Dear PCF family, whenever I face the reality of death of a loved one, my uncle passed away this morning, I do a lot of reflecting about my beliefs, my life, and what I am doing with my life. I would imagine most of us think about our mortality from time to time. We know it is real but we push off that reality because death is something that is hard to wrap our mind around even as Christians. God knows our concerns about mortality because His original design did not include death. So I thought I would meander through some of my thoughts with you.
My cousin asked me to send a favorite memory of my uncle so he could read it at his celebration of life service and I have been thinking of all the many stories I could share. But after some prayerful thought I have decided to send something a little different than a fond memory of which I have many. No, I have decided to send something far more important, and that is the story of the thief on the cross. And the reason I will send that is because I want everyone there to know that Jesus is alive, that God’s word is true, and that the thief and Jesus went together into paradise as did my uncle Tom. And there they are, all in the presence of God and others until the day of the great resurrection where all who believe in the son of Jesus will be restored into a new body and a new heaven and a new earth. Then, all of God’s children will live together in love and peace and health and joy forevermore!
It’s like the story of our own sweet Ella Ahrens who not only had the courage to think she could be different and better in the future, but she took action and coaching and made lifestyle changes that have made a huge difference in her life experience. That is exactly what being a Born Again Christian can do for people but it is a choice, a decision, and it takes discipline and lifestyle changes to get all the benefits from it. When you decide to become a follower of Jesus, that means you are going to follow His ways, His truths, His teachings not your own ways. Like Ella, if you want the benefits,of a better life, you must make changes and be disciplined. Now I’m not talking about eternal salvation exclusively, I’m talking about the benefits in THIS lifetime! Here and now. The thief on the cross didn’t have time to make lifestyle changes but he did have a change of heart and that is why Jesus brought him into Paradise for eternity. Salvation is the greatest gift in the universe because it is a gift that will be enjoyed forever. But what about the here and now? Choice, Discipline, action, devotion, lifestyle changes! It’s the recipe for an amazing life here and now no matter where you are in your faith walk at this moment.
The greatest thing you can do for your life and those you love is to get to know Jesus and the bible and learn to live your life for Him. Anyone reading this who has doubts or questions let me tell you so did I. But after years of seeking and reading and studying and praying I can tell you that there is truth in God’s word and the truth is life changing. And there is more, “We don’t believe in Jesus “just so we can go to paradise someday and live forever!” We come to Jesus because His way of life is better than any other way of life. Because His way of life is the way of Love, Kindness, Gentleness, Forgiveness. Peace, Self Control, all of which much of of the world is greatly lacking today. Come to Jesus and Live! Truly Live! Sincerely, kent
Wednesday night Choir Rehearsal 6:30 pm all are welcome to come and listen and worship with us.
- Fred Stein, Fred is Bonnie Rutkowski’s good friend and he is in the ICU, please lift Fred to God’s healing power.
- Mary Knapp, Mary has had her surgery and is home recovering. She will be having another procedure for her back in the future.
- Larry Stewart, Larry is Patti Franklin’s neighbor and he was just diagnosed with leukemia.
- Guidance for the future of our church.
- Rich Sparks, Rich lives across the street from the church at the Care Center. Rich has skin cancer, and is on dialysis. He is currently homeless but through God’s grace and prayer there is hope for a better future.
- Tom Gain’s friend Ross Besch needs prayers that he will be able to walk again.
- Alberta Ringering, Diane Rinkle’s mother is back home! We will continue to lift her in prayer.
- Guy Schmidt, Guy is having treatments for severe back pain, please lift Guy to God’s healing hands.
- Nadeen Schuette is continuing with her new chemo treatments for liver cancer.
- Jane Hyten who is in late stage MSA asking for God’s peace
- Dustin Bilderback’s sister who is in treatment for cancer
- Brody Sedlacek, 8 year old in cancer treatment
God we lift all these people on our prayer list to you because you are the perfect healer. We ask that you open their hearts to your word, your truth, your love and your ability to change things in their lives, and for this we praise you!
Praise Community Fellowship is a very Joyful, Prayerful church! We meet Sunday mornings at 10:30am at the Esic Worship Center located at 1000 University Drive Edwardsville near the old YMCA . We believe in teaching all of God’s truth with love and compassion. PCF is a 100% volunteer church. Come be part of a Joyful Christian Family. We have a Sunday school program and a nursery for the little ones. If you have questions call Pastor Kent @ 618-334-3575 or our board president Gary Watson @ 409-781-6510.