Good Morning Church Family,

I was not happy about canceling church yesterday morning. When you are accustomed to going to church almost every Sunday of your life for 50 some years, staying home this past Sunday morning really bothered me. Yes, I read my Bible and talked to God, but it just wasn't the same, not being with my church family.

It was great to have a pretty good crowd out Sunday night. My message was on the influence of Godly fathers. Because of missing our Sunday morning service, some things have changed for this week. First of all, we will be having church elections this Wednesday night (Feb. 28) and Sunday morning (Mar. 4). That way, we can probably have the results for you by Sunday night. The two new elective classes we are planning will start this next Sunday night, but the all-church potluck will be postponed until Sunday, March 11th, one week later. Please make a note of that.

For a thought this morning let's talk about manna. I read a devotional this week that had a little bit of humor about manna so here goes. God provided this wonderful food for the children of Israel everyday. Someone asked if they ever tried getting creative with the manna. Maybe they tried new recipes. Mannawiches, maybe? What if they got even more clever and made it into a loaf, then added berries? Wouldn't that make "Berry Manna-loaf"? Or maybe they were just too busy whining to get creative -- I would make fun of them for it, but I'm afraid there are too many times in my own life when I ask God to provide and then take it for granted when he does. Or maybe some of us whine because we don't get our way.

In Psalm 78 it tells us, "They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God, saying, 'Can God spread a table in the desert?' Yet He gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens; He rained down manna for the people to eat, He gave them the grain of heaven. Men ate the bread of angels; He sent them all the food they could eat. They ate till they had more than enough, for He had given them what they craved. In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of His wonders, they did not believe. Yet He was merciful; He forgave their iniquities."

I'm so thankful our God is a God of mercy. He demonstrated it again and again with the whining Israelites. Even when I am so full of myself and don't even recognize Him and thank Him, He continues to show me mercy. What a mighty and merciful God we serve! I sure do love you, Father. I hope you have a great week serving God.

Till next time, Pastor Don

P.S. Jim Presley is in McLaren Hospital and is having problems with his kidneys. I know he would appreciate your prayers.

P.S.S. Cartoon of the Week: The Friendliest Church


 

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