Pastor's Penpoint - "Freedom From Terrorism (Sin)" - July 2013

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 
John 8: 31-32

Like millions of Americans, the coming of July points my mind to the Fourth of July holiday and what it represents: our freedom as a nation. This freedom is a precious thing and worthy of our introspection and focus on what independence means.

Gratitude without measure wells up in my heart when I consider the brave men and women of the military who, this Fourth of July, will be and are fighting to combat terrorism. These warriors stand in the line of valiant soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, 2 World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, the first Gulf War and on and on. Each of these conflicts - while unique in themselves - shared the common goal of protecting American freedom. Today's battles are no different.

But even as I prize my freedom as an American, I am moved to consider a greater freedom - my freedom in Christ. It is the freedom that comes with being a disciple of Jesus Christ. "If you abide in my word," our Lord declares, "you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32).

This statement was shocking to Jesus' audience. These proud men thought they already had all the freedom they needed by virtue of being "offspring of Abraham" (8:33). Jesus proceeds to point them beyond any national, social or religious freedom they might enjoy to the freedom that comes through His person and work: "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin ... So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (8:34,26). Contrary to what Jesus' listeners thought, they were in bondage to sin and subject to the terrorism it brought.

Even as Christians we can fall to the temptation to trust in other things for our freedom from the tyranny of sin: status, money, food works, associations, etc. But the true disciple finds freedom in Christ and Christ alone. The Fourth of July is a wonderful time to consider our freedom - as Americans and as Christians. Our national freedom is precious, but our freedom in Christ is of infinite worth.

The great hymn writer Charles Wesley was undoubtedly moved by his freedom in Christ when in 1738 he penned this stanza:

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature's night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray -

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

The saving truth that Jesus speaks of in John 8:32 bring ultimate freedom - freedom from sin and death and the devil; freedom from a life of futility and an eternity of wrath. It is freedom from the tyranny of hate and bitterness and cruelty. It is the freedom to love God and neighbor.

May this "Declaration of Independence" be on my lips and in my heart this Fourth of July holiday.

~ Pastor Todd 

Honduras Medical Team - 2nd day of clinic

Kira Griffin reported from Nacaome, Honduras that the medical team treated 440 patients today on their second day of clinic. They will be working in that district of the Honduras UB Church for the remainder of the week.

 

ESL - Watch Your Language - June 2013

Right now we are in such a beautiful season (spring into summer). It is also a beautiful season of life as we continue to learn in our classroom. When we learn English and also learn thing about the gifts from God that we find constantly are given to us, and a glimpse of the even more beautiful life that God has in store for us because we have placed our hope in Him for our future and final destination. It gives us a lot more to embrace as Christians. 

Sometimes our lives area a little crazy especially around this time of the year. Kids are looking forward to getting out of school, gardening, sports and our daily chores along with our daily work away from home, but it is beautiful just the same. When you think about chaotic moments, we can actually realize that God allows this beautiful season to be among us. Yes even chaos. When we look through the craziness and see the goodness and blessing that He has given to us, then we can embrace it and harvest its meaning and serve God alongside of it. I don't know about you, but my house is full of life, I do enjoy the quiet moments that seem rare, but at times it seems so chaotic, then I think of the season, my family is around me, I have been so abundantly blessed. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to shar the English language and share my life experiences, yes even the chaotic ones. We laugh, cry, sing and pray together and this continues to give meaning to life and allows us to serve God in this season - one that continues to grow, blossom and mature till the harvesting season when God will take us to our Eternal reward. Keep watching...............Fonda

Pastor's Penpoint - "Summer Vacation" - June 2013

"So then, each of us shall give account of himself to God." Romans 14:12

Kids cannot wait for the day every year when they can holler as they run out of their classrooms; "School's out!" I know in our home there has been a countdown since Christmas break ended. Whew! Another your over and now freedom looms ahead for a few months of good old summertime.

Not true in the school of life however. School's never out until we take our last breath and cross over into eternity. In every day and every season of life we are sitting in God's classroom. We can choose to learn or we can try to zone out - but we certainly can't play hooky!

An older lady I know wisely said, "God has a reason for everything that happens to us in life, even the bad things. I'm not saying He causes the bad stuff but he sure does use it." She's facing diminishing health as she nears 98 and with it, a loss of independence. She sees it as the Lord's hand teaching her to trust and depend on Him. (From what I know of her, I think she is going to end up with an A+ on her final report card).

So how do you feel at this season in your life? Are you ready for a vacation? Do you wish you could drop out of class? Or, are you excited about your lessons right now? Maybe during this season you're taking your favorite subject and acing all your tests.

No matter what, learn all you can now because when that final bell rings there will be no further lessons - or chances. After that "so then each one of us shall give account of himself to God."

How glad will you truly be to holler, "School's out!"

