We attended Spruce Pine Church of Christ for about eighteen months. It was the first church where I was the regular preacher. It was the first church my son, Michael, attended. The folks there loved to see the new baby at church every week. I baptized Sharon there. She was the first person I had ever baptized. Then her sister was baptized. Then several of her friends and family were baptized. We began to see folks attending from the community, many of whom had been away from the church for a while. You would think that everyone would be encouraged ... but not everyone was happy.
I was only twenty-four years old. I needed a lot of support and guidance. Unfortunately there were some things that were done and said that were harmful. There was one man of the congregation that I was especially grateful for. His name was Richard. He was a carpenter. That wasn't the only thing he had in common with Jesus! Like Jesus, he spoke peace to calm a storm! I appreciate his gentle approach and strong leadership. I think he is still leading that congregation to do good things. There is no doubt that Debra and I grew spiritually during our time there. We could have chosen to quit preaching, but the good things we saw helped us endure the heartaches. We believe that God gave increase to the seed that was planted.
Whenever you see good things happening, get ready for Satan's attacks. Don't let Satan win! I learned a very important lesson: It never was, is, or will be about you ... it's always about God. So if things are going good, Thank God. He is doing it! If things are tough, Trust God. He will see you through it. Remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6 "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."
I was only twenty-four years old. I needed a lot of support and guidance. Unfortunately there were some things that were done and said that were harmful. There was one man of the congregation that I was especially grateful for. His name was Richard. He was a carpenter. That wasn't the only thing he had in common with Jesus! Like Jesus, he spoke peace to calm a storm! I appreciate his gentle approach and strong leadership. I think he is still leading that congregation to do good things. There is no doubt that Debra and I grew spiritually during our time there. We could have chosen to quit preaching, but the good things we saw helped us endure the heartaches. We believe that God gave increase to the seed that was planted.
Whenever you see good things happening, get ready for Satan's attacks. Don't let Satan win! I learned a very important lesson: It never was, is, or will be about you ... it's always about God. So if things are going good, Thank God. He is doing it! If things are tough, Trust God. He will see you through it. Remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6 "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."