From the Pastor's Pen...

"THE FINISHED PRODUCT"

      The following article was given to me by one of the men of the church. I thought it made a clear point in regards to God’s continued "work" in the lives of His children.

      There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth anniversary.

      One day while shopping, they saw a beautiful teacup. They said, "May we see that? We’ve never seen one quite so beautiful." As the lady handed it to the couple, suddenly the teacup spoke.

      "You don’t understand," it said. "I haven’t always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over and I yelled out, ‘Let me alone,’ but he only smiled, ‘Not yet.’

      Then he put me in the oven, I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me and I yelled and knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head, ‘Not yet.’

      Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. ‘There, that’s better,’ I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. ‘Stop it! Stop it!’ I cried. He only nodded, ‘Not yet.’

      Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening nodding his head saying, ‘Not yet.’

      Then I knew there wasn’t any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and I couldn’t believe it was me. It’s beautiful. I’m beautiful.

      ‘I want you to remember,’ he said. ‘I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you alone, you would have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn’t put you there, you would have cracked.

      I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that, you never would have hardened - you would not have had any color in your life. And if I hadn’t put you back in that second oven, you wouldn’t have survived for very long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.’"

      The moral of this story is that God knows what He is doing and allowing in our lives. He is the potter and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, so that we may become a person to fulfill His good and perfect plan.

      Pastor Kuns

Pastor Paul's Paragraphs

      "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." I Peter 5:1-3

      That is one portion of the Scriptures that my father passed on to me during the recent weeks of decisions that our church has been going through. I am humbled with the task that the Lord has placed before me. I pray that I will be worthy of the honor and position that God has called me to in being the next Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church.

      Let me tell you about the events that surrounded Sunday, June 27 - the day I was to candidate - all from my perspective. Several were involved in making sure that I looked nice. There was no small accomplishment in securing that goal! My wife said I had to wear my black suit.

      A few asked me about my nerves. My wife checked my hands to see how cold and clammy they were. I was to speak three times and face questions for about one hour. In retrospect, I was both nervous and calm. Anyone who has taught or preached the Word of God will understand that this task is an awesome responsibility. Although this was to be my "big day", I found myself more concerned with the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. I was at the same time experiencing inner calm, knowing that the Lord would reveal His will to all of us.

      At the beginning of the church administrative meeting, I went home experiencing release from a long day of ministry. I was calm and at peace. I don’t know how long before I received a phone call from Steve Ettles informing me of the voting results. Although surprised with the outcome, I still found myself at peace. This was a vote that reflected the results of over one hundred people who simply sought the Lord and voted accordingly.

      Sunday night was a time of seeking the Lord, as I had requested a few days to consider the impact of the vote. The numbers were constitutionally sufficient but far from unanimous. There was very little sleep to be had most of Sunday night. Yet it was not a time of turmoil, rather it was a time of openness to the Lord and what He wanted. What lessons did God want to teach me? What was my heart saying to me in the midst of the decision process?

      Early Monday morning I was off to Paramount’s Great America as a youth pastor with a five-vehicle caravan of young people. Fun, fun, fun! I even got to torment my oldest daughter during the beginning of the roller coaster called Top Gun: "Kristi, do you think this is safe? Is that metal cracked? Why is our car so wobbly? Know where you are going if you died today?"

      Monday afternoon I would reflect on Isaiah 26:3 (one verse God used in November of 1992 to bring me to California) and Colossians 3:15 (a verse I had recently preached). And during that time of reflection and meditation God would again grant to me an overwhelming peace that simply took control for the next several days. Wednesday morning God would begin to give specific direction. Wednesday evening God would confirm that direction.

      It is my privilege and responsibility to accept God’s call upon my life to be the next Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church effective September 27, 2004. I look forward to a smooth time of transition with Pastor Lyndell Kuns. I look forward to the future that God has for us as a church as we collectively seek and serve our risen Savior.

      Pastor Paul

Kids Korner with Pastor Greg

      Isaiah 55:8-9 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

      Certainly these words have proven to be true to our family in recent weeks. At the time of this writing, I am in Danville, Illinois with Tracy and her family. The family was called to be with her grandfather who was very near death. I sent her and the kids out on July 10th and I flew out on July 19th. At every turn we are told, "the end is near," but he is still hanging on. The hospice people are dumbfounded and we are left with the question, "Why?" Why the urgency to fly back to Illinois? Why the missed week of camp? Why the re-adjusted vacation schedule with family and friends? Why?

      Pastor Paul preached a message the Sunday night before I flew out here about "God moments." We were challenged to look upon the circumstances and situations we are faced with, many of them without reasonable explanation, as "God moments:" opportunities for God to work in my life so that I may be more what He wants me to be. "What a challenge!", I thought to myself that night. Little did I realize I would be given such an immediate opportunity to put those truths into practice.

      The truth is we just don’t know why. But we take comfort in that text in Isaiah 55. His thoughts and ways are higher than our thoughts and ways. The way we would construct a scenario is not always what He would deem to be the most beneficial for us or His kingdom. Perhaps the opportunity to embrace life is better than the opportunity to reflect upon death? Perhaps the opportunity to encourage family in the midst of hardship is better than the opportunity to comfort family in the midst of grief? Perhaps the opportunity to sow and water the Gospel seed one last time is better than the opportunity to wonder "what could we have said" one last time. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

      We are incredibly grateful for the prayers and support we have received during this time. It has become our first "long distance test" since arriving in California. We knew moving 2000 miles away from family would prove challenging at times. But we thank the Lord for His call upon us to Yuba City! Perhaps the opportunity to see our church family’s demonstration of love is better than the opportunity to be present when a family member passes away? Perhaps? Oh, how I praise the Lord for Isaiah 55:8-9!

Church Notes

      As most of you are aware, Pastor Kuns has announced that he will retire as Senior Pastor of GBC, effective September 27. At a special administrative meeting on May 23, the church voted to form a Pulpit Committee to search for his replacement.

      The Lord directed the Pulpit Committee to call Pastor Paul Radobenko to candidate for this position on June 27. Pastor Paul spoke three times and answered questions on that Sunday. A special administrative meeting was held following the evening service and the church voted to extend a call to Pastor Paul Radobenko to be the next Senior Pastor of GBC.

      Pastor Paul has accepted that call and will begin his ministry as Senior Pastor on September 27. Please see Pastor Paul’s article for his perspective on this call of God and the people of GBC.

Wedding Anniversary Invitation

      Karl & Linda Manies and Charlie & Heather Manies
      invite you to celebrate with them at the
      Fortieth Wedding Anniversary of their parents
      Kenneth and Carolyn Manies
      on Saturday, August 21, 2004
      at 4:00 PM at
      Grace Baptist Church
      1980 S. Walton Avenue, Yuba City
     
      Cards Appreciated - No gifts, please
      RSVP to Kathleen Morris (742-3101) by August 13
     

Back To School Time

      Grace Christian Academy and Preschool begins
the 2004-2005 school year on Monday, August 23.

      "For the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry"

      After taking a couple of months off, the Ministry Involvement Training program will return on Sunday evening, August 29. Watch Sunday bulletins for details on the subjects that will be covered.

Calendar of Events

Click on the highlighted dates - the events are shown on the right.