Most of of have heard of Joel Osteen and not a few of us have a rather negative opinion of his "prosperity gospel".  Here is a short video clip that may astound you. 

Apparently, Joel is advocating that his congregation cease eating unclean foods!  Yes, you can see it coming directly from the horse's mouth!  Perhaps this is an indictment of ourselves.  If we aren't spreading the health message, God might have others pick up the mantel. 

Joel Osteen is Senior Pastor of the largest church in America, Lakewood Church in Houston, TX.  Lakewood has a weekly attendance of 43,500.  That is the equivalent of the attendance at many Bengals games in Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati!

This image below comes from an interesting article in Newsweek.  Note the logo at the top.  You can see the article here:  http://www.newsweek.com/2011/04/10/how-to-live-forever.html.

How to Live Forever

1 Corinthians 13:4 – 7 explains what true love is.  God’s love, the love He wants us to have for one another.  But, is it possible in our human nature to have that kind of love? Let’s look at this verse by verse.  Its OK, put the remote down for a few minutes, silence the entertaining voice on the radio and just sit back and contemplate on these words.

Verse 4:  Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Breaking it down . . . Love is patient.  Pretty cut and dry there, or is it?  I have patience when it comes to Roger and his new walk with Christ.  It didn’t come naturally, as our sinful nature will not promote; but it came through hours of prayers and words of encouragement from Brother Ross Collins, a mentor to be sure.

Now, the part where patience fails me:  After being separated from my husband throughout the work day, I am so impatient to be with him again.  After our goodbye kiss in the morning, I am impatient for the next time we meet; a healthy mixture of patience and impatience.

Next, Love is kind.  This can be a feeling or pure principle.  When my feelings have been hurt, as happens in all marriages, the natural reaction would be to act in an unkind manner to Roger, to hurt him as well.  But that is not what God wants.  I, as a wife, have to go on principle at this point.  Even though you have hurt me, I will be kind.  I will see you through God’s eyes.  I will choose to be kind to you.  Take it from me, it does wonders for the soul!

Third on the list of love attributes; it does not envy.  I am guilty of envy.  I envy the feeling that Roger has concerning God.  He is a new believer, he is excited, he is on fire.  Wait!  Did someone strip that emotional right from me, make it impossible for me to feel the same way?  NOT AT ALL!  I have started a new relationship with Christ as well!  A new marriage, a new covenant, to God and to my husband.  I am on fire as well!  Envy removed!

The next two I am going to address together, it does not boast, it is not proud.   I can tell you that in the context as most people read that part of the verse, I have broken both of those.  I am as proud as a peacock (where did that statement come from anyway) of Roger and his accomplishments.  He has come so far!  I am not saying Roger was a bad man before; no, he was misguided.  Roger has allowed God to work in his life and take away so much baggage with which Satan had burdened him.  As far as boasting . . .  every chance I get I boast . . . . on the power of God to change a person’s heart!

Well my friend, I see you adjusting in your seat, maybe your cell phone rang or the dog needs to go out for a walk.  So we will adjourn for now.  I hope to see you next time for verses 5 – 7.  Until then, may God bless you and keep you under His wings.

On Sabbath February 12th, the Social Committee sponsored a “Renewal of Wedding Vows” for those married couples who wanted to re-dedicate themselves to their spouse.

The event turned out be a big success as there were 13 couples who signed up to renew their vows. Unfortunately one couple was unable to attend due to illness, but the remaining 12 couples participated in the ceremony held during the main service.

Couples ranging from 57 years of marriage to just less than one year of marriage lined up and repeated after Pastor Hal and Mrs. Ward as Pastor Hal Ward conducted the ceremony and pronounced all the couples “Husband and Wife” once again. Thanks again to all those who were so giving of their time and of their money to make this event a success.

Who else is sick of winter? Usually, I love the snow… this year, I am really sick of it. Thank goodness for the Sabbath to help me think about the wonderful time we will all have together in the heavens and new earth with our Lord! It will be like an endless vacation… I can’t wait, can you? Come Lord Jesus!

I think it’s about time to get this ugly winter theme off the website. How about a nice spring theme?