Pastor's PenPoint - "Free Indeed" - September 2012

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

We all have memories of childhood that come back to us in our daily lives. Those chance moments that pick us up and hurl us back across the decades when our concerns were more about how to enjoy the final warm days of summer and less about the more adult like concerns that burden us now.

I had a similar memory (but a not so fond memory) of a summer past. It was one of me riding along on my bike, minding my own business when suddenly I would find myself plowing head-long, face=first, into the middle of a large sticky spider web! Man, how I hated that! With arms flailing and lips sputtering, I would attempt to peel off the remnants of what used to be the spider's house. I would wonder if the newly homeless arachnid was now along for the ride, they're little eight legged self creeping along somewhere in the vicinity of my hair!

For some unknown reason, I have found myself very intrigued (again) with spider webs. We have quite a few around the hilltop where we live in Bridgewater. I happened to spot one the other morning as I was heading out for my usual morning walk with our newest family member, "Humphrey Dog". It was still dark and the moon was shining at just the right angle where I could see the reflection of the silk woven web over to my right. As Humphrey was occupied for a moment, I had time to stand and admire its beauty. I was amazed at how perfectly concentric its design was.

A few seconds later, I was stunned, as I watched a very large butterfly come out of nowhere and rapidly plunge head-long into the center of its web. The poor butterfly frantically began to struggle only to get wrapped tighter with each panicky movement. I instinctively dropped the leash and walked over and with both hands, reached in and as gently as I could cupped my palms around the would be victim and slowly pulled it out. I released it into the moonlight and watched as it flew away - a web tatter trailing behind.

 While I walked on, I thought of God's own hands and how they had lovingly reached down into my own web of impending doom. I recalled those web-like sticky fibers of sin that had wrapped themselves around my mind and heart so tightly, just waiting for me to die a slow death. I desperately tried to free myself from the bondage of sin, but could not. He came along at just the right moment and cupped his palms around me and set me free.

As the redeemed in Christ, we are that butterfly and we now soar in new found freedom, knowing full well just what we have been rescued from. We rejoice in the liberty that He has given by way of our salvation. The very same hands that were nailed to a cross, lovingly reached down into our own web of sin and forever set us free.

We still fly close to the web sometimes ... but He understands how we so readily fall prey to the enemy of our soul, and He longs to release us from the entanglement of sin. May we learn to stop trying to release ourselves, and let Him reach down and set us free.

~Pastor Todd
 

Big Laurel, KY

A group of 27 from Mt. Olivet traveled to Big Laurel, KY Aug. 11 - 16 to work on a house for a disabled man in that community. The group consisted of people from age 9 months through 70 years. The 6 teens were able to join the local teens for their weekly youth meeting. Besides the house construction, other work was done at the thrift store and at Living Waters Christian School. All 27 were also able to trek to the top of the mountain on 4 wheelers to see elk and horses and to do a little mud bogging. They worked hard and played hard.

 Pictures of the house construction will be added as they become available. There were a couple of camera casualties.

Elderly Visited by the Youth

Recently 17 of the Mt. O youth visited 2 of our elderly in 2 different retirement homes. They shared the lesson they learned that morning at church, sang some songs, then each shared something about themselves.

 

Pastor's Penpoint - "Not Gone With the Wind" - August 2012

The weather patterns over the last year or so have been amazing. They shift and change ... well, like the wind! For example, over the last 12 months, those of us here in the Shenandoah Valley experienced an earthquake, an almost snowless Winter, reports of tornadoes, 6+ inch rains, record hot temperatures, and most recently, a derecho (pronounced, deh-RAY-cho). This is a new word for most of us. It means "a widespread, long-lasting wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms. Although a derecho can produce destruction similar to a tornado (my crippled trampoline and mangled roof can attest to that) the damage is typically directed in one direction along a relatively strait swath." Certainly in my lifetime, I have never experienced of such velocity and destruction as we saw on Friday evening, June 29th.

Some folks believe these changes in weather patterns signify the beginning of the end of the world; some of course believe they are a result of global warming.  I will not begin to pretend I am smart enough to agree or disagree with either conclusion. All I know for sure is that I do not know anything for sure anymore. I can no longer trust that the Valley will be shielded from extreme weather conditions. That being the case, I won't be complacent when I hear a weather forecast for high winds and severe storms. Being prepared with flashlights, batteries, water, etc. seams only reasonable. I will stay alert and be prepared, but ... I will not be panicked! I will continue to live each day fully and will not sit around in fear of a future storm.

Both Jesus and Paul encourage us with similar words in regard to our faith, "Be alert, stay awake, watch and wait." We always need to be ready for the in-breaking of God's presence in the world. But we should not allow that to summon complacency or fear, both of which can leave us powerless and useless.

Despite the unexpected storms (literal and figurative) in our lives, we are to continue on each day in full confidence as we strive to make God's kingdom a reality, "On earth as it is in heaven."

So take heart, and the shield of the Lord as you go forth boldly to serve our King! Now ... if I were a trampoline, where would I be.

~ Pastor Todd

The Crestmen - July 29

The southern gospel quartet, the Crestmen, will be singing during our morning worship next Sunday, July 29, at 10:30am. Find out more about them at their website, or find directions to Mt Olivet here. The service will be followed by a covered dish meal in the social hall. Come join us!

                                           

Quinceañera

Ana Ortega celebrated her 15th birthday with the traditional Quinceañera ceremony. It began with a service at Mt. Olivet with friends and family and Pastor Todd officiating. Pictures were taken afterward. Then off to the park in the limousine for more pictures. The remainder of the day and evening were spent at the Weyers Cave Community Center celebrating with food, gifts, music and more traditional ceremonial activities. Congratulations, Ana!

Medical Mission Team

The UB medical team left the Mt. O parking lot at 12:01 this morning for Danlí, Honduras. They were a bit sleepy, but excited. They met the remainder of the team in Houston and arrived safely at their destination at around 4:30 this afternoon. Please pray for their good health and energy as they treat thousands of patients this week.