GUEST BLOGGER: Scherry Willis

Today's guest blogger comes to us from Newton, IL. She currently works as a guidance secretary for the local school district. She is also active in the church as a leader of the children's choirs, and directs the adult choir as well. She is a mother of 2 grown daughters, one son-in-law, and is the wife of Dr. Steve Willis, pastor of First Baptist Church in Newton. Scherry and Steve have been married since 1977 and have served at First Baptist for the past 26 years. Thanks, Scherry, for sharing what God has placed on your heart about worshipping our Lord!

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I look forward to Sunday mornings and the opportunity for a family of believers to come together to give God worship and praise. I thank God every day for all His blessings, direction, and forgiveness; however, Sundays are different. I reflect in a different way than I do any other day of the week. Being married to a pastor might make others think that I don’t have a choice as to how I spend my Sundays. I am so thankful that this is not the case. My worship on Sunday is a time to be thankful for who God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are and how that relates to my life. This is a time set aside to be saturated by His word, to be taught, and to praise Him with a host of other believers.

Our church, like many, went through the process of trying to find a healthy compromise for hymnal music and contemporary Christian music. I thank God that our church is very diversified in age and with that comes different likes and dislikes in music. I love having both in our worship service. When I read the words to songs we sing from our hymnals; I am so thankful for the words penned to remind me of God’s amazing grace and that my faith is planted on a firm foundation. I love the songs that pertain to the Lord’s Supper. All of these reminders enhance my worship time with God.

When the praise and worship music begins I have to admit that, on a purely human note, I love the beat of most of the contemporary music. I realize that enjoying the music does not make me less Godly. Even though I know most of the songs by heart, I still read the words on the screen to help me focus on the message of the song.

When I sing, “Holy, Holy, Holy, worthy is the Lamb,” my mind is immediately transported to a different place. I can’t remember the timeline that God first allowed me to have this visual moment. However, when I sing praise and worship music I immediately go back to this visual place without reservation. There are no limitations; it is an immediate reaction to singing about praise and adoration of our King. I picture a place in heaven that I can only describe as being insignificant as to what is going on in this place. There is a visual representation of a building. There are large columns with several seats for persons of honor perched between them. I have a mental image of more than one seat; but I only see one figure .The figure represents Christ. No, I am not seeing visions; however, I feel the very presence of Christ as I worship. As we sing these words of adoration, I perceive a countless number of people filling the area below these seats of honor. Everyone is clothed in white that actually makes the place appear to shine. As we sing, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” Christ stands to His feet with His arms stretched out toward the crowd. It is though this cloud of witnesses is gathered at His feet to give endless praise and adoration. His presence is utterly radiant as we sing. I always smile because it is such an awesome place! It is as though Christ is saying that He loves the time we have to sing for Him.

God tells us in His Word in both the Old and New Testament to worship. What a wonderful gift He has bestowed upon us as believers.

Psalms 95:6 - “Come, let us bow down in worship.”

John 4:24 - “God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

I am thankful for those moments when God allows me to have a place that helps me concentrate on Christ and Christ alone. I hope you have those moments in worship where it is just about you and the Lord. I have no idea what all we will be doing in Heaven. However, I sure hope that we have lots of singing and praising together. With all of those perfect bodies; the choir should be wonderful. We will be with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Of course, we are going to be praising and worshipping our King. I can’t wait!

~Scherry Willis

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Sky Time

I guess its been about three weeks since I last posted anything. Time sure flies, doesn’t it? Whew.... And, you know what? Its hard for me to even recollect what these past 3 weeks have entailed.

That reminds me of a poem I wrote quite a few years ago. It’s a poem about how just ONE DAY can flash by us so quickly. It refers to the fact that we, and those around us, can tend to get caught up in life and forget to take time for what is really important. If we're not careful, we end up rising each morning, doing our duties, then going to bed each night - all out of habit. It then becomes easy to miss out on the beauty of nature that God has created for us; to miss out on getting to know our children and family members better; and to miss out on spending time with God.

Please don’t let life pass you by without “taking a look” at what is most important... BEFORE its all gone.....

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SKY TIME

Silent night. Peaceful dawn.

Take a look before it's gone.

Twinkle twinkle little star.

You seem so close, but yet so far.

I watch you as you fade away.

The sunrise greets a brand new day.

The wind blows softly o'er the lake.

All the birds are now awake.

The birds fly by just like the time.

The sun begins to make it's climb.

Peaceful dawn. Busy day.

Take some time to stop and pray.

Don't forget the God of love

Who made the stars and sun above.

Morning madness makes you ill.

The sun above is rising still.

Noontime meals. A coffee break.

