Way Too Simple

One of the best parts about the Gospel is its simplicity.  There are plenty of aspects of Christianity that are confusing, or just hard to understand, but not the Gospel.  Pastor Bob Hart always states that it had to be that way, I think he's right.  Christ came and died as the sacrifice for our sins, then rose again on the third day.  All we need to do is allow his sacrifice to be our payment so that we can be reconciled to God.  Through Christ we are declared "perfect" before God.  I want my parents to hear Christ tell God that I am "perfect", I think they will have a hard time accepting it otherwise.

Maybe the simplicity of the message is why Easter is the easiest time of the year to share Christ with others.  More non-religious people attend church on Easter than any other time.  We are thankfully a long way from Easter being relegated to "happy spring day" or some other politically corrupt phrase.

This week at Bible Fellowship Church we will be examining what Christ did with his last week on Earth.  Next week we are celebrating the resurrection with a Sunrise Service at 7:30, then breakfast, an Easter egg hunt for the kids (I have ridiculous amounts of candy filled eggs in my basement - don't worry, Wes hasn't found them), and our Easter worship service in which we will focus on what the resurrection means to us today.  Pray that God will penetrate the hearts of the lost with the Gospel message this Easter across our great country and the world.

Lady Killers

I read a great article a few months ago about pastor's wives and some of the biggest difficulties they face entitled "Spouse Killers in the Ministry".  I know Jess has faced all of them at times, and she has had her battles.  I thank God everyday that he blessed with me with such a wonderful wife that can not only support me and the ministry God has called me to, but also serve in her own capacity.  It's true that often more is expected of a pastor's wife than other women in the church, and God seems to usually supply His pastors with someone more than capable of filling that role while complimenting the ministry of their husband.  For my pastor friends, you understand how valuable our spouses are in both life and ministry. 

We have been blessed to be involved in ministries where the church has always been wonderful to Jess for the most part.  Not forcing her to do things she doesn't feel led to do, not forcing her to change to match their personal preferences, and always respecting her sacrifices to minister, and allow me to minister, how God leads.  Having said all that, I know she still deals with all of the major issues mentioned in the article, as do most other pastor's wives.  I pray that God continues to give her the ability to focus on God and His love and will for her and our family.  I pray the same for all my friend's families who are in ministry (lay and pastoral).  They are crucial to being able to fully serve God in the capacity He has called us to.  A Time Magazine survey sited the number one cause of pastor's leaving the ministry to be pastors' wives' issues.  Satan has been attacking the wives of pastors as much as he attacks the pastors.  It is my guess that pastors receive far more prayer for God's help, we should all be lifting up the ladies as well.

Teachers

I just wanted to say something about teachers.  Jayden received a package from his classmates and teacher from his previous school today for his birthday.  He has received a package every few weeks from them.  His teacher at Duanesburg was Mrs. Westfall.  It is wonderful that she continues to have a positive impact on his life even after he has moved out of the area.  I'm sure she is using it to teach the kids about keeping up with friends long distance and the likes, or at least hope she is.  The point is that she doesn't have to do it.  The teachers Jayden had there continually went above and beyond what was required, expected, or even asked of them.  His current teacher is fine, but the personal effort and touch just doesn't show up like it did before.  With all the complaining some people do about the education systems, the teachers unions, the costs involved, and whatever else is wrong, it is comforting to know that there are teachers out there who continually rise above their job to be true teachers and mentors to the children.  These are the ones who often go unnoticed.  To all the teachers who actively pursue excellence and attempt to make the world better one child at a time because they want to, not because it's their job, I say Thank You!

Pastor Jeff Ford