What do you do to "keep up"?

I am 42 years old and can't remember when the first time I felt like I was behind the times because of what i had or didn't have.

It seems there's always a "new" thing we should have or an old item we shouldn't have anymore. There's always a better computer, car or new TV that you "cannot do without." While I am glad that someone thought of a new possibility when it came to the outhouse, we can chase new things forever. I also think that applies to almost everything. Yes, I said "almost". You see, in a world that constantly thinks of ways to improve itself, we have God's word that never changes. The same principles, same God, same power and the same wisdom is available to us that was available 100 years ago. That is exciting to me.

What I question is the idea that as the world gets "better", they sincerely think they can become "better"- as they move away from a recognition of God in their world and lives.

Romans 1:19-25 tells us about a people like this many years ago. Read it again and see what you think.

• 19 "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."

We would expect a world that doesn't want anything to do with God to live this way, but many believers have chosen to live this way. In their minds and their actions- they "worship" themselves (creature) more than they worship the Lord (creator). Worship carries with it the idea of total surrender or submission to. Put that in the context of your life and consider the things that you "worship".

We at ESBC are getting ready to start a Sunday School Campaign and the theme of the campaign is "going ALL OUT". through the course of the month of September 2008 we will consider those in God's word that gave their ALL for the Lord and what happened.

What I have found in my study time is that there are few that willingly give all to the Lord, leaving this world behind. Too many try to have the best of both worlds and God doesn't work that way.

I want to challenge you, think about what all you do to "keep up" with the world. Compare that thought to what you do to live a Godly life.

• Which one takes priority?
• Which one costs you more?
• Which one has eternal value?
• Which one pleases the Creator?, the Creature?

I'll leave with this. Jesus said in Matt. 7:24-27

• 24 "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."

Pastor Phil

Transition- means "CHANGE"

We all go through it. It is sometimes voluntary, sometimes mandatory. Sometimes we like it. Sometimes we fight or reject it. None the less, it is part of our lives. I am talking about a 6 letter word that strikes fear in the minds of co-workers, friends and family and church members alike. "It" is the word C-H-A-N-G-E.

We experience change in weather, temperature, time, TV and many more things that we often take for granted. Our bodies change, our heart rates change and sometimes we change our mind. Each baby is glad for this aspect of life but many adults resist it.

All considered, we will go through many changes through the years of life.

I have found that in the Bible, Jesus spent 3 years of his life trying to prepare 12 men for the change that they would experience. When it happened, they all seemed to not have a clue. We read about Jesus telling them that he must go and when he does, he will send a comforter to come. Now that comforter lives inside of the believer and deals with, convicts and teaches us all things. Because of that, I know the Lord as my Savior. He lives in my heart. My life was changed because of what He did for me. My outlook and attitude has changed because he lives inside of me. I have hope today because I have the Saviour of the world in my life.

2 Cor. 5:17 tells us...

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

That means when we come to know Him as the Lord of our life, we need not fear change.

One of these days, this world will fade and eternity will have new meaning for believers. I am looking forward to that. We will never leave old friends. We will never get sick. We will live in Heaven. There will never be any more changes at that point. Some are really looking forward to that "no more change" part. I know that I am. Till then, I must understand that there are going to be things that are different. We don't have to enjoy them but simply understand that they will occur.

Before I close, let's praise the Lord there are a couple things that are solid concrete and will never change.

• First, The Lord is the "the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Hebrews 13:8.


• Second, His word. I am not talking about translations. I am talking about what he said is right and wrong. There are absolutes. The scripture let's us know that His "word is truth" John 17:17. Truth is true no matter what the circumstance.

While things in life change, we have the Lord and His word that will never shift on us. We can rely on it through every trial and tribulation, through every joy and incredible experience. He will stand true from generation to generation. What an incredible comfort to know.

Pastor Phil

East Side Baptist Church

Have you ever.....?

...run into a person that

• finishes your statements for you?
• can tell you what you should be thinking?
• has time to talk but no time to listen?
• wants to impart wisdom but is unwilling to learn?
• more than open with their opinion without asking a reason? will talk about themselves but has no concern for others?

They usually pop up every once in a while as they make their "circuit". The "circuit" is needed because there is not one person that will listen to them long enough for them to feel important.

There are always legitimate needs that we have and need to think about, dwell on and talk to others about. That is not what I am talking about. I am speaking of the person that their one and only subject is " M E ".

