Archive for November, 2008

Thank You

Sometimes we take for granted those people in our midst who are pivotal to the success of our mission but who are not in the bright lights of the stage. Today to you I want to say thank you.

To all of the mothers of our church that labor week to week in teaching our infants songs and lessons about Jesus, I say thank you. For the unpaid hours in decorating and enhancing the environment of your classes, I say thank you. For the warm smiles given to the parents as they bring their precious jewels to class on Sabbath morning, I say thank you.

To all of the men and women who prepare lesson plans and activities for our kindergarten, juniors and earlieteens from week to week, I say thank you. For patiently teaching hyper and energetic boys and girls the principles of eternal life, I say thank you.

To those who engage our teenage members every week, trying to understand and relate and teach them the ways of God, I say thank you. For staying positive when it appears that you are not getting through to some, I say thank you. For remembering how you were when you were teenagers and showing extra compassion, I say thank you.

To the teachers of our adult classes who put hours of preparation time into their weekly lessons I say thank you. To the teachers who invest their time and resources into improving their gifts, I say thank you. For the calls made to missing members and warmness extended to visiting guests, I say thank you.

To the superintendents who diligently work to provide interesting, inviting, inspiring programs from week to week, I say thank you. For being reliable and presenting a smiling face on Sabbath morning, I say thank you.

To the Sabbath school secretaries, choristers, musicians and all other assistants who tirelessly perform their duties from week to week, I say thank you. For working as a team and assisting the overall Sabbath school program of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, I say thank you. Most importantly though, God thanks you.

The time will come when the earth shall reel to and fro, and shall be removed like a cottage. But the thoughts, the purposes, the acts of God’s workers, although now unseen, will appear at the great day of final retribution and reward. Things now forgotten will then appear as witnesses, either to approve or to condemn.
Love, courtesy, self-sacrifice,–these are never lost. When God’s chosen ones are changed from mortality to immortality, their words and deeds of goodness will be made manifest, and will be preserved through the eternal ages. No act of unselfish service, however small or simple, is ever lost. Through the merits of Christ’s imputed righteousness, the fragrance of such words and deeds is forever preserved. Sons and Daughters of God, pg 270

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15.58 NIV

Nov 24, 2008 | 0 comments | View Post

Greatness on Display

We have witnessed in our generation, an event un-thought-of just a few years ago.

We have seen a man, with careful deliberation, wise planning and infectious optimism rise to a level of greatness that has no precedent in our country. Admirers and critics alike all acknowledge the historical triumph of our president-elect. From around the world millions have found a new source of hope that is sorely needed during these difficult times.

The core qualities of commitment, dedication, sacrifice and humility that we have seen tested time and time again throughout this election cycle have testified that the goodness in us is what people are hungering for. The longing for hope, sympathy and understanding is not confined to a particular race, age or creed. Our needs are more similar than the differences that divide us.

Nov 07, 2008 | 3 comments | View Post