Pastor's Pen

Pastor’s Pen… How well do you understand the operation of faith? It's an important question, since faith is at the heart of what we sometimes referred to as the “Christian religion.”  As a matter of fact, the exercise of faith plays a part in much of our lives. For example, when you came into the worship center today you sat on a pew. You didn't check within engineering firm, or have it tested. You simply exercised faith that these well engineered pews would hold you up.  Eating a meal, drinking water, riding in a car someone else is driving, receiving a check-- these all involve an element of faith.  Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the faith chapter. In it the author catalogs a number of Old Testament examples of faith, beginning with creation and including individuals such as Noah,  Abraham, Moses, Gideon, David and numerous others. Each example shows us how living in dependence on God is the only way to live. I describe the first 12 verses of this cha...

Pastor’s Pen… Many years ago I had the opportunity to host Gary Smalley and John Trent on the radio to discuss their book  The Two Sides of Love . When we think of love, we typically think of that positive, affirming, supportive element that says “I’m with you, and I care about you, and you are really special”  But there's another side of love, one that says “I care enough about you that, if I see you involved in something that could harm you or those near you, I will speak up to you about it.” It's the kind of love described of God in Hebrews 12, which says, “Whom the Lord loves, He chastens (disciplines)….” Sometimes this is referred to as ‘tough love.’ It must be practiced the right way among believers as well. Smalley and Trent would call this the other side of love. I use the term “loving accountability.”  “Accountability” is not a term explicitly found in Scripture. Rather it is an implicit and abstract concept that is, of course, biblical. This is obvious because o...

Pastor’s Pen… Special thanks to all who help sanitize our worship facilities for services each Saturday morning. Also, to those who make it possible for us to ‘live-stream’  on Facebook at 10:45 each Sunday morning, and to post each message on our website ( www.fccwylie.org ) each Sunday afternoon. Last Sunday evening I received a kind note from a pastor’s wife in Lahore, Pakistan, telling me they had listened to our Facebook service. Our church has been able during these trying days to have a worldwide impact!   We continue to hold our Sunday services with all safety protocols and pre-service sanitizing in place. No Sunday school yet, and the nursery is not available.  We will continue following the protocols as outlined by GA-18 guidance.  Face masks, social distancing, no physical contact. We use bulletins printed untouched by human hands, with songs, etc. printed therein, and pre-packaged communion elements. Offering plates are located at the rear, or giving...

Pastor’s Pen… As America celebrates her 244th birthday this weekend, we have much to be thankful for, living in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We still have the freedom to worship our God based on our convictions and understanding of His Word. We have many choices and opportunities when it comes to our lives.   But during these trying times we are facing many and serious threats. The Coronavirus continues another spike, and the number of hospitalizations and deaths has risen in many parts of our country. The economic impact of COVID 19 has left many people without jobs and many businesses failed or failing. In addition, peaceful protests have often turned into riots and anarchy, including the destruction of property.    Yet during these challenging times, we still have much to be thankful for. Most of us have been spared the COVID 19 virus. I’m asking our Lord to continue providing health and safety for each of you who are a part of our First Christian Wy...