"The trouble with some self-made men is that they worship their creator."

The Bible tells us about our focus. In Philippians 2:3b-7, Paul uses Christ as the example we should follow.

"...in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"

This passage brings up a key point about our focus. It makes a point of saying that (my paraphrase) the opposite of looking at myself is being a servant. That means that if all I think about is myself, I am not thinking or helping others. For the believer, that is a foundational issue.

D.L. Moody, the late Pastor from the 1800's, is quoted as saying "God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves."

I am excited to hear about missions and missions projects. Missionaries are the exact opposites of what we are talking about. They are servants that have given their lives for the Lord's service. They leave home (homeland and families), friends and many times the conveniences of what they have known- only for the cause of Christ. They have been entrusted with the Gospel message and they are willing to leave what they have known to tell those that do not know.

There are other servants that have done the same and continue to place their lives in the Lord's hands. May the Lord truly bless them for their willingness to follow unconditionally. May others see beyond their own viewpoint to see a jealous God that seeks His rightful place in their lives.

Pastor Phil
East Side Baptist

How's Your Memory?

Memorial day has been set aside to recognize the fallen soldiers that have paid the "ultimate sacrifice". The freedoms that we enjoy have come at a heavy price to families of the United States down thru the history of this country. Many fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, and other relatives have sacrificed their freedom to bring freedom for this country and for others in other countries around the world.

As the United States, we give when taken from. We have been known to sacrifice for those that have even gone against us.

I am thankful for the freedoms that I enjoy and thankful for those that have fought for those freedoms. I wish we could put a face to that because I would gladly display them.

There are memorials all across the country that recognize those fallen soldiers and this coming Memorial Day will be no shortage of parades, ceremonies, and special events recognizing this special day. I trust it will not be just another day for you to enjoy the freedom but an honest day to consider the freedom and consider it's source.

I think it is also appropriate that we recognize the spiritual freedom that we enjoy and that it came at a high price also. You see, it came not only from one that paid the "ultimate sacrifice" but he was perfect (without any sin). He willingly laid down His perfect life for us. The only reason being the forgiveness that was needed for us to be able to spend eternity with Him. He did that for you. We celebrate that every Sunday. He willingly died, was buried and rose again. He didn't stay in the grave but lives today.

Romans 8:1 tells us "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

I wonder if this Sunday will be just another day or if you will take the time to worship the Lord for what He has done for you.

May we never forget,

Pastor Phil

BBQ Time

It's that time of year again when everything greens up and the grass starts to grow and everyone starts coming outdoors again.

I remember one of the points in the "Becoming A Contagious Christian" series. It said, BBQ First. What they were talking about was building a relationship with others and how important it was for unbelievers to see a consistent life of a believer and the love of the Lord shining thru them.

That issue makes you think about the fact that people want to see not just another spectacle but something that is real. Someone that believes what they talk about. Someone that acts with their words not words without actions. "Christians" like that come a dime a dozen.

With it being BBQ time again, I am reminded of all those I consider my "neighbor". Each day is a golden opportunity to show them that I care for them. Each day is a reminder to live real, showing the incredible relationship I have with the Lord. Then watch to see what the Lord will do thru me.

Let's have a GREAT summer,

Pastor Phil

Weather the Storm- HOW?

Hello Everyone,
If you have ever watched "The Wizard of Oz" you will know the reputation Kansas has for whirlwinds called "Tornado's". I have watched the old film in color and black & white. While I have experienced the devastation of a tornado while living in Springfield, MO., I have never been IN one. Still after watching the film, I have never been traumatized by the storm or the strong wind but by the journey Dorothy and Toto take. From the looks of things The elderly lady on the bike rides out the storm rather well for your average whirlwind, bicycle riding senior citizen.

If they would have been in the cellar during the storm and come out with no visible damage to the house, farm or animals...
First, it would have been a much shorter movie.
Second, we wouldn't have this conversation about the film and
Third, we wouldn't be reminded of the need of brain, heart and for Dorothy to realize "There's No place like home."

Through it all, not to ruin the ending for everyone that has not watched the film, they all enjoy each others company and life is all better because of the dream that she had.

Don't you wish that everything we experienced finally ended up with such a happy ending? I wish I could say it all does but we know a different story.

Even though God does not work by our plan, he still works a plan thru our lives. I am excited that as a child of God, I can trust that when I am in a storm I am not alone. I also know that He will guide me and I will make it to the other side of the storm better for trusting Him in it.

