Pastor’s Corner

Mohrsville Church of the Brethren

Last May, we were pleased to welcome back Pastor Jim Bauer.  Pastor Jim served here for eight-and-a-half years (September 1993-March 2002).  He returned here last May as pastor after serving as a field worker with Child Evangelism Fellowship of Reading-Berks from April 2002-April 2004, and then pastoring Richland Church of the Brethren in Lebanon County from May 2004-April 2008.

Pastor Jim is a graduate of Spring-Ford High School, Royersford, PA. (Montgomery County), Mansfield State College and Indiana University of Pa. with undergraduate and graduate degrees in music education. He has also earned graduate credits in pastoral ministry from the former Evangelical School of Theology (now Evangelical Theological Seminary) in Myerstown, Pa. and Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, PA.

Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Other times by appointment.

Please e-mail the Webmaster,

Martha Holubec, with any technical

problems or questions regarding

this website.

Greetings in the precious name of Jesus!

 

“Happy New Month!” (I got the jump on the greeting card companies on this one!)

 

How are you on this, the first day of September? (At the risk of sounding trite, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT’S SEPTEMBER ALREADY?!)

 

I’m good, and thinking about an article by Mart DeHaan on “Quoting God” that I recently read. In it, he poses this question: “Should we be talking about what we think God has said to us in the same way that we quote the Bible?”

 

De Haan continues by saying that the Creator who spoke the worlds into existence speaks to us through what He has made, through our conscience, through His Scriptures and by His Holy Spirit.

 

But if God is able to speak clearly enough for us to “hear” Him, does that mean that all of the ways He speaks to us are equally quotable? The real question is this: “What if, by quoting God, we put words in His mouth that don’t reflect what He would say to us in our present circumstances?” In Old Testament times, attributing words to God that He didn’t speak was a crime punishable by death.

 

De Haan also poses this legitimate question: “How do we make sure that we are being as careful in quoting God as we are ready to hear Him speak?”

 

In order to honor God’s written Word, we must remember that “what God has said” is limited to the original meaning and intent of the text that He has inspired. Honestly saying what we believe God was saying to us will make it clear that we’re talking about our impression of God’s leading. Focusing on our role in trying to understand how God is working in our lives is much safer than taking the risk of putting words in His mouth that He would never say.

 

Let’s be cautious about what we claim for God’s voice.

 

In the meantime, please be praying for:

 

         * Everyone who needs God’s healing touch (in every way)

     * All of our widows, widowers and shut-ins

     *  All of our students, especially those who are now attending grade school, middle school, high school or college for the very first time

     * Everyone who needs God’s traveling mercies

     * Our youth as they meet for Bible study tonight

     *  Our Christian Men in Recovery meeting tomorrow night at 7:00

     *  Our 9:15 a.m. prayer time, 9:30 a.m. Sunday school and 10:30 a.m. worship this Sunday, September 5, when I plan to preach on “What True Righteousness Is” (Matthew 5:1-16)

     *  A safe and happy Labor Day on Monday, September 6 (our Women’s Support Group will not meet that evening).

 

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

 

Take Care

In Christ,

Pastor Jim

Being Christ-Centered and Community-Minded