firstIMPRESSIONS - Vol. 6.13 - Friday, March 31, 2006
Rev. Timothy G. Satryan
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firstIMPRESSIONS
He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls, and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful precious stone! Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away! It is like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn’t look like much from the outside. It isn’t always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it. We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known for wealthy, but we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person. There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.
Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 6.13. Live for God, on purpose, looking for the best in others... and in yourself! PS – Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend! Don’t forget to turn your clocks AHEAD one hour on Saturday evening before you go to bed! |
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A man was exploring
caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a
bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls
and left them out in the sun to bake. They did not look like much, but
they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he
strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out
into the ocean as far as he could.
May we not come to the
end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in
friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the
people in our world as God sees them.
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 Welcome Back
Bernie and Cathy Gillott
This Sunday morning, WFA is pleased to welcome back Bernie and Cathy Gillott, missionary-evangelists with the Global Teen Challenge ministry. The Gillotts are Pastor Pete’s parents. The message that Bernie and Cathy bring is truly unique because of their 25 years of experience at Teen Challenge ministering to people with life-controlling problems with drugs, alcohol, or crime. Through years of ministry to the least and the lost, they have worked with and developed principles that really work. Thirty-year veterans of the music scene, they having recorded and produced over 20 albums and CDs and logged over 1/2 million miles internationally along with their 4 children, hosted a local radio program, appeared on national television, talk radio in the USA and abroad as well as sharing with hundreds of thousands of young people in schools and outreach. Through 25 years with Teen Challenge, Bernie and Cathy Gillott have trained and traveled with over 100 choirs on four continents and a dozen different nations, 47 states of the US and coast to coast in Canada. The people they have worked with are truly unique because every one of them came from a background of life-controlling problems with drugs, alcohol, or crime. Each, with their own story from gangs, to rock and roll, to drug addiction has testified to the miracle working power of God’s Love! Because of their international outreach with Teen Challenge, as well as ministry in the local church, they have seen the similarities between problems facing Teen Challenge students and families in your community. While symptoms in the local church may be different, the consequences of wounding, rejection, and the need for Jesus Christ are the same. After all of these years spent pulling kids out of the pit, now they come to build a fence around the pit! The Lord has given them a challenging word for the family that meets people right where they are: Freedom through dependence on Jesus. The skills developed as parents raising four of their own miracles, their unique ongoing experience in worldwide ministry and involvement in the local church keeps them at the cutting edge with their finger on the pulse of the practical needs of families today. You won’t want to miss this Sunday! You will see why people say this is more than live ministry, it is a Life Experience (top) 
Grove City College Touring Choir The Grove City College Touring Choir, under the direction of Dr. Douglas A. Browne, will return to WFA for a special night of concert ministry on Palm Sunday evening, April 9th, at 6:00pm as a part of the choir’s annual Spring Tour. My daughter, Jessica, has been a member of this select group throughout her college years as a music education major at Grove City College, a Christian liberal arts school located north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jessica is looking forward to this opportunity to share her ministry with her home church! The Grove City College Touring Choir is composed of 45 singers chosen at the beginning of the academic year. The choir seeks to praise and glorify God and to minister to others through the medium of music, striving together to achieve choral excellence. In addition to the annual Spring tour, the choir performs for churches and schools in the western Pennsylvania area, and at various campus events. The first Grove City College Touring Choir was organized in the fall of 1959 to minister to others through the medium of music, as well as to inform the public about Grove City College. The choir decided to travel to nearby schools and churches to present choral programs, as well as to embark on an annual tour over spring break. The choir achieved success its first year, and has been a part of Grove City College life ever since. In addition to concerts in the western Pennsylvania area, the choir has visited virtually every state east of the Mississippi River during previous tours. The choir has performed in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington D. C., Boston, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore and Detroit. Some notable appearances of the choir in its earlier years include concerts