The emptying of our nest of 4 beautiful children has allowed us to reset our lives by living light for the sake of spreading the Light through the local gospel ministry of the Stillwater Community Chapel. (https://stillwater-chapel.org/) This blog is the musings and ministry of the Wolfgangs as we have gone wherever God leads. May we always live light and in the Light, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
From one office to another...1st Sunday at Weymouth Community Church...sermon post
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I am officially moved from one assignment to another. I find myself in another place of study of God's word. Interesting moving from a building built in the 1890's and a very cozy upstairs office to a building built in the first decade of 2000 and and office that reflects its era. This office came at just the right time to hammer out a new book series sermon on the book of James and also to complete my final paper for another masters online class. Those who have seen my desk before, you can see that I'm in the process of filling this one up!
It was such a blessing to be with this little 6 year old on her birthday. Her father is in the background and she is doing what he was doing at that age. Actually, today marks 15 years ago of the head on accident that Stephanie, Benjamin, and Jason were in. Stephanie and I always take a moment on these anniversaries to be so thankful for God's provision even though it meant some life altering consequences to them.
This is trip #2 just prior to coming to Weymouth and we are thinking we might get in a trip #3 sometime this summer and make the rounds to see all of our children and grandchildren. So another picture from this trip to Illinois is of the other one who was part of this anniversary day and a new development in his life!
This is Ben and Faith. I just can't take my eyes from their smiles. We pray so much for our children to build strong relationships with others who keep them transforming into the image of Christ. What a delightful dinner we had with Ben and Faith!
Onto the next picture and our introduction to Ohio. It seems that Stephanie can find snow wherever we go! Some assignments might not want us to come if this is what follows Stephanie around.
Beyond the reality of leaving sunny, warm Florida, we are so thankful for our living arrangements in the city of Medina, Ohio. We have not lived in an apartment for quite awhile so we are getting used to some new noises. It has also put us in close proximity to others so opportunities are forming to initiate some conversations with our neighbors. Surveying our surroundings, we are definitely the "old folks" of complex Q!
Trip #1 was to see this beautiful family! Our trip to Colorado was part of a Christmas gift to us and it was well cherished.
Trip #3 is coming and I am sure it will yield some more pictures to make this blog complete. We are so thankful to have the opportunities to attend church with our children and grandchildren. It represents the eternal bond we have with each other. What has been started here is pale in comparison to the eternal weight of glory that awaits us as followers of Jesus Christ.
I would say to parents out there, be vigilant to tell your children about Jesus and live a Christ-like before them; be vigilant to provide and offer the opportunities to be around others who truly love Jesus; and be vigilant in prayer for their eyes to be opened and their hearts to be warmed by God into the new birth of salvation.
Here is a panoramic of my new view on Sunday mornings. This new environment also took us into the introduction to a new book to study, the book of James. 35 slides later we completed looking at the author, the audience (original), and when autographed (the date). The way James introduces himself and what he stresses in the very first verse shows us someone who loves God and loves others. I am excited about preaching through this book which will probably take us through the summer. We can not thank those enough who have been praying for us in this ministry and especially for the opportunity of this new assignment.
I heard this phrase today along with another that if you connect a bit of Scripture with a bit of life, it will end up effecting all of your life. This came up in my study of the book of James and specifically the verses dealing with not just being a hearer of the Word but also be a doer of the Word. It is all about application. I can't look at preaching the Word without giving steps of applying the Word. It really is an incomplete sermon if I don't. Many times I think it has to be big and many points and given cute aliteration that makes it snappy and I think easy to remember and fun to write down. Reality is, if I would make it a bit of Scripture connected to a bit of life and just that it would probably accomplish much more. How much time I spend on the opening statement and lame joke and research and introductions and how many points and the closing statement and so little time on connecting the bit of Scripture to the bit of life. So I guess I ha
Another week closer and it involves some more travel for the Wolfgangs. I feel like the Willy Nelson song, " On the road again... " I don't know if I agree with the next line though. " ...I can't wait to get on the road again. " One of the members of the church in Wisconsin calculated that I will travel well over 10,000 miles to make this transition. Traveling mercies prayers please. Last Sunday we will look at Paul's final words to the churches in Galatia. He brought them the gospel (good news) message of Jesus and what resulted were churches forming throughout the region. The letter is to defend that message that our salvation comes from and is in Christ alone. Christ's sacrifice on the cross was sufficient for the forgiveness of our sins. The summary statement of the letter is found in Galatians 6:15 (LSB) . " For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. " Translated another way earlier in Ga
James 4 has brought up some interesting study. First, "the quarrels and fights among you." Those are usually worse than you think even though we try to minimize them. The source is simpler than you think because it is coming from within you. The solution is easier than you think because the solution that James gives is that we need to humble ourselves before the Lord. Any sincere resolution is specific and brief. Beware of lengthy resolutions that usually include explaining it away or excusing some of the behavior. As I have seen before, the words are a sign of the heart. I read this week that if we have a critical heart we usually start by speaking evil of another to ourselves. Then we progress to speaking evil of another to that person with a running tally in our heads of all their wrongs. Finally, we speak evil of another to others and broadcast in a way that we are thinking that we are helping. Giving judgment is always easier than giving mercy. I
Praying for you and Steph in this new ministry! So excited to go through James with you all.
ReplyDeletePraying for you and Steph in this new ministry! So excited to go through James with you all.
ReplyDelete