Dear Saints,

As I sat with Eric Smith outside Roe Elementary school at Franz Park I couldn’t help but reminisce of my younger days. I can still remember standing outside my first locker and panicking because I had forgotten the combination. I could remember the cafeteria emitting smells that were unrecognizable, perhaps even toxic. I remember Carol, Susie, Tommy, Robert, Jack and on and on I could go, these were the boys and girls I called my friends. As I thought on these things Eric began to share with me that he had attended Roe Elementary school and started to name all his former teachers who had taught there. He too was reminiscing. Eric shared with me that where a playground was there use to be a small 3-foot wading pool that as a boy he would wade in on his way home from school. He told me of other changes in the surrounding area where we sat. I couldn’t help but wonder what was it like to live in this neighborhood as a boy fifty years ago. What were the houses like then, what were the people like then, and what was the school like then? Then it struck me, I’ll never know but in front of me was a man who did. He had a story to tell and he could tell from first hand experience, he had lived it.

Isn’t that what we have in our experience with God through Jesus Christ His son. The world often wonders if there is a God, and if there is what is he like? Does he care for them? Does he know where they are , and if he does exist will he even help them? Like Eric we have a story to tell. We have experience first hand his loving forgiveness and his grace. We know He cares. We are walking with Him by his grace. We have what they so desperately need. Shouldn’t we share this good news to those who are questioning within themselves if there is hope? Shouldn’t we share His love to those around us?

As we began to leave the park the bell rang at the school, I could only imagine a little boy walking down the same hall ways that Eric had walked so long ago. What would be his story 50 years from now? How will the neighborhood have changed by then? I won’t know but that little boy will be able to remind those living then how it use to be! ! ! ! Thank God for those who continue to share the old, old , story of the cross of Jesus Christ! ! ! For even though it is an old story it’s one that needs to be told today.

Just a reminder that the Friday night Bible studies at our house are starting this month! The first one will be September 28^th at 7:30 p.m. It will be great time of fellowship and studying God’s word together. We serve a great God so continue to believe God for great things!

Purchased for a Purpose,

Pastor Rick