at the 1961 Presbyterian National General Assembly in Buffalo, the Senate Office Building in Washington D. C., Easter Sunrise Services with Billy Graham in Miami’s Marine Stadium, and a performance at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. More recently, the Touring Choir has performed for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Annual Conferences in 1984, 1986, 1990, 1997, and 2004, and the Music Educators National Conference Eastern Division Conventions in 1987 and 1991. In April of 2001 the choir sang for the Palm Sunday services at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. In February of 2002 the choir performed at the Eastern Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association. The choir has also performed with both the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra. In the summer of 2000 a group of forty-five alumni of the Touring Choir took a two-week trip to Europe and presented programs in a variety of locations including Melk Abby, Wieskirche, The Salzburg Cathedral, and Notre Dame. In the summer of 2005 the alumni choir toured the British Isles, singing in Edinborough, Scotland; Dublin, Ireland; Wells Cathedral; Bath Abbey; and Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London. Membership in the Grove City College Touring Choir is determined by an audition of interested students at the beginning of the school year. Members come from many different academic disciplines and choose the Touring Choir as an extracurricular activity. Grove City College was founded in 1876 and has a three-part mission to provide a high-quality education in a thoroughly Christian environment at an affordable cost. Grove City is a truly independent and private college, which accepts no federal funding in order to protect the integrity of its mission. Since its founding, Grove City College, committed to Christian principles, has striven to be equal in academic quality to the finest four year colleges. It seeks to provide liberal and professional education of the highest quality that is within the reach of families with modest means who desire a college that will strengthen their children’s spiritual and moral character. Grove City College is a residential, undergraduate campus of approximately 2300 students. It is located in northwest Pennsylvania near the intersection of I-80 and I-79 – about 60 miles north of Pittsburgh. Current students represent 45 states and 11 foreign countries. The 150 acre campus is located on the edge of Grove City, PA – a town of approximately 8000 residents. The college is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. You can visit Grove City College on the web at www.gcc.edu (top)  God
Provides
There was a Christian lady who lived next door to an atheist. Everyday, when the lady prayed, the atheist guy could hear her. He thought to himself, “She sure is crazy, praying all the time like that. Doesn’t she know there isn’t a God?” Many times while she was praying, he would go to her house and harass her, saying “Lady, why do you pray all the time? Don’t you know there is no God?” But she kept on praying. One day, she ran out of groceries. As usual, she was praying to the Lord explaining her situation and thanking Him for what He was gonna do. As usual, the atheist heard her praying and thought to himself, “Hmph... I’ll fix her.” He went to the grocery store, bought a whole bunch of groceries, took them to her house, dropped them off on the front porch, rang the door bell and then hid in the bushes to see what she would do. When she opened the door and saw the groceries, she began to praise the Lord with all her heart, jumping, singing and shoutin’ everywhere! The atheist then jumped out of the bushes and told her, “You ol’ crazy lady, God didn’t buy you those groceries, I bought those groceries!” Well, she broke out and started running down the street, shouting and praising the Lord. When he finally caught her, he asked what her problem was... She said, “I knew The Lord would provide me with some groceries, but I didn’t know He was gonna make the devil pay for them!” (top)  What are You
Waiting For?
by Rob Boyd What are you waiting for? A sign from God? A telephone call? A perfect situation? If we wait until everything is just right to do something, we will never do anything. I want to encourage you to do something for God this week. Don’t procrastinate, don’t wait, just do something! I heard about a farmer who said that lightning struck his old shed and it saved him from having to tear it down. The rain washed his car and saved him from having to wash it. When asked why he wasn’t in the field, he said, ‘I’m waiting for an earthquake to shake my potatoes out of the ground.’ What are you waiting for? The time to fix the roof is when the sun is shining. One of these days is ’none of these days.’ I’ve heard it said that whatever sits on the shelf rots, including people. There are no perfect conditions. There are no ideal situations for most things we want to do. If you wait until the conditions are perfect, you may end up like the man who vowed never to marry until he met the perfect girl. When he finally met her, she was waiting for the perfect man! What are you waiting for? Step out in faith and trust God to lead you. Abraham didn’t have a destination but he packed up and left home. Moses didn’t know all the details when he walked into Pharaoh’s palace. If you wait until you are totally sure, you will never take off your training wheels. I’m convinced that many of us have missed out on the blessings God has planned for us simply because we did not have the faith to attempt something great for Him. Don’t you think it is time to take off our spiritual training wheels and attempt to do something for God? What are you waiting for? (top)  Slow Down,
You’ll Last Longer!
