Encouragement for Dads

             Good morning!  I hope all you Dads had a great day on Sunday.  I’m sure your families treated you like a king.  I hope you know how important you are!

             Strangely our society has relegated fatherhood to the status of non-essential.   According to TV, Dad’s are sorta like a toaster or some other small appliance, “It’s nice if you have one, but you can probably get along just fine without them.”  Other than pay the bills and make stupid comments on most of the sitcoms, their role is secondary to the mom who really runs the show.  Now, I’m not downplaying the role of a godly mom, but I’m a little outraged by that characterization.  And to be honest, the statistics tell a different story.  Look at these figures from the Virginia Fatherhood Initiative:

                                        Do we really need fathers?

             63%      of youth suicides are from fatherless homes.

             71%      of teenage pregnancies come from fatherless homes.

             85%      of all youths in prison grew up in fatherless homes.

             71%      of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes.

             75%      of adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers are fatherless.

             90%      of homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes.

              The spiritual influence of a Dad committed to Christ, is even more amazing.  A well known Christian magazine recently completed a 25 year study.  This study proved that if both Mom and Dad attended church regularly and were committed believers, 72% of the time their children would remain faithful and would follow in their parent’s footsteps.  If the Dad attended church regularly and the Mom did not, the percentage dropped to 55%.  This was a significant decrease, but still over half would become believers.  But if only Mom attended regularly and Dad played golf, or went fishing or worked or stayed home then only 15% remained faithful and continued to attend church.  Evidently the Father’s example was an extremely crucial part of the equation for family success.

             The Scripture, particularly the book of Acts, seems to bear this out.  It is amazing how many times when a man becomes a believer, his entire household follows him in that decision.  Look for instance at the Philippians jailor (Acts 16:31)They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."

             So Dads, don’t let anyone downplay your role.  Step up to the plate and be a major influence in the life of your children and grandchildren.

             Have a great week!
             Pastor Barry

 As I sit here at my desk this morning I’m reminded of all the people at our church who do so many things behind the scenes to make our Sunday services a success.  From opening the doors (and locking them when it’s over), to making the coffee (very important job), to passing out the bulletins, to taking up the offering, to marking the attendance …. There are hundreds of little tasks that never get noticed unless someone isn’t here to do them.  Even during the week we have people who carry trash to the  dump, restock the kitchen cabinets, put out offering envelopes …  Lisa even washes my coffee cup once a week whether it  needs it or not.  Without these unsung heroes things would not run so smoothly.  May their tribe increase.  And to each of you we say a huge thank you!

Yet, I know at times you may feel like no one notices or no one cares.  It is easy to get discouraged.  I love Paul’s encouragement in Galatians 6: 9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  If you feel like giving up this morning, whatever your task, maybe this little story will help.

Some years ago Ignace Jan Paderewski, the famous Polish pianist was scheduled to perform at a great concert hall.  It was a black-tie affair—a high-society extravaganza.  Present in the audience that evening was a woman who had brought her nine-year old son, hoping that he would be encouraged to practice the piano if he could just hear the great Paderewski at the keyboard.  Weary of waiting for the concert to begin — and being there against his wishes anyway — the lad squirmed restlessly in his seat.  Then, as his mother turned to talk with friends, the boy slipped out of his seat and down the aisle, strangely drawn by the ebony concert grand sitting majestic and alone at the center of the huge stage.  He sat down on the tufted leather stool, placed his small hands on the black and white keys, and began to play “Chop Sticks.”  

Suddenly the crowd hushed, and hundreds of frowning faces turned in his direction.  Irritated and angry, some began to shout: “Hey, get that boy away from there!”  “Where’s his mother?” “Somebody stop him!”
Backstage, Paderewski heard the uproar and the sound of the simple tune.  When he saw what was happening, he hurried onto the stage.  Without a word to the audience, he walked up behind the lad, reached his arms around either side of him, and began to improvise a countermelody.  As the two made music together, the master pianist kept whispering in the boy’s ear: “Keep going. Don’t quit, son.  Keep on playing ...don’t stop...don’t quit.”
So it is with us.  We hammer away at life, and sometimes it seems about as significant as “Chop Sticks.”  Then, about the time we are ready to give up, along comes the Master, who leans over and whispers: “Don’t quit. Keep going,” as He provides His finishing touch of grace, love, and joy at just the right moment.

Take courage!  Keep on keeping on!  Who knows what God may accomplish through our feeble efforts.

Have a great week!

Good Morning! 

              Sunday was another great day at Parkway Wesleyan.  I keep hearing comments like “God is doing something great in our church” or “WOW! Was God’s Spirit ever here this morning!”  Another person told me recently, “I don’t want to be away for fear I might miss something.”  All I can say is that “It is a God Thing.”  The Lord is pouring out His Spirit upon us.

