Cast Your Cares on Him

Posted on May 15, 2016 by pastorpstephens

I spent a couple of hours knocking doors in a neighborhood near the church the other day.  In my estimation it was time well spent.  I was able to meet some new people, invite them to church and have some good conversations.  While I am out knocking on doors I always take time to ask everyone if they have any prayer requests.  In the two hours of knocking on doors, I had 8 different people share specific prayer requests with me.   They mentioned concerns about the health and well-being of friends and family, jobs and finances, and other related matters.  I have been praying for those concerns the last couple of days and I invite you to lift them up to the Lord as well.  It is right and proper for us to pray to the Lord and ask for wisdom and insight and strength and peace about all of those types of things in our lives.  The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

The Lord desires to lessen our anxiety.  He desires to give us guidance.  He desires to provide for us during times of uncertainty and bring us to a place of peace.  I hope that you know that you can go to the Lord in prayer.  And I hope you know that you can expect Him to answer those prayers because He truly does care for you.  Until next time, stay strong in the faith.

Posted in 1 Peter 5:7, Christianity, Church, faith, God, prayer, religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Who Do You Represent

Posted on May 9, 2016 by pastorpstephens

A while back I found some big “Driftwood Baptist Church” magnets in the pastor’s office at the church.  I decided to put one on the side of my car and do some free advertising for the church.  I have to say that in the last couple of weeks since I put that magnet on the side of the car, I have been a lot more mindful of the way I drive.  No tailgating, no cutting others off in traffic, no making ugly gestures, honking my horn, or driving like a wild man and acting like a jerk.  Yes, I have had to be VERY mindful of the way I drive.  Actually, I haven’t had to change too many habits but it has made me think a lot more about my driving behaviors because of who I publicly and openly represent.  I think that sometimes as Christians we need to stop for a second and think about who we publicly and openly represent.  The Bible tells believers in 1 John 2:6 “the one who says he abides in Christ ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”

It can’t hurt us in the hustle and bustle of life to slow down from time to time and consider the message we send as we travel down the highways and byways of life.  Are we driving in a way that demonstrates Christ’s mercy and grace or are we an aggressive “all about us” kind of driver who leaves others shaking their head, possibly shaking their fist as they get out of our way?  That is an important question.  Until next week, drive safe and stay strong in the faith.

Posted in 1 John 2:6, ambassadors, Christianity, Church, faith, God, ministry work, patience, Represent Christ | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love Letters

Posted on May 1, 2016 by pastorpstephens

I got another letter from my 6 year old granddaughter Avery the other day.  I have gathered quite a collection from her; some are at my desk at work, some in my briefcase, and a few others are saved around the house.  On most of her letters she will tell me she loves me and draw me a picture of our family.  Every time I get them out and read them they brighten my day.  I hope she never stops sending me letters.  You know, you can really bless somebody by sending them a letter.  Maybe there is somebody you ought to send a letter to today.  Maybe there is someone who needs to know that you are thinking of them, that you care for them, care about them and that you love them very much.

God has sent just such a letter to us through His Holy Scriptures, the Bible.  He wants us to know that He cares about us, that He desires to care for us and the He love us very much.  I love the way Paul says it in Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”  God has sent us several love letters collectively known as the Bible so that we can have hope, so that we can receive instruction and encouragement for our lives.  God cares about you and He has sent you and me His love letter so that we may come to know His Son.  Until next time, stay strong in the faith.

Posted in Christianity, Church, faith, God, grandchildren, hope, Romans 15:4 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chaplaincy CPE Program – Unit One

Posted on April 24, 2016 by pastorpstephens

My current chaplaincy program is coming to an end.  I will complete my first CPE unit this week.  During the last 6 months I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the staff at the hospital. It has helped me develop an even greater appreciation for the care and attention provided by the nurses, doctors, and others who tend directly to the needs of those who visit our hospital. I have also seen men and women who clean rooms, do maintenance work, or some other task pause and take time to share a kind word and bring a smile to the face of someone they view as a guest rather than a patient. My class time was rewarding as well. My instructor and the other chaplains in the program were wonderful to work with and I have developed a close bond with each of them. The interaction and the discussions we shared both in and outside of class have truly helped me grow as a person and as a minister.