by Bob Gass “The lord is faithful, who will... guard you from... evil...” – 2 Thessalonians 3:3 A farmer and his son were traveling to the city to sell their produce. The dad relaxed while his son goaded the ox to go faster. When they passed a friend’s house the older man insisted they stop and visit. Later, back on the road, he took the slow, scenic route. At dusk he stopped for the night. Frustrated and angry his son said, “You are more interested in sunsets and flowers than making money!” “That’s the nicest thing you have ever said to me,” replied his father. Next morning as they traveled, a blinding flash split the clouds, followed by a low rumble, then the sky grew black. “If we had hurried we would have missed this storm,” grumbled the boy. “Slow down, son, you will last longer,” his dad replied. By late afternoon they reached a hill overlooking the city. After staring down at it for what seemed like an eternity, the boy finally turned and said, “I see what you mean, Dad.” Slowly they turned around and rolled away from what remained of the city of – Hiroshima! The Bible says, “The Lord is faithful, who will... guard you from... evil...” You do not know what you are being protected from, but God does. The Bible says, “He... saves your life!” every day (Psalm 103:4 TM). Your “steps [and stops]... are directed by [Him]...” (Psalm 37:23 TLB). He knows what’s round the next corner. That irritating traffic jam, that unexpected phone call were all part of His plan for you. So learn to trust Him more, complain less, worry less, and rush less! Okay? as seen in Bob Gass’ “Word for Today” at www.christianconnect.org.uk (top)  Why Do
You Do What You Do?
by Dr. Mark Redd John Mason in his book, “An Enemy Called Average” writes this: “Do you know that God made you for a purpose? He has a job for you that no one else can do as well as you. Out of the billions of applicants, only one is qualified, only one has the right combination of what it takes. God has given people the measure of faith to do what He has called them to do. Every person is gifted. Have you found what God created you to do?” Have you stopped and asked yourself why you do what you do? There has to be a reason, but somehow many of us simply never stop to ask ourselves the question: Why am I doing this? Who is it that sets my agenda? Could it be: • People’s expectations – Everyone expects me to do it! Moreover, “Everybody is doing it!” • Tradition – Well, we have always done it this way before in this department. • Sense of urgency – It has to be done now – because no one did it earlier. • Insecurity of inaction – Busy-ness – The world depends on me. Three Keys To A Directed Life • Know who you are and what you are to be doing. Jesus was secure in the fact that He knew who He was. He knew what His purpose on earth was. ”...I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” (Mark 1:38) Do you know what your purpose is? Do you know why God has placed you where you are? God has designed you for a specific purpose. Discover what that purpose is, then chart a path! • Know when to stop. There will always be more work to do. It never stops, but you can not help people when you are empty yourself. When you define what you will do, you also define what you will not do. Who determines when you stop, where you go? Who sets your course? Who determines your priorities? The disciples thought they knew what was best, but Jesus listened to a different voice. Whose voice are you listening to? “‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’” (Mark 1:37-38) • Start your day with God. If you want to discover your purpose and your direction, there is no better place to start than to start it with God. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35) Let Him set your agenda for the day. Do what you do today on purpose! As seen in “Life Lessons,” a periodic publication from Dr. Mark Redd, pastor of Bayshore Baptist Church in La Porte, Texas. www.bayshorebc.org (top) For Sale ONE CROSS – nearly new. I cannot carry it and keep up with the world and its crowd. ONE TALENT – new, except slightly shelf-worn; it has been laid away for several years. ONE FIVE-PIECE SET OF ARMOR – all pieces in good shape, only need polishing. ONE BUNDLE OF CHRISTIAN OPPORTUNITIES – one, that of going to church every Sunday; another the opportunity of being a soul winner. I seldom use these opportunities, so have decided to let them go with the sale. ONE BADLY USED CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE – buyer may be able to repair it if carefully handled. The above-mentioned items are in the basement of my house, located at the corner of Careless Avenue and Neglect Street. Signed, (top)  The Last
Impression...
A few short laughs to brighten your day... • A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, “Boys and girls, what do we know about God?” A hand shot up in the air. “He is an artist!” said the kindergarten boy. “Really? How do you know?” the teacher asked. “You know – Our Father, who does art in Heaven... ” • People want the front of the bus; back of the church and center of attention. • Somebody once figured out that we have 35 million laws trying to enforce 10 commandments. • One Sunday after church Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered “Don’t be scared, you’ll get your quilts”. Needless to say, Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea. Mom asked him what that morning’s Sunday school lesson was about. He said “Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming”. • There was this gracious lady mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. “Is there anything breakable in here?” asked the postal clerk. “Only the Ten Commandments,” answered the lady. As March concludes, a full quarter of the “new year” is now over! This weekend here in America, we all move our clocks ahead one hour. Time keeps on pressing forward. Evaluate what you do each and every minute, and use your time wisely! As the old saying goes, “Time is a gift. That’s why it is called the present! Don’t waste it!” |
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Yours for HIM, |
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