              We were especially blessed to have Pastor Luis Martinez with us this past Lord’s day.  Luis shared with us some exciting stories concerning the recent flooding, volcanic eruption and subsequent mud slides in Guatemala.  God granted Luis favor with the police who used their

4-wheel drive vehicle to rescue an 11 member team of nursing students from Indiana Wesleyan University, who had to walk 3 miles through mud sometimes almost to their waist.  He also shared about the critical need for things like blankets, water and food.  Please keep the people of Guatemala in your prayers.  Hundreds, including many children, are missing and presumed dead.  Many are isolated and do not even have access to the basic necessities.  We were able to send Luis back with an offering of over $1,700.00.  It is still not too late to give your offering just mark it for Guatemala Relief.

Pastor Luis shared a great message about asking God to give us eyes to see the world as He sees it; and ears like God’s that are attentive to the cries of the needy; and a heart that loves like Jesus and that is moved with compassion.  As I was driving home from church the Lord reinforced Luis’ message by allowing me to hear the popular song by Brandon Heath, “Give Me Your Eyes”.  Listen to the words of the chorus ……

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so I can see

Everything that I keep missing

Give me your love for humanity.

 

Give me your arms for the broken hearted

The ones that are far beyond my reach?

Give me your heart for the one’s forgotten

Give me your eyes so I can see.

 

I trust this week we will allow the Holy Spirit to make us sensitive to the needs that are all around us.  Let’s love like Jesus loves.

Just a quick report.  Our Missions team (Pastor Dale and Don) arrived in Arizona.  Reports are sketchy, since they have no phone or internet service.  We will try to post updates as soon as they are available.

  

 

Pastor Barry

 

P.S. Don’t forget the Men’s Breakfast this coming Saturday, 7:00 AM at Country Cooking.

 

              A number of years ago I remember taking my children to see the Vietnam Memorial (TheWall) in Washington DC.  We had been laughing, talking and having fun as we visited the Lincoln Memorial and walked across the mall area.  But as we approached that sacred memorial a sense of reverence and awe overcame us.  No one spoke and we walked in silence.  There were several families placing flowers.  There were men in uniform touching names carved into that wall.  One soldier stood at attention and saluted.  And though I did not personally know anyone whose name was on that wall, I was keenly aware of the price they paid for my freedom.  We should never take that lightly.  I hope you took time over this weekend to give thanks and remember those who paid the ultimate price for our security and freedom.

As I reflected this weekend, I also thought of the host of spiritual warriors who have battled the forces of evil down through the centuries.  Their courage, their witness, their prayers have made it possible for us to know the gospel.  Were it not for their faithfulness, we might still be walking in darkness.  We need to consider what kind of legacy we are leaving for the next generation.  Unless we remain committed to the truth,  unless we faithfully share the good news of the gospel, and unless we demonstrate a clear example of holy living our grandchildren may grow up in a totally pagan environment.

Finally, I can’t help but think this Memorial Day of the One who so willingly gave his life for me at Calvary.  In the words of the Apostle Paul, “He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God.  Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with god because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”  Romans 4:25-5:1.  Every time we gather to worship, every time we pray, every time we celebrate Communion we remember Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf.  As the hymn writer puts it, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my life, my soul, my all.”

Have a great week.  God bless.

Yours for Christ,

Pastor Barry

 

Good morning!  


I hope you are having a great day.  I am enjoying the sunshine for a change.  I appreciate the rain (I haven’t had to water my tomato plants for two weeks), but it is really nice to see the sun.  The only problem is I have yard work that is getting way ahead of me.  My theory is it will get done eventually.  


This morning I thought I would follow up on Sunday’s message on Stephen being full of the Holy Spirit with a Bible promise and a story.  As a young man, Oswald Chambers, of My Utmost For His Highest fame, battled a persistent sense of barrenness in his Christian life.  He finally wrote:  I was desperate.  I knew no one who had what I wanted; in fact I did not know what I did want.  But I knew that if what I had was all the Christianity there was, the thing was a fraud.  Then Luke 11:13 got hold of me.


[In case you’re wondering, Luke 11:13 says, If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!]


To continue Oswald Chambers’ story, he attended a little meeting in Dunoon, where in the after meeting a lady asked them to pray and sang the song, “Touch me again, Lord”.  Oswald Chambers says, “I felt nothing, but I knew emphatically my time had come.  I rose to my feet.  Then and there I claimed the gift of the Holy Spirit in dogged committal on Luke 11:13.”

