Deacon of the Month
Jeff Gonzalez (503) 806-0812
Please feel free to call Jeff with any
spiritual concerns you may have.
Church Numbers: Phone: (503) 637-3258 FAX: (503) 637-6892
www.bartonchurch.org
PASTOR’S PEN
Pastor Thom Turner
Perfect Conditions —
Ecclesiastes 11:4
This past month or so and for the next couple of months I am setting aside time to think about the future of our church and do some long range planning. In this process I have discovered some things I would like to share with you. First, life will get in the way. By that I mean that no matter how you do your planning things will come up that will not only change your plans but may keep you from planning from the beginning. Second, it is easy to plan things and dream things that I know are possible in my own strength. This speaks for itself and to our lack of faith.
It’s not necessarily bad but it is not faith. Third, The biggest discovery I have also realized is that my time may not be God’s time. Usually we think in these terms of jumping out ahead of God, but I am more confounded by my own desire to wait too long to put plans in action. There is a Bible verse that speaks to this:
“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4).
Now let me illustrate this point. When a farmer anticipates a windy day, he puts off planting seeds; otherwise the gusts will blow the seed away before they can penetrate the earth. And when a farmer anticipates rain during the harvest, he puts off cutting wheat or oats; if the grain gets wet it gets ruined. So a farmer needs to exercise a little caution. Exercise too much caution, however, and your seeds will never get planted and your harvest will never come in.
The Living Bible renders this verse: “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.”
If you need to begin a new project or start a new diet or launch a new ministry or make some big changes in your life, don’t wait for the perfect conditions to come along. Instead, seize the perfect moment — this moment — and take the first step in moving forward.
I know while I am planning and praying for our future I will be looking for moments in which to move as well. Planning and praying should always lead to movement.
Mother/Daughter Brunch
Seeds of Kindness
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patient, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-Control.
Galatians 5:22
Date: Saturday, May 8th Time: 11:00 AM
Guest Speaker & Music ~ Robyn Besemann
COG Potluck Dinner
When: Monday Evening, May 10th
Where: Fellowship Hall
All the COG groups will join together this evening to share in a potluck dinner and conversation about the their study of the Book of Ephesians.
BCBC
5th Annual Parking Lot Sale
June 19, 2010
It’s time to gather your “Treasures”
for this year’s
Barton Community Event.
RESERVE YOUR SPACE NOW
Sales Space: $20.00
Vehicle for Sale Space: $10.00
(These fees help support women’s ministry events at BCBC.)
