Recently, we have noticed that our church members seem to be down. Attendance has been off. People look down and gloomy.
There are various factors which undoubtedly have produced this effect. A new sales tax began on November 15, just in time for the holidays. Already there is talk of increasing the tax from 7% to 10%, and the existing income tax has yet to be repealed or revised. Water and electric bills keep rising at an alarming rate; gas prices are uncertain.
The Lord led me to preach some encouraging messages focusing on spiritual reality rather than on the circumstances that surround. Last Sunday (Dec. 3), I preached on the theme, "God Loves You." The incredible, unfathomable, unmerited, and inexplicable nature of this love cannot help but lift the soul. At the close of the service, about 6 people raised their hands for prayer that they would rise above the difficulties of life to dwell on the love of God.
Today, I preached on Romans 8:1, "No Condemnation." This tremendous truth is due to our being in Christ Jesus. This means we have been forgiven, justified, and transformed by knowing Christ. Our freedom from condemnation is also due to our being liberated from the dominion of sin and death by Christ. It was immensely gratifiying to see people smile and respond positively to the Word. In fact, about 15 people responded in the invitation. Pray with me for the messages in the Christmas season and for the beginning of 2007.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
A Sovereign God
The term Sovereign as it relates to God simply means that He is in control. We have all seen evidence of the same, but Monday, November 27, was a special proof of this fact. First, I must back up to give you an idea of the events that went into the circumstances I will later relate.
On Thursday, November 16, I received a call that Nelson (husband of one of our church members) had suffered a stroke. The following day, he was transferred 2 hours away to the Medical Center in Rio Piedras, PR. We made several visits to be with the family and try to speak to Nelson. Last Sunday (11/26) I had planned to travel to the hospital, but circumstances prevented the journey. So Monday became the fall-back plan.
At 4:00 PM on Monday (11/27) I set off with Efrain on our elders. We arrived ahead of visiting hours, but I was allowed to enter. In the Emergency Room, I encountered a patient who said he was from Ponce and was looking for a ride. I told him to check with his doctor, and that I would take him to Ponce if the doctor agreed.
Nelson was sleeping (sedated), but I read Scripture to him and prayed. Then several other patients asked me to pray with them. I was able to share the Gospel with several of them. About and hour and one-half later, Rafael was released and began our return to Ponce. Efrain and I had opportunity to discuss salvation and many other spiritual issues. He claimed to know the Lord, but has not been living as he should. In fact, he has been fighting drug addiction. We tried to help him see his need to gain full victory over this sin by finding full satisfaction in Christ.
We took Rafael to a rescue mission for addicts, but the director was not available to permit his entry. Rafael told us he had a sister that might give him lodging for one night, so we headed in that direction. No one was home, but a neighbor said he thought that his sister was in her daughter's apartment nearby. He went to the door only to be informed that his sister had died that morning. He was able to be on hand for the viewing and even got transportation to another mission in another town where he had left his documentation.
How great is the sovereingty of our God! He placed us where we needed to be and allowed us to minister to souls in need. Pray for Rafael's full victory over addiction. Pray that if he truly knows the Lord, his life will prove the fact dramatically.
On Thursday, November 16, I received a call that Nelson (husband of one of our church members) had suffered a stroke. The following day, he was transferred 2 hours away to the Medical Center in Rio Piedras, PR. We made several visits to be with the family and try to speak to Nelson. Last Sunday (11/26) I had planned to travel to the hospital, but circumstances prevented the journey. So Monday became the fall-back plan.
At 4:00 PM on Monday (11/27) I set off with Efrain on our elders. We arrived ahead of visiting hours, but I was allowed to enter. In the Emergency Room, I encountered a patient who said he was from Ponce and was looking for a ride. I told him to check with his doctor, and that I would take him to Ponce if the doctor agreed.
Nelson was sleeping (sedated), but I read Scripture to him and prayed. Then several other patients asked me to pray with them. I was able to share the Gospel with several of them. About and hour and one-half later, Rafael was released and began our return to Ponce. Efrain and I had opportunity to discuss salvation and many other spiritual issues. He claimed to know the Lord, but has not been living as he should. In fact, he has been fighting drug addiction. We tried to help him see his need to gain full victory over this sin by finding full satisfaction in Christ.
We took Rafael to a rescue mission for addicts, but the director was not available to permit his entry. Rafael told us he had a sister that might give him lodging for one night, so we headed in that direction. No one was home, but a neighbor said he thought that his sister was in her daughter's apartment nearby. He went to the door only to be informed that his sister had died that morning. He was able to be on hand for the viewing and even got transportation to another mission in another town where he had left his documentation.