I am grateful for those I was able to visit with during the last 6 months; patients, nurses, custodians, other chaplains, people in the hallway, and even people in the parking lot. I have been blessed by the honesty and vulnerability which marked our conversations. I will never forget some stories that were shared, some tears that were shed and some prayers that were lifted up to God’s throne of grace. The entire experience has been better than I could have ever hoped for. I pray that the Lord will be with those patients and families that were prayed for. And I pray that He will bless everyone who was and continues to be associated with the program. I know that He has used this program to bless me.

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The Flowers of the Field

Posted on April 16, 2016 by pastorpstephens

The Flowers of the Field  I met the other men at the church early this morning and we had a “work day” on the property.   We got a lot done and the men have things looking real nice.  We mowed, trimmed weeds, and cleared some brush.  As you can tell from this picture, we didn’t mow everything.  We didn’t mow everything because, well, this is Texas in the spring and some fields just shouldn’t be mowed.  This picture was taken on the hill near the side of our 12 acres.  There are three crosses that are set up so that when you drive by the church you can see them as a reminder of the love of God and the gospel of Christ.  There are even some lights that come on at night so that everyone who drives by has a chance to see them.

The man who mowed that section of the property told me that he just couldn’t cut those flowers.  I think he made a wise choice.  Those flowers remind me not only of God’s beautiful creation but they also remind me of His faithfulness and provision.  Christ said His disciples in Luke 12:

Luke 12:27  “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! 28 If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will He do for you – you of little faith?”

Yes, I am reminded by those beautiful flowers that God who takes time to provide for the field will always take time to provide for me.  Until next time, stay strong in the faith.

Posted in Christianity, Church, faith, God's Grace, Luke 12:27, patience, prayer, religion, Wildflowers | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wait Training and Staying in Line

Posted on April 7, 2016 by pastorpstephens

I was stuck in downtown Buda the other day waiting on a train.  And I was waiting and waiting and waiting.  The railroad crossing arms were down, the lights were flashing and traffic was backed up for a couple of blocks.  I had been waiting in line for several minutes and apparently some of the people in the front of the line decided they had waited long enough.  They pulled out of line, did a U-turn and headed back the other direction.  No doubt they were going to take another route to their destination, one which would take them a few miles further down the road in hopes of not having to wait any longer for that train.  And I guess I don’t blame them, we had been waiting for a while and there was no way to know how much longer we would have to wait.  But sure enough, as soon as they turned around and were headed the other direction, the train finally came.   The crossing arms went up and we were on our way.  If they had only held out a little longer, they would have been at the front of the line.

The situation with waiting for the train and be willing to wait just a little bit longer reminded me of more than one passage of scripture.  First I thought of Daniel chapter 10 where Daniel had been fasting and praying for three weeks.  Daniel had been seeking and waiting on a word from God for 21 days.  The Bible tells us that God responded to Daniel’s prayer by dispatching an angel the very moment that Daniel began to pray.  But even though the angel was dispatched at that moment, the answer, the response was not immediate.  The angel tells Daniel that his arrival was delayed by a battle with the prince of the kingdom of Persia which lasted for 21 days.  What would have happened if David gave up and stopped praying soon after he started?  What would have happened if David would have grown weary of waiting and made a spiritual U-turn on the 19th or 20th day and decided to go another direction?  Perhaps, his answer may have not come.

Oh dear friend, please know, prayer matters.  Prayer makes a difference.  Don’t give up.  Don’t grow weary in this regard.  Hang in there a little longer.  The train has left the station and it will come to pass.

Isaiah 40:31 Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Posted in Christianity, Church, Don't give up, Don't stop, God, inspirational, Isaiah 40:30, ministry work, patience, prayer, waiting for the Lord | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Teach Your Children

Posted on April 3, 2016 by pastorpstephens

Our granddaughter Avery who is kindergarten wrote her first book. On the first page she drew a stick figure picture of Jesus standing next to her with the words “God is Love.” In the rest of her book she goes on to say that God loves her and she loves God. Avery finishes her book with the words “God loves us and saves our lives.” Avery took her time sharing her story and had her mom staple all four pages together so she could share her book with others. I am so proud of her. I am also proud of her parents and others God has been using in her and her sister’s life to teach them about God’s love and grace. It reminds me of the words found in Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Deu 6:5 “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

These words given to God’s people were not just instructions to parents, these were instructions to a community of believers. I am grateful not only for godly parents, but also for family, friends, teachers and others whom God is using in the lives of my grandchildren. I am grateful my grandchildren are learning about God’s love and His saving grace.