Friends around are now awake.

The wind blows swiftly through the trees.

The time whips by just like the breeze.

Busy day. Calming eve.

The sun begins to make it's leave.

The wind blows gently o'er the lake.

The birds sleep in the nests they make.

The sun will sink a slowing pace.

The stars begin to take it's place.

Twinkle twinkle little star.

You seem so close, but yet so far.

The sun is going...going...gone.

It will return at peaceful dawn.

Calming eve. Silent night.

The moon serves as sufficient light.

A glimpse of light flies through the sky.

A falling star softly whispers good-bye.

Everyone is now asleep.

The stars will twinkle as they weep.

Twinkle twinkle little star.

You seemed so close, but yet so far.

The wind blows swiftly through the trees.

The time whips by just like the breeze.

Silent night. Peaceful dawn.

Take a look before it's gone.

– Victoria L. Stankus

GUEST BLOGGER: Daniel McIntosh

I’m sure almost everyone has been in a situation where someone has hurt you, either physically or emotionally. This person who hurt you may have been someone you truly love, or it may have been someone you don’t even know. But, no matter what, the hurt is there, and it is REAL. Its easy to begin dwelling on what that person did to hurt you, growing angrier and angrier as time goes by. You want that person to PAY for what he did. You want JUSTICE to be served. Or, you may just want him to say he is sorry for what he did.

So, what happens if that person is never caught, or never confesses. What if justice is never served? What happens if he just doesn’t care about what he did to you and never asks for forgiveness? How do you deal with that? Do you harbor that anger inside of you and let it continue to grow and fester? Or, do you forgive that person, regardless?

My brother, Dan, is the guest blogger for today. He is sharing his personal experience with what happened to our dad earlier this week. It is a good reminder for all of us that forgiveness doesn’t happen by itself, and it doesn’t come easy. But, it is a choice we have to make if we want healing - no matter what the circumstances are around our hurt.

Here’s Dan. This was written the day after the incident....

Forgiveness…release from bondage!

By:  Daniel McIntosh

Today I have been struggling with an issue of forgiveness. A man held my father at gunpoint last night, stole his wallet and vehicle after beating him and cocking the hammer of a gun. I rejoice for the protection the Lord gave my dad, but was angry at the man who did this. I want justice and desire restitution, and deep inside I was wounded at the very fact that this person did this to someone so close and dear to me. I have tossed and turned, only getting 2 hours of sleep at best… and over and over I heard a voice in my head saying “forgive him… forgive the man.”

“But I don’t want to” was my initial thought. “He deserves to be caught and brought to justice!”

Then I recall that, while in my own sins, in my own wickedness, in my filth and hatred, that Christ went to the cross and forgave MY sins.

“...We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” (Eph 1:7)

Who am I to be unforgiving? Am I any better than the One who made me, gave me life, and forgave my sins? NO!

Does it make everything “alright” or “ok” if I forgive? Does it remove what happened and the need for justice? No…… But it releases me from the bondage of hatred, the prison of bitterness, and the confinement of pity. Forgiveness allows me to move on in life…… allows God to deal justly with the offender and the offense…… it places my attitude in a right relationship with the Heavenly Father, allowing HIM to deal righteously with the situation and events.

Why should I be robbed of a glorious opportunity to fellowship with the God of all creation by holding onto a grudge of one who robbed my dad? Why should I let the actions of others dominate me when, instead, I should be controlled by the Spirit of God?

Eph 5:18 -
“...but be filled with the Spirit.” (kjv)
“Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.” (nlt)

Dan is husband to Julee and father of five children. He is currently serving in the United States Air Force, stationed in Florida.


Dan is the founder of Barnabas Ministries and ECHO (Encouragement Can Help Others).


Thanks for sharing, Dan!

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GUEST BLOGGER: Rachel Pitcher

Today's guest blogger is an active member of our local homeschool group. She has been a wife to husband Tony for the past 18 years, is a loving Christian mother of four beautiful children, and has been a great encouragement to me and my family. Please welcome Rachel Pitcher......

It's hard to find good fruit in the supermarket this time of year. Making it even harder yet is the fact that farmers in Florida are experiencing record cold weather that has damaged their crops. Has this been a record-cold year for you? Is your life reflective of a tree bearing fruit or has the cold-snap stunted your growth and left you wondering how long it's repercussions are going to last? People often talk about the seasons of life and say things like, "This too shall pass." There may be some truth and even benefit to that. However, as Christians, we are called to bear fruit regardless of the circumstances and situations we are going through. Like all good gardeners know, effective pruning makes the plant produce more and not less fruit.

