Another Wonderful Sunday!

     We had another wonderful Sunday this week with a good crowd (130), many smiling faces, and Christians with hearts and minds focused on Christ Jesus.  Bryan Beene showed up early for worship on Sunday riding his roping horse all the way from Barney.  Fortunately we have 12 acres and plenty of parking spaces for horses.  Our greeters in the parking lot this past Sunday were two beagles and a small terrier walking up to every member with wagging tails and faces that said, “Please, show me some attention.”  What a life we all enjoy up in the country.  Cindi and I have never been happier.  I hope every member at Enola understands just how blessed we all are in every way, even in the midst of the everyday trials of life.  May God help us to stay close together as the family of God as we grow closer to heaven!

     Our sermon series on Sunday morning continues.  We are “Growing in Gladness” through our assembly together, the Lord’s Supper, prayer, giving, and singing.  This Sunday we will focus on how we can grow in gladness together through gospel preaching.  I am a gospel preacher.  I love the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The gospel is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes.  The gospel never changes.  I preach exactly the same gospel that Paul preached.  The gospel does change the heart, mind, and life of every person who embraces it.  The gospel has certainly changed me and continues to do so.  I preach because I know the terror of the Lord.  I preach because I know the love of Christ.  I preach because people need to hear good news.

     This Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. the Enola congregation will host the Area-Wide Youth Devotional.  We expect about 175 young people from our area.  Brother Brandon and our youth group will be leading the program.  I look forward to this very special time of fellowship.  We will have an abbreviated evening worship hour at 5:00 then walk over to the fellowship hall for supper together with our youth.  We are asked to provide a few items for supper.  There are sign-up sheets on both front doors.  Stop by and sign up to bring an item or two if you can.

     Thank you for your prayers for Cindi and me lately.  We made the trip to Alabama for my grandmother’s funeral less than a month ago.  On Monday we made the trip again to lay my uncle Clyde Avery to rest.  Death has been very busy lately at Enola.  We must not let our hearts be troubled by death.  We believe in God.  We also believe in Christ.  He has gone to prepare a place for us and will come again to receive us to Himself.  Where He is we know and the Way we know.  John 14:1-6 is such a comfort in times of sorrow.  He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  We will go to heaven because we are following His footsteps.

     Life certainly is busy right now as the school year is coming to an end and summer approaches.  Let us remember what is most important in these busy times.  Our family and friends need to see us putting the kingdom of God and His righteousness first in our lives just like Jesus said in Matthew 6:33.  When we put His kingdom and His righteousness first then just as He promised, all “these things” will be ours.