The church office will be closed in observance of Labor Day.

No matter how much I want to avoid it – it is becoming increasingly obvious.  I’m getting old!  Oh, I know that age is a relative thing.  But I still like to think that it was just recently I graduated from dear old Daniel Webster High.  But, as my mail keeps reminding me, my 25^th college reunion is this fall.  If that’s not bad enough, Rheadon is picking at the back of my head saying, “Huh, I think you may have your dad’s head of hair, looks bare back here.”  And on top of all that, our youngest child turns 20 this week.  It does cause one to stop and think.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what is important and what really matters.  While career and achievement are important after all, we are to do all for the glory of God, thus excellence is a reflection on the God we worship and serve.  Faith, family and relationships are of supreme importance.  Nothing can be of greater importance than our commitment and devotion to Christ.  Our loving devotion to the Savior ought to dominate our thinking, our choices and our actions in every other sphere.  Second, our commitment to our families must take priority over career and personal achievement.  Nothing gives me greater joy then when our grown children want to spend time with us.  That is something wealth, prestige and position cannot buy and I would gladly take that over the trappings of power and influence.  I’m not saying you cannot excel in your career and have a happy family – I’m talking about the aim of your life.  I’m talking about what matters to you.  I would have to add to faith and family meaningful relationships.  I’m thinking particularly within the church.  I’m grateful for the deep, abiding relationships that grow out of my being part of the church.  My dearest friends are those with whom I’ve wept and prayed, celebrated and rejoiced while seeking to grow into the likeness of Christ.

Forgive my ramblings.  It was just on my mind and I thought I would indulge my mind while I still have one!  I’ll see you Sunday.

                        Rod

Wednesday evening meals will start again on September 5. Sign-up sheets will be available Sunday or you can call the church office. Dinner for an individual adult? $4.00. Age 6-youth? $2.00. Children under 6? Free. Maximum cost per family? $10.00. Fellowship around the table? Priceless!

We’re off! A new church year has begun and things are going well. Todd Cochran, our new Sunday School Director has set a meeting to this Sunday evening, September 16, to meet with all teachers and directors. We hope to work on several projects in the months to come. Our desire is to strengthen our Bible teaching and reaching ministry. We hope to offer some teacher training, make sure our teachers have the resources needed and to offer support throughout the whole organization. When you pray for our church don’t forget to pray for Todd and all of our Sunday School workers.

Our new building and grounds committee will also be meeting this next Sunday to look at some critical needs around our buildings. We are in the process of updating and taking care of some long neglected needs of the youth house. Thanks to Terry Rutledge for heading up that project. In addition we have some work to be done on the property where the other house was removed and it’s time to start considering replacing the roof of the Worship Building. A number of decisions will have to be made in the near future. Pray for the building and grounds committee and pray that we would be wise stewards of our funds.

The women’s retreat in Dallas is just around the corner and Keenager Choir is back in the loft on Sunday evenings at 5:00. There’s a lot going on in addition to our gathering for worship twice on Sundays and then on Wednesday evening. I hope that you will take advantage of all the opportunities for worship and service. I’ll see you Sunday, Lord willing.

Rod

Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed? Do you ever have those times when it seems that God just gets hold of your mind and heart and drives something home to you? That’s what Sunday was for me. It just seemed everything was aimed at my heart. The Sunday School lesson, the services, the music, conversations before and after services. It all seemed orchestrated. It’s funny, I studied all week. I worked for several hours again on Saturday. My lesson was ready. Both sermons were firmly fixed in my mind and heart. And yet in the midst of the messages I got new insight and it seemed repeatedly I heard the whisper, “That’s for you.”

Now, that could be very discouraging. I mean Sunday morning’s message was a call to personal holiness while Sunday evening was about the need for reformation or revival. It’s not that I’m living a “double life” and have some great sin for which I must atone; the danger is more subtle than that. It is the reminder that you can be outwardly clean, busy about spiritual things and your heart be completely removed. It is that you can “do church” and yet not be attentive to the needs of others; insensitive to what is going on around you; and neglectful of fellowship. I didn’t sleep well Sunday night. I got up early this morning. I’m still thinking things through. I’m grateful for the discomfort. It means there’s still hope.

Father,
Thank you for the sting of conviction. Thank you for loving me enough to prick my conscience and reminding me of the wickedness of my heart. Grant grace today Father to not ignore your pleading and yield to your hand of correction. Amen.
I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

Let me encourage you to mark your calendars and begin making preparations now for our Fall Renewal Conference October 14-17 with Paul Burleson. Paul is a great Bible teacher and conference speaker. He pastored the Southcliff Baptist Church in Fort Worth for a number of years and has had an extensive ministry through the seminary and impacted hundreds of seminary students through the years. Following his pastorate in Fort Worth, Paul was pastor of the First Baptist Church in Broken Arrow. We will of course begin with our regular service on Sunday morning the 14th and then services Sunday evening through Wednesday will begin at 6:30 pm. As a special treat Paul will be speaking Monday through Wednesday at a noon meeting. We will have a light lunch and then he will teach a series on the “Tabernacle in the Wilderness.” We’ll meet from 11:30-1:00. I know that you will be blessed, encourage and challenged. This will be a great opportunity to invite family and friends.

Also, don’t forget to pray for the ladies who will be attending the conference this weekend in Dallas. Let me take another moment to congratulate Darla Hall on her award this past Sunday afternoon. The Southwest Tulsa Chamber of Commerce awarded Darla their first ever, Lifetime Achievement Award. Darla was recognized for her tireless devotion to Southwest Tulsa and her service to the community. Congratulations Darla and thank you for all you’ve done.

I’m looking forward to our being together again this coming Lord’s Day. I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

Ladies, let me encourage you to attend the “Revive Our Hearts Conference” September 28-29, 2007 in Denton, Texas. The speaker is author and syndicated radio host Nancy Leigh DeMoss. This is a great opportunity to be challenge, encouraged and strengthened in your faith. For more information see Kelly Mills.