There are some things in the truth of God that, quite frankly, make the head ache if you think about them for very long! For instance, try to really get your mental arms around the biblical teaching regarding the Trinity. God is three personages and yet one Being. Each person of the Godhead is fully God and equal with the others, and yet they are distinct. That is hard stuff! Read more…
Posted on February 1st, 2010 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
I try to have a theme. The teaching ministry at Elim largely goes through books of God’s Word verse-by-verse, but as we go through those times together, a theme for each book usually connects those studies. In counseling there is an attempt to work on one area at a time, and that gives a theme to the sessions (that is not always easy). And most certainly there has been a repeated effort to let each year’s collection of newsletter cover articles revolve around a helpful (I hope!) theme. Read more…
Posted on January 1st, 2010 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Would you believe that CNN ranked Branson, Missouri, as one of the top “Christmas destinations” in the world? It’s true. In large part this was because of the elaborate display at the place that put the formerly small Missouri town on the map, Silver Dollar City. During the Christmas season (which they begin on November 1) the 1880’s themed park decorates and dazzles with a five-story high special effects Christmas Tree and an all encompassing light-and-sound show on the “Town Square.” It is all timed to traditional Christmas music with the pinnacle being a synchronized lights and music presentation of “The Hallelujah Chorus.” In all, Silver Dollar City alone boasts over 4 million lights during their Christmas celebration! Read more…
Posted on December 1st, 2009 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
I expect the world to be sinful. Any proper reading of God’s truth and any genuine theology will always lead us to an understanding that God’s assessment of sinners in Genesis 6:5 (the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually) continues to be accurate. However, I was caught off guard recently by an avenue of wickedness and persecution of the truth that I had not witnessed in days past. Read more…
Posted on November 7th, 2009 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Our worship services are the highlight of my week just about every week! The reasons for this are likely many, and they would range from the enjoyment of watching the people of Elim interact, to the seriousness of knowing we are handling the Word of God together. And among the many “things” of our services that I appreciate, the offertories (the music played as an offering to the Lord as the monetary offerings are being collected), those offering times are right near the top of the list. Read more…
Posted on October 1st, 2009 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Throughout his writings the apostle Paul established a terrific example. He would almost always (after giving a few words of greeting) begin his epistle by laying out a solid doctrinal foundation, often spanning chapters, and then he would build upon that foundation with practical advice for living. It is a great example as it recalls to our minds the fact that doctrine is relevant and real. In other words, it matters. Read more…
Posted on September 1st, 2009 by Janet
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
While considering the various trials of our church fellowship recently, I was reading through some sermons written a generation or so ago. Within one of those messages a story stuck out to me as being particularly poignant. It was set during the Great Depression of the 1930s, and told of a godly Christian man who lost his job, exhausted his savings and eventually had to forfeit his home. But that was not the worst of his trials! His grief was multiplied exponentially by the sudden death of his precious wife. He was brought to the point where the only thing he had left was his dependance upon his Lord—and his ability to find comfort in that was weakening. Read more…
Posted on July 1st, 2009 by Janet
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
Recently I was flipping through one of my (largely unused) books of illustrations, quips and quotes. As I read through the various items, there were those that made me smile, those that made me wince, and a few that made me wonder why I had purchased that particular book! However, I did find a little nugget that made me both smile and reflect on a conversation I had earlier in the week. Here is what I found: Read more…
Posted on June 1st, 2009 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
My mind boggles a little bit when I realize that I have been writing this monthly column for almost eleven years! With the exception of the two months that I missed because of surgery, it has been my privilege to have this little “extra sermon” come to you on a regular basis.
Frankly, I am surprised that it is still such a delight to me. Now, notice I did not say it is a delight to you! But, I trust that might be the case as many of you take the time to mention how this or that particular writing has been a help to you or to someone with whom you have shared. Read more…
Posted on May 1st, 2009 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen
We share a common pitfall.
By “we” I mean this pastor and almost every one who will read this brief article. And by “pitfall” I am referring to a common practice that is less than accurate or honest. It is our tendency to take the sum of whatever trials we might be facing and link them, somehow, to the proverbial and enduring legacy of the patience of Job. Not, mind you, that we are seeking to demonstrate his patient dependence upon God, but rather that we think our difficulties somehow equate to what he endured. Now THAT’S a big stretch! Read more…
Posted on April 1st, 2009 by Pastor Larry
Filed under: From the Pastor’s Pen