Post Falls and Poor Pastor Jim

Pastor Jim went to Post Falls, Idaho, without me! He said he was going to take me but he might have to pay for an extra seat for me on the airplane (He is still mumbling about what cheapskates the airlines are now and how all that he got to eat was a bag of peanuts!).

Still, I would have liked to have went. They, Mr. Musgrave and Pastor Jim, went to help build a church building for a new church that started there. I guess it was an exciting time; but when Pastor Jim returned eight days later, he didn't look all that excited. He looked pooped. For over a week, he complained about “every muscle in this body” aching. I asked him why he went if he knew the work was hard?

“Bear,” replied Pastor Jim, “there can be great joy – inter-joy, when you are working very hard for the Lord.” Pastor Jim paused for a moment and continued, “The people that make up this new church and their missionary-pastor found encouragement and hope when their Brother and Sisters in Christ are will to work hard for the Lord. The Bible teaches that '...whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Col 3:23)

After our talk, Pastor Jim said he wasn't going to complain anymore because he had worked for the Lord and should be happy. God had given him a healthy body and a the chance to do a good work – and that is the Bear Truth.

Campfires, Rollercoasters, and Jet Planes

I asked Pastor Jim what was so great about vacation if you didn’t do anything exciting. I mean why didn’t we go mountain climbing or why didn’t we go ride the rollercoasters? What was so great about watching the sunset by a campfire and watching a sunrise with a strong cup of coffee?

He said that rollercoasters can be fun but that this vacation was about slowing down and giving attention to some of small wonders of life. For example, he pointed to the sky and a jet plane flying thousands of feet above us. “Bear,” he said, “We see these jets everyday but today I seen God at work in his church?” Now, I was confused. “Today, because I have slowed down and relaxed, I was able to marvel at all the different parts and pieces that make that plane fly so smoothly across the sky. The church is like that too. It takes all the members doing as God gifted them to keep the church moving smoothly.”

I had to think on that for a minute or two as we watched the plane disappear into the clouds. The church should work as smoothly as a jet flying across the sky and all her members must function in unity. And that is the Bear Truth.

Bear goes to church

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. - Psalms 122:1

With the arrival of summer (Officially starting June 21st), many will answer the call of the sun and make their way to vacation activities. Bear Truth has no problem with vacations or the enjoyment of summer but he does worry when people put recreation before worship.

Do as bear does, always take the time to gather with the people of God and give the honor and glory the Lord is worthy of on the Lord’s Day. It may surprise you to find that the joy of summer can be found in the presences of the Lord.