I had no vision of heaven or of angels; I had nothing.  I was as dry and empty as ever, no power or realization of God, no witness of the Holy Spirit.  Then I was asked to speak at a meeting and forty souls came out to the front!  I came to realize that God intended me, having asked, to simply take it by faith, and that power would be there.  I might see it only by the backward look, but I was to reckon on the fact that God would be with me.

From that point on, Oswald Chambers ministered with unusual power.  His words and writings touched people around the world, especially when he taught, as he frequently did, from his favorite verse, Luke 11:13.  And when Oswald died at an early age in Egypt during World War I, an old Australian soldier, whom he had led to Christ had a Bible carved in stone for his grave.  Its pages were turned to Luke 11:13.

I hope you are continuing to pray, as I am, for a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit.  As we sang on Sunday, “Holy Spirit, Rain Down…”  Let’s claim the promise of Luke 11:13.  Oh, how we need His power!
Yours in Christ,


Pastor Barry

  Wow!  What a great weekend!  First of all let me say Thank You to all who made our community work day on Saturday such a huge success.  We had over 25 people (youth and adults) cleaning gutters, spreading mulch, planting flowers and pulling weeds at several locations around our city.  This is truly being the hands and feet of Christ.  Not only was this a great ministry, but we had a wonderful time of fun and fellowship.  We are already planning future “hands on” ministry events.  Its part of a theme you are going to be hearing a lot about this coming year—THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH MATTERS.
 
             All of this set the stage for a great Sunday of worship.  The youth and children’s choir did a great job on their mini-musical which focused on the cross as the “grace place”.  What a wonderful preparation for celebrating communion together.  Have you noticed how the Holy Spirit has just been putting things together lately?  It’s making Pastor Dale and I look like we are brilliantly organized, but in all honesty it’s the Lord.
 
             As I thought about our day of service I was reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  Hopefully our light was shining on Saturday.  Yet, I am reminded that we have opportunities every day to be lights in an increasingly dark world.  Are we taking advantage of our opportunities?  How do we respond to a surly clerk at the supermarket, or a rude driver or a vision-impaired umpire at the little league game?  Our reactions often say as much about the state of our heart as our actions. Again, Jesus reminds us that “…the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean. (Matthew 15:18).  As we go through this week, let’s ask God to make us aware of our reactions, as well as our actions.  May all we say and do point people to Jesus.  I hope you have a great week.
 
                                                                              Yours in Christ,
 
                                                                              Pastor Barry

             It was great to be back at Parkway this past weekend.  We enjoyed visiting a small, historic (circa 1898), community Methodist Church on our vacation, but it wasn’t the same as home.  Parkway is truly a special place.
 
             For those who may not have heard, we had a great local church conference Sunday afternoon.  I think we finished in record time, and the fellowship meal was great.  I was in coconut heaven—coconut crème pie and coconut cake.  It doesn’t get any better than that!
 
             I was reading this week the story of Abraham interceding for the city of Sodom.  This is the first extended prayer recorded in the Bible.  What is interesting is that Abraham clearly believes that God may listen to his request.  He structures his argument carefully believing that he can possibly change God’s mind.  So he asks, “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?  What if there are fifty righteous people in the city?  Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?”  (Genesis 18:23-24) The Lord responds, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”  (Genesis 18: 26)  Abraham continues to negotiate, whittling the number down—forty-five, forty, thirty, twenty and finally ten.  In the end God spares Lot and his family even though there are only four of them.  Such is the power of prayer.
 
             Thomas Merton, as a young man, pursued with great success a career in literature.  But for reasons he did not fully understand, he felt drawn to spend some time in a religious community with men who devoted much of their days to prayer.  He wrote that when he left he was struck by the haste and anxiety of “normal” life: “My heart sank within me.  I thought:  ‘What am I getting into?  Is this the sort of thing I myself have been living in all these years?’”  The thought occurred to him that in some real way these few men devoted to prayer “are doing for their land what no army, no congress, no president could ever do as such:  they are winning for it the grace and the protection and the friendship of God.”
 
             None of us may know the true effects of our prayers this side of heaven, but prayer truly changes things!
 
             That’s why we are planning a special pre-National Day of Prayer service on Wednesday night.  Instead of our normal Bible Study we are going to devote the hour to worship and intercessory prayer.  We intend to pray for our nation, our leaders, and our church.  Even our youth and children are going to participate.  We hope you will plan to join us.  Exciting things happen when God’s people meet to pray!
 
 
                                                                              Have a great week!
                                                                              Pastor Barry

Good Morning Parkway Family;

             It was good to be with you all again this past Sunday.   God was glorified as we gathered and worshiped Him through music – praise team you did a great job and so did the Mountain Ridge Ringers – through scripture and through prayer – thank you Jan for helping me out – and through the message.  I feel the same way that I did yesterday.  God has done great things – God is doing great things – and God will continue to do great things in our church.   I encourage you to join what God is doing at Parkway.