As I studied John 15:1-2, 4 during a journaling retreat four years ago, I reflected on what God had to say to me about bearing fruit. I sensed that although my life might not openly show "bad fruit" to others, it wasn't really showing all that much "good fruit" either. I wasn't bearing much of anything outwardly, and inwardly I wasn't growing either. Unfruitful branches can be thought of as those who confess Christ but never bear fruit. They begin in Him but don't genuinely remain in Him and are in danger of being cut away. Even the fruitful branches, those who truly remain in Christ, will be pruned in order to bear MORE fruit for His glory. Who would want an apple tree that only bore beautiful apples for one season and then gave perhaps one or two apples from then on. I don't want my life to reflect growth that looked promising in the beginning or at one time but has now gone dormant. Remembering that there are seasons of life that are harder than others, we continue to hold on to the promises that our God , our gardener, can make MUCH with the little we have to offer. Our job is to stay focused on the SON, the Giver of Life, and offer our fruit up to Him.

I also studied James 1:2-4 which showed me that pruning is painful but profitable. Like the pains of childbirth that result in the jubilation of seeing your newborn for the first time, trials are occasions for joy. As with labor, it's hard to convince yourself that the pain you're going through is a "good thing" or that you'll even survive it. For some it's short-lived, for others it goes on for more than several hours. Yet, at the end, a precious creation from God is revealed. Trials in daily life test our faith and develop in us perseverance and maturity; qualities that will only benefit us. In the midst of them, we aren't sure there's an end or that we can make it. However, we can endure hardships, hanging on to the promise that we are going somewhere through this. It's not aimless or even endless. It's for a reason, for our good, and profitable not only for us but for others as well.

Dear Lord, I often feel like a "fruitcake" instead of a "fruit-bearer". Help me to yield to your pruning and see it for what it is, not punishment but an opportunity to grow and bear fruit for Your glory. You are the Tree of Life and I thank you for shading me with Your love. Amen.

- Rachel

Praising God in the Storms

"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name." (Hebrews 13:15)

So many people I know are going through some sort of struggle right now - physically, financially, emotionally, or spiritually. It is definitely not an easy life here in this world. But, according to the verse above, we are to CONTINUALLY offer up a sacrifice of praise to God. So, that means, no matter what situation we are in, we should praise God for who He is and for what He is doing in and through us.

What is a sacrifice? To selflessly give up something that is precious. So, praising God is something we may or may not really want to do, depending on our circumstances; but, in doing so, we are selflessly giving Him the GIFT of our praise. It is a choice we make. We must CHOOSE to give it to Him. And, at the same time, it also helps to release us from a load of anxiety, because we are focusing on God instead of ourselves at that point. We are focusing on what is really important.

Most of you have probably already heard a song by Casting Crowns called “Praise You in the Storm.” It is an incredible song about how we can still praise God in the midst of our struggles. Click on the box below to hear the song:

Look for Me at Jesus' Feet

Hebrews 12:1-2 - ...and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NKJ)

As we run the race here on earth, our paths can become bumpy as we encounter many trials and sorrows along the way. Even during the difficult times, it is important for us to continue running that race with endurance, remembering why we are running and keeping our eyes focused on the goal.

So, WHY are we running? To serve the Lord with gladness and glorify Him in all we do... BECAUSE of what He did for us.

My dad sent this video of The Booth Brothers as an encouragement to me and my husband. It is a great song about sitting at Jesus’ feet and thanking Him for what He has done for us. I am  looking forward to that day. It is my hope that, when I finish the race, I will see Jesus sitting in front of me with open arms, saying "Come, sit at My feet and rest for awhile. You have finished the race well."

I hope you are encouraged by this song....

A New Focus for the New Year

Another year has come and gone, and I assume many of us are thinking about what goals we have accomplished in the past year, and what goals still need to be met. We try and try at each new year to improve ourselves, which can be a good thing; but, should that be our main focus as each new year rolls around?

I often hear about New Year resolutions from those who want to quit smoking or start eating more healthy. I hear from those who want to attend church more often, or read their Bible on a regular basis. All of these goals will seemingly make their lives more meaningful, or more worth living; and it is definitely a good thing to want to improve ourselves in those ways. However, we don’t really need to wait until the beginning of each year to make those changes, do we? Those changes can be done at any time of the year.

So, here’s my suggestion for this year.... Instead of focusing on what the new year can do for us, maybe it would be better if we all focused on what we can do for others. How can YOU make a difference in this world? How can YOU minister to (or help) other people? Maybe changing your bad habits will help someone else. If that is the case, then great! The main point I am trying to make here is that, as James 4:14 says, we are only here on this earth for a little while. So, with that in mind, how can YOU make our time here on Earth a little better? If we all made plans and goals to minister to other people in some way, then I think that would be one kind of resolution that would definitely make our lives more meaningful and more pleasing to God.

