Scripture

I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.

~Psalm 31:7, NLT

Quote

We learn nothing apart from adversity.

~Watchman Nee

I did something yesterday morning that I rarely do, I listened to the Sunday night message. I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed but it didn’t seem to bother me as it normally does. I listened from my recliner because I had a sleepy spell during my devotions and I thought the sermon might put me to sleep. It did not and before I could get back to my computer, a black man came on. His name was Terry Anderson and I decided to listen. He preached on Jesus sending the disciples into the storm. He had some good insights and I enjoyed hearing him preach. In the message, he made the statement, “My best friend is trouble.” I thought why in the world would anyone’s best friend be trouble. Most of us want to avoid trouble.

He said, “My friend Trouble humbles me down and he always tells me the truth. He is forever bringing me to Jesus. It seems that he always reveals my weakness and shows me where I need to improve. He also drives me to my knees in prayer. Trouble is my teacher. I learn from Trouble.” I think Reverend Anderson is right. I got a couple of quotes from him also: speaking of Peter going over board and walking on the water with Jesus; he said, “I rather be on the water with Jesus than in the boat without Him.” He also said, “If Jesus sends you over {to the other side}, you are not going under.” One more: “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing ever occurs to God.” We cannot become aware of anything that God doesn’t already know. He is omniscient and has perfect foreknowledge.

Extra

One change on the calendar for Grace Pointers. After a zoom meeting yesterday, we have changed the Church wide Christmas meal to Sunday morning December 14th. Our primary reason was participation. Several that I talked to Sunday morning said, “Bro. Jack, we can’t make it Wednesday night, we don’t get home from work in time.” That plus the group that refuses to come on Wednesday night influenced our decision. The menu has not changed: Turkey and Ham and all the trimmings. Charles will handle the meat/kitchen and Terri will coordinate the sides and set up. We will need some dressing. We will eat right after the morning service. December 17th will be the Christmas Program but no meal and we changed the starting time to 6:00 instead of 5:30.

I have some good news, DBC is considering sponsoring the blog. Matter of fact, I think it is in the works. This will be a huge help. Internet services have gone up just like everything else. I intented to quit the blog last year but one of our good friends at the POINT paid for 2025 in full. He asks that his name remain anonymous.

I rarely look at the Blog Stats but I checked them yesterday and was surprised. We had two high days back to back–October 31 and November 1. November 1 we had 383 readers and on October 31 we had 345. This is way above average which would be a little over 100. November 2 has been our low for the month with 59 viewers. Some of these are scanners, they do not read the devotional part, only the extra. I will run their names in tomorrows blog. {JK}

No kidding, that reminds me of a story. Thirty years ago when it was a novelty, we invested in a phone system called the phone tree. I would record a message and the system would send it to everyone on the subscriber list automatically. The first system we had dialed them individually and I could tell who listened and who hung up. I was shocked by some who listened and equally shocked by those who hung up. Of course I removed the ones who hung up; it was obvious that they were not interested in the message. But I have never revealed that secret untill now. The ones I remember are no longer with us and of course, they would not read the blog if they were. At the time, it hurt my feelings.

Grace Point Holiday Calendar

• November 12–Post Veteran’s Day Stew…6:00 in Fellowship Hall
• November 26–No mid-week service
• December 5–49er Christmas Party at 11:30
• December 14–CHRISTMAS DINNER after morning worship
• December 17–CHRISTMAS PROGRAM @ 6:00 Sanctuary
• December 24–Christmas Eve Communion @5:00 Sanctuary
• December 31–No mid-week service