             As most of you know, this year I started running.  Someone asked me on Sunday if I had run before we moved to Staunton.  I had to admit that I hadn’t.  Running was suggested to me a year ago when we came to interview.  If you would have told me a year ago that I would be running 5 miles every other day and would have already completed my first 5K run, I would have thought you were crazy.  Of course, now that I am running I know some of my friends think I’m crazy.

             I remember that first day, it was August 31st, 2009.  It was just three days after my birthday.  Pastor Barry and I went over to the Lee High track and began running.  He warned me to do some stretching so we did that, then we began our first lap.  We completed 200 yards on a jog.  Not bad was my thought and then we walked for 200 yards and we kept alternating this until we completed four laps.  It took us 20 minutes to complete one mile.  I wasn’t so sure that I was going to make it to my next birthday.  Slowly but surely, we worked together over that first month – jogging and walking – jogging and walking.  I was able to build up my stamina, little by little.  I remember I was so excited when I could finally run one mile – then two – then three – then four.  By that time, Ward and Jeff convinced me to enter a 5K race.  That was in November.  I completed my first 5K race ever in 36 minutes and 59 seconds.  It didn’t matter to me that I finished almost last.  My main goal was to complete the race. Over the last couple of months, I have worked up to 5 miles every other day and slowly but surely, I am taking seconds off each mile.  I can now complete on a very fast day 5.2 miles in just over an hour.

             Why do I tell you all that?  Before Easter, Pastor Barry challenged us about our spiritual growth.   I took that challenge as well as many of you.  How are you doing on that challenge?  Perhaps you are only taking baby steps, like I am doing with my running.  The point is are you making progress and if you are that is great – I applaud you, just like many of you have encouraged me in my running.

             In addition to that, I am amazed at the body’s ability to respond to exercise.  I would have never guessed that I could have made that kind of progress.  The other thing that I am painfully aware is how quickly progress can slip away from you.  It takes constantly pushing the boundaries of what you know you can do.  In my journaling of my running progress, my final statement to conclude each entry comes from Paul’s words found in his letter to the church at Ephesus.

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Jesus Christ, is calling us”.(Ephesians 3:13-14 – New Living Translation)

             I encourage each one of you, no matter where you are in your spiritual journey to press on to reach the prize for which God has called you to.  I love you all. Have a great week.

Pressing On!
Pastor Dale

             Praise the Lord for His marvelous grace!  I am still rejoicing over another great service in the Lord’s house.  The Holy Spirit’s presence was so evident and it was wonderful to see so many around the altar for prayer.  God is about to do something amazing at Parkway!  I’m still singing that little chorus “Holy Spirit, Rain Down!”

             This past week I received in the mail an eco-friendly circular from LOWES.  It had all kinds of green, eco-safe fertilizers and pesticides.  One thing that particularly caught my attention was the “Tomcat” Live Catch Mouse Trap.  Evidently you can catch little “Tom and Jerry” without harming them and then take them out somewhere and release them in the wild.  Or another alternative might be to catch several of the little critters and release them some dark night near the home of someone you don’t like very much.  I’m not recommending that, but it is a possibility.  Or what if a couple of mice just happened to escape from some kids book bag in the middle of an English class.  I’m sure that would be a big hit!  These things may have some great potential after all!

             Now I know what some of you are thinking.  Who in their right mind, other than some 5th grade boy intent on tormenting girls (or a pastor with a devious sense of humor), would be interesting in catching and releasing  mice.  To  most people’s way of thinking (my wife included) the only good mouse is a dead  mouse.  This is just another example of our society’s politically correct excessively tolerant philosophy.  Even a disease carrying destructive rodent is to be protected.

             Unfortunately, this philosophy of tolerance has spread to our personal lives as well.  Who worries about a little sin anymore?  What difference does it make if you tell a little white lie?  Who cares if you cheat on your taxes?  Everyone does it!  I heard someone say on TV recently they were involved in an innocent affair.  How could an affair ever be innocent?  We’ve adopted a nonchalant attitude toward evil.   

             How different from the apostle Paul who says “For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin…­(Romans 6:6).  Or as he tells us in Romans 8:13 .. “If by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body the you will live”.  The point is we don’t want to give sin a breeding ground or a small pest can become a big problem.  Let’s take decisive action.  Don’t tolerate even a little sin.  Ask God for forgiveness and cleansing.  Let’s seek to live holy, Christ pleasing lives.

             I hope you have a great week.  Remember and be praying for our upcoming Local Church conference on May 2nd.  We have some exciting things to report and we are looking forward to sharing some dreams for the future.

                                                                 Yours for Christ,
                                                                 Pastor Barry