He sees the storm coming and prepares me for the ride. I like the fact that God also sees the end and knows when the storm will pass. Whatever "storm" you may be in...
First- Trust the Lord. Nobody cares or will care as much as he does for you. He showed that when He died for you on the cross of Calvary.
Second- Know that If you have asked Him in to your heart, He will be in the storm with you. You are not alone in any situation. He said in the Bible, "I will never Leave thee nor forsake thee."
Third- He will carry you thru to the other end. It is not all for you to bear and it has a an end. Brighter days are ahead.

I like the fact that after a storm, the grass is greener, the days are prettier in comparison and your appreciation for an uneventful day has grown!

Psalm 37 tells us to

"3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily F116 thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."

Vs. 3- TRUST
Vs. 4- DELIGHT
Vs. 5- COMMIT
Vs. 6- FRET NOT
Vs. 7- REST
Vs. 8- CEASE FROM ANGER

An incredible equation for us to follow especially if we are experiencing a "storm" in our life.

If by chance you are going thru a traumatic time, please feel free to e-mail me and It would be a privilege to keep you or the situation in prayer.

Pastor Phil Housley
East Side Baptist Church

Finish this statement - "Time is ..."

Hello Everybody,

In this postmodern mindset world, things that have had solid clear definition for ages have taken on new meaning based upon how one looks at a given subject or how feelings are applied on a given day.


I am sure you can finish this saying as it is most noted for. "Time is money". This statement is given as if they are both interchangeable but that is not true. Time can be given for money but the wealthiest person in the world cannot buy one second more for their life.


What is your time worth?

• for a special person or group that you enjoy, your time may be given


• for a job that is fun, it may be less costly to the benefactor


• for a job that is gruelling you may charge handsomely

Keep in mind, the time that it has taken me to write this note will never be mine again. I am responsible to be a good steward of my time. I want to have something valuable to show for the use of my time. I want to invest my time in the things that have eternal value.

Time is one of the most expensive thing we know and we all have the same amount each day. Use it wisely.

Matthew 25:13 tells us
"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

If we are not careful, it will get away from us and then we'll answer for it. Lord willing, I'll see you next time.

Pastor Phil

What Do You Think?

In Matthew 25:14-30 we find what is generally called the parable of the talents. It deals with what "faithful" or unfaithful servants do with what they have been blessed.

14 "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods."

This month at East Side Baptist, we have spent a great deal of time looking at our Stewardship responsibilities of God given blessings. We have dealt with the fact that ...

• Spiritual Fitness- All that we have is His (Gods).
• The Premise and the Promise- God blesses as we follow a Biblical plan.
• Wise Use of Time- He get the first and the best.

There are some details that are looked over that should stand out form this one verse.

He "called" several
We are all called to accept Him-
"come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28)

He gives to "His own servants"-
When I accepted Him as my personal Savior, I became His.

He "delivered unto them His goods"
He has blessed me with all that I have.

Before we ever look at what the servants did with what they had, consider the source of those gifts, who he gave them to and Then consider that He comes back expecting great things from what he has dispersed.

"Stewardship" is a term that deals with management. We are managers of all God has placed in our care. We can not take it with us, we only will be responsible for what we do with it while it is in our care.

I want to one day give all that He has blessed me with back to him with more. It is the least I can do. He has given me more that I deserve through the gift of His own Son. I also have the incredible opportunity to tell others about that incredible gift.

What do you think?

Pastor Phil

SNOW AGAIN?!?!

When we moved to Kansas I was sure that I understood the seasons- their schedule and patterns. I have learned a lot since the move. It seems that nothing has a pattern here- the wind, the snow, the dust, the cold or the heat.

I know that it is not a Kansas thing because of the different patterns here recently in the Midwest. In the mid-winter we have had tornadoes and thunderstorms with snow. Maybe I just never have paid attention like I do now.

The weather here is really like life. You really never know what is going to happen. Just when you think you have things figured out, something changes. You are secure in your job and the company downsizes. A person running for office feels sure they are in and they end up on the bottom of the pile. You have never felt better in your life and the Dr. tells you your cholesterol is up. You pay off your car and then it breaks down. What is up with that?

What is great about the life of a believer is that in this world of change and unpredictability we have a "sure foundation" in Jesus Christ.

The bible tells us in 2 Tim. 2:19

"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity."



