It's hard for me to believe that I have already been in Kingsley for two years. A lot has happened during those two years. We have made many new friends. I have preached about 100 sermons. And since I believe that God's Word is the most powerful force on earth, I believe that that preaching has had an impact for good and for the advancement of God's kingdom. Also during the past two years my family and I have faced loss. My dad died just a few months back. We miss him greatly. He was the patriarch of our family. His wisdom and love were of great value to us. We know that he has gone to his eternal home with Jesus Christ, and that makes it all bearable. However, we expect to face an additional loss in the near future. At present, Cindy's dad is declining. We believe that this will be his last year on earth. But we have also received new life in our family. Amelia, my oldest daughter, just gave birth to my first grandchild, Chloe Grace. She is so beautiful. She makes my heart joyful.
The last two years have seen other significant changes. During the past two years, our country has experienced great economic difficulties. Unemployment and job losses are worse now than at any other time since the great depression of the 1930's. What's more, the most educated leaders of the land simply don't seem to have any answers or solutions to the mess we're in. We have seen one stimulus plan after another. But when all is said and done, we just seem to end up in a deeper hole. The unemployment remains, and the debt grows. I for one believe that God will not honor or bless the present attitude that says, “Yes we can!” Human pride is a formula for failure. We need to be saying, “We need the Lord!” When we honor God, then he will honor us.
In spite of the economic trials in America, we are delighted that our oldest son Ben landed a wonderful job in Richmond, Virginia, after graduating from Duke University. We prayed incessantly that our Father in heaven would be gracious to Ben. Many recent graduates simply can't find work. But God answered our prayers, and Ben is employed. Our other children have found great friends in the community. We are very thankful to say the least.
Two years have passed since we have come to Kingsley. Through all of our ups and downs, we have been reminded of two things. First, life without God is hopeless and without meaning. We are very needy and he is very powerful. Secondly, our God loves us and constantly gives grace and favor. The reason is simply that He is our Father. What an absolutely amazing thing! The God who made all things and holds the universe in His hands is our Father! He loves us infinitely more than we love our own children. I am not a perfect father. He, on the other hand, is the perfect Father.
My hope is that we will have many more years at Kingsley United Methodist Church. My prayer is that the kingdom of God will come and grow in ways that we can't even imagine. I love you all. Pastor Gary.
It's hard for me to believe that I have already been in Kingsley for two years. A lot has happened during those two years. We have made many new friends. I have preached about 100 sermons. And since I believe that God's Word is the most powerful force on earth, I believe that that preaching has had an impact for good and for the advancement of God's kingdom. Also during the past two years my family and I have faced loss. My dad died just a few months back. We miss him greatly. He was the patriarch of our family. His wisdom and love were of great value to us. We know that he has gone to his eternal home with Jesus Christ, and that makes it all bearable. However, we expect to face an additional loss in the near future. At present, Cindy's dad is declining. We believe that this will be his last year on earth. But we have also received new life in our family. Amelia, my oldest daughter, just gave birth to my first grandchild, Chloe Grace. She is so beautiful. She makes my heart joyful.
The last two years have seen other significant changes. During the past two years, our country has experienced great economic difficulties. Unemployment and job losses are worse now than at any other time since the great depression of the 1930's. What's more, the most educated leaders of the land simply don't seem to have any answers or solutions to the mess we're in. We have seen one stimulus plan after another. But when all is said and done, we just seem to end up in a deeper hole. The unemployment remains, and the debt grows. I for one believe that God will not honor or bless the present attitude that says, “Yes we can!” Human pride is a formula for failure. We need to be saying, “We need the Lord!” When we honor God, then he will honor us.
In spite of the economic trials in America, we are delighted that our oldest son Ben landed a wonderful job in Richmond, Virginia, after graduating from Duke University. We prayed incessantly that our Father in heaven would be gracious to Ben. Many recent graduates simply can't find work. But God answered our prayers, and Ben is employed. Our other children have found great friends in the community. We are very thankful to say the least.
Two years have passed since we have come to Kingsley. Through all of our ups and downs, we have been reminded of two things. First, life without God is hopeless and without meaning. We are very needy and he is very powerful. Secondly, our God loves us and constantly gives grace and favor. The reason is simply that He is our Father. What an absolutely amazing thing! The God who made all things and holds the universe in His hands is our Father! He loves us infinitely more than we love our own children. I am not a perfect father. He, on the other hand, is the perfect Father.
My hope is that we will have many more years at Kingsley United Methodist Church. My prayer is that the kingdom of God will come and grow in ways that we can't even imagine. I love you all. Pastor Gary.
It's hard for me to believe that I have already been in Kingsley for two years. A lot has happened during those two years. We have made many new friends. I have preached about 100 sermons. And since I believe that God's Word is the most powerful force on earth, I believe that that preaching has had an impact for good and for the advancement of God's kingdom. Also during the past two years my family and I have faced loss. My dad died just a few months back. We miss him greatly. He was the patriarch of our family. His wisdom and love were of great value to us. We know that he has gone to his eternal home with Jesus Christ, and that makes it all bearable. However, we expect to face an additional loss in the near future. At present, Cindy's dad is declining. We believe that this will be his last year on earth. But we have also received new life in our family. Amelia, my oldest daughter, just gave birth to my first grandchild, Chloe Grace. She is so beautiful. She makes my heart joyful.
The last two years have seen other significant changes. During the past two years, our country has experienced great economic difficulties. Unemployment and job losses are worse now than at any other time since the great depression of the 1930's. What's more, the most educated leaders of the land simply don't seem to have any answers or solutions to the mess we're in. We have seen one stimulus plan after another. But when all is said and done, we just seem to end up in a deeper hole. The unemployment remains, and the debt grows. I for one believe that God will not honor or bless the present attitude that says, “Yes we can!” Human pride is a formula for failure. We need to be saying, “We need the Lord!” When we honor God, then he will honor us.
In spite of the economic trials in America, we are delighted that our oldest son Ben landed a wonderful job in Richmond, Virginia, after graduating from Duke University. We prayed incessantly that our Father in heaven would be gracious to Ben. Many recent graduates simply can't find work. But God answered our prayers, and Ben is employed. Our other children have found great friends in the community. We are very thankful to say the least.
Two years have passed since we have come to Kingsley. Through all of our ups and downs, we have been reminded of two things. First, life without God is hopeless and without meaning. We are very needy and he is very powerful. Secondly, our God loves us and constantly gives grace and favor. The reason is simply that He is our Father. What an absolutely amazing thing! The God who made all things and holds the universe in His hands is our Father! He loves us infinitely more than we love our own children. I am not a perfect father. He, on the other hand, is the perfect Father.
My hope is that we will have many more years at Kingsley United Methodist Church. My prayer is that the kingdom of God will come and grow in ways that we can't even imagine. I love you all. Pastor Gary.
