Author Archives: Pastor Steve

Getting a Good Night’s Sleep…

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Years ago a college student I know was having trouble with nightmares. Every night, she would lose sleep as she would awaken with a sense of fear and dread. Eventually she couldn’t even get to sleep, fearing what she might dream. Every night she would call her mom and ask her to pray with her so she might get some rest.

Eventually, I sent her this prayer, written by Laurel and me, hoping it would be of assistance. She called me and said it had been a great help. The words of the prayer aren’t some kind of magic formula, however the truth represented and the commitment made were key to having a good night’s rest.

God — thank You for bringing me into Your family, making me Your child, and blessing me with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms with Christ Jesus.” Thank You for giving me this time of physical renewal, mental rest, and emotional refreshment as I sleep. I receive it as one of Your gifts for me — one of Your children — and I trust You to guard my body and mind as I sleep.

I have thought about You and Your truth throughout this day. I choose to dwell on those thoughts as I go to sleep. I commit myself to You for protection against every attempt of Satan and any other unclean spirits to attack me as I sleep. Guard my heart and mind from nightmares. I reject all fear and cast every anxiety upon You, Lord, for You care for me. I resolve to rest in You as my rock, my fortress and my strong tower. Place Your peace upon this resting place. In the strong name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Sleep tight.

Valuing the Body — and it’s members…

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Tonight at church we celebrated The Lord’s Supper in a joyous way.

I spoke on the theological issues and perspectives of The Lord’s Supper, using Wayne Grudem’s chapter on communion in his book on systematic theology. Then we spoke about the value of the Body of Christ, where we speak of his physical body, the bread, or the people we think of as the Body of Christ.

To make that last point practical, I personally served each person present the bread, asking others to share things they appreciated about the one receiving the bread. A variety of character qualities came up: a loving heart, dependability, a servant’s heart, being a good teacher, having a good sense of humor. It was good to hear and say these things.

What made this communion service the best I’ve ever been a part of was the edification of the body. As each one heard the others express their love and appreciation for him or her, something beautiful happened: The body was refreshed and strengthened.

You can do this any time. Communion was a great time to do it. But you can call someone on the phone, message them on facebook, send them an email, or go to the trouble to compose a poem on a card and say, “You are important to me and to the Body of Christ because…”

Give it a try. It’s a joyful thing to do.

Sunday was a good Sunday…

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Sunday was such a good Sunday. The 8 a.m. traditional service saw about twice the attendance we’d hoped for. The 10:45 service was smaller than usual, as a result, but still very exciting.

One of the most exciting parts was seeing the children — three rows of them — heading up to the platform, squeezing in front of the microphones to bring the music ministry. All of them were as cute as one would expect. If you’re wondering what little Louie was doing with his foot, ask him about the button on the bottom of his shoe.

Another exciting time was when little baby Cooper made his appearance. As his dad held him up before the people, the congregation burst into applause. I look forward to seeing that happen when baby Christian gets home from the NICU!

After that service, one of the visitors who had been there to see her grandchildren was emotionally moved by what she had seen. When I spoke to her about it, she conveyed a thankfulness for what God has done in the lives of her children and grandchildren.

Yeah — Sunday was a good Sunday.

This Sunday promises to be good as well.

We will have an International Worker with us — one who has served God in Columbia for several years. The ministry of the Alliance in Columbia has been so effective that the US leadership has withdrawn our workers from there, delighted that the Alliance Church of Columbia is mature and healthy enough to stand on its own.

Join me in prayer that people will enjoy their time with our missionary and that our hearts will be moved to share the good news we have heard with those here and those far off.

As usual, be sure to check www.curwensvillealliance.org to see what’s happening in our church.

Thanks!

At the Medical Center…

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Yesterday, at the Dead Sea, Ronnie burned his feet on the pavement, so here I sit in the waiting room waiting to see what the doctor says.

The Mount of Olives and Gethsemane would be nice to see again, but what a blessing to hear Ronnie say, “God bless you for coming with me.”

The news is that Donnie and Beverly. If they have to return to the States today. it will be a long journey.

UPDATE: Ronnie is recovering in his room as of 4:00 p.m. Thanks for praying.