Early one glorious autumn morning we were staying on Duck Pointe in the Northwoods. (I added the “e” because you increase the property value by ten grand when you do that). I woke up and Lois was out taking pictures of one of the most beautiful autumn days we have ever enjoyed. She had not even dressed yet, but just grabbed her camera to capture the beauty of the morning. I did the same. She was so cute that I had to take a picture of her taking pictures. This is my tribute to her. She has filled my life with beauty in so many ways I plan to spend the rest of my life loving her. She is full of life and she has filled my life in so many ways.
Success in the New Year
Here is a valuable tip for any time of the year. It was the theme of my message for Momence yesterday morning. There is one activity that the Lord promises to bless. In fact the promises attached to this one simple activity are staggering. According to the Bible it is the secret to true, lasting success in life. Anyone can do it no matter where in the world they are, no matter how much money or education they have. God promised that the secret of success in life is to have communion with God through meditation on his Word day and night. (Psalm 1; Josh. 1:8) What better goal could a person adopt for the New Year than one that would yield such powerful results? I am planning on reading steadily through the Bible early in the mornings during the first few months of the year. What are your plans?
A Few Weeks from Eternity
Years ago I went to visit a man to talk to him about the Lord. I didn’t call ahead, I just dropped in unannounced. It was just after the supper hour. He didn’t answer the door but sent his wife. She welcomed us in and spoke to us in a whisper like a librarian.
“He watches ‘Wheel of Fortune’ every night.” She said quietly. “If you want to you can watch it with him, if you are careful to be quiet. He doesn’t like any interruptions. When the program is over he will talk to you.”
We agreed to wait for him to watch his game show. He didn’t acknowledge our presence at all during the show or the commercials. He took a kitchen chair and pulled it up to within two feet of the television and did not move back until the program was over.
When the program ended he put the chair away, greeted us and offered us a treat from the freezer. We had a pleasant chat and I thanked him for visiting our services. I tried to talk with him about eternal things. He was civil and pleasant but otherwise disinterested in in-depth discussion.
We thanked him for his welcome and left. I never saw him in church again. A few weeks later he was changing a light bulb in his garage, fell from a step ladder and hit his head. He never recovered from the fall. Within a short time he was dead. When I visited him he didn’t know that he was only a few weeks from meeting God but he was more interested in his game show than discussing eternal things.
Do you give your time and attention to things that are empty? Have you sufficiently considered eternal things? How long will it be until eternity begins for you? None of us knows how many more years on earth we have, or how many months, or even how many days or hours. How many days do you have to see that you are right with God and others? How many days will you have to forgive those who have hurt you? How many days will you have to love the people around you?
Ken Pierpont
Panera Bread in South Bend, Indiana
January 1, 2007
FBC Momence
Here is a wee little photo of the First Baptist Church of Momence, where I have been called to pastor while I continue to serve full-time here at HQ.
Happy 17th Birthday Hannah
Hannah Ruth was born at home on December 19th, 1989 at 6:54 a.m. We all celebrated with happy tears that snowy winter morning. I wrote out her birth certificate by hand at the kitchen table that morning. Her name means grace and favor. She has the grace of God on her and her favor and beauty are from the Lord. She has been such a delight to me since I first held her beside the Christmas tree that Christmas night. My heart was so happy when she was born I was inspired to write a poem about it.
Hannah Ruth Pierpont
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