So, how are YOU going to spend your time on Earth this year?

James 4:14 - Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are {just} a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. (NAS)

Have a Happy New Year!

GUEST BLOGGER: Carolyn McIntosh

For as long as I’ve been alive, I've heard my mother (today's guest blogger) confidently share her faith with me and my brother and sister. I know for a fact how life has not always been easy for her and my dad; but, she has never ceased to cling to the promises God has shown her through His Word.

One thing I specifically remember is a necklace my mother wore, containing a tiny little mustard seed on the inside of a clear ball. This necklace is based on Matthew 17:20, and I remember mom explaining to us kids how our faith can move mountains if we only believe.

Matt 17:20 – “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (NIV)

These mountains are not necessarily physical mountains. They can be mountains of illness, mountains of financial need, mountains of overwhelming discouragement, and the list goes on....

Personally, these past few months have had their share of difficulties and discouragements for me and my family. Because of that, I am now wearing my own mustard seed necklace (thanks to a Christmas gift from my husband's parents). I will wear this necklace as a reminder of the hope I have in the Lord, and will someday share my faith with my own kids, the same way my own mother shared with me.

I recently asked my mother to write down, in her own words, what faith means to her. This is what she said.... (Thanks for sharing, Mom! I love you!)....

What is Faith to Me?

By:  Carolyn L. McIntosh

I think of the words to a song, “Faith is just believing what God says He will do. He will never fail you, His promises are true.”

Faith is trusting in Jesus alone as the one who died for my and your sins. Believe He was buried and rose again from the grave. He promised He would forgive us if we believe in Him and ask His forgiveness.

Faith is believing, if we have the faith of a mustard seed, we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). God has moved many mountains for me and my family - both physically and financially. Why? Because He promised to supply all our needs. Not our wants, but our needs.

I have a prayer journal and have had it for about 40 years. I encourage you to do the same. Then, occasionally go back and read how God was faithful to you, in good and hard times, sometimes even giving you some of your wants. That’s how good God is!

God is faithful to us. We need to be faithful to Him. Believe His Word (His promises), read it and obey it. Cling to His promises every day and, if you are His child, believe His promises are true for you - because He said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
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Christmas Blessings

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A Message from God

(Based on Luke 2:8-14)

Specially chosen shepherds,

were watching their flocks in the night.

They were people with no social standing.

Yet, important in God’s eyes.

Bright lights engulfed the darkness

as angels appeared in the field.

With peace and reassurance,

a message from God was revealed.

“A savior has been born!”

The angels declared the news.

They encouraged the shepherds to find Him,

praising God before they withdrew.

“Glory to God in the highest,”

The heavenly angels proclaimed.

“Peace on earth, good will toward men.”

They praised His holy name.

-Victoria L. Stankus

A quote from Charles Spurgeon: 
"We venture to assert, that if there be any day in the year, of which we may be pretty sure that it was not the day on which the Savior was born, it is the 25th of December... Regarding NOT the day, let us, nevertheless, give thanks to God for the gift of His dear Son."


May you be blessed this Christmas as you remember the birth of our Lord!
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GUEST BLOGGER: Rebecca Cade

Rebecca is a sweet young lady we attended church with while living in Petersburg, IL. She can be rather quiet, however, it is evident she has a love for the Lord and a desire to serve Him. Rebecca recently sent me this encouraging thought and wanted me to share it with all of you:

One thing most people may not know about me is that I have a habit of worrying. I know when I am worrying because I feel uneasy and weighed down. In fact, at one point, I think it made me sick.

But, recently I came up with an acronym for the word "worry". When I think of the first two letters of "worry", I think of the phrase: "Worthless Obsession." When you think about it, isn't that really what it is? We sometimes worry about things, and sometimes we are concerned. I have learned that there is a difference.

When you worry, you are only turning the thought over and over in your mind and making no real progress toward solving your problem. I like to think of concern as being aware of your problem but trusting God with it completely. On that note, I also thought of an acronym for "trust" which is: "Total Reliance Upon my Savior Today." 

I think it is important to note, however, that when one has a habit of being anxious and worried, it is not something you just "get over", it's something you work through, and it is something I continue to face on almost a daily basis, but I keep going and I know that if I allow the Lord to help me with it, I can overcome this nasty habit!

-Rebecca Cade

T - TOTAL
R - RELIANCE
U - UPON MY
S - SAVIOR
T - TODAY

Matt 6:34 - Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)