~ Pastor Todd 

Memorial Day - A Salute to Our Veterans

The worship service yesterday morning at Mt. Olivet concluded at the entrance gates to the cemetery where 43 veterans of war are buried. Two veterans, Dallas Lam and Herbert Lam, read the names as a salute to those who had served our country. The following is a list of those brave men:

Granville F. Crummet
Leon Daggy
Homer L. Fox
J. Lester Grogg
David Gums
Levi Esten Halterman
Charles W. Hiner
Fred O. Hiner
Oakley Holsinger
Ellet Newton Hoover
Ernest W. Huffer
Clarence E. Huffer
Alfred Knott
Grover T. (Tom) Knott
Meddie Lee Lancaster
Victor John Larkenau
Donnie Michael
James Woodrow Michael
Lawrence R. Michael
Paul J. Michael
Robert Michael
Troy Michael
W. L. Michael
James C. Milstead
Dr. D. Morrison
William Moyer
Elsworth Paris
Edwin P. Puffenbarger
Richard Ralston
Claude Rawley
John Rawley
Warren W. Rawley
Wayman Rawley
John Edmond (Ed) Shank
Kirt L. Simmons
R. William Smith, Sr.
Andrew Sprouse
James L. Staubus
Frank Terrance
Ernest Billy Terry
Leroy Toombs
Emory Daniel Wenger
Elmer Zirk

Thank you veterans!

Rest in Peace, Winnie "Granny" Rawley

Winifred VanLear Rawley

(April 15, 1923 - May 24, 2013)

Winifred "Winnie" VanLear Rawley, 90, of Mount Solon, died Friday, May 24, 2013 at Augusta Nursing and Rehab in Fishersville, VA.

Mrs. Rawley was born April 15, 1923 in Augusta County and was the daughter of the late Oney A. VanLear, Sr. and Christine Allen VanLear.

She lived most of her life in the Mt. Solon area and graduated from North River High School in 1941.

She was preceded in death in addition to her parents by Charles Wayman Rawley, her husband of 64 years, Brother and Sister-in-law O.A. VanLear, Jr. (Catherine), Brother and Sister-in-law Lewis Allen VanLear (Charlotte), Sister and Brother-in-law Ethel VanLear Rawley (Claude), Sister and Brother-in-law Margie VanLear Green (Lomo).

She is survived by three daughters, Linda Ann Rawley Lam and Daniel W. Lam, Betty Jean Rawley Lam and Samuel W. Lam, Sandra Kay Rawley Gray and C.H. "Chip" Gray and son John Wayman Rawley.

Also surviving are nine Grandchildren, Kevin Lam, Gregory Lam (Mary), Steven Lam (Sarah), Jennifer Lihos, Kent Lam, Michelle Bradley (Bo), Kimberly Sheffer, Kelinda Feldmeier (Iban), and Allen Rawley.

Eight Great-Grandchildren, Garrett and Elliott Lam, Klaudia Sheffer, Grace and Joel Lam, Avery and Cade Bradley and Kaleigh Feldmeier.

Also surving are a sister-in-law Betty VanLear, sister-in-law Ethel Rawley Trobaugh and brother- in- law Paul W. Rawley (Sylvia) and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be conducted at the Mt. Olivet United Brethren In Christ in Mount Solon at 3:00 PM on Sunday, May 26, 2013 with Rev. Todd Lilley and Rev. Luther Ramsey officiating. Burial will follow at the Mt. Olivet Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 25, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater.

Memorial contributions may be given to Mount Olivet United Brethren in Christ 862 Free Mason Run Road Mount Solon, VA 22843 or Mount Olivet United Brethren in Christ, Cemetery Fund, 862 Free Mason Run Road, Mount Solon, VA 22843.

We will miss you.

Pastor's Penpoint - The "S" Word - May 2013

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification." (1 Th. 4:3)

The Lord has a grand plan for the life of every person, and it can be summed up in a single word: sanctification. If you are scratching your head about what that term means, you are not alone. Many people - even some longtime Christians - do not know its definition. However, believers should see to it that they acquire that knowledge because it's an important word, and it defines them.

In its verb form - sanctify - the term means "to make holy" or "to separate." So when something is sanctified, it is separated from a common use to a sacred one. In the Old Testament, we are told that the Lord sanctified a number of things: He made the seventh day holy, set side the Levite tribe as priests, and even consecrated places like the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle (Gen. 2:3; Num. 3).

The Lord still sanctifies people today. Before a person receives salvation, he is spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1-3). What's more, Romans 5:10 tells us that before we come to faith, we're actually enemies of God. Yet the moment someone trusts in Jesus as his personal Savior, his sins are wiped away, and he is adopted into the Lord's family. That individual is then set apart and a child of God for a sacred purpose. This means believers are not here simply to chase after personal gain. Rather, they are to serve God and bring Him honor and glory.

As members of God's family who are called to reflect His glory, believers are referred to as "saints." This word shares a root with sanctification. We are referred to this way, not because we live sinless lives but because we live a life consistent with the One we represent.

God's grace and blessing, Pastor Todd