Slideshow image

Dear Shiloh Family,

What an incredibly gorgeous coastal Florida evening. Temperatures hovered in the mid to high 80's, except for occasional times of brief shade created by floating puffs of marshmallow cumulus clouds. The slight ocean breeze carried the aroma of wet sand, saltwater, and fish - smells that would have created horror in our living room, but became near heavenly in the current setting. The airwaves echoed with the cry of begging seagulls, crashing waves, occasional squawks of pelicans, and of course, human laughter and trivial conversation. Surfers lined the horizon waiting to catch an Atlantic wave while observing the occasional dorsal fin of a porpoising dolphin. It’'s funny how some senses were heightened while others became dulled and forgotten.

We were dinning at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant overlooking Flagler Beach. Actually, it was nothing more than a double-decker porch wrapped around a small kitchen. There was nothing fancy like some of the more well-known seafood houses. The attire was mostly shorts, t-shirts, and flops. The menu was a quaint, double-sided, 5X8, laminated card. However, every item on the list was fresh and delicious, and the ambience was beach-perfect.

The funny thing is, to save my life, I can't remember who the owner was or the name of our waitress. I vaguely recall what she looked like or even what she was wearing. However, I do remember the welcoming smile on her face, the pleasant tone in her voice, and that she brought Anita plenty of sweet tea, and provided me with ample supply of ketchup. What more can a person ask for? My sweetheart and I have been there several times and intend to return again every chance we get. Oh, by the way, we were taken the first time by my daughter and son-in-law.
 
Luke 14:23: 23 Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. NKJV

As I stood before the packed congregation at Shiloh last Sunday, it occurred to me that all those people didn't come to hear the preacher; they came for the fresh, palatable food and comfort of God's word. The atmosphere was filled with the electricity of the Holy Spirit, and saturated with the love of Jesus. Smiles and welcoming handshakes permeated the building. Sounds of praise and harmony created an ambience of worship and brotherly love. Return guests were back because they encountered a feeling of home. And yes, most of them were there because they were invited and or brought by a friend of loved one.

Tuesday, we were invited by 6 different schools to attend the Walker County BEAT luncheon. Shiloh was nominated by all six schools as Faith partners. Thanks to your generous Angel Tree gifts, year-round community involvement, and the efforts of Pastor David Brown, Melissa, and several others, Shiloh Baptist Church was chosen by the community as 2025 Faith Partner of the Year.

Shiloh, we don’t offer some of the amenities of the larger churches. We aren’t blessed (yet) with a huge full-time staff, large welcome center, or working coffee shop. But you offer something much more valuable; you present family, personal relationships, and genuine love for the Lord and one another. I'm proud of every ministry and every person in Shiloh Baptist Church. Keep doing what you’re doing. PREACH/TEACH/REACH

Ephesians 3:14-19:14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height — 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. NKJV

Chick-fil-A started with one chicken sandwich.
 
God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell