firstIMPRESSIONS
from Senior Pastor Timothy Satryan

The Bible tells us in James 1:19 “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry...” This word of counsel given by James is also an apt description of my father-in-law, James Glaser. Last week he suffered a severe stroke which caused him to take a great fall. He had also been struggling with a number of other ailments, and just this Tuesday morning, received his total healing as the Lord took him home. We will celebrate his home-going this Saturday at Calvary Assembly of God in Connellsville, PA.

As long as I knew him, Jim Glaser was never a man of many words. He would quietly observe all the activity and conversation around him, only commenting when it was requested or needed. I never one time heard him raise his voice. But when he spoke, you would listen.

He was a simple, uncomplicated man, but he had the ability to figure things out and fix most anything that needed fixing. He was a loving and dedicated husband and father, and perhaps the greatest testimony of his life and legacy is the family that now carries on in his absence. All three of his children know the Lord, and two of his daughters (including my wife Carolyn) are pastor’s wives. Nearly all his descendants are dedicated believers in Christ.

My father-in-law was quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. He was unpresuming in demeanor, never the center of attention in any gathering. But, he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

The family and the friends will feel a little emptier today. But we are encouraged because of our confidence that he is with his Lord. God bless you, “Granddad”! We will see you soon!

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 7.10. Live for God, on purpose, today and every day the Lord gives you on this earth.

One day a woodcutter took his grandson into the forest for his first experience in selecting and cutting oak trees. These they would later sell to the boat builders. As they walked along, the woodcutter explained that the purpose of each tree is contained in its natural shape: some are straight for planks, some have the proper curves for the ribs of a boat, and some are tall for masts. The woodcutter told his grandson that by paying attention to the details of each tree, and with experience in recognizing these characteristics, someday he too might become the woodcutter of the forest.

A little way into the forest, the grandson saw an old oak tree that had never been cut. The boy asked his grandfather if he could cut it down because it was useless for boat building – there were no straight limbs, the trunk was, short and gnarled, and the curves were going the wrong way. “We could cut it down for firewood,” the grandson said. “At least then it will be of some use to us.” The woodcutter replied that for now they should be about their work cutting the proper trees for the boat builders; maybe later they could return to the old oak tree.

After a few hours of cutting the huge trees, the grandson grew tired and asked if they could stop for a rest in some cool shade. The woodcutter took his grandson over to the old oak tree, where they rested against its trunk in the cool shade beneath its twisted limbs. After they had rested a while, the woodcutter explained to his grandson the necessity of attentive awareness and recognition of everything in the forest and in the world. Some things are readily apparent, like the tall, straight trees; other things are less apparent, requiring closer attention, like recognition of the proper curves in the limbs. And some things might initially appear to have no purpose at all, like the gnarled old oak tree. The woodcutter stated, “You must learn to pay careful attention every day so you can recognize and discover the purpose God has for everything in creation. For it is this old oak tree, which you so quickly deemed useless except for firewood, that now allows us to rest against its trunk amidst the coolness of its shade.

“Remember, grandson, not everything is as it first appears. Be patient, pay attention, recognize, and discover.”

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by Rick Ezell

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).

I heard Steve Brown on the radio telling about the ugliest car he had ever seen. It had a large gash on its side; the door was held together with bailing wire; many places on the car were rusted out. The muffler was loose and, with every bump, was hitting the street sending sparks in every direction. It was hard to tell the original color of the car. The rust had eaten away much of the original paint, and so much of the car had been painted over with so many different colors that any one of them, or none of them, could have been the first coat. The most interesting thing about the car was the bumper sticker. It read: “This is not an abandoned car.”

We live in a fallen world. It is ugly and depressing. Everywhere we turn we find tragedy and heartache. We are sitting on the verge of disaster. But it is not just the world. It’s us. Sometimes the effort to keep on keeping on doesn’t seem worth it. Guilt, loneliness, hurt and fear become constant companions. One wonders sometimes if any of it makes any difference. One wonders if anyone, especially God cares. But a long time ago, in a manger, a baby was born. It was a sign. It read: “This is not an abandoned world.”

When Jesus came, God gave us the assurance that he had not abandoned us. He visited our planet letting us know that he was involved and that he cared. What the angel said to the shepherds was the same thing God is saying to us today, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11 NIV).

Even though we may not understand all that is happening to us and to our world, we are in good hands. God is not in a panic; he is still in control of our world. While circumstances may indicate panic at every turn, God came to us to say that he can understand the complexities of humanity and will touch people where they hurt the most.

from “Sightings of the Savior,” © 2003 Rick Ezell, sighted in Rick’s “One Minute Uplift” weekly email devotional of March 1, 2007

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by Jim Liebelt

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. – Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

An old lighthouse sits on the edge of the shore not far from where I live. At this lighthouse a plaque memorializes what has been called “An Army of Two.” During the Revolutionary War, a British ship anchored just off shore and lowered smaller boats with British troops that headed toward the shore. Two young girls, having seen the British soldiers approaching from the lighthouse, took a drum and fife outside and played. The British troops heard the music and mistakenly assumed that the noise was coming from an American militia and quickly retreated. No one would have ever thought that two young girls could have won a decisive battle that day – all without a shot ever being fired.

