FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART October 31, 2022

In this modern, high-tech era, there are many times when I wish we could go back to the days of serenity and solitude. I am grateful, as a pastor, for the ability to stay connected to my church family. I want to be accessible to my flock at all times. Yet, there are those moments in all of our lives when we wish we could disconnect from the world and enjoy a respite of some peace and quiet.

Having said that, let me share with you that these “disconnects” can often come at the most inconvenient times. One of the local phone companies is putting in fiber optic cable in my neighborhood. The process included installing a large metal cabinet in the corner of my yard, right at the end of my fence. This will only add to the difficulty of mowing my yard. This happens to be the company with which we have our phone and internet service. Somehow, in this modernization move, they managed to cut the internet service to my home for four days last week. It could not have happened at a worse time, with me scurrying about to get ready for a funeral service on Saturday.

Yet, with the help of the Lord, we were able to complete the necessary arrangements and get things in place for the funeral service on Saturday and for our worship service on Sunday. As advanced as we think we are in the areas of communication and technology, these things are still unreliable. However, the one connection that we can always count on is our prayer link to our Heavenly Father. This “old school” method of communication never fails! We read in 1 John 5:14: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” John continued in the next verse with these words of assurance, “we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” Not only does God always hear and answer, but He never sends us a bill for His services!

Serving in love, Bro. Jim