Pastor Mike's Memo | Pine Street Baptist Church

Mike's Memo

August has been hot and dry. It shouldn't surprise us because every August is hot and dry. Not only do the weather people tell us how hot it is, they tell us how hot it feels. I'm not sure what the purpose of the heat index is other than to make us more uncomfortable than we already are. The great thing about ending August and beginning September is the fact that we know the seasons are close to changing. While this summer has been difficult, we are almost to the point where we have made it through. We can be thankful for that but also for Willis Carrier who invented the first modern electrical air conditioning unit in 1902.

Life for most of us is a lot like this past summer. We go through difficult seasons, and while we are in the middle of the heat, we wonder if it will ever end. The Bible is full of faithful followers of God who went through some uncertain times. Elijah went from a mountain top experience to praying that God would take his life. Jeremiah preached an unwanted message to the people of Israel and was beaten and put in the stocks. He focused on the negative things that had happened to him because of his obedience. In the middle of hardships, we must not make bad choices because we know that the seasons change.

I have discovered that God allows the hard times to come in to get us to a point where there is more of Him and less of us. For God to increase, I must decrease, and I struggle with doing that on my own.

I know that changing my calendar from August to September doesn't change the weather. It will still be hot in September. The forecast calls for the temperatures to go from the 100's to the mid 90's. I don't think we will feel the difference that much, but it does show us that change is on its way. Be patient throughout this season of life and get ready for a new day.

Love you,
Mike

Church Facts & Figures for July

Sunday School Enrollment 317
Sunday School Weekly Average 215
New Church Members 5
Decrease in Church Members 1
Budget Tithes / Offerings $63,817.26
Hispanic Ministry Offerings $2,493.00

Hispanic Building Project $818,539.65