us by giving us the strength to take that first step toward becoming a new person in Him.
Your brother in Christ,
Warren