168 Colonial Drive, Jackson, MS 39204
Nell Rose and I have tested negative from Covid! Finally! We truly appreciate all your prayers for us those weeks. It was good to be back at church yesterday, August 7, in time to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Alta Woods Baptist Church.
It was particularly good to see so many former members in attendance. Their hearts and lives were once immersed in the ministry of AWBC. For many of them, it was a "homecoming" back to their spiritually growing years here. God had blessed them with many wonderful experiences as they faithfully served him.
Many former members I have met at least once during my 20+ years at AWBC, but I apologize for my memory failure in not remembering names. To those of us who are still here, it was good to see the sanctuary filled with all God's children praising Him. That is why you were here all those years and that is why we are still here today.
I know you were remembering the many times God has blessed you as you sat and ate together. Being a staff member, I was particularly glad to see many staff members return to lead us in worship. Terry deserves a special thanks for the coordination of all that.
I was particularly impressed with how Audrey Methvin arranged the tables with pictures of the pastors and the years they served. How creative was that.
Of course, the food and fellowship were excellent and up to the high standards of AWBC.
Peggy Roberts worked tirelessly and deserves our appreciation for her part in making the day such a fun day for us all.
But as I said in the service, as much as we enjoyed seeing and rekindling old friendships, the day was really all about Jesus. He's been the center of all the church has done these 75 years and continues to be even today. He will continue to bless us as His children as long as we keep Him in first place in our hearts and in our service at AWBC.
We thank Him for the past, will faithfully serve Him in the present and we trust Him with our future.
God's Word reminds us that those who wait for Him are blessed. Waiting patiently does not come easily for many of us. We like to plan ahead, make definitive decisions and make things happen. There is a time for that - but there is a time for waiting - sitting in the Lord's Presence and trusting Him with our whole being. Many good things await us in the future. While we are resting in His Presence, He is preparing us for those yet unreceived blessings, which we cannot see. They are concealed in the mystery of the future. Some of His blessings are for the here and now. The process of waiting is beneficial for us - it keeps us on our toes as we continually look to Him in hope. He is in control and is good to us.
Lord, while we are struggling to understand why we have to wait so long at times, help us to change our focus from relying on our own understanding to trusting You with all our hearts.
Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 30:18; Psalm 40:1; Psalm 143:8
- copi