My status, health and position in this world is not established when I have a certain amount of money or have attained a certain position or have reached a specific level of notoriety. My position and value is determined by the one that gave his life for me on the cross in his show of love. It's hard to see the world struggle with those battles but that is the culture and world system that is prevalent.

That only reminds us that we have a job ahead of us. Our job is to tell this world about the one that has made them a priority. His love and forgiveness reaches the deepest darkest sinner.



Yeah, the seasons and life change but God is steady and sure. So is his love.

Pastor Phil

This Year - Great Year!

The older I get (and I don't consider myself "old" yet) , the more I have learned to appreciate the past.

There is some point that people must have a realization that they have lived longer than they have yet to live. I really don't think I am there but we never know. Only God really knows. But the more I have to look back on, the more I have to appreciate about the life that the Lord has allowed me to live.

This past year at East Side Baptist we have watched growth in so many areas.

• We have watched our spiritual family grow as people came to know the Lord.


• We have been to Wales on a missions trip and watched as the Lord used many of our church to give a Gospel message to many that we love but have never known.


• That Missions trip financially was a major step of faith for many of those that went.


• We have watched our church grow numerically thru those that have followed the Lord in believers baptism and joined from other Bible believing churches.


• We have taken many opportunities to meet specific needs with those in our community and our missionaries around the world.


• We have grown in our Faith Promise Missions Commitment for the coming year.


• We have grown spiritually as we have discovered God's truths in His word in our services, thru personal study in our "Sunday Eve. Summer School" and in our Sunday school classes.


• We had had the privilege to see us take steps to re-supply some of the furnishings around the church like new hymnals, Sunday School chairs and Foyer seating.

Before I think of what the Lord could do in the coming year, It is important that we thank Him for all that He has done this year.

The New year will be a time of new challenges, new and old struggles, some losses and prayerfully many victories. We will face them just as we did this year- with an unwavering and yielding trust in the Lord for the people and witness of all those that attend East Side Baptist Church.

What a year. Thank You Lord for all that you have done in and thru us.

Pastor Phil

Good Enough!!??

As a Pastor, friend, worker or any other area of my life, I will always give my best in whatever I do. My dad instilled that in me at an early age. The hard part is that I have found sometimes my best is not good enough. Here are some details that statistically relate this truth.

What you'd get if 99% were good enough:

• No phone service for 15 minutes each day.


• 1.7 million pieces of first class mail lost each day.


• 35,000 newborn babies dropped by doctors or nurses each year


• 200,000 people getting the wrong drug prescriptions each year


• Unsafe drinking water three days a year.


• Three misspelled words on the average page of type.


• 2 million people would die from food poisoning each year.

What do you get if you are the best?
Understanding that nobody on this earth is perfect but we should strive for "mastery" (1 Cor. 9:25)

• The Bible tells us in Isaiah 64:6- that "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; ....and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away"


• The reality is, Humanly speaking, we are and never will be perfect.
  

Even giving our best is not good enough to make it to heaven. The only way to get there on our own would be sinless perfection. That is where Jesus Christ comes in. He died on the cross, was sacrificed for you and for me. When I accept that, he sees me as just. That is called "justification" and can be remembered easily by this- just-as-if I had never sinned. That's how God sees us when we accept the forgiveness he offers and Jesus as our Lord.

I am happy that since I cannot be perfect, he Loved me enough to give me his son in the form of a baby that we celebrate at Christmas. Because of that relationship, understanding how much he love me, I still want to give Him my best. He deserves nothing less.

Renewal

This coming week I am planning to take a week off and spend with my family. You can call it a time of Thanksgiving. I will call it a great time of renewal. One of the pastors that I worked for always quoted Vance Hanver as saying "come apart, lest ye come apart."

This will be the first of any vacation this year. Yes, the eleventh month of the year holds my first week of vacation. The year has been long - with the exciting fact that God has been good.

I am truly looking forward to this time with family and a time to rest.

I trust you will also set aside a time to rest and renew. I would also emphasize a time to meditate on what we celebrate in December. The Birth of Christ.

If not for Christ and His life given for me, we would all be "men so miserable".

Pastor Phil

Value is determined by what someone will pay!

Today I received a catalog of items to be sold at an auction this coming weekend. I slowly looked through the catalog for the items that I would be interested in and found that there were several thing. Some were small items that would not cost me very much but on the other hand there were some items that I was discouraged to bid on based upon one estimate. It was a little parenthesised area at the end of the description where the approximate sell price was listed.