How great is the sovereingty of our God! He placed us where we needed to be and allowed us to minister to souls in need. Pray for Rafael's full victory over addiction. Pray that if he truly knows the Lord, his life will prove the fact dramatically.
Medical News
A few of you already know that just one month ago I received disturbing news on the medical front. After experiencing pain in my lower back, I contacted a doctor since it seemed to me that this was more than back trouble. I thought perhaps I had a kidney infection.
The following day, October 27, I went to the Lab and had blood drawn for a full blood screen. That afternoon I returned to find that after a 12 hour fast my blood sugar was at 150 (normal = 80-100), cholesterol was over 240 (supposed to be below 200), good cholesterol (HDL) was very low, and triglycerides were very high.
I decided to take immediate action even though the doctor could not see me again until the following Wednesday. I eliminated fatty foods from my diet and began eating salads. I also began walking twice each day and doing some other exercise.
On Wednesday November 1, I returned to the doctor with the lab results intent on not taking medication. The doctor expressed his concerns over the numbers, but agreed that exercise and diet were the first items to try. When I stepped onto the scale, we found that I had already lost 5 pounds! Good progress in just five days!
Due to the fact that this was the second time I had registered a high sugar mark, the doctor asked me to take a Glucose test the following Saturday, November 4. The initial blood test following the 12-hour fast showed a blood sugar level of 82! Again amazing results after just one week. The sugar went down and in one hour my sugar level was at 267 (uh-oh). After two hours the sugar level should have returned to the 80-100 level, but it stayed at 215.
Diagnosis = I am diabetic!
Looking back I can see evidence of this problem as long ago as 1988 or 1989. I praise the Lord that in 2002 I had stopped drinking carbonated beverages for a variety of reasons or my sugar levels may well have been even higher.
After one month of diet and exercise, I have lost 15 pounds! The Lord is good. No I must be good. I found that at Thanksgiving, though I did allow myself some forbidden items, I did not feel like indulging much. Teresa has also joined me in walking and to a certain extent the diet. She was diagnosed with gestational diabetes while carrying one of our children. She hasn't submitted to any testing yet, but she is taking some steps to improve her numbers just in case.
The following day, October 27, I went to the Lab and had blood drawn for a full blood screen. That afternoon I returned to find that after a 12 hour fast my blood sugar was at 150 (normal = 80-100), cholesterol was over 240 (supposed to be below 200), good cholesterol (HDL) was very low, and triglycerides were very high.
I decided to take immediate action even though the doctor could not see me again until the following Wednesday. I eliminated fatty foods from my diet and began eating salads. I also began walking twice each day and doing some other exercise.
On Wednesday November 1, I returned to the doctor with the lab results intent on not taking medication. The doctor expressed his concerns over the numbers, but agreed that exercise and diet were the first items to try. When I stepped onto the scale, we found that I had already lost 5 pounds! Good progress in just five days!
Due to the fact that this was the second time I had registered a high sugar mark, the doctor asked me to take a Glucose test the following Saturday, November 4. The initial blood test following the 12-hour fast showed a blood sugar level of 82! Again amazing results after just one week. The sugar went down and in one hour my sugar level was at 267 (uh-oh). After two hours the sugar level should have returned to the 80-100 level, but it stayed at 215.
Diagnosis = I am diabetic!
Looking back I can see evidence of this problem as long ago as 1988 or 1989. I praise the Lord that in 2002 I had stopped drinking carbonated beverages for a variety of reasons or my sugar levels may well have been even higher.
After one month of diet and exercise, I have lost 15 pounds! The Lord is good. No I must be good. I found that at Thanksgiving, though I did allow myself some forbidden items, I did not feel like indulging much. Teresa has also joined me in walking and to a certain extent the diet. She was diagnosed with gestational diabetes while carrying one of our children. She hasn't submitted to any testing yet, but she is taking some steps to improve her numbers just in case.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Thanksgiving Praise
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We began with a prayer meeting at 7:00 AM followed by breakfast at 8:00. Many of our church family arrived to share in this and the praise service which followed. Several members had special music prepared, others gave testimony of the Lord's goodness, and two shared a special Thanksgiving reading.
Following this we hurried home to finish preparations for the traditional turkey with all the fixings. Then we packed everything into the van and set off for Tim and Mary Schmidt's house where four missionary families and several singles gathered for a time of food and fellowship.
The day ended rather late, but it was one of the best Thanksgivings we have had since the departure of the Hendrix family. Praise the Lord for His goodness.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Welcome to our family blog
Well, here we are blogging. Our new website is also in production. Look us up at pfamilypr.com, and let us know what you think.
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