Recently, I went to be trained to go to Columbia. Here is a picture of our group.

Blessings,

Pastor Steve

Some people never seem motivated to participate, 
But are just content to watch while others do the work.
They are called Speck Taters.

Some people never do anything to help,
But are gifted at finding fault in the way others do the work.
They are called Comment Taters.

Some people are very bossy and like to tell others what to do,
But don’t want to soil their own hands.
They are called Dick Taters.

Some people are always looking to cause problems by asking others to agree with them. 
It’s too hot or too cold, too sour or too sweet.
They are called Agie Taters.

There are those who say they will help,
But somehow just never get around to actually doing the promised help.
They are called Hezzie Taters.

Some people can put up a front 
And pretend to be someone they are not.
They are called Emma Taters.

Then there are those who love others and do what they say they will.
They are prepared to stop whatever they are doing and lend a hand.
They bring real sunshine into the lives of others.
They are called Sweet Taters.

–Author Unknown

There are some things money can’t buy, for everything else there’s Master Card.
I’m sure you’ll all received their applications in the mail.
However, I’m here to advertise a different card.
You see, my life is a product for others to see.
I’m a card carrying representative for
The Master’s Card.

That’s right.  The Master’s Card. Let me tell you about it.
There are no finance charges, no payments due.
My bill has already been covered…it’s a prepaid deal.
I couldn’t afford the price, so Jesus stepped in and paid it for me.
My Name is written on the card for all to see;
twenty-four hours a day, from anywhere in the world.

The Master’s Card
has so many benefits it’s hard to list them all.
Let me share some of them with you…
You might want to apply for a personal card yourself.
Just for starters there’s Unlimited grace. That’s right. 
There’s no preset limit to the amount of grace
you receive from The Master’s Card.

Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places?
Then look no further than
The Master’s Card.
It offers the greatest rate on love that has ever been offered.
The Master’s Card gives you access to many “members only” benefits.

Want real joy despite the difficulties of life?
Apply for The Master’s Card.
Want a lasting peace?  Apply for The Master’s Card.
Looking for something you can always rely on in a jam?
The Master’s Card is perfect for you.
Another great thing about The Master’s Card
is that is never expires and will never be canceled.
Once you’re a member, you’re a member for life – Eternal Life, that is.

Membership has its privileges you know.
So why not apply today?  It’s only a prayer away.

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.  “There are five things you need to know,” he told the pencil, “before I send you out into the world.  Always remember them, never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

1. You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone’s hand.
2. You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.
3. You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.
4. The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.
5. On every surface you are used, you must leave your mark.  And no matter what the condition, you must continue to write.”The pencil understood, promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replace the name of the pencil with you.  Always remember these five things, never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

Before U were thought of or time had begun,
God stuck U in the name of His Son.

And each time U pray, you’ll see it’s true,
You can’t spell out JesUs and not include U.

You’re a pretty big part of His wonderful name,
For U He was born – that’s why He came.

And His great love for U is the reason He died.
It even takes U to spell crUcified.

Isn’t it thrilling and splendidly grand
He rose from the dead with U in His plan?

The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew,
and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.

When Jesus left earth at His upward ascension,
He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.

“Go into the world and tell them it’s true -
That I love them all – Just like I love U.”

So many great people are spelled with a U,
Don’t they have a right to know Jesus too?

It all depends now on what U will do,
He’d like them to know, but it all starts with U.

When Jesus died on the cross He was thinking of you!

What If we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What If we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What If we flipped through it several times a day?
What If we used it to receive messages from the text?
What If we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
What If we gave it to kids as gifts?
What If we used it as we traveled?
What If we used it in case of an emergency?
What If we upgraded it to get the latest version?

One more thing.  Unlike our cell phone, we don’t ever have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

A few generations ago, before women began to work outside the home, every day seemed to be organized around a particular function or duty.  Let’s see how we can apply the lesson to ourselves.

Monday - Wash Day. God, help me wash away my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.

Tuesday - Ironing Day. God, help me iron out all the wrinkles of the prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday - Mending Day. God, help me mend my ways so that I will not set a bad example for others.

Thursday - Cleaning Day. God, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday - Shopping Day. God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.

Saturday - Cooking Day. God, help me to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with the sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday - Day of Worship. God, I have prepared my house for you.  Please come into my heart as my honored guest so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in Your presence.

Gracious God, what a task it is to keep this old “house” of mine clean!
Help me as I give my best in Your service.
Amen.