Several years ago an ordinary set of golf clubs were sold that brought over $200,000 dollars. The clubs had belonged to Pres. John F. Kennedy. A used toothbrush that brought over $75,000. The toothbrush had been used by Hitler. What determined the value? The answer to that question is- what a person will pay! By the way, the Honus Wagner baseball card to the left sold for a record price of $640,000 in 1910.

When I consider my life, that I am not perfect and yet Jesus Christ would give His life for me, I am amazed at the depth of His love. To think that He would give His perfect sinless life for me let's me know what I am worth to Him. My value is not found in my productivity, looks or time that I invest in the cares of this world. It is only found in what someone is willing to pay. I know that Jesus gave His life for me- and for you! You are that valuable to Him. Why not choose to follow him and accept His love and forgiveness.

What a life!

Pastor Phil

Checked your vision lately?

In the Old Testament the children of Israel were known for doing what was "right in their own eyes." It seems today we live in a world that for the most part, does exactly the same.

Today, the standard for right and wrong is what feels best, what seems right or what is best for me. Is there any other standard that doesn't change as fast as the style of clothing?

The answer is found in God's word. The creator gave us a manual to live by. It seems only natural that the one that made us would be able to detail a manual for us to live our lives for what they were intended.

"In the beginning God created..."

It starts with the presupposition that God was and is already. That is something that many people do not notice. God was, is and will always be unlike you and me. We were brought to life by the Lord, given life from the Lord and offered eternal life by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Checked your visions lately? Who or what do you rely on for TRUTH? Who do you trust for life? Jesus said in John 14:6...

"I am the way, the truth and the Life. No man cometh to the father but by me."

Pretty simple and straight forward. How do you see it?

Pastor Phil

Have you ever been an answer to prayer?

I visited someone recently and they said...

"I prayed today for someone and God sent you."

I was amazed at the situation and it WAS a great visit. That visit provided me the opportunity to tell someone about God, His love and forgiveness. BUT I think for the 1st time, I was an answer to prayer!

As much as is possible...let me place the emphasis on different words of the same phrase and put a twist on this story.

• "I prayed today for someone and God sent YOU."
  In this situation, I would feel like I was a failure. It seems like they are saying "After praying to God, he only sent me."
  
  but consider this...


• "I prayed today for someone and GOD sent you."
  Different! Why? Because the emphasis is on God and not myself. That is when God is the central figure and he provides an answer to a prayer.

The later is how I took it and it was a pleasure to talk with someone about my Savior. The Lord had all of that worked out and the time we had in conversation, it wasn't hard to keep Him as the central focus!

Pastor Phil

A Mind For Missions

We are just around the corner from our "Mind The Gap" Missions Month at East Side. The theme comes from Ezekiel 22:30.

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none."

All of the flags are going up in the auditorium, calls have been made, missionaries have been scheduled, the devotional has been and is being worked on even as I write this. It would seem that all is slowly coming together.
After all is said and done, I come to the realization as I do in ministry that my work, my time and my preparation still hinges on the Lord's empowering.

For the next few days, as a staff and as a church we will spend time asking the Lord to take our efforts and "give them legs".

When we have our Missionaries to Siberia, Puerto Rico, Philippines and Mongolia I want the Lord to move my heart to do something great with His power. I already give faithfully to the missions work of our church but I know he will move me again just like every year I have been a part of Faith Promise giving.

I am looking forward to see what He will do in this special month and with the people He will bring to us.

Pastor Phil

Money Matters

This last Sunday, in our "Amazing Grace" series, I spoke on "The Grace of Giving". What an amazing issue.

Psalm 29:2
"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness."

My Giving is a part of My worship.
One of the areas that seem hardest to participate for some is the area of Giving. If they only thought of it as "worship" it would really make a difference. AS you probably already know, perspective makes all the difference in the world. A lot of people consider their only sacrifice for the Lord is their attendance on Sundays or their participation during the "worship" & praise music. What a sad scenario that we consider the "worship" of our life only things that cost us our time.

Worship has so much more depth to it.

• Abraham used the word "worship" in his probable life sacrifice of Isaac!
  
• Worship was also used in the Giving to Melchizedek.


• It played a role in the Magi (astrologers) that dropped everything to find baby Jesus when He was born.
  

Do a search on a Bible search engine and see where it takes you. You will find it goes deeper than singing or attendance of a service.

My Giving is an Investment in the Ministry where God has placed me.

