February 15

I thought the youth along with their workers put on a fabulous Valentines' banquet last night.  Thank you for all of the hard work.  I thought the food was great, and I enjoyed the entertainment - I love seeing how our youth grow in ability and in confidence from year to year. 

In Christ,  Pastor Ron

February 1

Well January has "blown" past, and it was mostly with a cold wind I might add.  I am glad to have made it back from the Oklahoma ice storm in time to preach Sunday, and I am glad to know Eddie was ready and willing to go if I could not make it.  This week I am studying Hebrews 11:1-7 and it is probably the most important passage in all of scripture for a practical understanding of "faith." 

January 21

I am loving having a warm week in the middle of January; I think to myself, "today could have been really cold but it is great!  It is a day of winter that we've dodged."  I am also enjoying spending some extra time in prayer this week with J.R. speaking Sunday in preparation for our Life Action Revival Summit.  It is good to draw near to God.

In Christ,  Pastor Ron

January 15

I have been batteling accute bronchitus this week with the aid of a z-pac and some prednisone.  I also am taking tons of vitamins etc.  I do feel better today, but the prednisone kept me awake last night - the old brain would not turn off so I read and worked on sermons.  Glad to be feeling better and coughing less.

Remember our pre-Summit meetings on January 24 as we get ready for revival.

In Christ,  Pastor Ron

December 31

Last night I got to listen to Aaron talk about the complexity of learning texturazation in computer visualazation - an area I don't know anything about but still enjoyed listening.  Today I walked nine holes of golf with Caleb at the Temple College course - it was very muddy and be played poorly - but still enjoyed playing.  The joy comes not from what you know nor how it goes but from the joy of sharing life together.  I love my big old boys as they are becoming men.  I am proud of them.  And my two girls?... wow, are they awesome.  Lots of credit goes to Elizabeth and to my kids choosing to make wise choices.  In many pastor's homes at least one kid rebels.  I loved seeing each of mine singing in church Sunday, happily choosing to be there.

In Christ,  Pastor Ron

December 21

I am enjoying my family all being at home, and finishing the last preparations for Christmas, but most importantly, I am praying this morning and seeking God's presence.  As a pastor I want to lead the way in drawing close to Jesus, and that is challenging with a congregation where so many of you love Jesus and have a rich devotional life.  Immanuel is such a great place to encourage one another and spur one another on in our relationship with Christ and our love for one another.

In Christ,  Pastor Ron

Dec 17, 2009

I am getting ready to go get Caleb this evening or tonight from Dallas.  He gets about a two week break in the middle of Army Basic Training and then goes back to finish during the month of January.  Aaron is also driving in tonight from College Station.  It will be good to have the big old boys at home for Christmas.

In Christ,  Pastor Ron

December 7,

I was up at the hospital early this morning with Steve Pietroski who is having back surgery.  Some people are funny, even early in the morning.  As the nurse was going through pre-op questions she asked Steve if he had any jewelry.  As serious as possible, Steve replied, "I have a belly ring."  The nurse was trying to decide whether or not to write this down when fortunately Robin said, "no, he does not!"  Then when asked if he was diabetic, Steve said, "No, I am a Baptist."  Praying for his surgery to go well.

As always, I enjoyed the children's choirs presentation last night.  We have some very cute kids.  I think some of the cutest are a little bit ornary.  Maybe God made them so cute so they have a better chance of their parents letting them live to be adults!  I love the children of Immanuel.

In Christ,  Pastor Ron