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Dear Shiloh Family,

As the door opened, the aroma was thick as soup (pun intended). Olfactory senses left no doubt to the table fare. Through the total wave of kitchen odors, it seemed each individual dish screamed out its contents. There would be creamed corn and corn bread, ham fried and taters on the side, mac and cheese, and beans and greens. There was even a hint of chocolate cake - and all served with love.

This is a scene often played out in Mamaw Billie’s and Memaw’s homes. We gather around the table with love and laughter. We sometimes comment on the freshness of the veggies as if they came straight from the garden, when actually, they did. At least they came from recently canned produce harvested from gardens just outside the door. However, I wonder how often, if ever, we stop to think of the labor of love it took to provide that one meal. 

Someone studied the signs, prepared the soil, hoed out the weeds, watered the dry arid dirt, fought insects and varmints, pruned dead useless sprigs, and harvested the fruit. Then each piece was strategically sliced and placed in containers so that when opened in the dead of winter, it would be as fresh as the day it was canned. Consequently, reflection certainly enhances the experience and appreciation for the unselfish gift of those sweet ladies. 

Each Sunday, pastors (Under-Shepherds) serve meals for God’s sheep. I could include teachers as well. My heart yearns for people to understand what is entailed in the spiritual presentation. Daily, the man of God weeds out personal demons, searches for fresh water of the Holy Spirit, fights insects and pests that intend harm to the church, dissects the scripture and diligently strives to present something as fresh as if the congregation just heard it for the first time. 

As your Pastor, I want you to know that I love you and am trying to understand the hurt in your life. Pastor David and I are striving to give you something healthy and new, not some AI generated Chat GPT generic sermon designed to tickle your ears. Our garden of sermons may not be the gourmet soliloquies of mega-church televangelists, but they are delivered with love and saturated in prayer…specifically prayer for you, our church family. It is a joy and honor to prepare a meal for you each week. 

My prayer is that we follow Paul’s instruction to the young pastor, Timothy.

1 Timothy 4:12-16: 12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. NKJV

The Word of God is only the Bread of Life when consumed. 

PREACH/TEACH/REACH

God bless you all,
Pastor Derrell