As a pastor, I have my Theology degree from a Bible college but not a Business degree. I see now how that would be helpful but the reality is that it doesn't take a business degree to see the needs of ministry.

With Church Ministry there will be...

• utility bills
  
• repairs
  
• staff salaries
  
• insurance
  
• gasoline
  
• and many more things that are legitimate needs!
  

Spend time in prayer and God's Word then consider what your "worship" would include at the church you attend. It will ad a dimension to your life that grows deeper and deeper as you mature in your relationship with the Lord.

You will be richly blessed and the Lord will use you to be a blessing right were you are!

Pastor Phil

Things Change!

Here in Kansas they say just like they do in Missouri, "If you don't like the weather now just wait a few minutes." It's a reminder that many things change. Some things constantly change! People, places, locations, standards, fashions and others.

The only things that are constant are God and His word.

That is what we need to survive in this changing world. We need a consistant standard to live by, act on and stand with!

What is it like at work? What is your relationship like with your friend or mate? If it tends to change, be consitently following the Lord. He will always fulfill His word in your life. You can count on it.

When God's word says He will "never" leave you or forsake you. You can stand on it. If His word tells us that Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the Life." You can believe and act upon that. His word is sure. His word is true.

It's nice to know in a world of changes, there is one that you can really rely on. That is God. You can "take it to the bank".

Pastor Phil

Keep Going Till The End!

I went to a great football game tonight. It was a classic "nail biting" event that constantly kept you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what the next move was for each team. To get to the point, The team I was rooting for won!

How much is that like our life? We think we have the day, week or month planned only to have to readjust our schedule because of what else happened that we didn't plan for. After we readjust, something else happens and soon the present plans are not even remotely similar to our original.

Well, one of these days the Lord will return. We live our life constantly following the word of God that adjusts us for our every day. Thank the Lord for the Bible. We don't have to develop our own plan.

Just like the game that I went to see, We as believers, will win. It's a sure thing. You see, I have read the "last chapter". I don't have to bite my nails! I already know the outcome. That makes this life much easier. NOW, the only thing that's left, is to tell as many people that I can the same good news that I have found in the Bible.

Will you help?

What a game. What a Life! What an eternity to come!
Pastor Phil

2 GREAT things are on their way!

With the end of summer we settle in for things to get back in a routine. We are creatures of habit.
This Wednesday is the start of one of those fun and exciting activities that we routinely enjoy! It is the start of our AWANA children's ministry. All of our AWANA workers are geared up and ready for the influx of kids as they make plans to have a great time in this ministry.
The second activity that is on it's way is our annual Sunday school campaign called "The AMAZING RACE". It is going to be an exciting time around East Side as we reach out to those in our worship services and our neighborhoods and invite them to a great Bible study time in our Sunday school ministries.
The scripture that we have for the AR- 1 Cor. 9:4
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain."
THEN- Right around the corner is our annual Missions conference!
It's going to be an exciting end of the year. I can't wait to see what the Lord is going to do.
With His glory in mind,
Pastor Phil

Sunday Aug. 26th

After Sunday services I always think about those that could have been there in our services that did not know Jesus as their Savior.

One of these days we will be in the place the scripture tells us about called HEAVEN. What a place that will be.

The Video below is a great expression of these thought.

• no pain
• no sorrow
• no death
• family that have passed away
• friends that are there already
• most importantly- the one that died for me - JESUS

What a place it will be!

What a week!

This was a week of mixed feelings. Stephanie & I took our oldest to college at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO. While there we got Him and DJ & Amber settled in the dorms. While there I ran into several other parenst that I had gone to school with also leaving their children for school.

It was an exciting time!
He will be fine. He already has a job, friends, a good head on his shoulder and his room mate seems pretty nice with nice parents.

It was also a proud time!
He has accomplished a lot for the Lord and is looking to serve Him better as he studies and prepares for full time ministry.

It was somewhat of a sad time!
It was a little sad to leave him there but I know he is as prepared as He can be.

All of this happened while I was away from Topeka and also away from my normal time of prep for the services this Sunday at ESBC. Now I am putting everything together for the Sunday Services tomorrow and everything that seemed to never stand still while I was gone.

God is good. He alwyas provides strength to make it thru and prepare for. Now, my prayer is that We have a GREAT day at East Side and My son and our other students away at college will have a great day in the services they are attending. What a Great God that we can serve together even while we are apart.


Pastor Phil