New Philadelphia News Across the Pastor’s Desk
The problem with a monthly column is that it is hard to be current and relevant. Preachers talk about “tilting at windmills,” which means that it is really no good to say “one more thing,” about items of the news that have already been discussed to the limits by the news media. Of course, the news media rarely invites us to pray. Prayer is not tilting at windmills, and it is certainly not about the show, as true prayer is always between the believer (or believers) and God. I have a pastor friend who once told me that, some years ago, he was shocked to open his eyes at the conclusion of a pastoral prayer on a Sunday and find that he was facing a congregation of people. That, I submit, is true prayer, when the only thing that matters is earnest and direct communication with God. May I suggest a few things to pray about? Pray for those who have come to God, expecting something, only to receive nothing that they can put a finger on. I recently had a friend say to me, “Worth, it may be that we do not understand the events in our life, or the reason that things are as they are, but one thing we can never say is that God does not understand. “ He went on to point out that God knows, and God understands, because, for a time God the Son walked among us, and experience all the trials (and more) that we ourselves must under go. Pray for those who crave justice. It has been said that if you want peace, work for justice. We all pray for the day when “justice will roll down like waters,
BSA Troop 715 News
In recent months we have had three boys earn their Eagle Scout award, Trever Nichols on February 20, Tyler Nichols on May 15 and Javier Cattle on June 16. Kory Pettigrew has completed his project and now must complete the necessary paper work and attend his Board of Review to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Billy Nichols, our Scoutmaster, dedicated seven years of service to Troop 715 and has now moved to our
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24) When all humankind practices the justice that we all want, and the mercy that we all need, then people will be able to live together in peace and harmony, and protests will no longer be necessary. Pray for those who are sick in body and in mind, and pray for those who fight sickness of body and mind. We have all been inspired by those missionaries and medical workers who have put themselves in a hard place for the sake of those infected with the Ebola virus. Health care workers frequently face challenges we cannot always grasp. I recently spoke with a dentist who constantly treats patients suffering serious illnesses and diseases. God watch over him and all health care workers. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (and all her neighbors, present friends and foes alike). Pray for those who wish to restore hope in our world. Pray for the Manus family as they have returned home from a country in turmoil. Pray for all the people of good will who are still at work and in harm’s way in those parts of the world where a comparative few terrorize the many as they seek to win converts to their particular way of life with the sword (IEDs and AK47s). And pray for the families of those who have made so many sacrifices on behalf of freedom. Pray for those who doubt, and want to believe. Pray for all those who share your world. Pray that God will give you and me the desire and the strength to serve Him. Blessings, The Pastor Venture Scouts as an assistant leader. We thank him for his commitment to scouting and his years of service to our Troop. Chris Vestal is our new Scoutmaster. We welcome him into service for our Troop. Chris and the other leaders would like to invite your sons, 11 years of age or entering 5th grade, to join our Troop. If you have an interested boy, please contact the church office for details.