If you’ve ever thought that you can’t make a difference, let this simple, true story from America’s history be an encouragement to you. Amazingly, something as simple as playing a fife and drum can make a huge difference! God has gifted you uniquely and specially and if you offer yourself to Him today – you can expect that even in some small way, He will provide you with opportunities to make a difference in someone else’s life.

How? Who knows? It may not take much. Perhaps a kind word spoken to a stranger, an e-mail to a friend, giving a hug to a family member, or helping a peer at school or work – could be just the encouragement that someone in your life needs to help them make it through a tough day.

Don’t underestimate God’s willingness to use your ordinary actions to touch the life of someone else in extraordinary ways! Today, be willing to be “An Army of One.”

as seen in “Today’s HomeWord,” a daily devotional with Jim Burns. Visit them online at www.homeword.com

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A man was lost while driving through the country. As he tried to read a map, he accidentally drove off the road and into a ditch. Though he wasn’t injured, his car was stuck deep in the mud. So the man walked to a nearby farm to ask for help.

“Warwick can get you out of that ditch,” said the farmer, pointing to an old mule standing in a field. The man looked at the haggardly mule and looked at the farmer who just stood there repeating, “Yep, old Warwick can do the job.” The man figured he had nothing to lose. The two men and Warwick made their way back to the ditch.

The farmer hitched the mule to the car. With a snap of the reins he shouted, “Pull, Fred! Pull, Jack! Pull, Ted! Pull, Warwick!” And the mule pulled the car from the ditch with very little effort.

The man was amazed. He thanked the farmer, patted the mule and asked, “Why did you call out all of those other names before you called Warwick?”

The farmer grinned and said, “Old Warwick is just about blind. As long as he believes he’s part of a team, he doesn’t mind pulling.”

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As the story goes, they built a new church building and people came from far and wide to see it. They admired its beauty! Up on the roof, a little nail heard the people praising everything about the lovely structure – except the nail! No one even knew he was there, and he became angry and jealous.

“If I am that insignificant, nobody will miss me if I quit!” So the nail then released its hold, slid down the roof, and fell in the mud.

That night it rained and rained. Soon, the shingle that had no nail blew away, and the roof began to leak. The water streaked the walls and the beautiful murals. The plaster began to fall, the carpet was stained, and the pulpit Bible was ruined by water. All this because a little nail decided to quit!

But what of the nail? While holding the shingle, it was obscure but it was also useful. Buried in the mud it was just as obscure, but now it was useless and would soon by eaten up by rust!

The moral of the story – every member is important to the church! You may, like the nail, feel obscure at times, but just like the nail, your absence is felt. When you are not present for worship, in some way the body of Christ hurts. We are all a part of the Lord’s ministry.

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Biblidue: The build-up of bookmarks, bulletins, notes, and other miscellanea that collects in one’s Bible.

Clivaholic: One who can no longer control the compulsion to quote C.S. Lewis in every sermon, lesson, or conversation.

Hymnastics: The entertaining body language of the song leader.

Narthexegesis: Unsolicited post-sermon commentary given the preacher by armchair biblical theologians.

Pewtrify: To occupy a precise spot in the sanctuary for more than 15 years without once showing signs of sentient life.

Ministereotype: A common myth or misconception about any ordained person.

Deaconscript: An unwilling church officer cajoled into a position of leadership.

Hi-litaholic: One who cannot resist highlighting Bible verses until the entire volume is a multihued mass of Day-Glo vibrancy.

Hymnprovisation: The abrupt and unannounced transition from one song to another, usually a chorus unfamiliar to most present.

from Leadership, Vol. 10, no. 2., by Rob Suggs

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One day God was walking through the garden of Eden. After a short while, he came across Adam. Adam was in low spirits this particular day, and God asked him what was wrong. Adam told the Lord that he was lonely.

God responded that He would create Adam a companion. She would walk by his side for all eternity. She would listen to his problems. She would wash his clothes. She would keep his house clean. She would cook his meals. She would do anything to keep him happy. Most importantly, she would never complain or nag him.

To this Adam was ecstatic. His spirits lifted immediately.

The Lord hated to tell him that this creature would come at a price. God told Adam that the creature would cost him an arm and a leg.

Adam responded, “What can I get for a rib?”... and the rest is history.

We appreciate your prayers this weekend as we are with my wife’s family in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. I am thankful for a great pastoral staff that will lead WFA forward in worship and Word in our absence. Pastor Steve has a great Word for us this Lord’s Day as he shares from Matthew 21:28 in a sermon he has titled “It’s Time To Work!” I know you will be blessed!