Top 10 happenings of 2015

Don’t look now but 2015 is almost in the books.  What do you do when the year is about over?  You recap the highlights, of course.  I have listed the top 10 highlights of 2015 below.

How can you pick the top 10 of anything?  You just have to pick, knowing that you have missed something; but here is the great thing.  You can add what I missed in the comments section at the end of this article.

Let’s start the countdown.

#10 Come home!  This was our year round message.  Some came.  We are still calling.

#9 Tom preached in the local bar.  He went in to put up a poster for the spaghetti supper that would raise money for the Back to Africa mission and ended up proclaiming the good news, witnessing a customer reciting John 3:16, and left with a small offering.   He returned with a few Bibles and Gospels of John a few minutes later for those who might be hungry for the bread of life and thirsty for living water.   All things to all men so that some might be saved—works for me.

#8 Tom and Rick returned to Africa.  This time they trained pastors and church leaders in Kenya and Uganda and shattered part of the leadership model used by senior church leaders, offering instead one given by Jesus.  Are we ready to be the servant of all?

#7 Rain!  We prayed for it.  We got it.  Lakes and ponds are full again.  Welcome to the land of the faithful.  As a result of coming out of a seemingly never ending burn ban, local youth celebrated with hotdogs and marshmallows by a fire after a November football game.

#6  Whosoever Will was unanimously voted the best hymn of all time by the ordained clergy of the Burns Flat CPC.  Whosover will may come!  Okay, it might only be Tom’s favorite but we did, with the help of Kristy Denbo, add a few more songs to the children’s repertoire.   Why yes, the monkeys in the jungle do say, “Thank you, Lord.”

#5 Garrett Stegall in the pulpit—yes, you heard it right.  Garret preached not one, but two sermons in 2015.  He is on tap for yet another message in early 2016.  Mom may get her wish after all.

#4 VBS!  It’s always great.  This year it was scientifically great.  Great job girls!

#3 Disconnect Notices went out throughout Burns Flat during the Walk A Block for Jesus.  Connecting the Disconnected became a local mission in 2014 and got into gear fully in 2015.  There is still much to be done.  And #3A—we did a walk a block in Canute blitzing the town with Gospels of John.

#2 Chewy Tuesdays!  This simple sack lunch has become the epitome of God’s Love in Action.

#1 F4 Revived and Revitalized!  Wow!  What eyes to see the mission field we have with these children that find love in God’s house on Wednesday nights.  What a blessing to have the adults that we need to guide these young ones in the way they should go and do it with love!  What started  a decade ago as a gathering for fellowship and education has become the most important of missions in the life of this church and in this community.

Thank you Lord for trusting your servants with these most worthy assignments and for being your witnesses to your mighty acts!

GOD LOVES YOU – LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Don't forget to add your highlights below..

                                                 

4th and 1

Here’s something I wrote about a decade ago.  Perhaps it will cause us to reflect on our nature and God’s nature.  Enjoy.

4^th and 1

What’s the nature of man,
When it’s 4th and 1.
Why it’s to go for the gusto,
Seek the Father and Son.

But that’s not our way,
When it’s 1st and 10.
We go back to our playbook,
Just lookin’ for sin.

I’m not talking ‘bout criminals
Or headliner crimes.
Just everday folks
Missin’ signs of the times.

We’re bankin’ on stocks
And bonds just the same.
But leavin’ salvation
For a day full of rain.

We’re storin’ up treasures,
And investing with zeal,
In the things of this world,
That someone could steal.

New cars and new icons,
Give us a day full of joy.
They’re shiny and polished,
‘Til rust does destroy.

Now we’ve all heard some preachin’
On Heaven and Hell.
But we leave it at church,
Lest our neighbors we tell.

That kid on the corner,
With the clothes that are torn.
Keeps singin’ eternal sorrow,
Lest you’ve been reborn.

But ‘tween money and credit,
I’m doin’ all right.
Don’t give me that spiel,
‘Bout a thief in the night.

Those preachers on TV
Tell me not to wait
To save my soul
From some fiery lake.

But I’m changin’ the channel
Without one hint of guilt
My home is my castle,
I’ve earned what I’ve built.

They’d have you believe
Things I rather ignore.
Like selling all that I have,
Then givin' it to the poor.

They say their fishes of men,
But to me they’re a pain.
I’ve got things to do.
Come back when it rains.

Now I know I’m not perfect
I’ll be the first to admit.
I’ve sinned in my time,
But it’s not time to quit.

Oh sure there’s a God,
He's out there somewhere.
Beyond the planets and stars
Yes, I do hope he cares.

But I think we’ve outgrown Him.
We’re on the right track.
The more money I spend,
The more cash I get back.

Yes, I’m doin’ just fine
On my own don’t You see?
Just bought a satellite dish
For my big screen TV.

Sure something is missing
From my eternal soul.
But I’ll fill it myself,
I’ll try rock ‘n roll.

Or jogging or swimming
Perhaps give Yoga a shot,
But give up the good life
For your offer of what?

Submission, forgiveness,
And the power of prayer.
I wasn’t born yesterday:
Done that, been there.

And the world still had wars
And hunger and fear.
So I’ll just look out for myself
Now don’t shed a tear.

For it’s my own decision
And You’ve suffered no loss.
Please don’t tell me again
About a death on a cross.

Or a life without sorrow
After this one I know.
Or the signs of the times,
They’ll come and they’ll go.

It’s first down and ten,
And I’ve only begun,
Lord, please stay on the sidelines,
‘Til it’s fourth and one.

Yes, I've had my troubles,
Even called on Your Name.
But when things settle back down,
I'm just not up for the pain.

Of lovin' my neighbor
As I love myself.
Or loving You first,
With my life and my wealth.

Do you know what it's like,
To be rejected and all?
I'd like to help Lord,
But I can't answer the call.

I'd get funny looks,
From the guys at the plant.
When I'd invite them to dinner,
They'd just say they can't.

It's a long way to the church,
And gas isn't free.
If You wanted my soul,
Well, You'd come and see me.

I'd like to accept You,
I'd explain it some more,
But I have to go now,
There's a knock at the door.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: 4th and 1 - Oklahoma City Presbyterian | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/presbyterian-in-oklahoma-city/4th-and-1#ixzz1EG4slTSR