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Dear Shiloh Family,

The game was out of hand, and we were winning - big. For the first time in my life, I was on the sidelines (sitting the bench). Every time the coach stepped back, he tripped over my cleats, but it wasn't working. In fact, it was so bad, my teammates were petitioning our defensive coordinator to put me in. "Come on coach, give him a chance. He has worked as hard as the rest of us." I felt like Rudy of the Fighting Irish. Finally, I groveled, pleaded, begged, and maybe even bribed my way onto the field. Coming off the sidelines, I nearly tripped as I raced onto the gridiron at Maryville, College. My dream to play in a college football game had come true.

The experience was incredible, but the education was immeasurable, because I learned two valuable lessons that I will never forget.
 
First, God taught me that worldly goals and dreams, though somewhat necessary, often end in emptiness when the Lord is not the designer. Even though I experienced outward success that day, inwardly, there was a spiritual void.

Secondly, I discovered that while I was out of the game, I became totally dependent on the decision of the coach, and the divine intervention of my Heavenly Father. To the football coordinator, I was just #25. However, to my Lord, I was His work in progress, and he loved me just as much on or off the field. Consequently, he had me on the sidelines so he could better prove his love for me.

Psalm 46: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. KJV

When we are at our weakest, we better experience and are more willing to acknowledge the strength of the almighty. At times, God places us at rest, in a stage of weakness so that we may become stronger. But we only become stronger when we realize every breath, every heartbeat, every step, even our very thoughts come from the great creator of all things. And it is by His marvelous grace we are afforded all things.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10: 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. NKJV

Having been placed on the injured reserve list these last few days, I have become acutely aware of God's grace and what it means to be dependent on Him. I have also come to a greater appreciation of the wonderful servants of the most-high God in and around our small church.

I am more than blessed to have a wife who loves and cares for me in such a Godly and Christ-centered way. I am just as blessed to have a supportive family who understands. Perhaps, one of my greatest joys in this bench-sitting adventure is observing the leaders of our church and how they fill in gaps and pick up slack when I and others are unable to perform. Almost weekly, Pastor David and I are meeting with candidates for membership or baptism. Praise the Lord! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

From Our Hearts: Our prayers and condolences are extended to Darren Cash in the death of his mother, Vicki Cash. Please, keep him, Laranda, and the family in your thoughts and prayers the next few days.

Often, even the ministry drowns out the voice of the Master.

God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell