Idaho

Heading out to visit some friends I haven't seen in 25 years up in Twin Falls Idaho. Weather there is cold and snowing - they're sick of it - I'll enjoy it :-)....since I'll only be in it a couple of days. One of my friends there lost her husband to pancreatic cancer a couple months ago. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. Also, tomorrow morning I may have an opportunity to participate in the "To Every Man an Answer" program broadcast live on the Calvary Satellite Network.

Pray you all have a blessed week!

In His Arm's,   Pat

Happy Birthday

Today Joyce would have been 54! Happy Birthday hon! I'm sure heaven is throwing quite a party for you! We all miss you down here terribly but we know God has you in His arm's and eternity is unfolding before you like you never could have imagined! In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, we'll all be together again, rejoicing around the throne of the Lamb, utterly amazed at His goodness and mercy in seeing us all through this life. I long for that day!

In His Arm's,

Pat

His Will

It was a good day! It was a good week. I think I'm learning more about faith and trusting God than I have in a long time - and that's good too! My teaching out of John 7 this morning reminded me once again that no matter what the pressures around me may be, God's word is true and faithful to guide me into His will - and I don't need to fear what that will may be - His will for me is really His best for me - so why would I fear it? Only because of my own stubbornness, selfishness and fleshly insecurities - which only causes me to withdraw from the God Who loves me and basically crawl into a muddy hole of my own making. I really don't want to do that anymore! I pray you don't either.

Let's expect great things from our Great God as we yield to His Will for our lives!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Phoenix

Hi all! Been in Phoenix for a couple of days spending some good fellowship time with a couple pastor friends of mine. Good to talk with guys that have been pastoring as long as I have and gain new insights on facing the future and ministry without my wife. I've been encouraged and challenged to face what's ahead with faith and expectancy that God has a plan He's unfolding.

Love you guys! See many of you this Sunday - read ahead John chapter 7.

In His Arm's,

Pat

Countdown

It's been a good week! Good results on the colonoscopy, teaching Wed. nite, had my 5 year old grand daughter spend the nite Thursday, and Friday had a great dinner with friends, Rich and Sally followed by leading worship for their Home Fellowship at Todd and Inki's, and I got my date for the reconnect surgery - Friday Feb. 8.

So less than 4 weeks togo to doing this all again - I'm really looking forward to getting it done and then be over it...and be well, God willing!

This morning I had a nice breakfast with my sister-in law, Nancy, and her husband Jake at the Daily News cafe in Carlsbad.

 

It was a beautiful morning on the coast and afterwards we went for a walk along the Carlsbad sea wall - a walk Joyce and I did quite frequently.

I think the next few weeks will be busy. I have a couple of short trips planned to visit friends in Phoenix and Twin Falls, Idaho. I will also be teaching Sunday mornings starting next week for the 3 Sunday's prior to my next surgery. I'm looking forward to the study and prep time as well as ministering to the flock the precious Word.

At tomorrow's services, the pastoral staff will be sharing with the congregation an annual

report of the great things the Lord did this past year as well as a look ahead for 2008. Yeah I know the Chargers are playing the Colts at

10am. - tape it and be at church! :-)

Love you all!

Pat

Teaching!

This evening I was blessed to teach our midweek Bible Study - an introduction to the Book of Deuteronomy. Pastor Richard called me this afternoon asking if I could step in for him - his wife, Robbi, broke her ankle yesterday and they were down at the hospital most of the day today getting her foot and leg cast. Please pray for her and Richard. Tomorrow it will have been one year since the loss of their youngest son, Nathan.

It had been nearly 8 months since I last taught on a Wednesday evening and tho I was a little rusty, I felt God used it and spoke thru His Word to the church. Felt pretty good afterward too - physically. Just a little soreness - hardly noticed it at all while I was teaching. It is encouraging getting stronger after being so wiped out for so long - thank You Lord!

Pray the rest of your week is fruitful as you serve Jesus and love one another!

In His Arm's,

Pat

Monday Musings

Yesterday I was blessed to bring a Communion devotion at both Sunday morning services. What a privilege and honor it is to share God's Word with His people.

The rest of the day was spent watching the Chargers game and doing the cleansing stuff for my colonoscopy. I had the procedure done this afternoon and everything looks fine - no polyps were found and I should be good to go now for scheduling my reconnect surgery in a few weeks.

In His Arm's,

Pat

New Year Notes

Well here we go! 2008 is off and running. Got to be a little brighter than 2007, amen?

Health wise - so far so good. Feeling better than I have in months. I have a pre-surgery colonoscopy scheduled for this Monday afternoon - necessary before the next surgery which is looking pretty good for mid February.

Spirit wise - also a lot better. God is so faithful to hold me up when I can't stand on my own. In spite of all that's happened this past year I still am so blessed. He truly can do above and beyond all that I could ask or think. Am I setting myself up for more disappointment this year should more heavy trials come? Nope, I don't think so! God is still our Rock and will remain so no matter what's beating against us. "I will call upon the Lord! Who is worthy to be praised! So shall I be saved from (whatever)!" Ps. 18:3

Saturday, 1/5, it will be 6 months since my Joyce was taken Home. Hard to believe that much time has already passed. As always, thank you for praying and lifting up my family and I and our church. Please don't stop!

In His Arm's,

Pat