Slideshow image

Dear Shiloh Family,

     What an incredible day of worship at Shiloh last Sunday!  We are so blessed when the Holy Spirit has freedom to move among us.  Thank you all for willingness to accept change.  Because of your prayers, praise, and personal devotion, another precious soul came to know Jesus during our worship time. We were especially blessed to have Jeff highlight the sermon with an inspirational guitar solo.

      Afterward, I received a text with additional information about one of the acoustical guitars he so wonderfully played.  I received permission from Jeff to share part of the text with you. So, in the words of the late Paul Harvey, here is The Rest of the Story. 

    I know I'm a slow thinker, and I have a one-track mind, especially when I am worried about something like playing by myself if front of everyone. But I would like to share something with y'all that hit me on the way home. As I drove home, I looked over into the passenger seat of the truck. There sat my Tayler guitar, tucked carefully away its protective case. Laying on top of the case that $2400 guitar was in, sat this $120 guitar I've had for nearly 20 years now. This guitar.... rejected from the day it was made, being stamped with a "B" because it didn't pass its inspection. It was deemed unworthy to be sold with the rest of new and perfect guitars. A stamp that has since cause the finish in that area to start delaminated from the heat. Since then, the guitar has lived a rough life. It's never once been in a protective case. It's had steel grinding and welding sparks thrown all over it. It's had saw dust being thrown at it which it still carries inside it to this day. It's been dropped from tall heights to the ground, stepped on, and left by itself to endure extreme temperatures of heat and cold. Even through all that, it was given to a musician who was far away from home undergoing a heart transplant and had nothing of his own, and that guitar comforted him and gave him peace. If any guitar could talk, this guitar would say it's useless, unusable, and unworthy. But today I feel like it shined like it was the most expensive guitar around.

      I sat in the truck looking at it and cried; that guitar is me. I am useless, and unworthy, but the Lord has found a way to use me even in a very small way. I Love that Guitar now.

      I am so grateful to the Lord for where he has brought me. I am so grateful to the Lord that I get to worship Him with all of you. I love all of you dearly.

Psalm 40:1-3: I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, and heard my cry. 2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.  3 He has put a new song in my mouth Praise to our God Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.  NKJV

     What an incredible story from an incredible brother, who is part of an incredible praise team.  We are so fortunate to worship with praise leaders who are not only gifted and talented, but also folks who love the Lord and understand the worth and work of the Holy Spirit. 

     This Sunday is Homecoming at Shiloh.  I look forward to another wonderful day of worship and dinner on the grounds.  We will also be baptizing again.  Praise the Lord!  Dont forget, we are asking each family to invite one lost or unchurched person to attend the service.  Encourage them to stay and eat as well.  And oh yes, bring plenty of the delicious covered dishes and desserts. 

     If you havent signed up to attend homecoming, you can still do so online or by calling Melissa at the office.

Psalm 122:1: I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

When God changes your heart, it is revealed through your mouth, hands, and feet.                              

God bless you all, 

Pastor Derrell