Posted in Christianity, Church, Deuteronomy 6:5-7, faith, God's Grace, God's Love, grandchildren, ministry work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How are You Walking

Posted on March 27, 2016 by pastorpstephens

The granddaughters were over the other day and once again they were helping me water plants on the back porch.  Avery who is 6 decided she also wanted to water the new fig tree we planted last year so she began to carry the watering can over to that side of the yard to complete her task.  As she did, I told her to be sure and watch her step since I had not scooped up after the dogs in a couple of days.  Avery slowed down her walk and told me, “Don’t worry Pawpaw…I’m watching my step.  Sometimes people just say the words and don’t really think about what they mean, but I’m actually watching where I put my feet.”  I love that girl, six years old and already so smart and so wise.

Avery is right, sometimes people do just say words and don’t really know what they are saying or consider the gravity of what those words mean. In James chapter 2, James talks about that very concept. James speaks about people who say they have faith in God but whose lives indicate otherwise. He speaks of people who profess to walk like Christ but yet they show partiality among people, they dishonor others, show no mercy and they do not exercise compassion. James speaks of these people as having a faith that is dead because they are saying some words about faith but not putting them into practice. My granddaughter Avery is right, we should consider what we say, the gravity and meaning of our words and we should be careful and prayerful about how and where we walk.

Posted in Christianity, Church, faith, God, God has a plan for you, grandchildren, James 2:19, self denial, Walking with God | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Do People Know You? What’s Your Nickname?

Posted on March 18, 2016 by pastorpstephens

The granddaughters came over today and I asked them what they have been doing for spring break. Avery ran through a list of typical activities that you would expect a 6 year old and her 4 year old sister to engage in on their time off. Then she added, “And today we went to Enchiladas for lunch.” Avery who is 6 has been going there since she was born.

The restaurant is not really called “enchiladas” but enchiladas is what they get when they go there so that’s what Avery calls it. She only knows the restaurant by what she receives from it. This got me to thinking. What if people referred to us not by our name but by what they get from us and how they experience us? Would I be known by one of the seven dwarf’s names and if so would I be Happy or Grumpy? I guess it might depend on the day. But I would really love to gain a name from Ephesians 4:32 where Christians are told to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Yes! I would want a nickname from that passage! That is how I want to be known! That is the goal all Christians are to strive for. And it is a goal that God is always willing to help us achieve. To be known for the kindness, forgiveness and the heart of Christ…well, in my book, that is the whole enchilada.

Posted in a good name, Be kind tenderhearted, Christianity, Church, Ephesians 4:32, forgiveness, God's Mercy, grandchildren, Heart of Christ, Love Enchiladas, religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Turning the World Upside Down

Posted on March 14, 2016 by pastorpstephens

upside down I was at the mall shopping with the granddaughters, Avery who is 6 and Haley who is 4 on Saturday for a few hours and the girls needed a break.  Okay, Pawpaw needed a break.  So we found a place to sit down near some fitting rooms that had a couch and a long table.  The girls quickly tired of the couch and sat on the table.  Before I knew it they were on their backs looking up at me giggling and laughing.  “Oh no!” Avery said, “Everything is upside down!”  This was quickly repeated by her little sister Haley.  “Oh no!  Everything is upside down!”  More giggling and laughter followed.  The girls were impressed and amused for several minutes by a world that they had been able to turn upside down.

Later that day I reflected on the phrase Avery used about “Everything being turned upside down” and it reminded me of the expression used to bring an accusation against Paul and Silas in Acts chapter 17.  Paul and Silas proclaimed the gospel, and some received the message with readiness and placed their faith in Christ while others reacted with rowdiness and stirred up trouble for Paul and Silas.  Those who rejected the message brought by Paul and Silas, saw them as trying to turn all things upside down.   The truth is that they were proclaiming that God has sent His Son so that He can make our world right side up again.  Christ desires to bring all things back to the right perspective, to reconcile us unto God through the forgiveness of our sins.  He desires to place us in a right relationship with God the Father.  He desires to help us have the right perspective, the right motives, the right intentions, and the right compassion toward others.  He wants to help us walk in the right way in a world where things can sometimes seem so upside down.

Posted in Acts 17:6, Christianity, Church, faith, God, turning the world upside down, witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment