Good morning on this Labor Day weekend. Many people enjoy the Labor Day holiday without giving much thought to the significance of the day, a day to honor the labors of people throughout our great country. For most people it marks the end of summer, the return to school (less so now with year-around calendars in so many districts), parades, speeches, picnics, and a day off from work. However, labor in the Bible is a is as old as creation and was ordained by God (Genesis 3:17-19). In fact one of the 10 Commandments is devoted to it wherein God says, Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God... (Exodus 20:9-10). We are told regarding our labor to not be slack, that a man who refuses to work should not eat, that our work is important to God and that work has a spiritual side. In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul states that he has labored more abundantly than they all and associates his labors with the grace of God which was with him. Without the grace of God we would not have the strength or ability to work or serve. Also associated with our labors are faith and prayer. The Bible says, The laborer is worthy of his hire (Luke 10:7). Employers should be fair and just to their employees and an employee should be the same to their employer. When we live by these Biblical principles, every day will be a genuine Labor Day.
Tomorrow's sermon is entitled, A Fly In The Ointment. I hope to see you there.
Mel Brown

Good morning on this the 23rd of August. What a difference a single event can make in your life to change your plans and your emotions. Last week Barb and I were on vacation with our children and grandchildren. We were enjoying family time, relaxing and participating in some fun activities when the phone rang. Barb's mother in Florida had suffered a blood clot lodging in her lung which sent her to the hospital where she went into cardiac arrest. This is the second time in the last few months that this has happened. They resuscitated her, but she was critical for the next several days. Suddenly our vacation plans were radically affected by these circumstances. Barb has been at her mother's side until today and has been a real trooper at the hospital day and night. Her mom has now been moved to a rehab center so Barb will be home today. I thought of two Scriptures as I look back on these events, Boast not yourself of tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth (Proverbs 27:1) Go to now you that say today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, ... whereas you know not what shall happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away (James4:13-14). No wonder God reminds us we should always say, If the Lord wills, I will. Please pray for Barb's mom and always include God in your plans. You never know what today may bring.
Tomorrow's sermon is entitled, Near To the Heart of God. Don't forget our Old Fashion service tomorrow night and the fun-filled auction, fellowship and refreshments afterwards. I hope to see you there.
Mel Brown

Pastor Brown's computer is down. His Blog will return next week.

Pastor Brown is on vacation. His blog will return after he returns August 16th.

Good morning on this Saturday, August 2nd. I was reading some of the latest research on happiness and was struck by how the studies have confirmed what I have observed over the years.
1. Happiness is related to the issue of loving someone and having them love us in return, this is usually related to family ties and issues.
2. Happiness tends to increase in men if their family ties are strong as they get older.
3. Having the necessities of life, a decent house, car and clothes, increases happiness compared to those who lack these basic items.
4. Abundant material things do not ultimately bring happiness because materialism is a vicious cycle - the more you have the more you want and the ever-greater wants seem to never be satisfied.
5. Those who worry less are more happy. Worry is a happiness diminisher.
6. Those who are more sociable and enjoy a good social life with good friendships are more happy.
7. Conscientious people tend to be more happy because they have more fulfillment in their careers and life.
8. Healthy people are more happy than those who are facing ill health.
9. Our level of desires and their fulfillment is related to happiness because it produces contentment. Consequently, those with great desires and a low level of fulfillment tend to be unhappy compared to those with more modest levels of desires who have achieved their fulfillment.
10. Genuinely spiritual people experience more happiness than others.
11. Those living with and in peace are more happy than those not at peace.
I am reminded that the first three fruit of the Spirit are love, joy and peace (Gal. 5:22) and the others track nicely with the research. Christ is not only the way, the truth and the life, our personal relationship with Him is the way to true happiness. Did you notice that most of the eleven things listed above are related in some way to contentment? Scripture says, Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6).
Tomorrow's sermon is entitled, Changing the Mind of God - Part 2. It focuses on changing the mind of God through our prayers for others. I hope I'll see you there.
Mel Brown