Time Away Update

We woke up today to another beautiful Florida sunshine day. The previous week was quite busy. It began in Jacksonville as I attended the Asia Pacific Board of Regents meetings. Our featured speaker was Darth Li, a missionary from Cambodia. His testimony was both heartbreaking and riveting, as he shared with the assembled group of pastors his childhood growing up in “The Killing Fields” under a ruthless regime. Bro. Li has been to Bethel Temple in the past, yet many of our church community have never heard his testimony. It will bring you to tear’s. I invited him to return next summer when he comes to America on furlough.

Later in the week I drove to Sarasota where I met up with Shari as she went there to spend time with her sister Andrea and her husband Jacob. We went to Anna Maria’s Oyster Bar where we ate some outstanding fresh seafood! And yes I did eat some raw oysters!!! Later we went to Kilwin’s a favorite ice cream place on St. Armand’s Circle near Siesta Key beach. They have some of the best butter pecan ice cream to be found anywhere.

On Saturday we traveled to Tampa to visit with my sister Theresa and her son Derrick. We went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner that night. I had a ribeye steak that was pretty good. I can say that I’ve eaten well this week. On Sunday we went to Suncoast Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Pastor Tim Suddreth’s ministry team made us feel very welcomed. Probably 4-5 people asked us if we needed assistance in finding a Sunday School class to attend. We chose to go to their “Biblical Life Foundations” class taught by a young man named “James”, his lesson on forgiveness was right on the mark! As we made our way to the sanctuary we were met by David Ambrose, who was doing a fine job of greeting everyone as they entered the main service. The worship service was very good too as their worship pastor, Shelly Korrot brought the entire congregation into the presence of the Lord. One of the choruses featured a soloist Tamara Marsha whose anointed voice really elevated the worship time. Pastor Tim’s message was aimed at those who serve in the education field (teacher’s, school administrator’s ,college professors, etc..). He brought out some very good points from scripture and spoke of the importance we all have in teaching our children how to live lives productively and spiritually. He concluded by bringing all the teachers up to the altar (80-100+) and having them prayed over by St. Petersburg Christian Schools Lead Administrator, Dr. Sheila Cornea.

It is always good to visit another church to see what God is doing elsewhere. It’s also a great way to glean fresh perspective on how others do church differently and effectively. I wonder if others in our church who visited another church saw some things that were different. Things that helped make attending that service more enjoyable? I look for your comments and we will share them with our church staff in a future staff meeting.
Today my bible reading was 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians. As I read 1 Thess. 2:8 where it says, ”being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear to us.” I began to think of so many of you and I prayed God’s richest blessings for you today. Bethel Temple comprises some of the best people to be found anywhere! We miss you all very much.