October Newsletter article

As I write this, my Grandpa Christian is nearing the end of this life.  Over the last few days I have had time to go over the memories and times that we shared together.  Those times are priceless.  I have not lost any immediate family up to this point and I have been blessed, I know that.  As I was thinking through those memories, I just started thinking about my impact and what I am doing with my life.  Sometimes we think that we are doing the most important things and we get so busy with them that we have not a lot of time for anything else. Being away from family, because of the ministry, is tough and not a lot of people that aren't in some sort of ministry can understand.  We can't just go across town or down the road and see our parents or brothers and sisters.  God has given all of us so many blessings in this life.  Many times over what we deserve because we all deserve death.  However, I cannot think of a better blessing than to have a parent or in this case, a grandparent that has model the life of Christ as my Grandpa Andy has.  I remember sitting on the arm of his chair as a young kid and eating "Grandpa Cakes" and everything in the world was right at that moment in time.  Over the years, he has supported me and encouraged me whenever I was able to be around him.  I know that he prayed for me and thought of me often.  He had a rough life to start out with and struggled like many of us do.  However, in those memories that I have, I don't think about where he worked or how nice his house was or even how much money he made.  I am thankful for little moments that we had together that made me go after the heart of Christ even more.  I am grateful that Christ died to make it possible for us all to be forgiven and to one day, after this life is over, spend eternity with our family and walk the streets of Heaven with no limping, no walker, no pain.  I hope that I become half the man that he was.  I hope that I live up to his name.  Just as I hope that each day, my words, actions and thoughts help me become more like Christ.  That I can live up to Christs' name. Help us all to love God with everything we have and to love those around us as we walk this earth.  Don't let today slip away without showing someone Christs love.

"There's a peace I've come to know
though my heart and flesh may fail.
There's an anchor for my soul, and I can say, "It is well"! 

Through tear filled eyes,
Pastor Andy